OFF BROADWAY

“Mack The Knife:” Local 802 signed an agreement with Splish Splash Productions, LLC, James Haddon, producer, covering eight musicians performing at the 199-seat theatre at Saint Peter’s Church. The side musician scale is $485, the conductor premium is 25 percent and the associate conductor premium is 10 percent. In addition all musicians receive a guaranteed first double at a 12.5 percent premium. The rehearsal and audition scale is $550 for a 40 hour/six-day week and $30 per hour, with a minimum two-hour call. The orchestra hourly scale is $21 per hour, with a minimum two-hour call. Doubling is paid on all rehearsals above the minimum scale, at 12.5 percent for the first and 6.25 percent for each subsequent double. Second and subsequent doubles on performances pay a premium of 6.25 percent. The librarian and synthesizer players earn an additional 12.5 percent premium. Musicians receive compensation for cartage and for rental instruments. Vacation pays 6 percent and begins on the seventh week of performance. Health benefits pay $7.25 per rehearsal or performance and are capped at $58 per week per musician. Pension is 9 percent of all scale wages. Music preparation pays full general price list. The duration of the agreement is June 1, 2003 through Oct. 31, 2003. All musicians have identity with the product.

“The Thing About Men:” After several weeks of difficult negotiations, Local 802 successfully signed a three-year agreement covering four musicians with The Thing About Men, LP, Richards/Climan Inc., general manager, covering the production at the 399-seat Promenade Theatre. The side musician minimum scale for performances is $750. This includes a guaranteed double at 12.5 percent for all musicians. The premium for conductor is 50 percent; associate conductor pays 15 percent. The rehearsal and audition musician scale is $800 for a 40 hour/six-day week and $32.50 for a minimum two-hour call. Orchestra rehearsals pay $22 per hour, with a minimum two-hour call. Dress rehearsals pay at the performance rate – but a one-hour call just prior or just after a performance pays $25. The first doubling premium is 12.5 percent and each subsequent double pays 6.25 percent. The synthesizer premium is 25 percent above minimum scale. Four percent vacation pay begins as of the 16th week of employment. Health benefits pay $7.25 per rehearsal or performance and are capped at $58 per week per musician. Pension is 9 percent of all minimum scale wages.

Musicians earn one performance off for sick leave for every 48 performances worked. Music preparation pays 85 percent of general price list plus an additional 15 percent for rental publication.

Musicians earn a 3 percent wage increase annually and have identity with the product. If the show gets moved to Broadway, the Broadway Agreement will prevail.

“Fame – The Musical:” Local 802 negotiated a three-year contract covering eight musicians with New York Company, LLC, Richard Martini, producer, for a production at the 499-seat Little Shubert Theatre. The side musician minimum scale wage is $820, which includes a guaranteed doubling premium for all musicians, for an eight-performance week. The conductor premium is 50 percent; the associate conductor earns a 15 percent premium. Rehearsal and audition musicians earn $850 for a 40 hour/six-day week, and $32.50 per hour, with a minimum two-hour call. Orchestra rehearsals pay $22 per hour, with a minimum two-hour call. Dress rehearsals are paid at the performance rate, and a one-hour call just prior to or just after a performance pays $25. Doubling for rehearsals pays 12.5 percent for the first and 6.25 percent for each additional, above the minimum scale. Second and subsequent doubles for performances pay 6.25 percent, and synthesizer musicians are compensated an additional 25 percent. Vacation pay of 4 percent begins as of the 16th week of employment. Health benefits pay $7.25 per performance and are capped at $58 per week. Pension is 9 percent of all scale wages. Musicians earn one performance off for every 48 performances worked, to be used for sick leave. Music preparation is compensated at the full general price list. Musicians receive a 3 percent annual pay increase and have identity with the product.

“Forbidden Broadway:” Local 802 renegotiated an agreement for this long-running production currently at the 199-seat Douglas Fairbanks Theatre. The minimum for the music director is $835.15 for an eight-performance week and rehearsals of 40 hours a week. Pension improved to 9 percent from the previous 8 percent and health benefits increased to $58 from $50. Vacation pay remains at 4 percent and there is an increase to $850.15 for performances and rehearsals in the second year of the agreement. Music preparation remains at 100 percent of general price list. Wages are approximately 25 percent above new productions.

READING AGREEMENT

“Taboo:” An agreement was reached for a reading production of the new Boy George musical slated for a Broadway run. The contract covers five musicians performing and rehearsing at both Chelsea Studios and New 42nd Street. The side musician minimum scale is $776.40 for a 30-hour week over no more than six consecutive days. Overtime after eight hours in a day or 30 hours in a week is $9.70 per 15 minutes or part. Overtime after midnight pays $19.40 per 15 minutes or part. A seventh or more consecutive work day pays $77.60 for a minimum two-hour call. The premium for the conductor is 75 percent and for the associate, 30 percent. Doubling premiums are 12.5 percent for the first and 6.25 percent for each additional. The premium for synthesizer players is 25 percent. Vacation pays 6 percent, pension is 9 percent and health is capped at $58 per week per musician.

For information regarding Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway and developmental theatrical projects, call Senior Theatre Rep Mary Donovan at ext. 156.