Code of the West

So, today at the BC/EFA flea market, I'm flipping through the costume sketches at the United Scenic Artists booth and I see one from the Paper Mill Funny Girl. Attached is a note which says something to the effect of: "Leslie Kritzer is on the brink of a big Broadway career. Price this one slightly higher." Seriously.

You know, this week has been a really, really tough one in my life. I'm sort of like a walking zombie. I've leveled out at about 12% Cara. And yet I still felt the need to attend this event. As highlights I bring you that Kritzer thing, the fact that Blonde's Nikki Snelson stood there signing jump rope handles (an idea which, of course, rocks) and the fact that, as I was passing the auction booth, there was this announcement: "We have a brand new auction item. Kevin Chamberlain's Ipod! Signed!" (Oddly BroadwayWorld felt the need to do live video of this event, which apparently included some interviews, but mostly included video of a lot of people walking.)

Anyway, while I've been a walking zombie this week, it appears I didn't miss much in the theater world. Annette Bening was the big news and, eh, I have nothing to say about that. So I'll talk a little bit about the strike. I NEVER believe that a strike will actually happen. It always seems like everything will be worked out at the last minute. I felt this way before the 802 saga, but I was proved wrong. I felt that way before the Equity drama and there it was worked out. So what of this now? I think it's about 50/50. I still feel the strike won't happen, but I'm willing to accept it is a definite possibility. The League is hording money and trying to spin already. Union people are making strategic calls to journalists. And the thing about this strike is this union has much, much more power than either Equity or 802 because its members have alternative means of work and thus can hold out a lot longer.

The thing I want to say is it's really, really hard for people not in the negotiations to really know the truth of them. I remember during the Equity negotiations I wrote a story with some things the League wanted. I then got a nasty email and phone call from League reps saying it was irresponsible journalism and I printed false ridiculous statements. Except I was sitting with the League treatise, so I knew that they were indeed trying to prohibit actors from playing basketball. And I truly believe the League reps thought I was lying--even they didn't know the truth. So think of how hard it is for journalists or you as readers... Therefore it is nearly impossible to pick a side or speak as an expert based on what you read in the papers. I always say how journalists (myself included) rarely show all the parts of the puzzle, but here it is in a way excusable; only a special few can show a complete puzzle when it is nearly impossible to figure out how all the pieces fit. Thus I urge caution when choosing a flag to waive here.

If there is a strike, we're so going to be discussing show closings here. That's it for now. I'm sad no one posted comments on Wednesday, even though I begged. Alas. I am also sad I cannot really comment on the rumor that Lone Star Love is off because, well, I didn't research and tickets are still onsale. Thus, while I would totally not be surprised at all, I got nothing concrete because I'm plain old lazy. Another alas.