Thursday, February 18, 2010

SCAMMED BY DISNEY AND LOCAL ONE IATSE MEMBERS COMPLAIN

THE LION KING to Become Eight Longest-Running Show in Broadway History

February 18, 2010 - by NYC News Desk

Disney's landmark musical event, THE LION KING, will celebrate another remarkable milestone when it plays its 5,125th performance on Sunday, February 21 to become the eighth longest-running show in Broadway history. THE LION KING moves up the top ten list of long runs, surpassing the musical Rent (with 5124 performances). Disney's beloved musical Beauty and the Beast retains its position as no. 7 on the list.

As of February 21, the list of the top ten longest running Broadway shows will be as follows (bolded titles with asterisk denote productions currently running):
1. *The Phantom of the Opera (9,179)
2. Cats (7,485)
3. Les Miserables (6,680)
4. A Chorus Line (6,137)
5. Oh! Calcutta (5,959)
6. *CHICAGO (5,508)
7. Beauty and the Beast (5,461)
8. *The Lion King (5,125)
9. Rent (5,124)
10. Miss Saigon (4,097)

Last year, THE LION KING marked twelve years on Broadway and became the first American musical to welcome 50 million guests worldwide. Now in its 13th smash year, THE LION KING officially opened on November 13, 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theatre (previews began October 13) and has consistently been among Broadway's top five grossing shows. The show transferred to its current home at the Minskoff Theatre on June 13, 2006.

Based on the 1994 Disney animated film, THE LION KING continues to reign as one of the most popular shows on Broadway and around the world. The global phenomenon is the winner of more than 70 major awards worldwide, including the 1998 Tony Award® and NY Drama Critics Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design. The show has been seen in 13 different countries (US, Canada, UK, Japan, Germany, Holland, France, Mexico, Australia, China, Taiwan, South Africa and Korea) and translated into five different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch). In addition to Broadway and a North American tour, THE LION KING can also be seen on stage in London, Hamburg, Paris, Tokyo and Las Vegas. A new production will bow in Singapore in September 2010 - a first for Disney Theatrical Productions.

THE LION KING performs at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street, NYC). Now through September 5, 2010, the playing schedule is: Tuesday-7pm early evening, Wednesday-2pm matinee, Wednesday-8pm, Thursday-8pm, Friday-8pm, Saturday-2pm matinee, Saturday-8pm, Sunday-3pm matinee.

CARRIE FISHER SCAMMED? SHE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE

Carrie Fisher - Fisher Embroiled In Broadway Dispute

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Caption: Carrie Fisher (Picture) outside Ed Sullivan Theatre for the 'Late Show With David Letterman' New York City, USA ....

Fisher Embroiled In Broadway Dispute

CARRIE FISHER has become embroiled in a dispute with the producer of her Broadway show - accusing the theatre mogul of owing her money and failing to fulfil his contractual obligations.

The Star Wars actress recently ended her run on the New York stage in her one-woman show Wishful Drinking, which is based on her book of the same name about her early struggles in Hollywood.

But Fisher has now become entangled in an ugly dispute with her producer, Jonathan Reinis, who she claims owes her $60,000 (£37,500) for her time in the show. She also alleges he failed to keep a promise to move the production from the non-profit Studio 54 theatre, which is owned by the Roundabout Theater Company, to a "first-class Broadway house" at the end of last year (09).

In an email to New York Post columnist Michael Riedel, Fisher writes, "As you can imagine, Jonny seems to be a bit cranky, which I figure is why he still hasn't paid me the remaining money he owes me. For whatever reason, (he) was unable to get (the move) done. I don't know why, since I was told there was plenty of theatre availability. So, his rights reverted back to me under our contract.

"Trust me, there are a lot of things in the contract I wasn't thrilled about. But I fulfilled my obligations, didn't miss one show and made a lot of money for my producer - from which I'm assuming he ultimately plans on making a donation to the Roundabout Theater Company. This isn't the first time I've had to force Jonny to fulfil his obligations under our deal. I hope he'll comply in this circumstance soon. This whole thing doesn't have to get ugly."

Reinis' attorney, Ronald Feiner, has responded to Fisher's claims, contending the Studio 54 theatre is a "first-class" Broadway house because shows performed there are eligible for Tony awards.

Feiner also insists Fisher should be grateful to Reinis for the play's success and alleges the actress is the one who hampered the production, by failing to agree to a tour.

He adds, "(My client) should not be dismissed by Carrie Fisher in this way. He took her show from nothing - it had no sets, no video, it had nothing - and turned it into a hit.

"It is our belief that she owes us a substantial amount in lost profits from what could be a lucrative tour. We have offers from Australia, Canada and theatres around the United States, but we are unable to close the deal because she will not perform the show."