First the bad news: Unless there's a sudden change in the negotiating stance by the League of American Theatres and Producers or the striking Local 1 of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the strike is not likely to be resolved for at least another two weeks, possibly three weeks, industry analysts estimate, and The Associated Press reported. (The strike has shut down more than 24 Broadway plays and musicals since November 10.)
The reason? Two weeks is the length of time it would probably take to exhaust both the owners'/producers' patience regarding losses and the unions' $4.1 million contingency fund. Of course, each strike/job action is unique, but if historical precedent is any indicator, labor and management begin to get serious about resolving a strike when each begins to incur unacceptable losses, Reuters reported.
Now the good news: Strike talks resumed Sunday, and with any luck the neon lights may be back on "On Broadway" in time for the pivotal Holiday/New Year's period. A settlement by that is pivotal because, historically, Broadway's biggest revenue week is December 26 - Jan. 6 -- the period from Christmas through just after New Year's Day, a vacation period when tourists from college students to senior citizens flock to the city. If the strike wipes out Christmas/New Year's week revenue, every Broadway show will suffer large losses, and some shows, including some with inadequate advance sales, may be forced to end their runs.
A lights-dimmed Apple
Moreover, although the Broadway strike is minuscule in U.S. GDP terms, New York's economy has already been affected by the strike. The City of New York estimates the economic loss to the Big Apple at about $2 million per day. Moreover, that daily loss is likely to rise now that Thanksgiving has passed and the holiday shopping season has started: theatergoers don't just stay in Theatre District hotels and dine at restaurants; during the holiday season they also - - you guessed it - - shop for presents.
The dispute at the heart of the strike is complex, but it basically amounts to the number of stagehands needed to build/maintain scenery, lights, and sound systems etc. to open a Broadway show and keep it running. The owners/producers, citing costs, want a flexible number of stagehands; the union wants a specific number, including compensation for any new contract reduction in stagehands required. Currently, the two sides are far apart regarding stagehands necessary for a show, The Associated Press reported. And the lights on Broadway will remain dark until they agree.
A family tradition
The strike also may disrupt a family ritual for yours truly. Although many relatives visit the city each year, none are as grateful or as excited as my Uncle Warren and Aunt Mary Ann from Arizona. We New Yorkers have a tendency to take Broadway for granted, but for those two Broadway remains what it has always been: an enchanting, almost magical place that often reveals truths about life, and about ourselves. "It's never disappoints me. It's like I'm a kid again," my Uncle Warren said. All this, mind you, from a former, 15-year U.S. Navy officer. Needless to add, my Aunt Mary Ann enjoys her visits, as well.
Uncle Warren and Aunt Mary Ann fly to the capital of the world on December 6. You know what that means.
The producers/owners and the union have two weeks to get their act together.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-03-2007 @ 9:02AM
peter said...
Sounds good..!
Okay...so I'm a big fan of variety shows. There's something about the "over-the-top"ness that I enjoy. But last year, when my friend took me to a new variety show called Holiday Wonders, I didn't know if I'd like it.
What the show actually was kinda blew my mind. It was like the writers/directors/performers had squeezed the best essence out of Chinese traditional culture, added a dash of zesty Western accent, and come up with a whole new dish. I saw my own cultural history (as a Westerner) from a new perspective and my eyes were really opened to the depth of artistry that China's five thousand-year-old culture has produced.
It expanded my horizons and I feel confident recommending it. Check out the website at www.holidaywonders.com. Let me know what you think.