Radio City's Got Trouble!

[Craig]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 8:56pm

Radio City's band strikes
Gotham show tries to go on

By GORDON COX

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular went on without its orchestra Thursday, playing its first two shows with taped music while striking musicians gathered at the Radio City Music Hall stage door.

Although the Rockettes and the stagehands walked out on dress rehearsals in solidarity with the musicians, both dancers and crew showed up for the Spectacular's first day of performances. The Rockettes have a no-strike clause in their contract.

continued via link
Radio City's band strikes

[442namffug]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:00pm

Unless they read about it before going, most people who will attend the show won't know the difference between a live orchestra and the recorded music. Moreover, they probably wouldn't care anyway. They just want to see some pretty girls kick their legs real high and sing about Christmas.
Updated On: 11/3/05 at 09:00 PM

[Popular]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:00pm

Yes I've been hearing all about it. I have 2 friends in the cast so if I hear anything I am able to share I'll let you guys know.

[Mamie]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:01pm

This show isn't really my cup of tea but I did take my niece to see it a couple of years ago. I still maintain that particular show will survive with canned music.

It's a whole other ballgame if the other unions honor the strike.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:02pm

I can't beleive audiences are okay with canned music.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:04pm

Most people aren't okay with it - but when you travel to NY to see this show from other countries and states, a canned orchestra isn't going to stop you from seeing the show.

What really upsets me about this (being a musician myself) is that the Rockettes don't seem to care.

On the news tonight, they interviewed one as she exited the theatre, and they asked her if she minded, or could tell the difference. She responded "No. It will be fine."

[Popular]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:05pm

That's my girl, Kandice, who is also Miss NY by the way...
Times that by how many girls? They'll forgive the music though I do think it's a shame.

What did you want the girl to say, it's awful don't come see us? Updated On: 11/3/05 at 09:05 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:08pm

Times how many girls?

I'm aware, there's more than one Rockette. What's your point?

If I were a performer, I would REFUSE to perform in such a situation.

[Popular]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:13pm

Well I'm not here to get into a debate. I don't even know all the details on why they're striking. True, it's not the ideal situation for anyone to work under and keep in mind that the interview you saw may have been edited.

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:14pm

Oh my, munk, entirely off-topic, but at first glance I thought your avatar was Liz Hurley, which was exciting enough, but then at a closer look, I realized it was the amazing Ms. Natalie Portman. Yay for Natalie Portman!

[Craig]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:14pm

As the article state - the Rockettes have a no strike policy.

It must be frustrating all around. I have colleagues of mine that helped create the brand new opening and some of the new effects/etc. How frustrating to have the show open to a recording instead of in full glory...

[Popular]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:17pm

Yes Craig, thanks for point that out about the no strike clause. You are right, and I know from speaking to my friends that they aren't all happy about it as if it doesn't make a difference. They know it does but what can they do?

[442namffug]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:19pm

Everyone's always going to want more money. Everyone's always going to want more attention. Everyone's always going to want more benefits.

If we all stopped and refused to work on the basis of promoting one community's chimerical conquest for "better" compensation, nothing would get done in this world.

What a silly idea munkustrap.
Updated On: 11/3/05 at 09:19 PM

[Popular]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:28pm

You're getting over-defensive munk. It's just that you can't say you'd refuse to perform until you are in that position. And you can't let one interview influence how you think the whole cast is feeling... since that is what you wrote is bothering you the most I can assure you it's not the case that they don't care.
Updated On: 11/3/05 at 09:28 PM

[442namffug]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:29pm

Exactly Popular. Same as what I was saying...just that you were a bit...nicer? Updated On: 11/3/05 at 09:29 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:30pm

One interview influence me? Perhaps you should know what exactly IS influencing my opinion before you claim that you know such information.

Obviously the girls care - they walked away from their dress rehearsal the other night. What angered me was the one girl's opinion - that has nothing to do with anything.

[my2cents]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:31pm

I read some where that when the show plays in other cities across the country it plays to canned music unlike at radio city with the full orchestra? does anyone know if this is true or a journalist gettign the facts wrong?

[Popular]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:33pm

Ok, you obviously have your reasons. It sounded as if you thought the Rockettes don't care and, since I took that personally, I needed to state my mind and let you know it's not so. But if you know that then the point is mute and I leave you guys to continue without me as this is getting silly.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:34pm

? Nam, you are acting completely bizzare.

My posts are never unintelligible, and I'm offended that you would say that.

[442namffug]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:35pm

Saying that you would absolutely not perform is an extremely childish and ignorant thing to say. Especially since you don't know the terms of the contracts, and since, if you were performing, you probably wouldn't jeopardize your job over some silly musician strike which will fizzle out within a week or so.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:39pm

Me saying that I would not perform is not childish or ignorant. I didn't say in this exact situation. I didn't say that the Rockettes are wrong for performing. No, I wasn't aware that they're not allowed to not perform for such a reason, but I still stand by what I said.

I didn't say that I would refuse to perform IF the musicians were striking over more money. I didn't mean this particular case. I meant like in the past, when the musicians have gone on strike when Broadway threatened to enact minimums and canned orchestras.

If you were one of those musicians, you wouldn't think it was such a silly little thing.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:43pm

Canned music in a Broadway theater is one thing but in a huge orchestra in cavernous Radio City. It ain't the same

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:44pm

It's just market forces at work to see who gets what piece of the pie.

The musicians are pulling for their piece...

[442namffug]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 9:51pm

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$MONEY$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Updated On: 11/3/05 at 09:51 PM

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 10:03pm

That stinks.
I hope I'll still have a dance workshop to go to next month, although I really don't think the musicians should affect it.