Tony Red Carpet Facing Union Picket?
By: Robert Diamond Jun. 08, 2011
Variety is reporting that due to a logistical decision to move the Tony Awards red carpet across the street from the Beacon theatre, and the hiring of a non-union crew to do so, the Local One union (who will work on the rest of the Awards) is threatening to protest and picket the red carpet. It's being speculated on by the trade paper that a Local One picket could result in Actors Equity members not walking the red carpet for the awards show.
Variety reports that "We're going to exercise our legal right to demonstrate," said Local One prexy James J. Claffey Jr. He's also intending to trot out the union's giant inflatable rate for occasion, he added, saying that he hopes to get some 400 union members on the scene.
"The Tony Awards are working together with the Local One Union on the entirety of the Tony Awards telecast and the surrounding operations of the event on Sunday," said Alan Williams of Tony Awards Productions in a statement. "When the decision was made for the location of the carpet, the Tony Awards wanted and tried to work out a labor contract with Local One -- unfortunately, neither party could reach an agreement. As a result of the budget, an outside crew had to be assembled."
NY1's pre-show, On STAGE's Red Carpet to the TONY's will be hosted by Roma Torre and Donna Karger, with Patrick Pacheco,Frank DiLella and Stephanie Simon and will air 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.on Time Warner Cable's New York City Region customers in HD on channel 701 (or standard definition on channel 1).
The Tony Awards will be broadcast live, from the Beacon Theatre on CBS, Sunday, June 12th, 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. (ET/PT time delay). The 2011 Tony Awards are presented by the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.
The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and theAmerican Theatre Wing. At The Broadway League, Paul Libin is Chairman and Charlotte St. Martinis Executive Director. At the American Theatre Wing, Theodore S. Chapin is Chairman and Howard Sherman is Executive Director. For Tony Award Productions, Alan Wasser and Allan Williams ofAlan Wasser Associates are the General Managers. Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment are the Executive Producers of the 2011 Tony Awards. Mr. Weiss will also serve as Director of the 2011 Tony Awards.
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