An appeals court in New York rejected a $50 million lawsuit by Tony Award-winning producer Garth Drabinsky against the Actors’ Equity Association, a union for theater actors and stage managers. The court ruled that the union’s actions, including placing Drabinsky on its Do Not Work list, were protected under labor laws as they were in response to concerns raised by cast members regarding unsafe conditions, a hostile work environment, and unpaid wages during the production of “Paradise Square.” The court noted that Drabinsky claimed he did not have control over wages and working conditions, despite his lawsuit alleging he controlled hiring, firing, and pay.
The executive director of the Actors’ Equity Association, Al Vincent Jr., expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating that the ruling will help protect actors and stage managers from employers who harm them. Drabinsky’s productions, including “Ragtime,” have been successful on Broadway, but he has faced legal troubles in the past, including a seven-year prison sentence in Canada for fraud convictions related to falsifying financial statements.
“Paradise Square,” a musical exploring racial conflicts in 1863 New York City, closed on Broadway in July 2022 after 23 previews and 108 performances. Drabinsky’s lawsuit alleged defamation and harassment by the union, but the court ruled in favor of the Actors’ Equity Association, saying their actions were aimed at protecting their members’ wages and working conditions.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
