From Deseret News archives:
Strike not expected to stop shows coming to Utah
"The feedback we've received is that ... this is a very New York-specific strike, dealing with work conditions and contract requirements that just don't impact the road (tours)," said Steve Boulet, president of NewSpace Entertainment, the Salt Lake City-based company that handles the "Broadway Across America" touring shows in Utah and several other cities nationwide.
"I think this (strike) is a big mistake and stunningly damaging to the industry, especially since they're entering the most important time of the year. I hope they sort this thing out fast and fair, but I've been told that we're safe."
Boulet said a full crew was in Salt Lake City unloading equipment for the touring production, "I Love a Piano," opening Tuesday night at the Capitol Theatre.
Two of NewSpace's upcoming Utah-bound touring productions are currently playing in Broadway theaters. One has been closed by strike and the other is playing in a theater that has a separate union contract. "The Drowsy Chaperone," playing at the Marquis Theatre, is temporarily closed. It's scheduled to play here June 25-29.
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," at New York's Circle in the Square theater, has not been affected by the strike. It will play Kingsbury Hall from Feb. 26-March 2.
No one, not the union nor the producers, is talking on the record about what might be the next step in the stagehands' battle with the League of American Theatres and Producers. Extending the strike to touring shows would need the endorsement of the local's parent union, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
It would seriously undermine producers since such megahits as "Wicked" and "Jersey Boys" on the road regularly pull down weekly grosses of $1 million or more.
The current walkout by stagehands, which has shut down more than two dozen Broadway theaters, entered its fifth day Wednesday with no end in sight.
"It's going to be a day-to-day thing," said Norman Samnick, an entertainment lawyer who specializes in labor relations for Bryan Cave LLP. "Once a strike starts, it's very hard to stop the rock from rolling downhill."
No talks have been planned. Not even an offer from Mayor Michael Bloomberg to provide assistance has been accepted.
"The idea is to get them back to the table," Samnick said. "The question is: What is going to get them to that table? As a result of this (the strike), there are going to be a lot more hard feelings."
Local 1 walked out Saturday without much notice, shutting down 27 plays and musicals and causing confusion on the busiest theatergoing day of the week.
