Steve On Broadway (SOB)

I Guess This Means They Won't Be Able To See The Nederlander's New Digs...

I Guess This Means They Won't Be Able To See The Nederlander's New Digs...

Pity the poor producers.

Their plans for their scheduled Chicago boondoggle have been scuttled due to the ongoing Broadway stagehands strike that has Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.) taking action against The League of American Theatres and Producers. In support of The League, the Nederlander Organization has locked out its stagehands, even though the union had not initially targeted them.

According to Playbill:

The League of American Theatres and Producers' biennial conference, scheduled to begin Nov. 14 in Chicago, has been indefinitely postponed due to the ongoing Broadway stagehands strike that has shut down most of Broadway.

Producers and presenters from around the country were to gather to discuss industry issues in meetings and seminars, and to visit Windy City venues.

While I'm shedding my crocodile tears, the "are-they-in or are-they-out" Nederlander Organization won't be able to show off its latest acquisition in the City of Big Shoulders.

Yesterday, it was announced that they are acquiring Live Nation's interest in Broadway in Chicago along with the city's opulent Oriental Theatre, current home to the sitdown production of Wicked -- all for a cool $60 million. (In 2005, Live Nation had been completely spun off from media giant Clear Channel Communications.)

So while all of us audience members are cooling our jets during this strike, the Nederlander Organization is feathering its own nest with holdings currently untouchable by the lockout it has imposed on Broadway stagehands. No wonder the union is contemplating expanding the reach of the strike to touring shows.

Now, if only The League would do what it takes to get Local One back to the bargaining table.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

Related Stories:
Will The Strike Go On Tour? (November 13, 2007)
STRIKE! (November 9, 2007)
Nederlanders: On Their Own Again? (October 18, 2007)

Labels: Chicago, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, League of American Theatres and Producers, Local One, Lockout, Nederlander Organization, Stagehands, Strike, Wicked

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Tuesday, November 13, 2007