Strike Coverage: Nederlander Org Sues Local One for $35M

The Nederlander Organization - and the producers of the nine shows currently housed in the Nederlander-owned theatres - is suing the stagehands' union Local One for $35 million.

Reuters reports: "Producers sued members of Local and its president James Claffey Jr. in Manhattan federal court seeking to recover damages for lost revenues… The League of American Theaters and Producers has said the strike that has darkened some 25 productions since November 10 is costing a total of about $17 million for every day it lasts."  The law-suit was filed late Tuesday November 20.

The Nederlander Organization currently owns the following strike-affected houses: Gershwin (Wicked), Neil Simon (Hairspray), Richard Rodgers (Cyrano de Bergerac), Brooks Atkinson (Grease), Nederlander (Rent), Marquis (The Drowsy Chaperone), Minskoff (The Lion King), Lunt-Fontanne (The Little Mermaid) and Palace (Legally Blonde).

The law-suit follows quickly after State Court Justice Helen Freedman ruled the limited holiday-engagement musical How The Grinch Stole Christmas! may reopen performances at the St. James Theatre this weekend.