Latest Information from within WEST SIDE STORY Needs to be Discussed
Tonight, the Broadway revival of West Side Story finally opens at the Broadway Theatre. Protests over cast member, Amar Ramasar, are planned and from what I’ve been told, it’s going to be the largest and loudest yet.
In the media swarm over the show’s opening, the New York Times finally reported on the protest yesterday. While I feel the article did more to defend Mr. Ramasar and the production team then fairly report the issue, given that it’s the Times, I’m not surprised. Also, given my relationship with the publication, I’m not surprised they ignored all the other information we’ve put out there.
But the article did provide some new information and insight that should be discussed further.
First of all, the fact that Mr. Ramasar has been remorseful to fellow cast members in the show.
Reporter Julia Jacobs said that he “met with cast members twice so they could air any grievances they might have had.”
Additionally, he posted a note on the call board that read the following:
“It breaks my heart that a terrible mistake I made two years ago has caused a situation that is distracting from the work you are all doing here with such selflessness,” Mr. Ramasar’s letter said. “I want you to know that my past is not my present.”
While it’s good that he’s showing such contrition to his fellow cast and to his girlfriend, Alexa Maxwell, the one person he hasn’t publicly apologized to is Alexandra Waterbury. She is the woman he asked that his friend send him nude photos and videos of her without her consent. One fact that the Times forgot to mention is that Ms. Waterbury was unaware that photos and videos of her were ever taken in the first place.
Given that Mr. Ramasar is being sued by Ms. Waterbury, it’s not surprising that he hasn’t apologized because that might admit responsibility and kill his case, but it doesn’t look good publicly either.
But Mr. Ramasar is right, the controversy over his employment is a distraction. It’s a distraction from the fact that the most diverse Broadway cast since perhaps Hamilton is about to open. It’s a distraction from the fact that over 20 of them are making their Broadway debuts. It’s a distraction from the enormous changes director Ivo Van Hove has made to the material. But in the end, it’s a distraction.
While Ms. Jacobs portrayed the protests as “mild”, there is nothing mild about the outrage on social media. Every single promotional post has been bombarded with negative comments about the situation. Other sites like Theatermanie, Broadway.com, and BroadwayWorld have seen their publicity for the show included heated discussions about the issue. Some sites are handling that better than Broadway.com who deleted comments from the posts. I cannot remember a time where there has been more heated debate over a Broadway show.
The other aspect of the article that should be mentioned is how the production management team is protecting the performers. While I have not seen anyone harass the other cast members, if it’s happening, it’s awful and should stop immediately.
The article states, “Given the protests, a spokesman for the show, Rick Miramontez, said that the production has hired a cybersecurity firm to meet with actors who were concerned for their own safety and to prevent any online harassment.”
I found this interesting for a couple of reasons. Yes, actors should feel safe no matter what and should be made aware of how they can protect themselves online.
But maybe, and this could just be the conspiracy theorist in me, is production management more interested in monitoring the communication coming in or going out? When it comes to Scott Rudin, I put nothing past that man.
This is the same guy who apparently fired an assistant over bringing the wrong muffins into work. The Atlantic did a profile on him that included:
“Former assistants say he sometimes vents his anger by throwing phones and office supplies, prompting assistants to take precautions. Some feared Mr. Rudin might hurl an easily accessible framed picture on his desk, so they surreptitiously moved it out of his reach. Others measured Mr. Rudin's phone cord so they could keep the appropriate distance. "The rookies often stood too close," remembers [former assistant Derek] Evans.”
So yeah, I don’t take anything off the table when it comes to Mr. Rudin. Especially since we’ve already seen some sneaky tactics being employed this week.
Actor’s Equity has also released an ambiguous statement today regarding the situation from Executive Director Mary McColl:
“Everyone at West Side Story should be able to go to work and perform feeling safe and protected in their workplace. Equity has been in communication with the general manager and the members of the show. As a union, Equity's role is to ensure that our members are protected in the workplace and we take that responsibility very seriously. Equity will continue to hold all employers to their legal obligation to maintain a safe and harassment-free environment. I want all members, wherever they might work, to know that they can contact their business representative whenever there is any kind of problem in the workplace, or use the Equity hotline to anonymously report problems in their workplace.”
I know how these statements are put together when it comes to carefully worded language, but there’s a lot to read between the lines.
The last thing I want to mention is the belief out there that these protests aren’t having any impact. The Times and other publications have been very clear about mentioning the financial success of the show. Ms. Jacobs said,
“So far the protests do not appear to have a substantial impact on the show’s box office. The revival, with Scott Rudin as lead producer, has been selling well. According to figures released Tuesday by the Broadway League, it grossed a healthy $1.5 million during the week that ended Feb. 16; the average ticket price was $110.'“
But I would argue that the protests are having a financial impact on the bottom line. At every protest, there is extra security present from the NYPD. At one point I saw a horse unit ready just in case. That costs money and it’s not cheap. The hiring of a cybersecurity team, not free either. So these weekly protests are costing the show money that they would not have to otherwise spend. While it might not impact the immediate box office, time will tell if it impacts future ticket sales.
It also has to be wondered if all this outrage is going to sway Tony voters, something I know Mr. Rudin cares very much about.
As far as I can tell, these protests are going to keep happening until Mr. Ramasar departs the show, which is entirely up to him at this point. Union contracts are clear that he can’t be dismissed from the show over this issue, he would have to walk away voluntarily. Things to consider.
For a theatre community so small (Broadway actually is), this has become the biggest story that no one seems to want to talk about. It involved a important issue that just happens to involve the most powerful and bullish theatre producer since David Merrick. I’m not surprised nor angry that most theatre A-listers are talking about this.
But it’s become clear that there are many who are tired of seeing perpetrators of harassment, misconduct or assault receive clemency and awarded chances to redeem themselves at the very peak of this industry, especially being the same stages they used to abuse and harass others.