The Lights Go Dark On Broadway

Theatergoers Turned Away As Stagehand Strike Shutters More Than 25 Shows

(CBS/AP)  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.

Producers and theater owners say they're just looking for a fair agreement that wouldn't force them to hire extra workers they don't need.

Hiring unneeded workers is especially an issue during long and costly process of setting up a show, reports CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller.

"While that's going on there are many men who are sitting around not doing anything," said theater owner Paul Libin. "We want to be able to call the people we need to work when we need them to work. Not when they're on call."

"We must remain committed to achieving a fair contract," Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of the league, said. "Our goal is simple: to pay for workers we need and for work that is actually performed."

Stagehands counter by declaring their union "is open to exchanges on work rules and other areas,'' but will absolutely refuse any plan that would cut jobs.

City officials said Saturday that it was too early to estimate the economic impact of the strike. Mayor Michael Bloomberg expressed disappointment that the two sides couldn't settle their differences without a strike, but reiterated, "The city continues to stand ready to help in any way we can."

The work stoppage first affected "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical," a holiday attraction for families that had an early 11 a.m. matinee.

Parents toting their kids were forced to face the music, reports Miller.

Asked how long she had been waiting to see the Grinch, Mackenzie Middleton of Arizona said, "a very, very, very, very long time."

"We told them the Grinch was sick," said Kim Baumgartner. "What do you tell a kid about a contract?"

School counselor Vicki Michel, with teacher husband Pat, came to New York from their home in Puyallup, Wash., for a weekend of Broadway shows. The three shows they intended to see were all canceled: "Grinch," "Hairspray" and "Mamma Mia!" They managed to nab tickets to "Young Frankenstein" (which was not affected by the walkout) and the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular," and were headed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Saturday instead of the "Grinch."

Outside the Gershwin Theatre where "Wicked" plays, Wanda Antonetti, of DuBois, Pa., and her daughter, Sherry Antonetti, of Dover, Del., contemplated where to shop. They arrived Saturday morning to celebrate Wanda Antonetti's 70th birthday and did not know about the strike until they arrived at the theater. "We came a long way for lunch," Wanda Antonetti said.

[jankebenz]

Only ONE thing to add to this rant!! SIEG HEIL!! Come on all you greedy, I got mine to hell with you losers out there... stand and sing it out!! SIEG HEIL!! SIEG HEIL!! Good little fascist!!

Posted by MCVet at 08:08 AM : Nov 11, 2007

What is you,re problem MCVet? Today of all days, you would think nazi slogans are inappropriate at best

[missut2]

republic 1776...

I think you are confusing UNIONS with GOVERNMENT...Actually the government hates unions.

You are having trouble staying on topic in order to make your point.

[republic1776]

missut2,
To answer your question, no I don''t expect my employer to wipe my nose and pay for anything except my wage.
I don''t think it''s fair that the government take Social tax from my wage. (oh but wait...the Government use''s me like a slave and decided to make my employer pay them a cut on my Social Security too!)
Can''t you Democrats see that this is slavery?
Why does the Democrats expect people to wipe their asse$$ and nose, provide health care, education, social security, regulate everything from food and drugs to firearms?
Our forefathers wanted freedom.... NOT A NANNY, mommy Government.
Socialist''s are the biggest stupid boobs on the planet!
Were we not all born naked into this world?
You expect others to decide what is BEST for you?

[ozonmojo]

The lights have gone out!! What a great calamity!!! Is this the end of Western civilization?What does New York Times say?

[mcvet]

Unions suck!
Our economy is about to take a dump and these stupid tarts decide to strike when America needs all the help it can get.
I hope they get laid off next year when people won''''t be buying tickets, because money is too tight.
Selfish pigs.



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Posted by republic1776 at 07:45 PM : Nov 10, 2007
+ report abuse

Only ONE thing to add to this rant!! SIEG HEIL!! Come on all you greedy, I got mine to hell with you losers out there... stand and sing it out!! SIEG HEIL!! SIEG HEIL!! Good little fascist!!

[mcvet]

How many union workers does it take to change a light bulb?

50. 1 to change the bulb and 49 to watch.


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Posted by BenderBG at 10:43 PM : Nov 10, 2007
+ report abuse

Bet you''d have a hard time convincing you pal Hitler of that!! ROFLMAO But then when did a Fascist ever concider the actual HISTORY of the nation? Sieg Heil Bush!!

[missut2]

I negotiate my own wages with my employer.
I perform and grow his/her business I expect compensation.
If I am not compensated fairly. I start looking for another job.
My boss can fire me at his leisure!

Posted by republic1776 at 09:58 PM : Nov 10, 2007
________________________

And while you are "negotiating" your wages and compensation for "growing" your employers business...would you expect life insurance...medical insurance complete with dental and vision coverage...or maybe a few paid holidays, paid vacation, personal days off...how about a 401 or 503b...should you suffer a death of a loved one, would you want bereavement time off...how about a 40 hr work week...overtime pay...job protection? If you want ANY of these benefits (+ hundreds more)...THANK A UNION....
I worked 19 years for a non-union, self insured hospital...as I aged & my ins claims became more costly...wham, bam, my job was eliminated. It took 8 people to replace my job responsibilities. At 59 yrs old, my job possibilities are slim to none. Had my hospital been union, they would not have been able to do that to me, without documentation proving my inability to perform my job.
Sure hope you never have this happen to you or at least have it covered in your "negotation".

[benderbg]

How many union workers does it take to change a light bulb?

50. 1 to change the bulb and 49 to watch.

[republic1776]

I negotiate my own wages with my employer.
I perform and grow his/her business I expect compensation.
If I am not compensated fairly. I start looking for another job.
My boss can fire me at his leisure!
Why do people expect jobs to be like a marriage.
Jezz.
Not My job to be forced by unions or the Government to look out for the weak.
That is socialism, communion.
That is control that I will surrender to no man or Government.

[republic1776]

What''s wrong with, we sell tickets you make raises base on what we make. We make nothing you make nothing!
Unions ONLY protect people that lack skills and don''t have enough brains to do business on their own skills.
People are bullied to have to join Unions.
Can you say Mafia?
Can you say communism?

[l8c6]

How about the American Medical Association---it''s a union.

Ronald Reagan was a big player in the Actor''s Guild--it''s a union. He got his and wished to deny others. Hell is for the right wing.

The Bar Association----it''s a union.

The U.S. government run by hoe politicians and financed and pimped by multinational corporations---a union for the global elite.

[l8c6]

Right wingers have functioned for the past few decades in the U.S. as pseudo public representatives claiming to hate big government when the goal is to take office through unethical political methods and transform the government in a way intent on severely limiting the amount of representation the government offers to "ordinary"citizens. After all, why would Barbara Bush want to expose her "beautiful mind" to the thoughts and concerns of the peasantry? The government under "conservative" right wing control will never decrease in size as is the outward proclamation of the right wing. The government instead will continue under such control to become an exclusive government representing the largest shareholders. Control is the key, not leadership nor representation of this nations collective human wealth. Right wing conservatism is arrogant, elitist and narcissistic at it''s base and imparts an anti-social culture amongst the people. Right wing "conservatism" divides humanity and destroys community. In the course of a right wing feeding frenzy some appear to be achieving but in the finale all are consumed by the inherent unethical basis and hypocrisy of this flawed ideological persuasion.

[l8c6]

Unions suck!
Our economy is about to take a dump and these stupid tarts decide to strike when America needs all the help it can get.
I hope they get laid off next year when people won''''t be buying tickets, because money is too tight.
Selfish pigs.

Posted by republic1776

Unions don''t suck, you do. Individual americans have a right to advocate for their piece of the pie as much as multinational corporations and those who profit from it do.

Besides this is entertainment. The people who work in the entertainment industry sector are not slaves. If they want a fair wage then they will strike until it''s granted or the industry will fold.

Here''s the big truth american people. The wealthy and affluent who berate the masses and criticize NASA for rewarding more than the "best and the brightest" and include the lesser players, well, they need all of us, every last one of us. Power to the people.

I long to see the right wing fascist who have the loudest voice take a back seat.

It was once said, he who wishes to be first will be last (in the kingdom of God)

[republic1776]

Mythoughtsr,
I''ll bet you are a democrat.
I get my $75.00 perscription from Wal*Mart for 4 Bucks. I would think that the Dems hate big companies like Wal*Mart. Wal*Mart is cutting in on the Democrats socialist tax us to death health care.

[republic1776]

Unions suck!
Our economy is about to take a dump and these stupid tarts decide to strike when America needs all the help it can get.
I hope they get laid off next year when people won''t be buying tickets, because money is too tight.
Selfish pigs.

[mythoughtsr]

Unlike brucestevens, I see the unions for the invaluable service they provide for the working man. They fight for what the employees deserve. When greedy corporations try to hoard profits and squeeze out the little man, the union comes in and says no way. If the companies don''t want to lose this much money, TOUGH! Maybe the people being disappointed won''t ever come back and they''ll learn a lesson to be fair to employees. I feel sorry for companies WITHOUT unions, especially those like Walmart. Their underpaid and VERY apathetic employees are the poster children for unions. Go to a Costco and see how well you are treated and how quickly you are checked out. I don''t work for either of those places but they are great examples. GO UNION! Much luck to the strikers. You stand fast and get what you deserve!

[keithle1]

This will hurt. Holiday season. Visitors. Where else in the country can you see some much live theater? Not cheap of course.

Everything revolves around money. Workers want more more. Employers/owners/management want to pay less.

I hear that "Young Frankenstein" musical is pretty lame.

[andor3]

"Unions ... exist solely for themselves."

As do businesses. That is the way it is supposed to work: both sides represent their own interests. Negotiation is best, but sometimes stronger tactics are required. A strike is unfortunate, but a strike that has no consequences or inconveniences has no point.

Hopefully this will be settled quickly and the lights will be bright soon.

[andor3]

"the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity Friday night because the person was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter."

That line is not from this story!

[hypnotoad72]

MyIDonCBS - I wish unions really were obsolete. Some of them are just as greedy as the employers, the latter of which would rarely, if ever, pay people a proper wage for proper work done.

Maybe those at the top, if they weren''t so selfish in the first place, would never have to worry about "What will my customers think?" if they treated workers fairly in the first place? Otherwise I agree, people (of all sorts) are way too selfish these days. Jesus would not approve.

BTW: Most companies'' executives think zilch of customers. Only shareholders and performance portfolios and how low costs are. Trouble is, in any race to the bottom, once that "Finish" line is crossed and one reaches the bottom, who starts trying to dig the hole they put everybody into?