Broadways Lost Treasures

[Wanda Richert]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 12:56am

Hi, again everyone...Wanda here...

This is difficult to answer everyone individually, so let me close this evening by saying it is important for you all to know that very shortly this will be unfolding, and you will be reading information that is directly from our legal counsel. I'm sure you will all be made aware of Mr. Smiley's findings along with us. We still don't know exactly where the "truth and nothing but the truth" lies, and it is not appropriate for me to say anything more at this time. Mr. Smiley is doing his job, and we will all be aware of his findings in the very near future.

I can't stress enough the fact that the biggest question here is: Why is it OK for Chris Cohen to be splitting his income from these SALES of the DVDs with his family and taking care of his mom?...who by the way, passed away in 2004...where did the monies that were going to her end up for the past three years she has been gone? Who gave Cohen the authority to do so without our permission? THOSE are the things we are trying to uncover. AFTRA won't return my phone calls...and Cohen has just flat out ignored me for months. Why the avoidance from all the parties involved with the initial deals?

It is important for these works to be seen around the world...OF COURSE it is!...that's not the point. My comment about The Lincoln Center Library was only as an example of what "used to be"...there were no .com's, and computers, and cell phones, and cds, and dvds in existence all those years ago...the Library was the only place to view the show...and those tapes were not allowed for public viewing for TEN YEARS after their entry into the archives unless you were a member of the cast. Times have changed, however, and this needs to be addressed by our unions, so that a fair agreement for the future can be reached for all of us. We count on them, pay our dues, and they owe us their protection. The 42nd Street Album is just another example of this for me. It was an album...a vinyl album...now IT, AS WEll, is being sold on the internet, chopped up into many other compilation CDs also being sold everywhere. I have my original contract right next to me now that still hasn't been honored for my percentages..and that was twenty six years ago...I have gotten the run around on that too! I mean, we all know we are in the theater because we LOVE it...it's our passion...but Passion doesn't pay the rent. This is Show "Business"...and although things can get ugly at times in any business...that is a
"what is" that needs to be grasped and handled when necessary...no matter how many feathers get ruffled. I just feel it is time for integrity to make a huge comeback.

Lastly...the verdict of "GREED on the part of the performers" has absolutely no place in this suit, and it saddened me greatly to see so much of that judgment directed toward both myself and my Oh So Talented BLT friends today as I read through this board. EVERY ONE of our BLT group has remarked exactly this:

"The most wonderful thing in all of this...forget the money... is that there are so many of us that have lost touch over the years and life transitions we have all gone on to make, that being able to reunite, even under these circumstances, and reminisce of the Broadway we were all a part of and remember with such joy...has absolutely been the biggest blessing!"

I fully embrace hearing from any of you who would like to contact me personally about this situation, or just have me answer the more personal questions I didn't get to (that's for you PalJoey)
you can contact me at:
www.myspace.com/broadwaybabyinc

Send me a friend request..or just message me...I'll get back to you as soon as I'm able.
Love and Light to you all!

Posted: 3/29/07 at 1:04am

I think I'll get things going...

What. The. F*ck?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 1:06am

Clearly you haven't read the previous postings on the entire BLT debacle.

What, exactly, are you confused about?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 1:21am

'Atta Girl, Wanda!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 1:22am

My thought exactly, Leeny.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 1:26am

My Nana used to call me Leeny! I love it!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 1:27am

That sounds sexual.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 1:39am

I would have to support and side with the actors in this case.

Well said!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 11:46am

You mention AFTRA but not Equity.

Did Cohen make arrangements with Equity or didn't he?

That's the question I keep asking, in the other thread and now in this one.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 12:05pm

"Times have changed, however, and this needs to be addressed by our unions, so that a fair agreement for the future can be reached for all of us."

AMEN!! to that.

Thank you, Ms. Richert, for sharing your side. We now have more details on one side of the lawsuit, instead of two media articles. And as you say, we'll get more soon.

I'm not sure that I see "the light," as you are hoping for, however it does now seem to me that you are adressing the unions and it is more of a personal matter with how Cohen dealt with the "profit" rather than a "you're selling these and I want money, too!" It appeared to me from the beginning that what Cohen is doing may or may not be legal, but the initial article says you are suing him...which puzzles me because if your union(s) indeed worked out the deal with him, you need to be suing your union(s).

Also, I have two questions for you:

1) Can you forsee a realistic solution in the future that would allow for shows to be sold on DVD? Of course "solutions" have happened many times in the past, but can you imagine anything happening that would make the process easier? Cheaper? More likely to happen to more shows?

2) Do you think shows should be made available onto DVD in the first place? Or should theatre ONLY be experienced live?

[Fosse76]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 12:18pm

Aren't all compensation issues for publicity performances, whether televised or sold for profit, covered under Actors Equity rules? If so, then Cohen is in no way at fault. The fact is that Actors Equity (and any other unions involved) approved the release. If anything, it is the union who may have made a bad deal, but that in no way entitles you to compensation and Cohen seems to have operated in good faith. It isn't uncommon that unions don't always operate in the best interests of its members. But as a member of the union, you are agreeing to its membership terms. While I personally don't see that this case has any merit (assuming that Equity's approval is all that is necessary under the contract agreements and original stipulations with performers), supposing the actors win, I doubt they would get any money in residuals.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 2:23pm

Thanks, Fosse76. I would like to hear Wanda Richert's answer to that question. She seems to be dodging it.

Wanda?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 2:38pm

(assuming that Equity's approval is all that is necessary under the contract agreements and original stipulations with performers)

But that is where doubt this "Equity said it was okay, so sue them" argument has much merit. I am not kidding myself into thinking that Equity is the strongest union around, far from it, but a simple rider to the original contract would not have been so hard to provide. Something has to be in writing somewhere showing how this agreement would work. I don't think that "Oh, I called Equity and talked to so-and-so and they said it would be fine! That their members would be THRILLED to have their work seen again! No problem!" Even Equity isn't that lame of a union.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 2:48pm

So what is the fact here? Did Cohen make arrangements with Equity or not?

And why does Wanda refuse to answer this question?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 2:52pm

And was this in writing? Who approved it?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 2:53pm

Simple enough questions, Wanda. What are the answers?

[Wanda Richert]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 3:08pm

Yes, Both AFTRA and Equity were involved...Equity, most definitely, because ALL of the performers were on Equity contracts....but this was aired on television...sooo...we all got switched to AFTRA.
This is where the "ARRANGEMENT" question arises for all of us.
There were percentages in place for this sort of thing. We weren't paid those percentages...and let's not even get into where that put our health insurance and retirement monies! These are the questions that we feel are more than our right to have answered. This thing is just one HUGE mess... That is why we felt the absolute need to retain Mr. Smiley.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 3:56pm

It sounds like your problem is clearly with your unions--or that, if anyone, it is your unions who should be pursuing action against the Cohens, probably not through the court system.

This kind of nuisance lawsuit seems to be more for publicity purposes and a misguided "principle": to send a message to potential distributors that any agreements they make with performers' unions will be ignored.

Your actions make it less likely that anyone else will be tempted to make this kind of material available again, given the relatively small amount of audience interest in theatrical performers compared to television or film performers.

[Wanda Richert]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 3:59pm

Let me please make something VERY CLEAR...and this is said to all of you with kindness.

Since none of you know me at all, let it suffice to say that I am an extreeeemely easy going person...takes a LOT to tick me off. I have gone through the most horriffic nightmare, as a mother, that you could EVER BEGIN to imagine...and it is ongoing...and that is the reason I have "dropped off the planet" these years...you will read about that in MANY articles that will be forthcoming. Those of you who have used the words, "Take Wanda Richert, she's been out of work for so many years, is short on cash, and decided to take this route"...will feel horrible for have spoken them. so....
I am a mother...and probably old enough to be YOUR mother. My life's experience has forced me to grow into a place of "positivity"...and non-judgment. I choose to surround myself with positive, loving people...and only where there is positive energy. I am frankly so very weary of the human race being catty at another's expense. The Theatre, as we all know, is a mecca of sarcasm, catty "show biz digs", and the like. I guess my question to many of you is this:

"Why do you all sound so angry?...this isn't happening to you!...and if it WERE, you would REALLY have a reason for that anger...but, come on, guys...I am attempting to give you all some feedback on this situation...with the facts I have available to me now. I believe my 35 year career, and my contribution to the theatrical community deserves a certain amount of respect. Period. I don't deserve any "barbing" remarks from any of you. I am not "DODGING" anything...I am multitasking an extremely busy day, here, and I am sharing as much as I know at this point...as quickly as I can...there are many unanswered questions for all of us regarding our Unions' role in this, and as I've said before...things will unfold as they will...Hang with me here for a sec...ya know what I mean?....K...'nough said. I feel better now...
Can we, please, keep this on a positive Note?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 4:06pm

PJ, I am a bit surprised by your take on this. Why shouldn't these people who feel they have been wronged try to get what they believe is rightfully their by using the court system? That is what it is for. You seem to have a "suck it up or you will ruin it for the rest of us" attitude that frankly I think is beneath you.
Let the courts settle it. It will all come out. And perhaps they will find that these actors have no case, but unless you are on the bench, let's wait and see what the judges decide.

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 4:07pm

'Your actions make it less likely that anyone else will be tempted to make this kind of material available again'

Well then, I guess everyone will just HAVE to make do with their hateful bootlegs!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 4:10pm

I meant to add to Wanda...

It always surprises me when people assume that an actor who once had some success and is no longer in the spotlight is destitute and down and out. Many choose a different path. Many get tired of the "biz" and take a different track and do quite well away from the spotlight. I am sorry you have had to go through your personal troubles, but I would bet that if you had to chose to be there for your child or get a role on Broadway your child would ALWAYS come first. Good luck to you.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 4:27pm

Sueleen--I don't believe this belongs in the courts. I believe this is a problem between the performers and their unions.

I know people who have had the bootleg Tony and Sullivan performances for years. The moment they were available legally, I taped them on my VCR from the PBS broadcasts--for my own purposes, which is legal--and then bought them at Tower, at Fye and then on Amazon.com when they came out on DVD--which is also legal. I was glad to put some money in the pockets of PBS, the Cohen estate and the ACTORS' FUND--and assumed the unions were protecting the performers' rights. It sounds like the Cohen estate made arrangements with those unions in 100% good faith.

I know from the bootlegs I've seen how much MORE there out there is that has NOT yet been professionally remastered and released.

I doubt now it ever will, and I'm pissed.

Updated On: 3/29/07 at 04:27 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 4:31pm

Poor you.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/29/07 at 4:40pm

You may be right, Joey, I don't know. But if I had to put my money on the producers or Equity being honest here, I would have to go with Equity. But like I said, I support their right to seek justice however they see fit and hope they find it somewhere. If it means I never get to see the Tony performance from The Wedding Singer legally again, so be it.