Well Mike...

first of all...

I'm not gonna compare Arthur Miller and Death of a Salesmna to what we'
re talking about...
That's a phenomenal success and completely out of the range of experience of some little cover band playing a corner bar.

Plus..the situation is made more different by the fact that there are 3d and 4th parties involved..
It's a production compamy that secures the rights to perform the play and they are generally paying for all the expenses, the venue, the actors etc.

I do believe it's apples and oranges.

You've been in the circus a long time, long enough to know tha twhat applies to the Beatles and their experience does not apply to Joe Tuna gigging at the mile high cafe this friday night !

Bob