Dramatic ‘Rent’ Dispute

By this time next week, dramaturges throughout America may have a better idea of where they stand in the theatrical pecking order.

That’s because a decision is expected next week in Thomson vs. Larson. Dramaturge Lynn M. Thomson sued the estate of the late “Rent” creator Jonathan Larson, contending that she helped create the hit show, now at La Jolla Playhouse as well as on Broadway, and is entitled to 16% of the author’s royalties.

Speaking up for Thomson in a pretrial affidavit was playwright Craig Lucas (“Blue Window,” “Prelude to a Kiss”), who said that Larson told him in November 1995 (three months before Larson died just prior to the show’s opening) that Thomson had “transformed the show.” He also quoted Thomson from 1995, saying “that Larson was relying upon her to such an extent that she actually was co-writing the script.”

Tony Kushner (“Angels in America”) also filed an affidavit for Thomson, not based on personal knowledge of this case but instead on the general principle that dramaturges often deserve compensation and credit. He shared 15% of his own “Angels in America” royalties with dramaturges Kimberly T. Flynn and Oskar Eustis, he disclosed.

Attorneys representing Larson’s heirs say that Thomson was paid the $2,000 specified by her contract. Otherwise, they argue that her claims fail to meet the requirements of a 1991 decision, Childress vs. Taylor. That case, they assert, demands evidence that both Larson and Thomson intended her to be the co-author and that she contributed independently copyrightable material.

“The evidence that Larson intended to be the sole author of ‘Rent’ is staggering,” wrote the Larson family’s attorneys in their pretrial memorandum. Thomson “is simply taking advantage of Larson’s inability to speak for himself.”

Supporting the Larson defense are American Repertory Theatre artistic director Robert Brustein and Bernard Gersten, executive producer of Lincoln Center Theater--even though Lincoln Center dramaturge Anne Cattaneo has given a deposition for the other side.

“Rent” director and La Jolla Playhouse artistic director Michael Greif is expected to testify Wednesday for the defense.

The case will be decided by U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan in New York.

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BOHEMIA ON $500 A DAY: Speaking of “Rent,” its Sept. 19 preview at the Ahmanson Theatre will serve as the centerpiece for a fund-raiser for Center Theatre Group’s new-play development programs, sponsored by CTG’s Entertainment Council. The event is described in a straight-faced press release as “a bohemian-life party” on the Music Center Plaza--with tickets costing $500 per person or $5,000 per table. Honorary event chairs are those noted bohemians Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. Information: (213) 972-7660.

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EL PACHUCO RETURNS: San Diego Repertory Theatre will present Luis Valdez’s “Zoot Suit” Oct. 3-26. It will be the first revival ever of the groundbreaking show about a famous court case involving young Chicanos in 1940s L.A.

“Everybody studies it, but nobody ever sees it,” noted director Bill Virchis said. That is, not since the 1978 production introduced Chicano themes to the Mark Taper Forum mainstage, then was panned when it moved to Broadway.

“Luis always wanted to stage it himself,” Virchis said. But when Valdez saw a college production of his “Bandido!” that Virchis directed, he liked it enough to OK the upcoming “Zoot Suit.”

Virchis said he wants to stage the courtroom scenes as they were done in the film version--”more action, less narrative.”

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HAGEN IN L.A.: Uta Hagen, the famous acting teacher and two-time Tony winner, will answer questions, sign books and be the guest of honor at a public reception tonight at 7:30 at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood. Tickets were still available at press time by calling (213) 660-8587. The event is hosted by the Howard Fine Acting Studio, where Hagen will conduct classes over the next two weeks.