# Creating a musical....any tips?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-a-musical-any-tips/842970>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [November 3, 2019, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-a-musical-any-tips/842970 "2019-11-03T23:30:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pianodave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e79b87/32.png) [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2019, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-a-musical-any-tips/842970/1 "2019-11-03T23:30:40Z")

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Hi SD,

I am writing a musical. Specifically, I have written music and lyrics, and I have two other people writing the story for me.

The plot is basically the story of how I was paralyzed from the chest down due to a drunk driver. Though names are changed, the story is told from my perspective and the perspective (with a healthy dose of creative liberty) of the woman who paralyzed me–how she got drunk after her boyfriend walked out on her in a bar.

I’m very invested in this project, and I’d like to know if anyone has any idea of the best steps to take while I am waiting on a script. I have the music and lyrics finished enough to give a good snapshot of the musical, but would like to know what possible investors/producers would look for in a proposal before I start reaching out. What should my next move be?

Moderators, move this post if it doesn’t make sense in Café Society. Thanks!

Dave

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**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2019, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-a-musical-any-tips/842970/2 "2019-11-04T16:52:38Z")

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Is your paralysis real, or a facet of the character? I don’t know you or your real-life history.

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**Author:** ![pianodave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e79b87/32.png) [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2019, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-a-musical-any-tips/842970/3 "2019-11-04T17:24:38Z")

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Yes, I am paralyzed, from the chest down, though I have recovered a fair bit of function. Writing this musical is how I am choosing to heal emotionally. It’s a cathartic and sometimes very difficult process. I find it my best way of coping.

Dave

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**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2019, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-a-musical-any-tips/842970/4 "2019-11-04T17:32:05Z")

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Hire an entertainment lawyer if you can afford one.

Sounds like a great story to tell, paralyzed by a drunk woman dumped by her boyfriend, your indomitable spirit leads you to success, that stuff is pure gold.

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**Author:** ![pianodave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e79b87/32.png) [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-a-musical-any-tips/842970/5 "2019-11-04T18:13:44Z")

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Thanks. But the real meat of it is my attempt to humanize the woman who did this. It was hard, but treating her as a human being who made a terrible mistake instead of the irredeemable bitch she was in ny life for almost 15 years has been healing.