Local 802 AFM Says 'David Byrne is Trying to Break The Union'

Local 802 AFM has responded to Here Lies Love's defense of its use of pre-recorded music.

By: May. 31, 2023
Click Here for More on Here Lies Love

Local 802 AFM Says 'David Byrne is Trying to Break The Union'

In response to a statement from Here Lies Love defending of its use of pre-recorded music as part of its upcoming Broadway production, Local 802 President and Executive Director Tino Gagliardi issued the following statement: 

“Let’s be clear about what’s happening here: rather than negotiate, David Byrne is trying to break the union. 

Broadway musicians are not ‘gatekeepers’ like David Byrne callously said, they are the best in the world and since 2020 have been severely hurt by the onset and effects the Covid pandemic had on Broadway. Instead of using his show to lift up musicians that are struggling, he’s denigrating their work, tossing them aside and saying they can’t do it. That’s not the way Broadway has operated for 157 years and we will not stand by as working musicians are told they are not good enough. 

David Byrne must change course now or Local 802 AFM will be forced to take further measures to protect our workers and the experience audices have expected for generations on Broadway.”

Here Lies Love, the musical from the minds of Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner David Byrne (concept, music and lyrics) and Grammy Award winner Fatboy Slim (music), begins performances Saturday, June 17 ahead of an official opening night on Thursday, July 20. Here Lies Love features the first all-Filipino cast to perform on Broadway.

Here Lies Love tells the story of Imelda Marcos' rise to power and subsequent fall at the hands of the Philippine People Power Revolution. Developed & directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, with choreography by Olivier Award nominee Annie-B Parson, Here Lies Love will transform the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street) into a dance club where the audience is immersed in the story on the dance floor or in traditional theater seating. 

The musical has previously been staged Off-Broadway, in London and in Seattle. Each time the cast was accompanied by recorded music. There are no full-time instrumentalists.

Local 802 has stated that its contract with the Broadway League requires the use of 19 musicians for musicals at the Broadway Theater. The number of musicians required under the contract differs based on the size of the theater.

A previous musical “Contact” was produced in 2000 without live music, but not at a Broadway League theatre.





RELATED STORIES

1
Video: Watch Arielle Jacobs & HERE LIES LOVE Perform on GMA Photo
Video: Watch Arielle Jacobs & HERE LIES LOVE Perform on GMA

This morning, Arielle Jacobs and the cast of Here Lies Love appeared on Good Morning America to perform the title song and 'Eleven Days.' Watch the a video of the performance now, which also features Jose Llana as Ferdinand Marcos, joining Jacobs as Imelda Marcos.

2
David Byrne and Arbutus to Host HERE LIES LOVE Benefit This Week Photo
David Byrne and Arbutus to Host HERE LIES LOVE Benefit This Week

David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s Broadway production of Here Lies Love will host a sold out special benefit performance on September 28 with proceeds supporting Byrne’s non-profit, Arbutus.

3
Photos: Vina Morales Takes Her First Bow in HERE LIES LOVE Photo
Photos: Vina Morales Takes Her First Bow in HERE LIES LOVE

Popular Filipino actress Vina Morales made her Broadway debut on September 22 in Here Lies Love, the groundbreaking musical from David Byrne and Fatboy Slim. Check out photos from her first curtain call here!

4
HERE LIES LOVE Homecoming Concert Comes to Joes Pub Next Month Photo
HERE LIES LOVE Homecoming Concert Comes to Joe's Pub Next Month

The cast, alumni, and friends of Here Lies Love will perform in Here Lies Love: A Homecoming Concert on Monday, October 2 at 9:30pm, in celebration of Filipino American History Month. Learn more about the concert and how to get tickets here!

Buy at the Theatre Shop T-Shirts, Mugs, Phone Cases & More

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL

Recommended For You