The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan rejected an appeal by Tony Award-winning producer Garth Drabinsky, who claimed that the Actors’ Equity Association organized an illegal boycott that prevented him from producing Broadway shows. Drabinsky’s $50 million lawsuit alleging antitrust violations and defamation was dismissed by the court, which stated that the union’s actions were aimed at protecting its members’ wages and working conditions. The court noted that Drabinsky claimed he lacked control over these aspects, despite allegations in his lawsuit that he controlled hiring, firing, and pay during the production of “Paradise Square.” The court ruled in favor of the union, stating that its actions fell under the labor exemption and were lawful.
Al Vincent Jr., executive director of the Actors’ Equity Association, expressed relief at the court’s decision and stated that the ruling will protect actors and stage managers from employers like Drabinsky in the future. “Paradise Square,” a Broadway show that closed in July 2022, was at the center of the dispute, with cast members objecting to unsafe conditions, a racially hostile work environment, and unpaid wages. Drabinsky, known for hits such as “Ragtime,” has faced legal troubles in the past, including a seven-year prison sentence in Canada for fraud convictions. The court’s ruling marks the end of this legal battle between Drabinsky and the union.
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