| 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.
A second day of dark theaters and disappointed audiences on Broadway
NEW YORK (AP) — It was a second day of dark Broadway theaters and disappointed audiences as striking stagehands reaffirmed their commitment Sunday to remain off the job until producers started acting ``honorably'' at the negotiating table.James J. Claffey Jr., president of Local One, said the League of American Theatres and Producers needs to make a ``constructive'' adjustment to its counter offers.``We want respect at the table,'' he said at a somber news conference. ``If there's no respect, they will not see Local One at the table. The lack of respect is something we are not going to deal with.''Twenty-seven shows remained closed Sunday, the day after stagehands went on strike, shutting down such popular productions as ``Wicked,'' ``The Phantom of the Opera,'' ``Hairspray,'' ``Jersey Boys'' and ``Mamma Mia!''Among the shows canceled Sunday was a gala 10th-year anniversary performance of ``The Lion King,'' although a party celebrating the Disney musical's decade-long run was still being held.Producers of ``August: Osage County,'' a play by Tracy Letts from Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company, said they may postpone its scheduled Nov.
Judge tells Grinch theatre to reopen
Several Broadway producers have sued striking stagehands for $US35 million ($A39.2 million) and a New York judge 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 $US17 million ($A19 million) for every day it lasts. The producers in the lawsuit 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.
Striking Broadway stagehands and producers resume talks 1 week into walkout
NEW YORK - Broadway's stagehands and theatre producers resumed talking Saturday, a week after a walkout by Local 1 shut down more than two dozen plays and musicals. The two sides met at an undisclosed location, their first meeting since Nov. 8 when Thomas C. Short, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, gave the local authority to strike. The walkout two days later forced 27 productions to cancel shows during the run-up to one of the most lucrative times of the year for Broadway, Thanksgiving week. Local 1 and the League of American Theatres and Producers would not comment on the resumption of talks. Pressure to settle the contract dispute is increasing as the holiday approaches and losses mount for the shows, which include some of Broadway's biggest hits such as "Wicked," "Jersey Boys," "The Phantom of the Opera," "The Lion King" and "Mamma Mia!" Ticket sales for Thanksgiving week could easily top US$1 million for several of those shows.
Broadway stagehands, producers resume talks
Broadway's stagehands and theater producers resumed talking Saturday, a week after a walkout by Local 1 shut down more than two dozen plays and musicals. The two sides met at an undisclosed location, their first meeting since Nov. 8 when Thomas C. Short, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, gave the local authority to strike. The walkout two days later forced 27 productions to cancel shows during the run-up to one of the most lucrative times of the year for Broadway, Thanksgiving week. Local 1 and the League of American Theatres and Producers would not comment on the resumption of talks. Pressure to settle the contract dispute is increasing as the holiday approaches and losses mount for the shows, which include some of Broadway's biggest hits such as "Wicked," "Jersey Boys," "The Phantom of the Opera," "The Lion King" and "Mamma Mia!" Ticket sales for Thanksgiving week could easily top $1 million for several of those shows.
Broadway strike talks fail
NEW YORK: Most of Broadway�s theatres will remain dark for a second week after weekend talks between owners and producers and striking stagehands broke down, theater producers said.
Some 25 Broadway shows have been cancelled, including profitable productions like �Chicago,� �The Phantom of the Opera,� �Wicked� and �Hairspray� since the stagehands, working without a contract since July, went on strike on November 10.
The League of American Theatres and Producers said the strike is costing about $17mn for every day it lasts.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called on both sides to resolve their differences, saying that the economic impact of the strike is felt far beyond the closed theaters. Broadway shows are a major tourist attraction, bringing hundreds of millions of dollars into the city.
Broadway Will Remain Dim Over Thanksgiving As Strike Continues
(RTTNews) - It will be a gloomy Thanksgiving on Broadway, as a strike by the stage hands has ensured that many of the theater district's biggest hits will be shelved at least for the remainder of the week and possibly longer. The Holiday season is a big time not only for Broadway, but also surrounding restaurants and industries dependent on the theatre district. The financial effects of the strike will total in the millions, making it a potentially dour Christmas for many New Yorkers. Strikers have crowded the streets where over 25 now-cancelled Broadway shows previously lit up the marquees. Fan favorites like "Chicago," "The Color Purple," "Wicked," "Hairspray," and "The Phantom of the Opera" have all gone on hiatus, forced to shut down due to a lack of stage hands. Stage hands have been working without a contract since July, and negotiations collapsed around November 10, sparking a strike.
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