Sanna's Clause Is Coming To Court?
Sanna's Clause Is Coming To Court?In something eerily reminiscent of "Miracle On 34th Street," it appears that a court play may be likely for Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! according to a late breaking report.
Throughout today, I've been providing updates on the little Broadway show that looked like it was about to stage a comeback.
A week ago Saturday, this show became the first casualty in the stagehands strike. Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.) has been striking against The League of American Theatres and Producers over the past nine days.
Because the producers of The Grinch have their own contract with IATSE, they argued -- successfully -- that the union should lay down its picket signs and allow the production to move forward. But there was one gigantic hitch. The League nixed that with Jujamcyn, owner of the St. James Theatre, saying that regardless of the production's contract, it would stand in solidarity with the rest of The League by essentially locking out its stagehands, and by extension, its audiences.
Grinch producer James Sanna apparently is not willing to take Jujamcyn's decision lying down. He's ready to fight this battle in court.
According to WABC-TV Eyewitness News:
"This is unbelievable that this show is not going to happen because of this larger dispute," Sanna said. "We really need to take action tomorrow, so what we are going to do is go to court and try to get our show open."So there you have it folks, a tale of a production -- ironically about greed and stealing Christmas away from the children -- fighting to perform just in time for the throngs who have already purchased their tickets for the show.
I can't help but cheer Mr. Sanna on.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Broadway, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, League of American Theatres and Producers, Local One, Lockout, Refunds, Stagehands, Strike
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Monday, November 19, 2007
4 Comments:
Lock out
Imposed
Now Who is the real Grinch..
Ongo, I'm completely with you on that.
Please be advised that President James J. Claffey, Jr. has ordered the picket lines to come down at the St. James Theatre so that the production of "The Grinch" can proceed. Please be aware that the producer of the show, Mr. James Sanna of Running Subway Productions, has had no voice, no vote and no participation in any of the contract negotiations with the League of American Theatres and Producers. Mr. Sanna has had no input in trying to resolve the contract negotiations and because of that, President Claffey felt it was unfair for "The Grinch" to suffer.
The considerations to pull the picket lines were as follows:
- Running Subway Productions is not a member of the League
- Running Subway Productions did not participate in the $20 million League Mutual Assistance Fund
- Running Subway Productions did not implement work rules upon the Local One crew
- It is a holiday show with no opportunity to reschedule later in the year
- The purchased tickets cannot be exchanged
"The Grinch" was simply not part of the equation to affect the outcome of the contract negotiations. Local One wishes, at this time, to show not only "The Grinch" some good will but the theatre going public as well.
Steve Kenyon, a member of the orchestra, brought his 4-year-old son who held a sign that said, "Don't be a Grinch, let my daddy work."
Sanna said he received a phone call from James Claffey, the Local 1 president, who said union members would be willing to go back to work on "Grinch."
"Because of the unique nature of this limited engagement, particularly its inability to extend beyond the holiday season, Local 1 supports 'The Grinch' in its efforts to open its doors to families," Claffey said in a statement.
Sanna said he didn't understand why Jujamcyn Theatres was locking the performers out.
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