Category: theatre

Leaders of the stagehands union had told Broadway producers that the union would cross picket lines, but union members voted not to. “Among both actors and stagehands, some were frustrated that while they were walking the picket lines, the musicians failed to return to the negotiating table all weekend. Several actors also say that, in part, they felt compelled to support the musicians out of self-interest; they have a labor negotiation coming up in June 2004 and may need the musicians to back them.”

Broadway’s musicians strike headed into Sunday night without any negotiations or progress. ” ‘They handed us a proposal – typed very clearly at the top ‘final proposal’ – and left the building. There have been no talks since then.’ Outside the theaters, the strike scene is becoming increasingly familiar. Musicians picketed and passed out leaflets urging people to “save live music on Broadway,” while disappointed theatergoers exchanged tickets for later dates or refunds. Stagehands and performers were honoring the picket lines.

Broadway theatres were quiet over the weekend as a strike by musicians closed down musicals. “But live music filled the Theater District when hundreds of orchestra members and their supporters marched through the streets, buoyed by an unexpectedly strong show of solidarity among key unions.”

“Strikes by performing artists are rare, and the public reaction to them is usually quite different from the reaction to strikes by others, like steelworkers or construction workers. Broadway is a highly visible business, important to New York’s image and economy, and the public, not just New Yorkers but tourists from across the country, will pay great attention to this strike. It is not clear whether the public, in this case theatergoers, will buy the musicians’ argument that a minimum number of musicians are needed to maintain the vitality of pit orchestras or the producers’ argument that smaller orchestras — and perhaps virtual, electronic orchestras — might be acceptable to improve the economics of producing musicals and to help more survive.”

Broadway producers were “stunned” that stagehands and actors decided to support the musicians strike. The producers evidently “thought that the stagehands’ union had given strong back-channel signals that they would not side with the musicians” But hopes for a quick settlement were dashed over the weekend when producers cancelled performances.

The Bristol Old Vic is the oldest working theatre in Britain, its main house, originally the Theatre Royal, built in 1766 by William Halfpenny. You happen upon it like a jewel that has strangely parted company from a ring. But dilapidation – however severe – is not the theatre’s most pressing concern. For the truth is – although everyone is too polite to be forceful about it – that the Bristol Old Vic has been an artistic casualty for years now, suffering from underfunding and weak leadership.” But now, finally, things might be looking up…

After Broadway musicians went on strike Friday, actors and stagehands refused to cross picket lines, and producers decided to close down all musicals. “Broadway producers announced that all musicals — except for ‘Cabaret,’ which operates under a different contract — would be shut for the weekend. Dramatic plays without music and Off Broadway productions operated as normal.”

“Early this morning the union representing Broadway musicians announced it was on strike, but theater producers said talks would continue through the day.” This is the first Broadway musicians strike in 25 years.

If Broadway musicians go out on strike tomorrow, producers are planning to have synthetic music ready to go. But will the actors and others employed on Broadway cross picket lines? Actors Equity has called an emergency meeting for Friday to consider the matter. “The Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG), representing 13 Broadway unions, on Wednesday issued a statement of support for Local 802 following an emergency meeting. The coalition represents all aspects of the Broadway theatre, from actors, musicians, playwrights, directors and choreographers, to set, costume and lighting designers, stagehands, ushers and ticket-takers, box office personnel, wardrobe, hairstylists, porters, press agents and company managers.”

For years, the Tony Awards, which honor the best of Broadway, have been the awards show nobody wanted. CBS has aired the show for a quarter-century, but only the last two hours of it, allowing PBS to air the first hour for the last five years or so. In fact, earlier this year, there were rumbles that CBS might drop the telecast altogether. But now, CBS has picked up its option to air all three hours of the Tonys, shutting a stunend PBS out of the process entirely. So what suddenly made the Tonys a desirable commodity? Couldn’t have anything to do with this year’s unexpected blockbuster of a Grammy Awards show, could it? Nah…