Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!- Page 2
Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
#25re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 9:26am
I feel sorry for everyone deeply affected by the strike. I do not included the tourists or people who had tickets to see shows this week. There are plenty of other excellent shows out there and most are available to see.
There are so many people whose day to day living is dependent on Broadway - and for their sake, I hope this strike is very short.
henryt
Broadway Star Joined: 7/26/07
#26re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 9:46am
Broadway.com still hasn't acknoledged the strike...at all...
Broadway.com only posts news during regular office hours, and even then, they overlook a lot of things.
A bit OT, but I wonder how long the 1975 strike lasted...
From the STRIKE TOMORROW thread:
"In September 1975, nine musicals shut down for 25 days after musicians went on strike over the issue of minimums." -mateo
#27re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 9:58am
a) The tourists keep Broadway afloat.
b) How many posters on this board would come from a distance to see their favorite show/shows and be content with seeing "the rest of the city" when they couldn't see them due to a work stoppage? Just because you're seeing shows doesn't mean you're not also seeing other things in the city. Many people come from many miles, plan for a good long time, and make sacrifices to do so, because they want to see Broadway shows. If they didn't, these people would all be out of work anyway.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
mikeyb16
Broadway Star Joined: 1/22/06
#28re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 10:01am
How long is the strike aimed for?
Updated On: 11/10/07 at 10:01 AM
#29re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 10:15am
Well said Rathnait62 -- I came up from WAshington DC to see Les Mis on Sunday -- a visit long planned to see my family. The trip to Les Mis was a last minute addition when John Owen Jones came over from London. I highly doubt the tourists come here just to see shows, although its undoubtedly the highlight. Obviously a lot of people are affected by this action, not just the tourists -- but apparently it's those people the press are talking to.
Another casualty of this strike -- the Actor's Fund performance of Les Miserables, which is supposed to be on Sunday night at 8 p.m.
#30re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 10:21am
Broadway.com has "An Important message for Broadway.com ticket holders. SOme shows cancelled today 11/10". Interesting that the headline doesn't say there is a strike. You don't know about it until you click on the link.
Also, and this is just my thought, a lot of toursists that come just to see the shows have no idea that these negotiations have been going on and that a strike was possible. And they probably don't even know why the strike is happening. Unlike a lot of us on here who have known about it for a while, they haven't. I suspect that they don't follow theater the way we do. So it is a shock to them when they find out they can't see the shows they wanted to see. I am going to be in New York during the 1st week of December. I hope this is all resolved by then, but if not, I have already planned to do other things. I have one ticket for a Broadway show and will not purchase any more tickets until I know the shows affected will be open while I am there. And if for some reason they are not, I can add on another off Broadway show.
Just give the world Love.
#31re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 10:40amWell said, Rathnait. People have been nervous about buying tickets already because of the threat of a strike. The economic impact is staggering on so many levels, and while Europeans coming here have it a little easier, the US is heading into a recession, so I am sure there are many people scraping their pennies to give themselves a trip to NY, and for many, the quintessential NY experience is seeing a Broadway show.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#32re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 10:45am
Poor poor tourists keep Broadway from going down the drain totally.
Many people on this board take the strike as a personal slap at them & are mad that they will miss a show. Screw everyone else. As long as I see the show when they want that is all that matters
They are cutting their own throats. Tourists will remember this & NY is not the be all & end all for tourists. Unfortunately, many others in other industries will be affected. The stock market is tanking but as long as I see my show or as long as I keep my job as a stagehand (whether or not it is necessary) is all I care about. Can you spell myopic boys & gitsl? How about selfish?
Poster Emeritus
#33re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 10:48amMaybe this will actually force Tourists to see something creative and exciting like MAURITIUS or CYMBELINE instead of MERMAID or LION KING or JERSEY BOYS.
Lynnespock2
Broadway Star Joined: 5/14/04
#34re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:14am
I am quite sure Mermaid and Jersey Boys are sold out and probably Lion King too.
Force tourists? People come to NYC with intents of seeing a specific show or shows. Hard to have all those shows cancelled and have all those people disappointed.
But, the union has to do what the union has to do. Hopefully, this will not be a long-lived strike.
Live long and prosper.
Marriage equity now!
mateo
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/06
#35re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:16am
Thank you Rath.
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
popular_elphie
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/3/05
#36re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:30amI'm just sick of people not realizing that the strike is for something, and that they didn't just do it because they felt like it. I'm sick of the SPRING AWAKENING fans whining that the show needs to go on because they bought stage seats and they need to sit next to John Gallagher omg.
#37re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:35amOh please it isn't just the Spring Awakening fans who are wishing that there wasn't a strike.
loholly
Swing Joined: 10/29/07
#38re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:41am
We should really respect the audience members who still attend theatre. If someone spent their time getting to NYC to see a show, only to have it cancelled, it's is a shame. Everyone is hurt by this stike, not just the people who work in the theatre, but everyone.
Hope all the stikes end soon.
Cages or Wings
Featured Actor Joined: 11/27/04
#39re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:42amI understand that this strike is for something, but timing wise it probably isn't the best for the stagehands in terms of getting public support. The WGA is receiving almost universal public support, which isn't surprising because they are most clearly being screwed by the new (digital) media distribution model. The Stagehands' issue(s) are not nearly as cut and dry, and when compared to the screwing the WGA is taking, I think a lot of people are going to look down on the union is this case. Just my gut feeling.
popular_elphie
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/3/05
#40re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:43am
That wasn't what I was saying. Everyone is wishing there wasn't a strike and that there is some way to end this, but you've got to respect Local One and what they're doing, and not cry that you won't get to see SPRING AWAKENING for the eightieth time.
Let me quote the fan club site. KellyBelle says:
"I know I'm incredibly selfish, but I don't care who wins and I don't care what happens financially. If there's a work stoppage they all brought it on themselves. But nobody better dare try to take away my onstage seats."
What wonderful people, eh?
somuchtodo
Featured Actor Joined: 4/4/07
#41re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:47amWhy is there this attitude that if someone comes from a long distance to support theater in NY that they are "tourists" and should be denigrated? I personally am thrilled that anyone would plan a trip around experiencing Broadway for themselves.
#42re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:49amI do feel bad for those tourists that have come into town and had hoped to see a show they planned on seeing. But on the other hand, I don't feel sorry for them if they whine and moan instead of finding something else to do in the city. Granted, some people are on a tight budget and may not be able to afford a ticket for one of the shows that are still open or for an off-Broadway show, but it doesn't make matters any better just being upset and complaining. There are so many things to do in the city. And as mentioned in a lot of threads here, this doesn't just affect the tourists. It will affect businesses. Something I am sure the tourists don't think about. Just my thoughs again.
Just give the world Love.
#43re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:54amsomu...you have a point. I don't feel like a tourist when I am in New York.
Just give the world Love.
#44re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:01pm
Sorry to disabuse you of that notion, but I'm from the city & was planning on taking my son to see Drowsy Chaperone today & Spring Awakening later this week. We lucked out in early Sept by scoring stage seating (and you know THAT was a two month wait for THAT process) for the show. I personally didn't care whether it was stage or elsewhere...but these tixs happen to be the least expensive & offered great views of the show.
We've seen several shows together...most of which he's unfortantely disliked. But the ONE show, he's been counting down the days (seriously) is for Spring A. Not for nothing...you can talk about ppl "whining" about getting these lottery seats, but as someone on a very tight income & no time to wait hours for rush, this was a real opportunity to see a fine show that my child actively wanted to see.
So while I'm fully behind the union asking for a fair contract, the reality is the strike affects not only tourists but those in our metropolitan area who are beloved fans of the shows.
My sympathies are with all. I just hope they come to a speedy and equitable resolution.
Updated On: 11/10/07 at 12:01 PM
sabrinatl
Swing Joined: 11/9/07
#45re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:03pm
"There are plenty of other excellent shows out there and most are available to see. "
You don't get it. Some of us are not fans of Broadway in general. We pay money (hundreds of dollars, between flight and hotel costs) to see specific people and there are no substitutes.
Trailer Trash Jones
Stand-by Joined: 10/28/05
#46re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:23pmI'm feeling pretty sorry for Broadway Cares right now. This is their winter fundraising period and it's unlikely they'll be allowed to make that time up!
#47re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:41pm
I think they get "it". It is just they really have little choice. You want to hold up signs for them in January? You want to pay their mortgages,(if they have one) or car pmts.?
Everyone in NY with tickets right now are victims of our wonderful Media blackout. People here have been talking for months of a strike. The Media has been trying to hide it from the public not the Union. They have been hoping to avoid it at all costs. Even working without a contract to save your shows.
Yes, the Holiday Season is coming. Maybe this year, instead of spending your hard earned money on a blockbuster, you can see another show or even better, donate to the Union's strike fund. Compared to the 20 million the Producers have, 4 million is a pittance of what the families will need this Winter.
Or are we still just in it for ourselves? Has the season of giving really turned into the season of getting? People keep asking the stagehands to give back more and more but refuse to offer them something reasonable in exchange?
I know it sucks to not see a show you really like. So many talk as if these people rather be walking a freezing cold sidewalk rather then in a Theatre putting on a show. Yet in a Country where more and more Americans can't even afford to see most of these shows, because so many of our really good jobs don't exist anymore, asking for a little understanding and support doesn't seem like asking too much.
If you must hate on someone, hate the Media for refusing to report on the pending strike until the very last minute. One of my favorite shows will probably close for good. Thus, my desire to come to NY has fizzled for the most part. At least for now. I will however donate what I can instead to the Actor's fund because at least I don't have to fight for my benefits right now.
These are the people who bring the shows to life. Without them, our shows would be dark. It was the League who went public and threatened a lock-out, thus forcing a strike. Had they not done this, we wouldn't be facing this strike now.
If anything it is more proof of how avoiding reality is dangerous to your pocketbook. We can't always expect to do that and life in general can be pretty disappointing at times. You can't always run to the Theatre to escape the worries of the World. Life even there obviously has it's troubles.
No matter what, we were going to miss shows. Pls get refunds and see other shows if you can. Grey Gardens closed before I could see it and it had nothing to do with the strike. So shows can close whenever the Producers feel it is no longer worth their pocketbooks. Strike or not. That's just Broadway.
#48re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:54pm
I have to say that I find the general slap against tourists in this tread a bit foolish and short sighted. Everyone who says that they should, or could, find something else to do should really look at a day in New York logically. Most days, excluding matinee days, will only require a tourist to spend up to two and a half hours in a Broadway theatre which means that they have the entire day to "find something else to do".
There are people who travel to New York specifically to see theatre. They plan their vacation (the only one they get in a year) for months, they book their theatre seats online (often at full price), make their dinner reservations based on the time their booked show gets out and they book their hotel rooms, sometimes paying a non-refundable fee for their stay. That is often also the case for their airline tickets.
Yes, they can get the cost of their theatre tickets refunded and see something else Off-Broadway but who wants go and see something that they might have no interest in after planning their trip and their shows for up to a year?
I don't think that anyone is taking the plight of the stagehands lightly but to flippantly bitch about the fact that a tourist is complaining is not looking at the entire picture. A lot of shows that are running now are only running because of tourists. Do we really think that there are that many New Yorkers who have not yet seen 'Phantom' or 'The Lion King'?
It's in the best interest of everyone to get the strike settled since the city stands to loose as much a $5 million dollars a day (a lot of which comes from tourists).
Maybe some of you should think a little more before you write.
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"
Updated On: 11/10/07 at 12:54 PM
EganFan2
Broadway Star Joined: 9/8/04
#49re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/10/07 at 1:11pm
I know that off-Broadway shows are very good, too. I think they're sadly under-appreciated. I know the strike is for a reason. But, I can see the other side of it. For example, I finally got to NYC for the first time in my life this past summer. Of course I wanted to see the city, but one thing I have always wanted to do is see a genuine Broadway show. I was excited to see the tour of "Camelot" not because of Michael York, but because of RACHEL York and James Barbour, people whose voices I listened to countless times on cast recordings (though I enjoyed Michael as well).
So if this had happened when I was there, I would've been very sad. I knew when I went that there's no knowing when I'll get back there...I've wanted to go back to London, England and I haven't been back for going on 10 years. Some people just can't afford to go whenever they feel like it, whether because of finances or time constraints.
Updated On: 11/10/07 at 01:11 PM
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