Check out Equity for Latest Union Musical Tours

by James Parks, Dec 23, 2008

Former “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard stars in “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” one of the shows listed on Equity’s union show list.

If you’re looking to check out a play or musical during the holidays, the Actors’ Equity website lists Broadway touring shows nationwide that employ union actors and those that do not.

The website lists both current and upcoming tours. Equity Organizing Director Flora Stamatiades says the list is designed so patrons can find out if a show is union before they purchase tickets. She says the site was created because people buy tickets to touring musicals so far in advance that it is impossible to know if a show is union or not without help.

Two of the most recent shows to join the union list are Big League’s productions of the 30th anniversary tour of  ”Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” both produced by Dan Sher. The two shows began touring in November. Stamatiades says Equity tried unsuccessfully last year to sign a union contract with Big League, and union members protested at some of their shows.

But Sher recently called her, she said, and suggested they negotiate. The result is a new union deal for his shows.

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