Rocktopia not paying chorus broadway salaries. — Page 2

Concert or not, officially equity's business or not, I feel like if a show is taking a broadway theatre for a broadway run they should be paying broadway salaries. It's being presented as a broadway event. Just because previous shows were also taking advantage of chorus members doesn't mean we should keep supporting it forever.

To me, there is a difference between what is legal (It does seem like they're perfectly allowed to do it) and what is ethical (They really should not be)

A Rocktopia representative told BroadwayWorld: "The Producers of the multi-year touring concert, Rocktopia, have been in discussion for the past several months with Actors' Equity Association (AEA), despite AEA having no jurisdiction over a musical concert, one with no actors appearing on stage. With that in mind, and in respect of AEA's long history of negotiation with "non-legitimate" attractions for specific terms when appearing on Broadway, the Producers suggested a fair and reasonable and financially viable arrangement, given the nature of the show and its limited run, which AEA rejected. The Producers have great respect for Equity and are still hoping to come to a fair and equitable agreement upon hearing further from the union."

RippedMan said: "At least offer a share of the profits or something.

This is why I hate being an actor sometimes because you want to turn down the job and say **** you for paying me $250/wk on Broadway. But there are countless actors who would jump at it because of whatever reason."

And that is why we have unions.

Kad said: "bk said: "CurtainPullDowner said: "It is totally unfair and unjust to pay what they are paying.

I just hope this doesn't lead to a cancellation and the 40 singers lose their jobsand chance to sing ob Broadway."

Neither you nor anyone else in this thread knows what they're actually paying. You can't believe Equity on this - they have an agenda and as always with them, they are not above lying to achieve it. Those of us in LA know that all too well."



So you've got a bone to pick with Equity and are apparently close enough with the producer to classify him as a "good guy." Not exactly someone who should be questioning the validity of sources.

"

No one really needs your inane, snarky response. I have worked with Rob Evan (and he's not the ONLY producer on this) exactly once, back in 2007 and haven't really spoken to him since, so no, I am not "close enough" to him to not be able to make a response in this thread. My experience with him is that he's a nice guy because - wait for it now - he was. I am exactly who should be questioning the validity of Equity - I have no bone to pick with them other than the same bone many of their own members have to pick with them, which is their duplicitous practices. Good try, though, really.

haterobics said: "A Rocktopia representative told BroadwayWorld: "The Producers of the multi-year touring concert, Rocktopia, have been in discussion for the past several months with Actors' Equity Association (AEA), despite AEA having no jurisdiction over a musical concert, one with no actors appearing on stage. With that in mind, and in respect of AEA's long history of negotiation with "non-legitimate" attractions for specific terms when appearing on Broadway, the Producers suggested a fair and reasonable and financially viable arrangement, given the nature of the show and its limited run, which AEA rejected. The Producers have great respect for Equity and are still hoping to come to a fair and equitable agreement upon hearing further from the union.""

And there you have it. And really, everyone needs to stop quoting the $250 figure - there is no attribution to that figure in terms of who said it, and it's coming from Equity and they lie all the time to achieve what they want. But here we have the real story - the producers made an offer to put these people under contract and Equity said no. They didn't have to make the offer, mind you, but they did. And now Equity does their publicity thing rather than actually going back to the negotiating. Someone is not telling the truth here and given what I know about Equity, and I know a lot, I believe it is them.

Home for the Holidays was under an Equity Contract.



Does anyone remember the details of non-union performers in the marching band show Blast during its Broadway run (also at the Broadway theatre), I remember them being paid far below Equity scale (and this causing at least some controversy) but can't recall specifics or find any articles.

As is often the case, misinformation abounds.

Here is what I know: you can't do a non-union show in a Broadway house. You can do a non-Equity show, and you can do a show with concessions from AEA, but unless you want to try to do it without a set, lights, sound or costumes, without ushers or a box office, there's gonna be a union contract for everyone.

And as a practical matter, if you don't have a deal by load in day, the closest you're going to come to the inside of a Broadway theatre is if you buy tickets to some show. So you can think you know better (you don't) but you might as well call your loving mama and tell her you are not gonna be a Broadway producer after all.

newintown said: "Pretty sure no one who has weighed in as of yet cares a fiddlers bitch about IATSE or other crew unions."

Not sure what your point is because that has nothing to do with mine.

newintown said: "Plenty of performers have appeared in Broadway houses without joining Equity."

If not Equity, they are still part of some union.

Most of the cast of Paramour weren’t members of Equity. Not the cast of The Illusionists. Nor Antonio Banderas. Not the aforementioned choirs supporting Ms. Chenoweth. Not many of the performers of other productions like Rocktopia that are called “special events.”

Updated On: 3/6/18 at 10:12 PM