Broadway is in a current roiling state of unrest, due to the revelations (known by everybody for years – even I knew about it) of Scott Rudin’s abusive horrific behavior. The unrest around this issue is exacerbated by the planned revival of The Music Man (produced by Rudin). When Broadway returns – and it will – it will hopefully be a healthier place to work. Rudin’s contributions have been immeasurable and nobody can take that away or erase it. But Broadway can come back without him. Broadway (and theatre in general) doesn’t need him, doesn’t need a man who throws objects at his staff. Fuck him.
I miss live theatre so much it’s a soul-ache. I miss going to the movies too. I miss going out to dinner. I will do all those things again. But live theatre … there is nothing quite like it. My life is not complete without it.
I was walking through the theatre district one day, and it was hot and sunny, the sun pouring down across the cross-streets. And I saw these guys sitting outside a stage door, stage hands and crew on break. These people are essential to live theatre running, to live theatre being a fair and equitable place, to live theatre existing. All of these people – and people like them – have been out of work for a year. I can’t wait to walk through the theatre district again, and see big burly guys having a smoke break outside a stage door.
