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)
Updated On: 1/16/24 at 01:18 PM
