I think the difference is that the playwright isn't selling product other than the play.

People aren't going to go out and purchase the play to take home !

So...yeah... I think it's apples and oranges...

Paying a writer to use his script is not the same as paying a songwriter to use his song.

Plus we're not asking the actors to pay individually for the right to read the words.

You know...there's not one simple answer to this...
I'm just taking the performers side...
It's what I've been my whole life..
You'd have to expect me to see things this way..

I know what it is to write a song
And I know what it is to make a living singing the songs of others...

I don't see any good reason why money should be changing hands one way or the other

bob