What a Broadway musicians' strike could mean for theatergoers

The shows might not go on.

Most Broadway theaters could go dark any day as a result of a vote by unionized theater musicians, actors and stage managers to strike over lapsed contracts with commercial producers.

It wouldn’t be the first strike on the Great White Way — including when stagehands walked off the job in 2007 (for 19 days), musicians in 1975 (25 days) and 2003 (four days), actors in 1968 (three days) and 1919 (a month) — but this one would come at a precarious time, and just before Christmastime. The most recent Broadway season wrapped up as the highest-grossing recorded in Broadway history, and the second-best attended season, according to The Broadway League. But some shows are struggling to make money, particularly musicals: none of those that opened last season has made a profit.  

Here are answers to questions about what the strike means for Broadway and its theatergoers.

Who voted to strike, when and why?

Over the weekend, 98% of those who voted in the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 — which represents 1,600 musicians under the lapsed contract — authorized a strike, according to the union's chief of staff, Rush Perez. The strike could happen this week, next week or later if the union’s bargaining committee feels there’s no better option, he said. The Actors’ Equity Association, which represents 900 actors and stage managers currently in shows, voted last month to authorize a strike, and one could be called at any time, said David Levy, the union spokesman.

At issue for the musicians, Perez said, are “fair wage increases that reflect Broadway’s success and the protection of the musicians' health care benefits.” The union also wants no change to an attendance requirement, according to an open letter posted Oct. 1 by the union to Instagram.

Dan Point, the union recording vice president who is also on the negotiating team, said the league wants to further limit the circumstances under which musicians, who are hired for the duration of a show, are allowed to “absent themselves,” in the words of the contract, and to be temporarily replaced by substitutes, subject to conductor approval. Current allowable reasons to be absent include conflicting outside employment — to secure a next gig when a show inevitably closes — as well as avoiding boredom, “which may come in a long running show,” the contract says.

Most important for Actors' Equity are employer health care contributions and working conditions, such as scheduling and substitute policies, Levy said. 

The unions are negotiating with The Broadway League, the trade association that represents theaters, owners, producers, general managers and others.

The terms of the previous contracts — which expired Aug. 31 for musicians and Sept. 28 for actors and stage managers — essentially continue until new deals are reached.

What should theatergoers do with tickets to a forthcoming show during a strike?

It’s unclear. Asked that question, The Broadway League’s outside spokesman, Wiley Norvell, said he couldn’t get into detail and sent a statement from the league: “We’re continuing to engage in good faith at the bargaining table, and all shows are being performed as scheduled. We are focused on getting these contracts done.”

During a strike in 2007, tickets under certain circumstances were automatically refunded if bought with a credit card, though only some vendors included fees in the refund, and box office clerks showing solidarity with strikers weren't at their posts to handle refunds.

Are all shows affected?

Most would be affected except shows like “Ragtime” and "Punch," for example, which are under separate contracts. Performances at Lincoln Center — ballets, operas, musicals, plays — are not covered by the strike vote.

How is Broadway really doing?

It depends. The Broadway League reported in May that shows yielded $1.89 billion in grosses, a record, with total attendance hitting 14.7 million (second best, behind 2018-19). But musicals are struggling and costs are up: The New York Times reported last month that none of the musicals that opened last season made a profit. 

About 4.3% of the Broadway audience comes from Long Island, according to a November 2024 demographics report from the league.

During the 2007 strike, the city comptroller estimated that lost revenue to the city from a strike — factoring in lost ticket sales, dining, shopping and other activities related to the theater — cost the city $2 million per day, The Times reported.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.