Disney on Broadway Concert Canceled

[macbeth]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 2:20pm

What the heck?

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

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 2:33pm

Terrible news. Was really looking forward to this.

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 2:35pm

Honestly sometimes these unions just make me so angry.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 2:42pm

The NYT links in BWW's story don't seen to work, so here's one:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/theater/broadway-cares-disney-fund-raiser-blocked-coronavirus.html

And this?

"“When you treat musicians as if they were slaves, you reap the consequences,” Hair said to a Disney executive in an email."

Somebody needs to get a grip.

[phantom39]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 3:05pm

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

[macbeth]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 3:15pm

Does anyone know who the 15 musicians were at the concert? I'm wondering if they're aware or if this was just a decision by their union without their individual input. 

[Tag]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 3:21pm

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

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 3:42pm

macbeth said: "Does anyone know who the 15 musicians were at the concert? I'm wondering if they're aware or if this was just a decision by their union without their individual input."

The conductor is named Jim Abbott and he typically works at Epcot conducting the Disney On Broadway shows there that take place during the Festival of the Arts as well as the Guardians of the Galaxy concerts during the Summer. I recognized him immediately since I've been to quite a few of the concerts in Florida. Full list is in the Playbill.

This is shame because the original event raised over $500,000 I thought. I bet the streaming would have raised a lot as well. I was looking forward to seeing this again along with the new interviews.

 

 

[Boq101]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 4:01pm

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]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 4:18pm

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.

[barcelona20]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 4:30pm

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]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 4:35pm

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.

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 4:50pm

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. 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 5:12pm

This sucks, he should be ashamed but I sincerely doubt he is. 

[IAMREADING]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 5:18pm

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.

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 5:24pm

@The_AFM is getting flamed on twitter.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 5:27pm

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.

 

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 5:47pm

Kad said: "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."

Unsure if directed at me. 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). 

[trpguyy]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 5:48pm

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

[trpguyy]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 6:11pm

It’s also worth noting that this probably wouldn’t have blown up or become public if the event hadn’t been publicized without securing proper permissions.

[binau]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 6:11pm

In one week: Disney on West End Concert to air on Saturday night.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 6:11pm

I legit got an email five minutes ago from Broadway Across America reminding me to tune in to this on Monday. lol

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 6:14pm

Yes, many AFM members, myself included, find this to be a disgusting response and terrible optics. I bet if they asked the membership of Local 802, most would want this concert to be streamed.

[Browneyes142]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 6:44pm

There are ways to make a statement about the fact that artists need to profit from streaming without:
A) making it at the expense of a charity that provides aid for your membership

and

B) using inflammatory language to make your point.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 6:57pm

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.