Producers to LOCK OUT the Grinch

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:37pm

Per NY1... press conference at 4pm.

Local One removed the strike on the St. James, and after this morning's meeting, the producers decided to lock the stagehands out.

[Taka]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:39pm

WHAT!?


Ok, before I was unsure who to support. Now, it's pretty darn obvious that the producers are the pigs here.

[Anakela]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:41pm

its already up on Newsday...kinda (anonymous source, etc.):

"Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas," which was the first show shuttered by the weeklong Broadway strike, appeared to get a temporary reprieve Monday morning when the union representing stagehands gave the go-ahead for its members to return to work on the seasonal holiday musical.

But a spokeswoman for the League of American Theaters and Producers, which represents Broadway theater owners, said the show would remain closed.

"The Grinch is not playing and is not opening during the strike," said the spokeswoman, who requested anonymity.
Broadway strike shutters 'Grinch' -- again

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:42pm

Oy vey.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:43pm

It is all a pissing match. The Union wants to show that they are actually the ones in control the Producers are not allowing that. Next time you see two dogs fighting overr the right to pee on a lampost, think of the strike.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:43pm

Just keeps gettin' better and better.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:43pm

This is all VERY mature.

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:44pm

Now, I am not supporting EITHER side. The producers have shown their ugly side. They had a chance to be the big people here. Unbelieveable. I support the actors, musicians, ushers, box office people, and those of us who are missing our American theater. Now, I'm just hoping it'll be over and not supporting anybody.

[paphillyguy]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:45pm

Calling the producers pigs, please.

The union knew that they had a special agreement with the Grinch, yet they chose to strike that show and do it as their first show to strike because for the early start time. Now they decide that they will ALLOW their stagehands to work the show. I do not blame the producers, too bad.

[Katecab99]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:48pm

Craziness. I feel bad for all the kids who were so excited to see it.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:51pm

So, I take it that Jujamcyn is locking out the Grinch for the same reason the Nederlanders decided to lock out the stagehands from their theaters (though Local 1 hadn't initially included them in the strike, since they hadn't unilateraly imposed new work rules) -- solidarity.

Great.

Nice to see them all being so "chummy."

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:51pm

Eh, there's always Fan Yang Gazillion Bubble Show.

And Wintouk.

And The Ritz, for those bigger kids. Updated On: 11/19/07 at 02:51 PM

[billynj]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:52pm

I told you, the union made a big mistake these guys are getting paid for an empty theater ..good night local one see ya down the road...what an FFING shame to see all the little kids dragged into this

[Taka]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:52pm

Well, it's true that both sides are at fault here (why did the Grinch close in the first place?).


I guess I just get excited too easily.


On the one hand, it seems like both the stagehands and the producers are acting like pigs. On the other hand, like I said, I get excited too easily, and I guess that I was afraid to post my opinions until now, because looking at this board, everyone's acting INSANE, and it's as if everyone on this board is forcing you to support the union, and that everyone who either thinks that both are pigs or that sides with the producers are bashed in their character, insulted in the worst possible way, etc. Not everyone does this, but the few that do really make this an unpleasant experience. It's like a police state on this board nowadays.

[bugmenot]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:53pm

FWIW, I have been told that Local One didn't want to strike Grinch, but Tom Short insisted.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:53pm

Charming Thanksgiving spirit going on in our city, folks.

[Taka]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:56pm

Ok, this is starting to get really complicated.


The way I see it, there are several good producers and several producers who could care less. Most of the stagehands are really good people who genuinely want change, but the ones in charge are just generally in it to exploit these innocent stagehands. I think both sides should stop manipulating the public, as the ones on top on both sides just want money, while the ones on the bottom on both sides truely have our best interests in mind.

[markymatt]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:59pm

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it is the theatre owners, the Jujamcyn's locking out not the producers. The producers of the show are Jack O'Brien and Running Subway. I don't believe either are members of the league.

[cooperross]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 2:59pm

"Charming Thanksgiving spirit going on in our city, folks."

On the contrary..it's exactly in keeping with the true spirit of Thanskgiving..befriend then exploit and exterminate a group of people.

[bugmenot]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 3:02pm

> Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it
> is the theatre owners, the Jujamcyn's locking out

you got it

it's the League locking them out, via their members, the Jujamcyn organization.

[bardolator]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 3:03pm

Touche, cooperross.

And I was wondering when someone would bring up the Nederlanders; they had their own contract with Local One but said that they would lock out the stagehands if the union went on strike. Technically, then, Wicked (not sure which others are Nederlander shows) and The Grinch are lockouts, not strikes, I suppose.

Will that have any effect on who pays the actors, musicians, ushers, ticket takers, etc.?

[Fosse76]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 3:47pm

"Will that have any effect on who pays the actors, musicians, ushers, ticket takers, etc.?"

The affected employees of a strike are paid through the strike fund set up by Local 1. During regular performance schedules, house staff are paid THROUGH the theatre BY the show's producers. The personnel associated with the production are paid directly by the show.

[NJluvstheatre]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 3:54pm

One step closer to a Union free Broadway.....

[Rotel1026]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 4:13pm

The Grinch is not in a Nederlander house. Shows in Nederlander theaters are Rent, Grease, Wicked, Little Mermaid, Drowsy, Lion King, Hairspray, Legally Blonde, and Cyrano.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 11/19/07 at 4:14pm

per playbill
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/112915.html

Grinch Will Not Reopen Prior to Thanksgiving


Although there had been hope that Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! might reopen at Broadway's St. James Theatre prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, that will not be the case.

A statement from Jujamcyn Theaters, owner of the St. James, was released Nov. 19 at 3 PM that explains The Grinch will not reopen until the 27 other theatres darkened by the strike also resume business. The League announced Nov. 18 that Broadway shows in those 27 theatres will remain closed at least through Sunday, Nov. 25.
Updated On: 11/19/07 at 04:14 PM