OK, so I know that most of the "entertainment" media is focused on the writers strike, which is being covered almost hourly. But for those who may not know, stagehands [ie tech crews] of 28 Broadway shows went on strike Saturday without much advance warning. Although there had been rumors and minor media notice, many did not think that the stagehangs [who are represented by their union, Local One] would actually strike .. since they haven't in over 100 years.

Soooo, Broadway, which is about to go into it's most profitable time of the year, faces the darkened theatres of shows such as PHANTOM, WICKED, LION KING, and THE COLOR PURPLE [poor Oprah .. first her school and now this! YES, I'm being tacky!]

The point of contention between the Broadway producers and the union [by the way, if you do not know, EVERYTHING and EVERYONE has a union on Broadway] is that the producers want to state how many stage hands they would need backstage .. ie .. have less people do more jobs $$$$$. The union wants there to be gains for it's members if less jobs are available.

A similar strike occurred in 2003, when the musicians union walked out and shut down shows for four days. The point of contention was that the producers wanted to set a limit on the number of musicians required for a show. In this age of pre-recorded / "canned" music, the producers were trying to save $$$$$.

As a stage manager myself, I have to be honest and say that I'm torn about this strike .. and it's not really in favor of the stage hands.

But before I go on, let me state that I do not live in New York, nor have I stage managed in New York. So, I do not know all the financial implications and politics behind this strike.

HOWEVER, speaking as someone who is used to doing shows on shoestring budgets, used to performing multiple duties, and very used to getting paid next to nothing, I find it hard to be sympathetic to a stage hand who can usually pull in $115,000 a year on a musical.

During this time period, where a new musical production [even if it is a revival] can cost 8 to 10 million, the producers are looking for anyway to cut corners. Which I understand. But I also understand that technicians, costumers, stage managers, ushers, etc also need to be protected for over greedy companies who are far more interested in bottom line than art [and sometimes the safety of their employees].

I read an article about the strike, which stated who was to lose the most .. the ticket holders. At a time when theatre prices in New York [and other places] are way, way too high, and potential audiences have so many other choices to spend their money .. why put up with theatre?