Standing Strong for Broadway Musicians

AFM Local 802 President Tino Gagliardi was quoted by Broadway World, CNBC and Crains this week in stories about Broadway producers who are putting their shows on "hiatus" (which really means closing the shows). President Gagliardi said, "Our Broadway contract does allow a show to go on hiatus in a way that protects everyone’s jobs and gives audiences the promise that the show will return. But that provision requires that producers open their books to us, including showing us how much federal pandemic aid they got from taxpayers. Unfortunately, producers aren’t choosing to be that transparent. Instead, they simply close down their shows completely, with a vague promise of re-opening."

"Stopping a show abruptly and firing everyone creates a financial shock to our musicians and the other hardworking theatre professionals. When a show closes like this, none of the artists have a guarantee of being re-hired when -- or if -- the show reopens. Artists deserve a written guarantee that they will be re-hired. And if artists have to suffer economically when a show does poorly, we should share in the profit when a show does well. We are optimistic that Broadway will bounce back once the current Covid surge recedes. Everyone loves Broadway -- and tourists flock to NYC to experience the best musical theatre in the world!"