Producers allegedly fire actor for bringing up safety issues at Davenport

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 12:07pm

I just recieved some disconcerting news from a Facebook friend. He said he was just let go unjustly from "Molasses In January" two weeks before it is set to open. This is his post:

 

A few months ago I announced the fantastic news that I would be making my Off-Broadway debut in "Molasses in January". 

Unfortunately, as of 10am this morning, I received an email from the producers of Molasses, saying they were releasing me from my contract due to the fact they "need to comply to the stipulations of our insurance contract." In order to do this, they needed to cut back on the number of cast members in the show. 

We have two weeks to opening and yesterday was our first tech in the space. During rehearsal I discovered some safety issues that I felt made the stage and backstage area unsafe. When I made these complaints they were ignored or we were instructed to work around these hazards.

Thus far, I am the only cast member to have been terminated to my knowledge.

I am greatly saddened that I will not be joining this phenomenally talented cast on stage at the Davenport, however I wish the cast all the success in the world."

 

 

.......wow. Just wow. 

 

 

Updated On: 9/21/16 at 12:07 PM

[trpguyy]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 12:15pm

This is why Unions are important. Best of luck with future endeavors to your friend.

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 12:15pm

I wouldn't be surprised if Davenport is the producer 

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 12:16pm

Double posting

Updated On: 9/21/16 at 12:16 PM

[newintown]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 12:17pm

Interesting. It appears that your friend is hinting that their termination is connected to their safety complaints. They should file an official complaint with Equity (if they are a member).

One small consolation - as this show will do its five performances in the little 60-seat Black Box at the Davenport, it would have been an Off-Off-Broadway debut, not Off-Broadway.

UPDATE: I misspoke; the show is performing on 5 consecutive Tuesday nights, when the regular tenant of the Davenport mainstage (Shear Madness) is dark. My bad.

Updated On: 9/21/16 at 12:17 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 12:25pm

From what I can tell, this isn't an Equity production. It might be an Equity Showcase, but that's not actually a contract.

[newintown]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 12:31pm

Here's the show's official description, typographical errors all left intact (I can't find mention of a producer anywhere):

Molasses in January  is a new original musical play for all ages There are fun filled musical numbers, dance fights and light explosions. (Who doesn't love a good dance fight? I'm not so sure about light explosions...)

Spanning from 1914 to 1919, we see Anna, our protagonist, struggling to raise her two children in a world caught in turmoil from terrorist's (just 1 terrorist?) bombings, union strikes and a molasses tank explosion.  After her husband desert  her (he do?), Anna finds work in a factory making underwear for the solders of World War 1 ("solder: a low-melting alloy, especially one based on lead and tin or on brass or silver, used for joining less fusible metals"#).   Anna's (Anna's what?) is still liked by an old boyfriend but  the relationship  is doomed due to his difficult mother.

"Molasses in January", makes us laugh and cry, reminding us that "life can change in a moment". The Best of off Broadway shows.

Updated On: 9/21/16 at 12:31 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 12:31pm

He just reposted and said the producers are at least buying out his contract, so that's a positive. But it's still really shady that he seems to be the only actor fired for speaking out about safety issues. That theatre is a dump, so it's not like he was lying......

Updated On: 9/21/16 at 12:31 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 12:37pm

Did he post this as public or something only for his friends to know?

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 12:40pm

He posted it publicly on his FB page, but I'm withholding his name here for protection.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 1:01pm

I don't think your post protects him at all.

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 1:04pm

His name can easily be found, so withholding his name isn't doing much for his protection.

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 1:06pm

My post was not about him. It is about calling out the production and the producers for wrongfully terminating someone when they speak up for their own safety. He's already been fired. I don't see the issue here.

Updated On: 9/21/16 at 01:06 PM

[Broadwayhunk]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 1:10pm

I'm sure those just starting out have played in some monumental dumps before reaching the Great White Way.  Accusing the producers of unsafe working conditions instead of concentrating on your lines is probably not a great career move, but one that is certainly commendable.  I wish him well.

[newintown]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 1:13pm

And before making any hasty moral "decisions," be aware that it's quite possible that there may not be any connection at all between the actor's termination and his safety complaints. All anyone has heard here is an unverified rumor from a friend of the actor.

Updated On: 9/21/16 at 01:13 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 1:22pm

Pippin said: "My post was not about him. It is about calling out the production and the producers for wrongfully terminating someone when they speak up for their own safety. He's already been fired. I don't see the issue here."

Is that why the subject line is "Unsafe working conditions at Davenport Theater?!"

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 1:32pm

I've edited the subject line. Sometimes I feel like people have to apologize for existing on this board. 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 1:34pm

I know you're feeling for your friend, but please take a step back and look at it from the perspective of an outsider.

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 1:36pm

You're right. He's probably lying. Let's assume the worst from people. 

[newintown]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 1:42pm

Like assuming the worst about the producers?

[NYadgal]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 1:42pm

I'm not clear why you started this thread in the first place?   To share a FB post? 

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 1:59pm

I simply started this post, because, call me a gullible idiot, but I believe my friends the first time when they say things. true: There's not a proven connection to him reporting unsafe working conditions and being fired, but it seems like an awfully big coincidence. Also, on a personal level, it's almost the exact same thing that is happening at my job right now, so maybe I'm just fed up of the big guy always pissing on the little guy, and taking advantage of us. 

I just wanted to bring attention to these producers because, if it is true, and they are ignoring safety concerns from actors, that is a BIG issue. Maybe only to me. I don't know. It just seems like you are all ready to automatically dismiss the concerns of an actor trying to stand up for his rights, and give the benefit of the doubt to The people with the money. Some producers are honest. Some are not. Maybe these guys are not the honest ones, and care more about their bottom line than the safety of their actors. And if that's the case, I think it's wrong. No if's and's or but's about it. 

 

 

 

 

[Huss417]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 2:07pm

I understand you wanting to stand up for a friend but you even wrote

"I just wanted to bring attention to these producers because, if it is true,"

The point others are trying to make is no one knows if its true. If after all the facts come out and it is true then I say post it but until then.......

 

 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 2:08pm

Pippin said: "You're right. He's probably lying. Let's assume the worst from people. "

And never use hyperbole! Ever.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 9/21/16 at 2:10pm

LizzieCurry said: "Pippin said: "You're right. He's probably lying. Let's assume the worst from people. "

And never use hyperbole! Ever."

It can't possibly be that a LOT of misinformation is easily spread on Facebook and now people want to do some due diligence first.