<p>Forget Stephanie J. Block who probably had a crazy salary before the strike, I feel bad for all the actors with children who are trying to live on $450 a week. I feel bad for the actors in shows like RENT and The Drowsy Chaperone, neither of which were doing fantastically before the strike, and both of which probably stand a good chance of closing. I feel bad for all the people affected by the significant decrease in donations to BC/EFA. </p>
<p>This strike is disgusting, and I hope that Local One realizes soon the extent of the damage they are doing to the city’s economy. This doesn’t just affect the stagehands, actors, musicians, etc., it affects the restaurant owners and waiters in restaurants in the theatre district, it affects the people who usher and work in the box office and sell souveniers, it affects the actors’ babysitters, for chrissake! Soon- very soon- it’s going to start affecting hotels in the city, and it’s just going to spread.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it’s the producers who are going to cave before Local One does, and the stagehands- who are already the highest-paid in the country- are going to get bigger paychecks for doing less work.</p>