| Broadway stagehands, producers mum on resumed talks
NEW YORK (AP) - Broadway's stagehands and theater producers have resumed contract talks -- but they're still not talking publicly about how the negotiations are going. The two sides met yesterday at an undisclosed location. It's been more than a week since a walkout by the stagehands union shut down more than two dozen plays and musicals. Pressure to settle the contract dispute is increasing as the profitable Thanksgiving holiday week approaches and losses mount for the shuttered shows. They include some of Broadway's biggest hits, such as "Wicked," "Jersey Boys," "The Phantom of the Opera," "The Lion King" and "Mamma Mia!" Stagehands have been working without a contract since the end of July. Negotiations have focused on work rules - how many stagehands are required to open a Broadway show and keep it running.
Broadway Lights Stay Dim, Talks Break Down
They say the lights are always bright on Broadway. But they won't be bright anytime soon. The latest talks between producers and striking stagehands have broken off, and Broadway performances have been canceled through Sunday, November 25.Broadway stagehands and theater producers met again Sunday, the second day of intense negotiations to find a solution to a strike by Local One that has kept 27 plays and musicals closed for more than a week. The two sides held a marathon, more than 12-hour session Saturday in a theater-district hotel. Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of the "League of American Theatres and Producers" sent out a statement Sunday evening to announce the cancelations. The statement reads: "We are profoundly disappointed to have to tell you that talks broke off tonight, and that no further negotiations are scheduled.
New York stagehand strike brings down curtain on Broadway shows
The curtain has come down on Broadway's plays and musicals after a stagehand strike that threatens to drag on into the Christmas season, disappointing thousands of tourists and costing New York millions in lost revenue. The strike, which entered its third day today with no resolution in sight, has closed 27 shows, including The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Wicked and Dr Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which opened the morning the strike began. The stoppage pits the largest stagehands' union, Local One, against the League of American Theaters and Producers. They have been in fruitless negotiations for three months since contracts expired in July. It also comes as writers in Hollywood continue their week-long strike, which has greatly disrupted television schedules and forced many networks to air re-runs and postpone new series.
Broadway producers talk again with striking stagehands
Broadway stagehands and theater producers met again Sunday, the second day of intense negotiations to find a solution to a strike by Local 1 that has kept 27 plays and musicals closed for more than a week.
The two sides held a marathon, more than 12-hour session Saturday in a theater-district hotel. The union and the League of American Theatres and Producers would not comment on the resumption of the talks.
Pressure has mounted for a solution to the work stoppage, which began Nov. 10, because Monday starts the lucrative Thanksgiving holiday week, which is one of Broadway's best weeks of the year.
The stagehands include scenery and prop handlers, carpenters, electricians, and
lighting and sound technicians.
Negotiations have focused on work rules -- how many stagehands are required to open a Broadway show and keep it running.
Broadway stagehands, producers try to bring end to strike
NEW YORK -- Broadway stagehands and theater producers met again Sunday, the second day of intense negotiations to find a solution to a strike that has shut down 27 plays and musicals for more than a week. The union, Local 1, and the League of American Theatres and Producers would not comment on the resumption of the talks. They had met for more than 12 hours Saturday in a theater-district hotel. Pressure has mounted for a solution to the work stoppage, which began Nov. 10, because today starts the lucrative Thanksgiving holiday week, one of Broadway's best weeks of the year. The stagehands -- who include scenery and prop handlers, carpenters, electricians, and lighting and sound technicians -- have been working without a contract since the end of July. Negotiations have focused on work rules -- how many stagehands are required to open a Broadway show and keep it running.
Ritz Creator McNally Appears on "Downstage Center" Radio Show Nov. 16
Terrence McNally � whose The Ritz is currently revived on Broadway at Studio 54 �� will be featured on XM Radio's "Downstage Center" Nov. 16. The American Theatre Wing and XM Satellite Radio present the interview with the playwright on the weekly theatrical show on XM's On Broadway (XM Channel 28). The show plays Nov. 16 at 6 PM with repeat broadcasts Saturday at noon, Sunday at 7 PM and Wednesday at 12 AM (ET). Playwright McNally was recently represented on Broadway by Deuce and Off-Broadway by Some Men. His work includes plays (Master Class, Love! Valour! Compassion!) as well as librettos (Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman). He won Tony Awards for all four aforementioned works. Other credits include Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair De Lune, The Full Monty, The Visit, Corpus Christi, The Lisbon Traviata, Andre's Mother and Lips Together, Teeth Apart.
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