Vincent: “Each employee should get a SAAB for their Christmas bonus.” I agree and I even personally know a Saab dealer though he is in Erie PA and not NYC!
Cold shivers run through Radio City Christmas show
By Elizabeth LeSure
NEW YORK Radio City Music Hall’s famed “Christmas Spectacular” may have a different ring this year. Management promised ticketholders Thursday that the show will go on but the leggy Rockettes might have to dance to canned music as the result of a musicians strike.
A preseason performance Wednesday was canceled and ticketholders left disappointed as several dozen musicians staged a picket line outside the Manhattan landmark. Stagehands walked out in support.
“We are going to hope that cool heads prevail and that everybody involved will find a way to get the show back,” said David Lennon, president of Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians.
At issue are salaries and overtime pay. The orchestra’s contract expired in May. Lennon blamed Radio City Entertainment, which produces the Christmas show, for the subsequent breakdown in talks.
In a statement, Radio City Entertainment said the union walked away from the negotiating table and was holding hostage “the ‘Christmas Spectacular,’ its 300-member cast and crew as well as hundreds of thousands of patrons.” No meetings between management and labor are scheduled.
The union accuses Cablevision Systems, which operates Radio City, of vastly underpaying musicians who put on several shows a day throughout the holiday season. Radio City responds that it offered the musicians increases in salary and benefits “over what is already the most lucrative contract in the industry.”
The labor strife has cast a cloud of uncertainty over the “Christmas Spectacular” ? a show that has entertained children and adults for seven decades. People pay up to $250 a ticket to watch the Rockettes high-kick to Christmas tunes.
“We have the whole night to do absolutely nothing,” said Alaura Imperioli, 16, of the Bronx, who had planned to see the canceled Wednesday night.
Lennon said the union-represented Rockettes were supporting the musicians in their walkout but Radio City officials said that was not the case and suggested there is a no-strike provision in the Rockettes' contract.
The Rockettes reached a contract agreement with Radio City Entertainment last month. A message left for the union representing the Rockettes, the American Guild of Variety Artists, was not immediately returned.
More than a dozen Broadway musicals went dark in March 2003 for four days after the musicians' union walked out, and theaters lost millions in revenue. But when the union struck the New York City Ballet in 2000, performances of “The Nutcracker” went on as scheduled with taped music.
Last week, hundreds of musicians and supporters held a boisterous, music-filled protest on Sixth Avenue in front of Radio City Music Hall.
Union negotiator Mark Johansen said previously that Radio City Entertainment was trying to cut the musicians' base pay of $133 per show, which he said was about $40 less than what standard Broadway musicians are paid. At the height of the Christmas season, the orchestra works as many as six 90-minute shows every day ? at overtime pay beyond the first two. The musicians must play at least 12 shows a week.
On average, Johansen said, a musician doing 150 of about 200 shows in the run would make about $25,000; orchestra members also receive very basic year-round health benefits.
I just went on the Savannah Theatre site and clicked on audio for Jukebox Journey! The music is fantastic and this teenager-at-heart will be going to see these talented kids sooner than later! The show is full of action, excitement and the music we all danced to in the 60’s!
Stan: Thank you so very much for your recent RCMH post! I plan to see the show in Charlotte on December 30th at the Ovens Auditorium and sure hope there is a live orchestra after reading your words about that element! On the 31st I’ll post my personal thoughts. You mentioned the classic, Gone With The Wind. I’ve been reading about Clark Gable’s life and found it most fascinating. I didn’t know that he went on to marry twice after the death of wife, Carole Lombard. He not only had a son (John Clark Gable) born with his 4th wife, but he had an illegitimate daughter, Judy Lewis whose mother was the late Loretta Young though they never really acknowledged her existence. Go to google and type in any celebrity name and a website will come up with additional information on that celebrity. Ms. Lewis wrote a book entitled, Uncommon Knowledge that I plan to purchase on a discount book website.
Always fun to read about one of the greatest art deco theatres ever built and “Reborn after a $70 million renovation in 1999, Radio City has been restored to all of its original opulence.”
Very sad scenario to a once beautiful art deco movie house in Australia whose architect was Thomas Lamb!!! The beginning of the end was when “In 1954, CinemaScope was installed and the original proscenium was widened.”
“In 1987 there were plans put forward to convert the theatre into two 300 seat theatres within the building.” I wonder whatever happened to those plans though I wouldn’t have been in favor of converting the theatre into two 300 seat theatres!
lostmemory: Thanks for posting the article with photos from 1978. The CTPS (Carolina Theatre Preservation Society is presently trying to save this historical theatre in downtown Charlotte.
Dave Bonan: Since you are the who contributed this theatre to CT, please email me at as I’d like to discuss this theatre more with you as I’m near the Geitner and hope to receive a tour in the near future through the current owner, Matt Bogosian. Thanks.
BoxOfficeBill: Thanks for posting the 1957 RCMH programs. Really neat to see!
Vincent: “Each employee should get a SAAB for their Christmas bonus.” I agree and I even personally know a Saab dealer though he is in Erie PA and not NYC!
Cold shivers run through Radio City Christmas show
By Elizabeth LeSure
NEW YORK Radio City Music Hall’s famed “Christmas Spectacular” may have a different ring this year. Management promised ticketholders Thursday that the show will go on but the leggy Rockettes might have to dance to canned music as the result of a musicians strike.
A preseason performance Wednesday was canceled and ticketholders left disappointed as several dozen musicians staged a picket line outside the Manhattan landmark. Stagehands walked out in support.
“We are going to hope that cool heads prevail and that everybody involved will find a way to get the show back,” said David Lennon, president of Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians.
At issue are salaries and overtime pay. The orchestra’s contract expired in May. Lennon blamed Radio City Entertainment, which produces the Christmas show, for the subsequent breakdown in talks.
In a statement, Radio City Entertainment said the union walked away from the negotiating table and was holding hostage “the ‘Christmas Spectacular,’ its 300-member cast and crew as well as hundreds of thousands of patrons.” No meetings between management and labor are scheduled.
The union accuses Cablevision Systems, which operates Radio City, of vastly underpaying musicians who put on several shows a day throughout the holiday season. Radio City responds that it offered the musicians increases in salary and benefits “over what is already the most lucrative contract in the industry.”
The labor strife has cast a cloud of uncertainty over the “Christmas Spectacular” ? a show that has entertained children and adults for seven decades. People pay up to $250 a ticket to watch the Rockettes high-kick to Christmas tunes.
“We have the whole night to do absolutely nothing,” said Alaura Imperioli, 16, of the Bronx, who had planned to see the canceled Wednesday night.
Lennon said the union-represented Rockettes were supporting the musicians in their walkout but Radio City officials said that was not the case and suggested there is a no-strike provision in the Rockettes' contract.
The Rockettes reached a contract agreement with Radio City Entertainment last month. A message left for the union representing the Rockettes, the American Guild of Variety Artists, was not immediately returned.
More than a dozen Broadway musicals went dark in March 2003 for four days after the musicians' union walked out, and theaters lost millions in revenue. But when the union struck the New York City Ballet in 2000, performances of “The Nutcracker” went on as scheduled with taped music.
Last week, hundreds of musicians and supporters held a boisterous, music-filled protest on Sixth Avenue in front of Radio City Music Hall.
Union negotiator Mark Johansen said previously that Radio City Entertainment was trying to cut the musicians' base pay of $133 per show, which he said was about $40 less than what standard Broadway musicians are paid. At the height of the Christmas season, the orchestra works as many as six 90-minute shows every day ? at overtime pay beyond the first two. The musicians must play at least 12 shows a week.
On average, Johansen said, a musician doing 150 of about 200 shows in the run would make about $25,000; orchestra members also receive very basic year-round health benefits.
WL: Thanks. I have a friend who grew up in Muskegon so may ask her what she remembers growing up in that community.
I just went on the Savannah Theatre site and clicked on audio for Jukebox Journey! The music is fantastic and this teenager-at-heart will be going to see these talented kids sooner than later! The show is full of action, excitement and the music we all danced to in the 60’s!
Warren: What a neat b/w photo! Thanks so much as all RCMH fans will enjoy seeing it!
Warren: Thanks for the plug! It’s always nice to chat with an author! I will consider purchasing “Clark Gable: A Biography” by Warren G. Harris!
And the discount book website is www.abebooks.com
The celebrity website is www.imdb.com Also, correction Mr. Gable was married 5 times!
Stan: Thank you so very much for your recent RCMH post! I plan to see the show in Charlotte on December 30th at the Ovens Auditorium and sure hope there is a live orchestra after reading your words about that element! On the 31st I’ll post my personal thoughts. You mentioned the classic, Gone With The Wind. I’ve been reading about Clark Gable’s life and found it most fascinating. I didn’t know that he went on to marry twice after the death of wife, Carole Lombard. He not only had a son (John Clark Gable) born with his 4th wife, but he had an illegitimate daughter, Judy Lewis whose mother was the late Loretta Young though they never really acknowledged her existence. Go to google and type in any celebrity name and a website will come up with additional information on that celebrity. Ms. Lewis wrote a book entitled, Uncommon Knowledge that I plan to purchase on a discount book website.
Always fun to read about one of the greatest art deco theatres ever built and “Reborn after a $70 million renovation in 1999, Radio City has been restored to all of its original opulence.”
Sorry the spelling is Muskegon.
The website isn’t under construction now as I just viewed it.
The Temple in Muskgeon was built in 1911 on Market. Anyone have information/photos on that one?
On Cinema Tour a Temple is listed for Muskgeon MI
Very sad scenario to a once beautiful art deco movie house in Australia whose architect was Thomas Lamb!!! The beginning of the end was when “In 1954, CinemaScope was installed and the original proscenium was widened.”
“In 1987 there were plans put forward to convert the theatre into two 300 seat theatres within the building.” I wonder whatever happened to those plans though I wouldn’t have been in favor of converting the theatre into two 300 seat theatres!
Still hoping to see some photos of this theatre former opera house that opened in the late 1800’s with Romansque Revival decor!
Correction….CT has 5 theatres listed.
According to CT, Binghamton had 4 theatres over the years.
Is this theatre still divided into 2 theatres as written on their website?
lostmemory: Thanks for posting the article with photos from 1978. The CTPS (Carolina Theatre Preservation Society is presently trying to save this historical theatre in downtown Charlotte.
I’ve been told by a fellow CT member that Binghamton was the home to the Link organ.
Scam: You are welcome and keep us posted on whatever you find out concerning the Hollywood Theatre in Gowanda NY.
Dave Bonan: Since you are the who contributed this theatre to CT, please email me at as I’d like to discuss this theatre more with you as I’m near the Geitner and hope to receive a tour in the near future through the current owner, Matt Bogosian. Thanks.