Tino Gagliardi News

Everyone knows it is tough times for the theater industry. Broadway’s indeed thankfully back, but amid rising Covid cases wreaking havoc on casts and keeping audiences away, the return has not been smooth. And now the theater industry has entered the cold winter months, traditionally tough times at the box office. So when the producers of MRS. DOUBTFIRE announced the show was taking a “hiatus” – as the press release read – from January 10 through March 14, theater insiders could understand why. But nothing is as simple as it seems. The decision shines a spotlight on the tense relationship between Broadway producers and Broadway’s 14 unions in these difficult times.

The New York City musicians’ union Local 802 is welcoming Tino Gagliardi as its new president and executive director. Gagliardi ran unopposed to win a three-year term to lead Local 802, historically the largest local union of professional musicians in the world. His term began on January 1, 2022.

Last week, many fans who couldn't fit in the theater got to enjoy part of the final performance of THE PROM courtesy of Beth Leavel's personal publicist. Lisa Goldberg, founder of her own LSG Public Relations, put up on her social media pages two-minutes-20-seconds of Leavel singing the song 'The Lady's Improving' with a note that said she recorded six minutes ('including 1.5 minutes of entrance applause') and 'received full permission to post.' The shaky video was clearly shot from a seat in the theater, which would generally be forbidden if there was no permission. So what kind of permission do you need to do this in a Broadway show? Well, it is more than a 'sure' from a producer.

The two major musical unions at the Metropolitan Opera, the Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802, AFM and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) announce the approval of a new contract with the institution, pending final ratification on Monday by the AGMA Board of Governors.

The Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802 AFM today announced that the Roxy Coss Quintet is the winner of the union's groundbreaking Emerging Artists Project (EAP). The four-year grant program, launched in partnership with Orchestra of St. Luke's (OSL), has been designed to provide support to help more firmly establish the band in New York City—and further efforts to ensure that all professional musicians can afford to live, work and raise a family in New York.

Members of the MET Orchestra were joined by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer at The New York Public Library's Harry Belafonte Branch at 203 West 115th Street in Harlem to perform a FREE 'Musical Read-Aloud' for children and families.

The Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802 AFM today announced launch of the Emerging Artists Project (EAP), a four-year grant program that will provide bands and ensembles with support to firmly establish themselves in New York City and further the union's efforts to ensure that all professional musicians can afford to live, work and raise a family in New York.

The New York Times has announced that the Metropolitan Opera is opening an investigation into claims against conductor James Levine, alleging sexual abuse. Over a year ago, a man filed a police report saying Levine had abused him in the 1980's. The Met was made aware of this report but did not act on it until recent media inquiries were made into Levine's conduct.

The Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802 AFM today announced launch of the Emerging Artists Project (EAP), a four-year grant program that will provide bands and ensembles with support to firmly establish themselves in New York City and further the union's efforts to ensure that all professional musicians can afford to live, work and raise a family in New York.

Mayor Bill de Blasio today signed a historic piece of legislation into law which will repeal the 91 year-old Cabaret Law. The Mayor previously held a public hearing for the bill on November 20th. Int. 1652-A, which passed the full council at the end of October, repeals all aspects of this law except for two safety requirements. Establishments previously required to obtain a cabaret license must continue to abide by these requirements. Establishments must install and maintain security cameras; and if they employ security guards, the law ensures such security guards are licensed pursuant to state law and to maintain a roster of such security guards.

President of the Associated Musicians of New York, Local 802, AFM, Tino Gagliardi released a statement on yesterday's passage of Intro 1652 which repealed New York City's antiquated cabaret law:

Broadway casting directors and supporters escalated their campaign for a union contract with a rally today in Shubert Alley and a march through Times Square to the offices of the Broadway League. Scroll down for photos from the march!

Inside Broadway presented it's Beacon Awards last night at it's 35th anniversary season Gala  and BroadwayWorld was inside the JW Marriot Essex House for the festivities.

Celebrating its landmark 35th anniversary season, on Monday, June 12 at their annual Broadway Beacon Awards Gala at The JW Marriot Essex House (160 Central Park South), leading NYC arts education nonprofit Inside Broadway (Executive Director, Michael Presser) will honor Tony and Emmy Award nominated actress Kate Burton (currently starring in the Tony Award nominated revival of Present Laughter) and Tony nominee Ramin Karimloo (currently starring in the Tony Award Nominated musical Anastasia), as well as Tino Gagliardi, president of Local 802 American Federation of Musicians, the largest union of professional musicians in the world.

At a free concert open to the public on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 3:30pm, members of the MET Orchestra Musicians visited The New York Public Library's Fort Washington Branch in Washington Heights to perform a “Musical Read-Along” of “Buzzard and Wren Have a Race,” from the book A Ring of Tricksters, by Virginia Hamilton and the book Icarus Swinebuckle by Michael Garland. The music was composed by Robert Miller, husband MET Orchestra violinist Elena Barere. The books were read aloud to children and families by local New York City Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez, and MET Orchestra violinist Bruno Eicher.

Tino Gagliardi, President of Local 802 AFM, the Associated Musicians of Greater New York; James Claffey, President of Local 1 IATSE; Kate Shindle, President of Actors' Equity Association; Mike Hodge, President of SAG-AFTRA NY Local; and Thomas J. O'Donnell, President of Theatrical Teamsters Local 817 today applauded Governor Cuomo for vetoing S7709/A10283-A.

The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) today announced results of a survey examining the diversity of staff and leadership at City-funded nonprofit cultural organizations. The survey release marks a major milestone in the agency's initiative to promote and cultivate diversity in the cultural community, building on the de Blasio Administration's commitment to making New York City a more fair and equitable city for every resident. The survey found that while New York City's cultural sector is far more diverse than cultural organizations on the national level, it lags behind the demographic diversity of the city's population.

The bill would have redefined the employee status of performing artists.

Today, the Associated Musicians of Greater New York Local 802 AFM announced that it has entered into a collective bargaining agreement with New York venue 54 Below. This development marks an important step for musicians in New York City nightclubs.