Broadway drops chorus lines for picket lines
Striking musicians kept the curtain down on Broadway for a third day Sunday, as losses in ticket sales and tourism mounted with no end in sight.
Neither the the League of American Theatres and Producers nor the striking musicians appeared willing to budge.
Members of Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians were joined on the picket lines Sunday by some of Broadway's biggest stars, including Harvey Fierstein of "Hairspray," Brian Stokes Mitchell of "Man of La Mancha," Kevin Richardson of "Chicago" and Brad Oscar of "The Producers."
"We're artists, and a machine is a dead thing," said Fierstein, explaining why he did not want to go on stage with computerized music as a substitute for the striking musicians.
The two sides differ over the union's longstanding staffing minimums for Broadway houses, which range from three to 26 musicians, depending on the size of the theater. Meanwhile, theatergoers lined up at box offices for refunds and scrambled to see shows not affected by the strike.
The walkout has cost theaters and other businesses, including hotels and restaurants, about $7.2 million, said Christyne Nicholas, head of NYC & Co., the city tourism office.
Nicholas also worried about a lingering drag on tourism even after the strike ends.
"There is no guarantee that, even once the strike is over, we will get this business back," she said.
George Alvarez, manager of Angus McIndoe, a Theater District restaurant, said business was off 80 percent to 90 percent.
"It's pretty horrible," he said.
-- From wire reports
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