Orchestra Members Going On Strike

I remember watching the news a few years ago and hearing about the Broadway orchestra members going on strike. I was wondering, in that case, is a show cancelled or is there alternate accompaniment methods? any remember what happened?

I had tickets to several shows at the time. There was some talk of the shows going on with canned music, but the actors decided to honor the strike, so thus pretty much every musical was dark until the issues were resolved. I think 42nd Street was under some other kind of contract so they were open, but other than that, the only activity at the theatres were the strikers handling out leaflets and people trying to get refunds for the cancelled shows.

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Updated On: 10/18/05 at 02:21 PM

Musicians, in the past, have USUALLY gone on strike (the few times that they have) to protest one of two things:

1. Unfair pay (they helped actors fight for fair pay during the Ziegfield days)

2. Protest of electronic and recorded accompaniment devices.

During this time, shows are typically cancelled because most actors (Harvey Fierstein and others) will not cross picket lines to get into the theatre.

Unfortunatley, many patrons lose their tickets and many are not refunded. The use of alternate accompaniment would only aggravate the situation, so almost every theatre will almost immediately negotiate with the musicians in order to get shows back on track.

Updated On: 10/22/05 at 02:29 PM

Musician strikes don't happen very often. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Most production companies know that the use of "canned" music is publicity suicide! Most simply never consider the use of electronic music.

some of the less expensive systems don't sound very good.
A new system called ORCHextra (offered by MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL) is the best on the market. Many touring companies are using this currently.

The Hairspray tour and NYC productions are misleading because it appears that their only live music is a base, drums, and a keyboard. However, the rest of the band is downstairs being conducted via closed-circuit TV. They say that this is one of the reason for the full, rich sound they produce.

Oh yeah... I'd forgotten that's why they went on strike that time. Thanks!

NO

VIRTUAL

ORCHESTRA


Most ridiculous thing ever.

The strike was about the minimum number of musicians the theater has to PAY, not to USE. Technically, a show could use only a virtual orchestra and no live music, but still be paying a dozen or so musicians to sit at home.

I doubt if too many people support the use of "Virtual Orchestras" on the broadway stage. The developers of these programs designed them to be used mainly in regional theatres that have a lack of willing musical talent within the community. I live in a small town, and we have enough trouble coming up with actors- not to mention musicians.

It surprises most people to know that the developers of ORCHextra and other such programs are themselves musicians. They in no way intend to steal work from willing human musicians.