SOUTH PACIFIC stage manager arraigned for alleged voyeurism

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 10:08am

It's from the Post, so take it as you will.

"A stage manager for the glamorous production of "South Pacific" at Lincoln Center is accused producing a seedy sideshow as well -- creepily recording a video of an actress disrobing in a dressing room, authorities say.

Michael Brunner, 54, of Manahawkin, NJ -- who garnered lavish praise for his staging of the classic World War II musical at the Vivian Beaumont Theater -- was arraigned last night in Manhattan Supreme Court on a charge of unlawful surveillance and released without bail.

He said nothing as he strolled out of the courthouse last night, ducking into a cab..."

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/south_peep_cific_voyeur_rap_rwyQ0Z6CJmonw1ka5bOVbP

[Smaxie]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 10:12am

Bit of confusion in that article. It seems the writers do not know the difference between a stage manager and a director.

[winston89]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 10:27am

Also, I could be wrong, but i do think that while if this happened it is bad. But, I doubt that it is a crime that could get you stuck in jail without bail. Usually you have to be a physical danger to others in order to not get bail.

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 10:31am

"who garnered lavish praise for his staging of the classic World War II musical at the Vivian Beaumont Theater"
Is this the director or the stage manager?...

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 10:44am

Bartlett Sher directed the revival.
Musical Staging is by Christopher Gattelli.
Michael Brunner is Production Stage Manager.

[Sleeper2]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 11:01am

wow.

Depending on who knew what when, the young lady might think about lawyering up quickly. This sounds like it has the makings of a major settlement. Updated On: 10/17/09 at 11:01 AM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 1:10pm

He said "arraigned" not guilty, didn't he?

[BrianS]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 1:10pm

"I doubt that it is a crime that could get you stuck in jail without bail."

The article said he was released without bail.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 1:17pm

I know I shouldn't have that much faith in 1) readers of the NY Post and 2) those readers who leave comments, but...

"As the stage manager he could concievably have the right to survale certain areas for illicit behavior , And the actress may not expect as much privacy as one would think . Ever been back stage? Naked is the new black and if you think otherwise you are subject to ridicule."

Does this mean it's totally ok to film people naked without their consent?

[yankees1253]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 3:16pm

It says in the article that he worked on how the grinch stole christmas, hopefully he wasn't spying on those young girls. i hope he gets convicted.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 3:25pm

"He wanted to be an actor before stumbling on his talents as a stage manager."

Maybe that should read, "He wanted to be an actor before realizing he had no talent, so he stumbled into Stage Management."

[Sleeper2]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 4:47pm

This is a felony charge.

For the sake of the woman involved, I just hope the tape never sees the light of day.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 10/17/09 at 5:05pm

We all know what happened. Despite Ironbelly's orders, he went over to that damn island and fell under the sway of....

Oh, wait a minute....

(reality sets in)

Nevermind.........

[LadyDramaturg2]

Posted: 10/18/09 at 7:00pm

"...survale"?

Where is that quote from? Surveillance? Becomes "survale?"

[Sleeper2]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 9:18am

I don't know, maybe it's just me. I don't:

(1) find any humor in this story
(2) care about the confusion about what a production stage manager does
(3) worry about grammar

It really speaks to the larger issue of how exploited and vulnerable performers can be. Despite our great union (thank God for Equity!), we are still working and living in the 1950s. We put up with disrepect, invasion of privacy, subliminal sexual harassment other occupations are protected from. When's the last time someone had the cojones to charge a director or producer with discrimination or harassment?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 9:54am

It's just you. It's always just you.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 11:21am

"For the sake of the woman involved, I just hope the tape never sees the light of day."

It will if this goes to trial.

[sondhead]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 11:40am

Updated On: 11/12/09 at 11:40 AM

[Eris0303]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 12:13pm

RIALTO CHATTER: Lincoln Center Terminates Contract of Accused 'PACIFIC' Stage Manager

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 12:16pm

I like how it transmutes into an ad for the show.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 1:46pm

"Last year, a critic quoted French writer Gustave Flaubert in praising Brunner as being "everywhere present, but nowhere visible" as stage manager for the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein show.

HUH?????

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 6:22pm

A huge part of the stage manager's job is to create a safe space for the actor. The company needs to trust that their stage manager is watching out for their well-being, not worried about what he is secretly doing behind their back. Yes, there are going to be many times when an actor may be put into a situation that people outside of the business may not understand, such as having to strip down to practically nothing in the midst of a large group of people, and that requires a huge amount of trust on the actor's part. Actions such as these completely violate that trust. No matter what happens in court with this I can only applaud LCT for removing him from his position, and essentially making sure that he will never be in a position to do this again.

[Basely Tearful]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 6:49pm

I hope The Post retracts crediting the staging to the Stage Manager. I can't imagine the wonderful Bart Sher is too pleased about that misprint.

[winston89]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 6:56pm

It's The Post, they never correct anything.

[winston89]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 6:56pm

It's The Post, they never correct anything.