ROCK OF AGES Producers & IATSE Release Statement About Producer Habib
By: Robert Diamond Apr. 14, 2011
A statement has been released by the producers of ROCK OF AGES and Local One IATSE.
On March 25, Barry Habib, an investor in Rock of Ages, made untrue statements on a Fox News business program regarding the cost structures of producing and running a Broadway show.
Asked a series of leading questions, Mr. Habib displayed a complete lack of knowledge about the talented, skilled crafts people for whom the theatre is their life's calling.
We, the producers of Rock of Ages and the President of Local One IATSE, are joining together to clarify the hurtful and untruthful statements made by Mr. Habib.
"Barry Habib does not speak for Rock of Ages or the producing team, and his statements on Fox are strictly his own. Mr. Habib is wrong on virtually everything he stated about union costs, and his facts and figures bear little or no semblance to the truth. Rock of Ages has enjoyed great working relationships with Local One IATSE and all of the union members, former and present, who have worked on past incarnations of the show from Off-Broadway to the National Tour. We believe strongly in the importance of our union workforce to our show's success, and look forward to continuing these harmonious relationships as Rock of Ages grows worldwide," stated Michael Cohl and Matt Weaver, producers of Rock of Ages.
"Local One IATSE won't go into what Mr. Habib said or from where he pulled his 'facts' (though we're sure it wasn't his hat). Mr. Habib's comments are false. His numbers did not come from the producing management of Rock of Ages. The bottom line for both producers and stagehands is that Mr. Habib's statements are fiction and were made, as we see it, as part of Fox News's continuing attack on unions, for which Mr. Habib is an eager participant," stated James J. Claffey, Jr. President of Local One of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.
Signed,
Michael Cohl, Matthew Weaver
Producers, "Rock of Ages"
James J. Claffey, Jr.
President of Local One IATSE
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