| 'Grinch' May Not Get Chance To Steal Xmas In NYC
Could the Grinch get Christmas stolen out from under him? The limited holiday engagement of "Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas!" won't reopen until the lengthening labor dispute between Broadway stagehands and theater producers is settled, James Sanna, the show's producer, said Monday. "It's not like there's an option to rebook the show," Sanna said, adding that the musical "is losing a significant amount of money." Sanna had wanted to resume Tuesday, the start of the lucrative Thanksgiving holiday when "Grinch" was to play 15 performances -- almost twice the usual number of weekly performances for Broadway shows. The producer said an agreement for "Grinch" was reached over the summer and signed by both the League of American Theatres and Producers and Local 1, the stagehands union, and the current contract wrangle does not involve his production.
Day 11: The Strike Goes On, The Grinch Does Not
As news spread around the Rialto that most Broadway shows would be closed through at least Sunday, Nov. 25, there was one glimmer of hope � the limited engagement of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas might reopen prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. At least those actors, musicians, stagehands, ushers and other theatre personnel at the St. James Theatre would be working during the usually lucrative weekend. The return of the Grinch, however, was short-lived. By late afternoon Nov. 19 it was announced that the holiday-themed musical, the first show to be affected by the strike that began Nov. 10, would not reopen any sooner than the 27 other darkened theatres. A statement issued Nov. 19 by Jujamcyn Theaters, owners of the St. James Theatre, said, "The Local One Stagehands struck the St.
Broadway stagehands go on strike
NEW YORK -- From "Wicked" to "The Phantom of the Opera," from "Mamma Mia!" to "Rent," most shows did not go on as Broadway stagehands walked off the job, shutting down more than two dozen plays and musicals. It was a dramatic, uncertain day in the Times Square area for disappointed theatergoers, who mingled on the streets Saturday while striking Local One stagehands picketed in an orderly fashion behind barricades and declined to talk to reporters. The union had no official comment on the walkout. No new negotiations have been scheduled between Local One and the League of American Theatres and Producers, so the outlook for a quick settlement looks murky. The two sides have been in contentious negotiations for more than three months. Much of their disagreements involve work rules and staffing requirements, particularly rules governing the expensive process of loading in and setting up a show.
Hairspray 髮膠明星夢
From its opening song-and-dance number, "Hairspray" shows so much rhythm, you can snap your fingers and tap your feet to it. Indeed, the musical bursts with an infectious exuberance and a tireless, refreshing energy that carry it through the occasional dull spot or miscalculated moment. Based on the recent Broadway musical -- which was itself an adaptation of director John Waters' 1988 cult flick about a girl's spiritual and intellectual awakening with the help of an aerosol can -- the most recent incarnation stands on its own two feet, thanks to director and choreographer Adam Shankman's smart moves behind the camera. (Waters and original star Ricki Lake give their blessings to the new production in the form of cameos.) The star-studded cast, which includes, among others, John Travolta -- in drag and a fat suit -- helps, too.
Broadway North putting on 'Aladdin'
The Broadway North Theatre Company is bringing a whole new world to Prince Albert. Well, not a whole new world exactly. But the set and costumes for the upcoming musical "Aladdin" will certainly blow you away. "This is the most decadent show Broadway North has done to date ... by far," said "Aladdin" director Gillian McCaffery. "It's going to be one of our biggest and best shows." With more than 50 cast members, ornate costumes, and three expansive sets, this production of "Aladdin" has captured the grandeur and opulence of its Middle Eastern setting. "Aladdin is a very popular music cartoon and with it comes certain expectations," said Stacey Beach, set and costume designer. "So we have lots of stage numbers that will be very bright and colourful." But there is more to this production than just spectacular sets and wonderful wardrobes.
Broadway producers sue strikers
SEVERAL Broadway producers sued striking stagehands for $US35 million ($39.2 million) and a New York judge today separately ordered a theatre to allow Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical to reopen. Producers of nine shows sued members of Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and its president James Claffey Jr in Manhattan federal court seeking to recover damages for lost revenues. The League of American Theatres and Producers has said the strike that has darkened some 25 productions since November 10 is costing a total of about $US17 million ($19 million) for every day it lasts. The producers in the lawsuit, which was filed late yesterday, are part of the long-running shows Wicked, Hairspray, The Drowsy Chaperone, Rent, and The Lion King and newer shows Grease, Legally Blonde, Cyrano De Bergerac and The Little Mermaid.
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