No one wants to see another Broadway blackout like last year during the stagehands strike. During those discussions, over 24 shows weren’t produced for 19 days. This time, the talks are between the actor’s union and the Broadway theater producers. They have already missed the deadline, but the two parties are still talking, and the outcome looks favorable. One of the issues in question is the rule put in place in 2004 with a sliding scale for pay on touring shows. Actors on hit traveling shows like Wicked get paid significantly more than those of smaller shows. A change will likely be made to that policy. Another issue that also may affect Wicked is the discussion of safety for actors as sets become more and more elaborate.
Wicked has been wowing audiences over and over again, and actors that help make it that successful should not get paid the same as a traveling flop. Part of what makes a hit musical a hit is the casting and therefore the cast should reap the benefits of success. Hopefully, they do not change the rule and take away money from the talented cast of the traveling Wicked show.
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