Charlotte St. Martin is retiring from the Broadway League in Feb 2024
Charlotte St. Martin is retiring from the Broadway League in Feb 2024
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#1Charlotte St. Martin is retiring from the Broadway League in Feb 2024
Posted: 1/16/24 at 11:40am
Charlotte St. Martin's retirement is effective February 16, 2024, which is one month from today. "She will continue to serve in an advisory capacity for special events through the 2024 Tony Awards. Jason Laks, The League's Executive Vice President and General Counsel, will serve as Acting President while the Board conducts an official search."
She held the position for 18 years.
Press release
NYT story
#2Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 11:41am
WHOA.
Grab your torches, head back to camp. Goodnight.
#3Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 11:50am
Good.
I know you.
I know you.
I know you.
#4Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 12:11pm
Not a fan, but she was essentially the flack-catcher for the anti-labor negotiating positions of theater owners and producers. Perhaps the League needs a less dependably anti-labor public face to fight the casino wars.
Updated On: 1/16/24 at 12:11 PM
#5Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 12:12pm
Maybe her swing can fill her position in the interim
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Huss417
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#6Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 12:26pmIt has been time for a change.
"I hope your Fanny is bigger than my Peter."
Mary Martin to Ezio Pinza opening night of Fanny.
Updated On: 1/16/24 at 12:26 PM
#7Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 12:41pm
Can't say she'll be missed.
OhHiii
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/30/16
#8Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 12:43pm
She's proven, especially since the shutdown how out of touch with the folks working in the industry she is. Hopefully who comes next isn't squarely on the side of theater owners and producers, but more balanced to advocate fairly for the workers that make their money for them.
#9Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 12:46pm
For some strange reason, I think a Brit might eventually succeed her in the position.
Grab your torches, head back to camp. Goodnight.
JSquared2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/17
#10Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 1:00pm
OhHiii said: "She's proven, especially since the shutdown how out of touch with the folks working in the industry she is. Hopefully who comes next isn't squarely on the side of theater owners and producers, but more balanced to advocate fairly for the workers that make their money for them."
It is not (nor has it ever been) the Broadway League's job to "fight for the workers". In fact it's the exact opposite -- they are the guild for the Broadway PRODUCERS. The workers already have their own advocates -- they're called unions.
#11Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 1:01pm
Well It’s About Time!
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
#12Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 1:18pm
Why would a Brit succeed her?
I agree it would be good to get away from the all-consuming capitalist mindset, but I don’t hold out much hope.
I heard an economist recently say that misery prevails in America because of the predatory system. Abuse is systemic, everyone suffers because this is how society defines itself. Perpetrated by government, employers, goods and service providers. Doctors, dentists, plumbers, landlords etc. At every level.
A pyramid of extraction. We are all being robbed, then we rob others so we can pay those that rob us. Sad.
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#13Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 1:18pm
OhHiii said: "She's proven, especially since the shutdown how out of touch with the folks working in the industry she is. Hopefully who comes next isn't squarely on the side of theater owners and producers, but more balanced to advocate fairly for the workers that make their money for them."
I hope it will be someone steeped in the theatre world, as Harvey Sabinson (a press agent) was during his tenure in the 80s-90s. Whether that's elevating someone within the League staff already, or someone from the GM/producing/presenting side stepping over to the League. Someone with experience dealmaking within this industry will be able to better advocate for things that benefit both the talent and the League constituents...such as the option for a 7-show week, or pay tiers based on gross, or changes to the Tony categories, or other oft-discussed changes.
At the end of the day, the League President's contract is at the liberty of the League Board of Governors, so they need to keep those people happy above all. They aren't an artist-advocate. Being spokesperson for Broadway as an industry is not the job, but somehow that became part of the job during CSM's tenure; when there's news about the Hollywood industry, Carol Lombardini from AMPTP isn't usually the one speaking to the talkshows and trades.
(The Broadway League is also a misleading title for a trade organization of producers/landlords/presenters, but that's not the conversation here)
#14Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 1:37pm
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: Being spokesperson for Broadway as an industry is not the job, but somehow that became part of the job during CSM's tenure; when there's news about the Hollywood industry, Carol Lombardini from AMPTP isn't usually the one speaking to the talkshows and trades.
I think that is a good point.
Alexander Lamar
Broadway Star Joined: 2/16/16
#16Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 6:23pm
It's about damn time!
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George
#17Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 6:50pm
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Charlotte St. Martin's retirement is effective February 16, 2024, which is one month from today."She will continue to serve in an advisory capacity for special events through the 2024 Tony Awards. Jason Laks, The League's Executive Vice President and General Counsel, will serve as Acting President while the Board conducts an official search."
She held the position for 18 years.
Press release
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
#18Charlotte St. Martin is leaving the Broadway League
Posted: 1/16/24 at 7:54pm
OhHiii said: "Hopefully who comes next isn't squarely on the side of theater owners and producers, but more balanced to advocate fairly for the workers that make their money for them."
The Broadway League is an association of theater owners, producers, and various other people who would be considered "management," so its leader will always have to stand on that side of things if they're doing their job properly.
[ETA: Sorry, JSquared2, for duplicating your point.]
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