I would like to chime in to assure everyone of one thing concerning Disney... I have worked with a lot of different producers over 25 years in the business so I can say this with some degree of knowledge. Disney theatrical has a FULL TIME director of safety on staff in New York. They have a large health and safety department within the larger corp. including some specialists who offer advice on the theatrical shows from time to time. Disney has, on production staff, a full-time physio and massage therapist for the company. On The Little Mermaid and their other shows, they have some of the larger Stage Management departments on Broadway. I have sat and watched as every painstaking moment of the staging of both Tarzan and The Little Mermaid were put together and there were safety checks and procedures implemented in abundance - sometimes leading to very costly extra time on stage.
My point is that Disney, of all producers, are the least likely to be irresponsible. The exact opposite of what many people on this board indicate.
None of us know the ins and outs of why the information concerning this tragedy has been limited and/or incorrect and certainly we don't know why the accident happened. What we do know is that there are definitely many people involved in the production who feel terrible about it.
Nobody at Disney Theatrical takes the safety of performers for granted.
Let's follow Curtain's lead and send wishes to Adrian via the Lunt rather than looking to burn a major Broadway employer at the stake without a full knowledge of all of the facts.
Thanks for the soapbox.
Updated On: 5/14/08 at 10:42 PM