Singing Staff At Ellen's Stardust Diner Go Silent In Protest

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 9/14/16 at 10:49pm

http://www.playbill.com/article/singing-staff-of-ellens-stardust-diner-go-silent-amid-firings

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 6:06am

Did they ever perform during breakfast??

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 7:01am

Someone should make a musical out of this. 

[rebeccmam31]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 11:15am

dramamama611 said: "Did they ever perform during breakfast??"

 

Yes, they definitely did.

[JennH]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 11:27am

I know a few peeps who currently work there and one or two who used to, so I've been let in on quite a lot of info. Yeah it's a bloody battlefield of a warzone right now, it's insane. Not going back until further notice. 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 11:32am

Any updates since that press release yesterday?

[Kad]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 11:45am

It's unbelievable the management is so out of touch. This is a gimmick-driven single location restaurant in the heart of the theatre district, and they're alienating the gimmick. No one goes to Ellen's for their mediocre food.

[newintown]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 12:19pm

The food is inedible and the performing talent only marginally better. It's like an American shopping mall version of a Fellini film. I love it. I wouldn't miss it if it went away.

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 7:25pm

Update: Mass firings happened Tuesday. 6 were fired that day. 4 were fired Wednesday. 2 were just fired about an hour ago today. More will be getting the axe. I work there, and it has been a war for the past 9 months. 

 

In a nutshell - corporate greed destroyed the heart and soul of that place, but NOT my friends. We are picketing. We are United. We were outside the restaurant today for 5 hours. 

 

We have now gotten attention from the NY Times, Playbill, Page 6, Broadway world (obviously), and Gothamist, among others.

 

And I take offense to the "marginal" line. I don't think Alysha Umphress is marginally talented. I don't think Matt DeAngelis is marginally talented. Or Tyler Maynard, or Eric Michael Krop, Or Brandon Ellis, or Brandi Chavonne Massey, or Cat Dwyer, or Emily McNamara, Dana Costello, Nathan Lucrezio, Anne Fraser Thomas, Brandon Cuttell, or Zak Resnick. or many of the other people I have worked with there for the past 6 years. I think that years ago, the place stumbled a little bit and received a bad stigma. But the people I work with day in and day out, who may not be on broadway yet, but maybe one day will, are some of the most talented, giving people that you will ever meet. The voices there are (were) insane. And we are being bullied, insulted, harassed, and pushed out, all because Ken Sturm, the owner and Ellen's son, wanted to save a few bucks at the beginning of the year. 

No, it's not broadway. We are well aware. yes, we are very talented (most of us). We are good people just trying to keep our jobs and to be respected from our higher ups. But the broadway community is behind us. We have received support from Laura Bennati, Titus Burgess, Natalie Weiss, Robin DeJesus, Marti Gould Cummings, the casts of Beautiful, Cats, Paramour, and Les Mis, and a few more thus far. 

 

So please, I know it's so easy to make fun of the "Stardusters", but check yourself, because these people are my second family, with talent to spare, and the most beautiful souls I have ever met. 



 

Updated On: 9/15/16 at 07:25 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 8:10pm

Here's some listening enjoyment for those who care.

 

https://youtu.be/0LHQSOAdFQY

 

https://youtu.be/9xd7r0LrlDs

 

Brie Cerulo "No Good Deed"

 

https://youtu.be/KUmq7JOdKak

 

https://youtu.be/h8RRPIh2CX8

 

https://youtu.be/1VQa-p-SRmI

 

https://youtu.be/sRCTI5dj8n8

 

https://youtu.be/oBLO9TSaQSw

 

https://youtu.be/Wxetr49NeBw

Updated On: 9/15/16 at 08:10 PM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 8:42pm

Hang tough. The employer clearly is gonna lose this. The biggest concern is if the place goes down in flames with the owner.

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 8:51pm

Thank you for your support!! basically, everything they've done since we've unionized is illegal, so we are pursuing legal action with a pro-bono lawyer, and we know that we are in the right. 

.........We also know that we are sitting ducks, and each day, they are going to be firing a few more of us, until there are none of the older servers there. The two that were fired today had each worked there over ten years. We are each just playing the waiting game until the Guillotine falls on each and every one of us. The law says they can't do it, but they don't care about the law right now. My heart is so heavy right now, and yesterday, I performed "Bring Him Home" for a guest's request and broke down halfway through it. In front of everyone. They must have thought I was crazy. today I sang "Empty Chairs at empty tables" and "Anthem". This is our only form of protest. to sing songs about the situation, whether it be metaphor (anthem) or direct (we're not gonna take it, Tomorrow, etc.) 

 

I'm just sad because day by day I'm losing my family, and I don't know when it's going to stop. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 9:25pm

Pippin....I hope you won't be a casualty to this. Stay strong! UNION strong! God bless! Solidarity!! 

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 9:29pm

Thank you. I try to be as optimistic as possible most times in my life, but I know in my heart that my time is coming soon. I hope not. 

 

but on the flip side, that job is SO stressful, and the only thing that kept all of us there through the years, and the literal blood, sweat and tears was the money,  and each other. But it's not about money. Never has been. And if my family isn't there anymore, I don't think I want to be. But I'm gonna hang in there until my time is up. 

Updated On: 9/15/16 at 09:29 PM

[GoblinKing2]

Posted: 9/15/16 at 9:31pm

Good lord, management seems stuck in the 1930's... 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Unionized-Staff-at-Ellens-Stardust-Diner-to-Stop-Singing-After-Multiple-Terminations-20160914

 

 

[ageorges3]

Posted: 9/16/16 at 12:57pm

This is a tough one.  I took a brief look at one of the articles about this, and while I've never been to Ellen's myself, I think its a sad day when singing waiters (many of them infinitely talented performers who have gone on to star in professional productions) stop singing cause of management issues.  

Updated On: 9/16/16 at 12:57 PM

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 9/16/16 at 1:00pm

"Thank you for your support!! basically, everything they've done since we've unionized is illegal, so we are pursuing legal action with a pro-bono lawyer, and we know that we are in the right. "

 

Glad to hear this. We're with you!

[The Glenbuck Laird]

Posted: 9/16/16 at 1:41pm

Pippin said: "Update: Mass firings happened Tuesday. 6 were fired that day. 4 were fired Wednesday. 2 were just fired about an hour ago today. More will be getting the axe. I work there, and it has been a war for the past 9 months. 

 

In a nutshell - corporate greed destroyed the heart and soul of that place, but NOT my friends. We are picketing. We are United. We were outside the restaurant today for 5 hours. 

 

We have now gotten attention from the NY Times, Playbill, Page 6, Broadway world (obviously), and Gothamist, among others.

 

And I take offense to the "marginal" line. I don't think Alysha Umphress is marginally talented. I don't think Matt DeAngelis is marginally talented. Or Tyler Maynard, or Eric Michael Krop, Or Brandon Ellis, or Brandi Chavonne Massey, or Cat Dwyer, or Emily McNamara, Dana Costello, Nathan Lucrezio, Anne Fraser Thomas, Brandon Cuttell, or Zak Resnick. or many of the other people I have worked with there for the past 6 years. I think that years ago, the place stumbled a little bit and received a bad stigma. But the people I work with day in and day out, who may not be on broadway yet, but maybe one day will, are some of the most talented, giving people that you will ever meet. The voices there are (were) insane. And we are being bullied, insulted, harassed, and pushed out, all because Ken Sturm, the owner and Ellen's son, wanted to save a few bucks at the beginning of the year. 

No, it's not broadway. We are well aware. yes, we are very talented (most of us). We are good people just trying to keep our jobs and to be respected from our higher ups. But the broadway community is behind us. We have received support from Laura Bennati, Titus Burgess, Natalie Weiss, Robin DeJesus, Marti Gould Cummings, the casts of Beautiful, Cats, Paramour, and Les Mis, and a few more thus far. 

 

So please, I know it's so easy to make fun of the "Stardusters", but check yourself, because these people are my second family, with talent to spare, and the most beautiful souls I have ever met. 



 

 

"

Great post Pippin. My favourite post ever on this board. Informative and passionate. Good luck to all those involved in the dispute.

'We shall not, we shall not be moved'

[Kad]

Posted: 9/16/16 at 1:57pm

Hang in there, Pippin. You guys are the backbone of that place, the only reason why it has become a destination and remained in business.

[rebeccmam31]

Posted: 9/16/16 at 2:04pm

Pippin said: "Thank you. I try to be as optimistic as possible most times in my life, but I know in my heart that my time is coming soon. I hope not. 

 

but on the flip side, that job is SO stressful, and the only thing that kept all of us there through the years, and the literal blood, sweat and tears was the money,  and each other. But it's not about money. Never has been. And if my family isn't there anymore, I don't think I want to be. But I'm gonna hang in there until my time is up. "

 

Just so you know, ripples are happening--I live in rural Western Pennsylvania.  I travel to the city often with my 14-year-old daughter, and we usually bring a friend of hers with us to see a show (a different friend each trip, generally).  Part of the experience is always Ellen's because the kids without exception just love the experience.  On our most recent trip (Labor Day weekend), we did NOT bring our guest to Ellen's. And we messaged them to let them know why.  I know they likely don't care about three out of town visitors, but word is getting out.  And we do support you.

 

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 9/16/16 at 2:25pm

My heart goes out to the staff at Ellen's.  (for those young persons who might not know....this is a picture of Sally Field in her Best Actress winning role in "Norma Rae" (1979) )



 

Updated On: 9/17/16 at 02:25 PM

[South Florida]

Posted: 9/16/16 at 3:18pm

Go to the big city once or twice a year, the Stardust is a treat, shame won't be back.

[BOM]

Posted: 9/16/16 at 3:22pm

Updated On: 9/16/16 at 03:22 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 9/16/16 at 10:44pm

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your support. I'm wiping away a few tears, to be honest. I don't really know what's next, but here's an update:

They fired one more person, Grace Wall, at the end of her shift today, which brings the total for the past four days to 13. That number is in addition to the 40-50 people who have either been fired, pushed out, or quit in the last 9 months, 

 

In case you don't know what "86" means: That's restaurant lingo for when we run out of a menu item. i.e: "86 Salmon, 86 Guiness", and so on......  A bit of gallows humor......

so now, our waiters are 86'ed., and we are all planning on getting "86" tattoos in the next few days in solidarity. 

 

I wanted to attach a Facebook post from my friend Jim Cargill, who has worked there for over ten years. His wife is a Rockette, and they just had a baby last year. His post is so eloquent, and expresses exactly what we are all feeling. 

 

"Reposting my feelings about my current place of employment. Originally I had attached a photo from the official Ellen's Stardust Diner Facebook posted in March.The post was removed. It was a picture of Kristine Bogan, Abby Burke and Meg Doherty-Scannell singing while at work

All fired less than six months later. These three combined have over 20+ years of service. Tossed aside. The most ridiculous opinion of the owners/management is that talent like this is easily replaced. Those long lines Ellen's is famous for were built on the backs of these employees. It was people like Kristine Bogan Kevin Ray, Sonny Black, Abby Burke, Meg Doherty-Scannell, Bianca DiSarro, Eric Eric Jetner, Kenton Fridley, Jenna Miller, ...(just a few of my work family that have been terminated in the past three days) that helped transform Stardust from an oddball concept to a legitimate place to enjoy excellent entertainment in Times Square. Each person brought their bag of goodies to the table and were set loose in a creative atmosphere and day by day, song by song the "show" at this landmark was cultivated...by no one other than the singing waitstaff. We built those lines IN SPITE of mediocre food and a dilapidated restaurant. There were 2 years where we didn't have enough forks! Not 2 days, 2 years! And yet they came in droves. During the recent recession the restaurant thrived while others were closing down weekly. Why? Ask yourselves that question before you easily dismiss our outcry. As these employees are let go, be sure that a piece of this national treasures heart and soul are being extracted along with them. What's sad is that I think the damage is done. I'm not sure that creative atmosphere will ever return. Fear fueled by greed is the new status quo. It's a shame that more people aren't motivated to protect environment that has brought so much joy into their trip to New York City. It seems joy these days, especially at Ellen's is a precious commodity. I'm sure my name and picture will be torn down at some point in the near future as well. The tourists that come in next year based on a review that was created by "Our Ellen's" will never miss me or my friends but eventually NYC will be worse for letting this magical place disappear. The ironic thing is if we weren't so good this never would've happened. We made the place too much money. Art versus Business. Did we ever stand a chance?"

#originalcast #weknowourvalue

Updated On: 9/16/16 at 10:44 PM

[Marianne2]

Posted: 9/17/16 at 9:50am

Thanks for sharing everything,  Pippin. I haven't been there in years,  but now I certainly won't until this is all straightened out. It was just a fun place to go to. Your friend is right,  I went for the entertainment,  not really the food. Hoping everything works out.