The Broadway Theatres Not Impacted By Labor Dispute
The Broadway Theatres Not Impacted By Labor DisputeOver the course of the past couple weeks, I've heard from many of my dear readers about whether the shows for which they have tickets might be impacted by the ongoing labor dispute between The League of American Theatres and Producers and the stagehands union, Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.).
The union, of course, has been working without a contract since the last one expired at the end of July.
Very few Broadway theatres would remain open during a lockout or a strike. They are:
- American Airlines Theatre, home to the current run of Pygmalion
- Biltmore Theatre, home to the current run of Mauritius
- Circle In The Square Theatre, home to the current run of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
- Hilton Theatre, home to the current run of Young Frankenstein
- New Amsterdam Theatre, home to the current run of Mary Poppins
UPDATE (10/19/07) - According to Playbill, the Helen Hayes Theatre, home to the current run of Xanadu is also excluded.
The American Airlines Theatre and Studio 54 are both owned by the non-profit Roundabout Theatre Company, while the Biltmore is owned by the not-for-profit Manhattan Theatre Company. (The non-profit Lincoln Center would also be exempt; however, there are currently no Broadway shows performing there.)
Clear Channel Entertainment owns the Hilton Theatre, which derives its name from the hotel company that serves as the corporate sponsor.
Disney owns the New Amsterdam, but it should be noted that it does not own the two other houses in which Disney productions are being mounted: the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (home to the upcoming production of The Little Mermaid) or the Minskoff Theatre (home to The Lion King). Both of those theatres are owned by the Nederlander Organization, which owns a total of nine Broadway houses.
And here it should be duly noted that in both 1999 and 2004, the Nederlander Organization broke ranks with other theatres and negotiated its own pact with the stagehands union. Having said that, according to Campbell Robertson in The New York Times:
Though the league includes most of the Broadway theater owners, the only ones who are being represented by the league in its negotiations with the union are Jujamcyn and the Shuberts, accounting for 22 of the 39 Broadway theaters. The Nederlanders, who own (nine) Broadway theaters, are also at the negotiating table and have an agreement with the union that their contract, while separate, will reflect the contract reached with the league.
According to Adam Hetrick of Playbill:
The Nederlanders, representing 9 Broadway theatres, are under a separate contract with Local One and are at the table as observers. Only the Broadway productions housed within these negotiating theatre umbrellas will be affected by a potential strike or lockout.
Hence, each of the Nederlander theatres would be impacted by both a lockout and strike.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Related Stories:
Bloomberg Appears Ready To Step Into Fray (October 16, 2007)
If You're Holding Tix For Broadway This Week, You're Safe (October 15, 2007)
Stagehands To Vote On Strike...October 21 (October 12, 2007)
The Shows Must Go On...At Least Over Weekend (October 12, 2007)
Still No Lockout (October 12, 2007)
No Lockout Tonight (October 11, 2007)
Lockout Likely (October 10, 2007)
Is This The One For One? (October 9, 2007)
Stagehands' Union Concedes Key Point (October 5, 2007)
Stagehands Talks To Continue This Afternoon (October 5, 2007)
No Monday Lockout (September 29, 2007)
Before The Holidays Strike? (September 25, 2007)
Thanks, Mel! (July 6, 2007)
Labels: International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, League of American Theatres and Producers, Local One, Lockout, Stagehands, Strike
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Wednesday, October 17, 2007
2 Comments:
"Young Frankenstein," which carries a $20 million price tag, along with, let's not forget, that $450 top ticket!
The producers of "Billy Elliot" They're "only" charging $300 for premium seats. But they have increased the price of mediocre seats. On Saturday evenings, if you want to sit at the back of the orchestra or in the mezzanine, you'll have to shell out $135, as opposed to $121 at most other shows.
Not to beat the drum too loudly here - lest the League of American Theaters and Producers starts accusing me of being a stagehand-loving commie - but one thing is clear: Broadway has turned its back on the working and middle classes. If you're not rich, if you don't have a loft in SoHo or a three-bedroom on the Upper West Side or a house in Westport, get lost, we don't need you, you can't afford us. If you really want to take the family to a show, check out the Ice Capades.
michael.riedel@nypost.com
Broadway producers say they will reluctantly impose some of the terms of their latest offer to the stagehands union on Monday, one day after union members vote on whether to give their leaders the authority to call a strike.
“The producers are intent on suggesting that the lights are going to go out on Broadway, one way or another,” said Local One spokesman Bruce Cohen.
If Local One member okay a strike authorization on Sunday, union authorities could call a walkout at any time. Although Local One has historically needed permission from its parent to strike, the League’s plan to impose regulations would allow the union to bypass that rule.
The League declined to comment.
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