Disney on Broadway Concert Canceled

What the heck?

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Update-Disney-on-Broadways-25th-Anniversary-Concert-Benefit-Stream-Canceled-After-Union-Dispute-20200411

Disgusting act by Ray Hair. He should be ashamed. It's not Disney streaming one of their musicals, but a charity event for Broadway Cares.

Updated On: 4/11/20 at 03:05 PM

^One could argue, did Equity consult their membership for the ok?

I really can't understand what makes a person think this was the moment to make a statement like this. It's not like Disney Theatricals is currently rolling in money. No one is. It's also a bit shortsighted to stoke this kind of fire when everyone has all the time in the world to get online and complain about it. This concert was being talked about in theater circles but also lots of disney and geekdom hubs in the internet. The reach this concert was shooting for seems like so much of a good thing for BCEFA it's such a shame this has gone down like this. 

Jordan Catalano said: "So yeah - anyone who just doesn’t understand why Lincoln Center isn’t just streaming their archives now should read this.

You really just have to laugh because otherwise you’ll cry."

At least with Lincoln Center, you can understand it more since it wasn't tied to a charity.  The Disney one makes complete zero sense, and it would be great to hear from some members of the union.

Jordan Catalano said: "My point being if they're gonna pull this sh*t over something for a charity THAT HELPS THEM, there's no way they'll ever move an inch when it's not for charity."

I swear. The unions are just ridiculous sometimes. You have to eventually join as an actor to be considered professional and protected... but then they completely restrict you and your art like dictators. 
 

SIX being a great example. All involved wanted to include the filming at end of show during Megasix, but the union wouldn’t allow it. 
 

UGH. This would have brought light to so many people and raised money for everyone in the industry. This man should be ashamed. 

Jordan Catalano said: "So yeah - anyone who just doesn’t understand why Lincoln Center isn’t just streaming their archives now should read this.

You really just have to laugh because otherwise you’ll cry."

Do you recommend any books about the business of Broadway?

I was thinking about buying “Broadway General Manager: Demystifying the Most Important and Least Understood Role in Show Business” because the author, Peter Bogyo, was quoted in the WSJ shutdown article but would love if you or anyone else has another recommendation.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

It's a tone deaf move and a bad look for AFM to take this stand on this particular instance, but it is kind of amazing how so many otherwise outwardly liberal folks on this board suddenly become anti-labor when they are slightly inconvenienced.

 

One can be outwardly liberal and pro-labor but recognize that the optics of this are terrible. My Facebook is full of active AFM members who are furious with this stance.

And the “treat us like slaves” quote? Broadway musicians are among the highest paid instrumentalists in the world. To equate them to slave labor, let alone put it in writing when it could so easily be leaked to the press, is unconscionable. 

Updated On: 4/11/20 at 05:48 PM

Luminaire2 said:  “But I would, as someone in the industry, say I am pro-worker always. I believe the unions provide incredibly important protection and value to the members, but I also bring they cross into dictator territory at times.

I want performers and members to have more control over their careers, and not be hindered by the unions (which is certainly an issue in communities with far less professional gigs)."

This has been my exact experience as a non-union actor trying to break into the industry.  I have found AEA to be extremely unwelcoming to those of us who actively want to join, and I feel almost completely powerless as a nonmember.  I think now would be a great time for all of these unions to reevaluate their membership processes and general structure so that we come out of this with stronger and more member-representative unions.