So how do we think AI is working out a deal with Equity to get BJA onstage?

Money. You have enough of it, you can do whatever the hell you want. I imagine the producers bought an equity card for little Billy.

I'm pretty sure Joan Jett never got her card in Rocky Horror.

I don't really understand the point of this. Are you implying that something shady had to be done to get him his Equity card? Like Equity would ever refuse a dime.

Equity makes exceptions quite often when there is a justifiable reason.

This thread really isn't about that and more about finding a reason to bitch about American Idiot, right?

Nowhere in the OP's first post did they let on that this was a negative question. They were just asking how it's done and how the producers approached AEA.

WHOA:
No, this thread wasn't to imply shady **** going on at AI, at ALL. I was honestly just curious if the producers would buy him a card for a week, if they would think that'd be worth the money.

I wasn't bitching about AI, or implying back-alley deals with Equity. Check my posting history, I adore this show.

Sorry this got so misconstrued. I was honestly just curious.

Updated On: 9/28/10 at 11:14 AM

Does anyone think this will result in increased ticket sales for more than just the 1 week he's in it?

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My questions are "how are they advertising this?" and "does Billie himself have any name recognition or will they have to promote it as 'now starring Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day'?"

I doubt Jordin Sparks had an Equity card before ITH. I could be wrong, though. I think many times, stunt casting includes joining the union.

All those people listed do in fact have their equity cards and if it was their first job in an Equity theatre, they (or the producers) paid their dues in order to get them to be in the show.

Plenty of people do not have Equity cards and get jobs in Equity productions, therefore having to get their Equity card. It's as simple as that.

They only time concessions are made is when an actor from another country comes. Equity had made exchange deals with British Equity and Canadian Equity and I believe Australian Equity. Where they can bring people over to US shows, but then we are allowed to put just as many American actors in their shows.

The only other time you can be in a Broadway show without an Equity card is if you are a non-speaking, non-singing, non-dancing role. Basically an extra. Some were seen in "Pal Joey" and "The Ritz".

Isn't there another rule if you're in a sister union like SAG?

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You don't have to join Equity if it is your first Equity production. In fact, of the three original Billys in Billy Elliot, only two joined equity, and David Alvarez did not, citing, "He did not have immediate plans to return to Broadway" If he changes his mind later, he will have to join later. Because he starred in an equity production, he is always eligible now. The producers and managers of BE don't get in trouble from Equity for employing him (as his first Bway production) after he opted out of joining Equity, because they still paid him at equity scale, and provided him the same benefits regardless. This is the only case I was privileged too regarding Equity, but as far as I know, if its your first show, you don't have to join right away, but you do later if you want to continue working on Broadway and in Equity productions. For SAG they make you join (and aren't required to until) after your first three SAG credits, otherwise you can't do anymore unless you join after your third SAG job.

As the composer and lyricist, I'm sure he had SOME advantage in this- it's not like this is his first Broadway endeavor, just his first as performer.