Disney on Broadway Concert Canceled- Page 2

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 6:57pm

Luminaire2 said:  “But I would, as someone in the industry, say I am pro-worker always. I believe the unions provide incredibly important protection and value to the members, but I also bring they cross into dictator territory at times.

I want performers and members to have more control over their careers, and not be hindered by the unions (which is certainly an issue in communities with far less professional gigs)."

This has been my exact experience as a non-union actor trying to break into the industry.  I have found AEA to be extremely unwelcoming to those of us who actively want to join, and I feel almost completely powerless as a nonmember.  I think now would be a great time for all of these unions to reevaluate their membership processes and general structure so that we come out of this with stronger and more member-representative unions.

[cwilliams]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 8:17pm

In 2003 members of @ActorsEquity stood in solidarity with @The_AFM to support fair pay for musicians. Now the AFM refuses to allow a @BCEFA charity event to move forward that would raise money for the ENTIRE theatre community. Sad! @disneybroadway

[sparksatmidnight]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 9:15pm

Read the freaking room, AFM. Disney is doing charity (for your members) but you can't?

[BwayMusician]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 9:54pm

I made an account just to make this very important distinction:

The national organization AFM is making this call, not the NY Local 802. 

MANY members of 802 personally would love for this concert to go through.  The local New York musicians in the pits of Broadway know firsthand how trying this has been for everyone - our livelihoods have evaporated, and so many beloved colleagues have been infected by this virus and had their lives upended.  In no way would we quibble over something like this when the alternative is to help people, especially through a wonderful organization like Broadway Cares.  I'm ashamed of the stance AFM has taken.  If there's any way music can support people during this time, I'm all for it, and know the majority of my colleagues feel the same way.  

This shortsighted decision is on Ray Hair, not the majority of musicians in New York.  In no way do we want to cultivate ill will at a time when people need to come together.

I just wanted to make sure that distinction was clear.  

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 10:15pm

^^ thank you for that! That is the general sense I’m getting from most members of the union. This seems like a power play from a leader who I assume will not be leading for much longer.

Here is Ryan McCartan’s statement:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-2-3k0AHIf/?igshid=12z7wpgy7b115

Updated On: 4/11/20 at 10:15 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/11/20 at 10:34pm

Damn, Ryan didn't hold back. Good for him and Ray Hair can go to hell.

Updated On: 4/11/20 at 10:34 PM

[BwayMusician]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 12:29am

Just to drive the point home even more, here's an open letter penned by the musicians who played the benefit:

"An open letter from the members of the orchestra regarding the streaming of our performance for “Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney On Broadway” as a fundraiser for Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund:

We find ourselves in a world that has been changed radically in just a few weeks by a terrible disease that isolates us and has changed everyone’s lives. In such a time, we must all come together for the common good. As musicians we have lost the opportunity to perform publicly, but this use of our recorded performance could have been a great tool to raise funds for people in our community that are in need.
It would serve to show the world the value of live music and could also serve as an inspiration to young musicians everywhere, in addition to being both entertaining and uplifting to audiences around the world in this troubled time.

Ray Hair, the President of the American Federation of Musicians, made this decision for us without our knowledge. We acknowledge that he is working hard to protect the rights of the membership, but we as an orchestra are happy to forgo any payment for the streaming of this charitable event, especially in light of the additional $25,000 of support BCEFA offered to donate on our behalf to the Local 802 Emergency Relief Fund. This generous donation would directly support the members of Local 802 who are most in need during this crisis. Now more than ever it is essential to join with the other members of the arts community to help those in need. We implore President Hair to allow the waiver of payment so this broadcast can raise desperately needed funds for BCEFA and provide a sense of joy and community that we can all share.

In unity and support of our community
The members of the orchestra

Jim Abbott (Piano and Musical Director)
Ann Gerschefski (Keyboard)
David Kuhn (Bass)
Gary Seligson (Drums)
Daniel Weiss (Guitar)
Steve Kenyon (Woodwinds)
Greg Riley (Woodwinds)
Tony Kadleck (Trumpet)
Shelagh Abate (French Horn)
Jason Jackson (Trombone)
Lori Abbott (Violin)
Laura Bontrager (Cello)
Rolando Morales-Matos (Percussion)
Horace “Junior” Wedderburn (Percussion)
Howard Joines (Contractor)
Adam Krauthamer (President Local 802)"

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 12:45am

Not only the musicians who played in the concert but the president of Local 802 (AKA Mr. Betsy Wolfe) signed this open letter. This is Ray Hair’s mess and it has given the musicians who want to donate their talents and money (and all Broadway musicians) a bad name. We need to be in solidarity with the other unions and organizations on this. Otherwise, it will tarnish our relationship with our sister unions. What a giant embarrassment and face palm.

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 12:59am

I’ve never belonged to a union and have no deep understanding of how they work. Does one person in charge of a national union really get to make a decision like this on his own? Aren’t there checks and balances in place to assess and consult on decisions which could lead to a PR nightmare? Is it possible the board agreed and it’s just the union head being (understandably) publicly run through the wringer for this unbelievable decision?

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 12:59am

I’ve never belonged to a union and have no deep understanding of how they work. Does one person in charge of a national union really get to make a decision like this on his own? Aren’t there checks and balances in place to assess and consult on decisions which could lead to a PR nightmare? Is it possible the board agreed and it’s just the union head being (understandably) publicly run through the wringer for this unbelievable decision?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 1:16am

BwayMusician said: "Just to drive the point home even more, here's an open letter penned by the musicians who played the benefit:

"An open letter from the members of the orchestra regarding the streaming of our performance for “Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney On Broadway” as a fundraiser for Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund:

We find ourselves in a world that has been changed radically in just a few weeks by a terrible disease that isolates us and has changed everyone’s lives. In such a time, we must all come together for the common good. As musicians we have lostthe opportunity to perform publicly, but this use of our recorded performance could have been a great tool to raise funds for people in our community that are in need.
It would serve to show the world the value of live music and could also serve as an inspiration to young musicians everywhere, in addition to being both entertaining and uplifting to audiences around the world in this troubled time.

Ray Hair, the President of the American Federation of Musicians, made this decision for us without our knowledge. We acknowledge that he is working hard to protect the rights of the membership, but we as an orchestra are happy to forgo any payment for the streaming of this charitable event, especially in light of the additional $25,000 of support BCEFA offered to donate on our behalf to the Local 802 Emergency Relief Fund. This generous donation would directly support the members of Local 802 who are most in need during this crisis. Now more than ever it is essential to join with the other members of the arts community to help those in need. We implore President Hair to allow the waiver of payment so this broadcast can raise desperately needed funds for BCEFA and provide a sense of joy and community that we can all share.

In unity and support of our community
The members of the orchestra

Jim Abbott (Piano and Musical Director)
Ann Gerschefski (Keyboard)
David Kuhn (Bass)
Gary Seligson (Drums)
Daniel Weiss (Guitar)
Steve Kenyon (Woodwinds)
Greg Riley (Woodwinds)
Tony Kadleck (Trumpet)
Shelagh Abate (French Horn)
Jason Jackson (Trombone)
Lori Abbott (Violin)
Laura Bontrager (Cello)
Rolando Morales-Matos (Percussion)
Horace “Junior” Wedderburn (Percussion)
Howard Joines (Contractor)
Adam Krauthamer (President Local 802)""

Is there a link to where this was posted?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 1:22am

Marc Shaiman didn't hold back on Facebook. 

https://www.facebook.com/marc.shaiman/posts/10163567401680413

"Horrifying. Nauseating. I am ashamed of my own Union. This old-school "leadership" has pretty much killed the L.A. film score scene by not adjusting to modern reality and now something like this. Disgusting. Everywhere I look around me (including within) I see nothing but artists striving to find ways to use our talents to help charities. And then there is this.

For whatever reason, long ago it was decreed that musician always get paid for benefits/charity events even when absolutely every other person involved happily donates their service. It has always embarrassed me.

Here's a true story. Back in the 90's, Scott Wittman & I directed/musical a huge concert for APLA (Aids Project LA). SO many worked gratis except, of course, the musicians. I pleaded with the musician I had asked to help contract the band. He refused.

At the concert, Tom Cruise led a moment where everyone in the arena shouted out the names of someone they had lost to AIDS. As I did so from the piano, the very musician who refused to consider the orchestra donating their time called out a name. It turns out his own brother had died of AIDS. And yet...

I have never forgotten that. I will never understand it."

[jlabbott]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 2:31am

I was the Music Director for this Concert..what you're hearing is correct..we had no knowledge the AFM was going to demand payment and were never asked in any way about this...we have started a change page to put pressure on the AFM to waive our payment and allow the broadcast to happen

Please feel free to sign and share

http://chng.it/mt56Qjtw

Thanks Jim Abbott

 

[mikey2573]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 4:00am

And Ray Hair will be removed from the AFM (not just for this stupid decision, but for the insensitivity of comparing musicians to slaves)  in............... 

5

4

3

2........................................

[Kad]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 9:20am

PatrickDC said: "I’ve never belonged to a union and have no deep understanding of how they work. Does one person in charge of a national union really get to make a decision like this on his own? Aren’t there checks and balances in place to assess and consult on decisions which could lead to a PR nightmare? Is it possible the board agreed and it’s just the union head being (understandably) publicly run through the wringer for this unbelievable decision? "
 

I can only speak on the government structure of AEA, which is different as it’s a national union (no local chapters). For AEA, the answer is no, nobody has the ability to make a unilateral decision like that. There are dozens of committees made up of members to consider specific issues and concessions, and depending on the situation, their decisions then need to be reviewed by the regional board or the national governing council, all comprised of union members who have been elected. The president can’t just cut through all of that and make a call for herself and grant or deny a concession.
 

National labor law is restrictive and specific on how unions can be governed. I would assume some sort of executive committee had to make this call, with Ray Hair then taking a spokesperson role, poorly. 

 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 9:50am

I just want to add that I am very proud of "our" musicians. 

[Eddie3]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 10:23am

I support the efforts our performing arts unions make on behalf of the members. However, in this case, there was no extra work involved, no going out to play a free gig, etc. Merely the streaming of an existing performance for a charity at a difficult time. It almost makes one want to go back to the idea that all work should be work-for-hire, and not have endless rights to the product. But I'm not there yet.

 

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 11:24am

HogansHero said: "I just want to add that I am very proud of "our" musicians."

I am proud of the musicians too. It's the AFM who I am not. And, having worked with several opera and theatre companies (long time ago) ... it is ALWAYS the AFM.

 

Updated On: 4/12/20 at 11:24 AM

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 3:30pm

That petition is inching closer and closer to 5,000 signatures. I wonder if the AFM have taken notice yet? They’ve stayed silent. I guess they’re hope is to let tomorrow come and go so the original date passes?

[Tag]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 4:04pm

Unfortunately change.org petitions don't really do anything.

Visible AFM members like Marc Shaiman and Hans Zimmer speaking out is what matters here.

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 5:10pm

Tag said: "Unfortunately change.org petitions don't really do anything.

Visible AFM members like Marc Shaiman and Hans Zimmer speaking out is what matters here."

And now Michael Giacchino.

 

https://twitter.com/m_giacchino/status/1249409892214964224?s=21

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/12/20 at 7:25pm

Tag said: "Unfortunately change.org petitions don't really do anything."

Once again, there are no rules. In this case, I think the impact of the petition will be what matters. Note also that this is not the typical change.org petition, but a union local-initiated petition, with a groundswell of support. Change.org in this case is simply a facile way of getting the job done very quickly. 

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 4/13/20 at 3:21pm

No word yet on when, but it seems it will be un-canceled!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Just-In-Musicians-Union-Reverses-Decision-Waiving-Disney-on-Broadway-Concert-Payments-20200413

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/13/20 at 3:23pm

Jesus, that man made a mess of things. Get him out ASAP and make sure nothing like this happens again.

[jonah3500]

Posted: 4/13/20 at 3:31pm

They relented!!!