Features

All Categories

Dionne Warwick Sues 'Baby It's You' Producers

Posted Apr 28th 2011 6:00PM by Latifah Muhammad
Comments

Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival

Just one day after its big Broadway debut, the play 'Baby It's You' is facing legal action from esteemed soul singer-songwriter Dionne Warwick.

In the suit, filed in the New York State Supreme Court Tuesday (April 26), Warwick, three former members of the group the Shirelles and R&B singer Chuck Jackson are accusing the musical of using their likeness without permission. According to the grievance, the Broadway production is "cashing in" by using the singer's "names, likenesses, and biographical information without their consent."

The lawsuit, which names Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Warner Bros. Entertainment and Broadway Baby, goes on to state that the group was "cheated out of their royalties when they were young and popular [and] are now victimized again."

Created by Tony Award nominated duo Floyd Mulrux and Colin Escort, the musical is inspired by the true story of Florence Greenberg, a New Jersey housewife that discovered the all-female singing group, who became popular in the 1960s. Tony Award winner Beth Level stars in the two-hour and 20-minute production showcasing several pop and rock 'n' roll classics like '16 Candles,' 'Shout,' 'It's My Party' and 'Dedicated to the One You Love.'

Despite their suit, Warwick and the other plaintiffs are not looking to halt production of the Broadway musical. 'Baby It's You' is playing at Manhattan's Broadhurst Theater on West 44th St.

Watch Dionne Warwick's 'That's What Friends Are For'

Download Dionne Warwick Songs | Buy Dionne Warwick Albums

Filed under: Soul/R&B, R&B News
Email This

CHECK OUT THE CONCERT

N/A N/A

N/A

Starting from N/A

Average Price N/A

SEE MORE TICKETS »

UPCOMING SHOWS IN YOUR AREA

- -

Add a Comment

Sign in »

20 Comments

Filter by:

johnny

isnt whitney houston her sister? crazyness runs in the family

April 30 2011 at 6:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

SHELLEY

1la 1h1 you are as stupid as they come a hole well anyway i lost respect for dionne after the apprentice when she said to nee nee that she was a coward ...she forgot to mention that she has dementure, she should have not been anywhere near that show, lol she acted like she was stuck .... she said to mr trump then i am not leaving and he said dionne your fired i kept rewinding it .. a lil sic part of me lol lml.

April 30 2011 at 6:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Sheila Bangs

I saw the Shirelles on New Years Eve at the Palm Springs Follies - they were lousy, to say the least. So, I suppose they need the money. As for Dionne Warwick, she lives here in Desert Hot Springs and has a rep for being really nasty. I wish them no luck in their lawsuit - they are all has beens

April 30 2011 at 6:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Engelun

greed. all about greed and wanting a buck.

April 30 2011 at 6:43 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Michael

Just another outdated hag looking for a payday, go back to hawking palm readings and astrology even better have your palm read. They will tell you what we already know your all washed up.

April 30 2011 at 6:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

l1a1h1

She may be a bad lady, but that's what bad ladies do. I thought all fat, black women were beotchs, that's what they all call each other. LOL

April 30 2011 at 6:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Gorgeous

No matter what you may think of her and the other plaintiffs, they have very real grievances about the use of their images. They were systematically cheated and robbed of royalties for decades. There is tremendous value in well-known images and trademarks. If you don't believe, use a Disney or Universal Studios or Muppets image.

April 30 2011 at 5:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

sue

Saw her in Las Vegas years ago. she cussed out the audience because she told the audience that some friend got some award and the audience didnt respnd.She said "when I say so & so got an award, you should applaud" She's RUDE alright.

April 30 2011 at 5:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

luvbrazilian

Egomaniac, biotch and cranky is being very nice. She is one of the most miserable, nasty people I have ever had to deal with .............TWICE!!
She has to get more money some how, why not sue like most of these other shutdown wannabees. Maybe she will get enough to pay the taxes she has tried to skate out of paying because she's a damn looser.

April 30 2011 at 5:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

joan

I guess not making any records or discs and not having a top one for years, Dionne has to make money some how and bringing a lawsuit it one way to make some.....or not. Sorry, but she is a has-been and has gotten very disliked by many in recent years. Too bad. She was truly great...once.

April 30 2011 at 5:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply