Neither The Publicity Office, representing Cameron Mackintosh and his production of Les Miserables, nor Victor Moore & Associates, representing Actors' Equity, is having official comment regarding the Les Miz firing controversy. Nevertheless, both offices privately expressed optimism Nov. 14 that the brouhaha was soon nearing a resolution. According to Helaine Feldman of Dick Moore & Associates, spokespersons for the union, Equity's council will hold its regular meeting Nov. 19, so it's possible some news may emerge from that.
Mark Thibodeau, of the Publicity Office, said that both sides have had several discussions, and to expect that shortly "the whole matter will be resolved." Feldman, wasn't quite so forthright but did mention at that time that meetings were held over the past weekend (Nov. 9-10) and that the situation is coming closer to resolution.
Surprisingly, Alan Eisenberg, who's been representing Actors' Equity in its battle over the mass firings at Les Miserables, has been in California all week on "other Equity business," with Ken Greenwood acting, to some extent, in his stead. "Alan Eisenberg isn't off this week, he's in contact by fax and the phone," Feldman told Playbill On-Line, "but he'll be back in the office [Nov. 15]."
Neither Thibodeau nor Feldman said they anticipated a major statement this week, but signs look strong that we'll see a truce by next week. For more information on the controversy, please see previous Les Miserables stories on Playbill On-Line.
In other Les Miz news, for the third year in a row, that show and Miss Saigon will hold a discount ticket sale for the winter months. Dubbed "The Original Winter Great White Way Sale" ("Serino Coyne called it 'the original'" Thibodeau said, "because so many other shows ended up copying the format"), the discount offer works like this: Tickets for Les Miserables and/or Miss Saigon during the months of January and February will be priced as follows -- $30 for orchestra & front mezzanine; $20 and $10 for rear mezzanine. Tickets go on sale via Telecharge (212) 239-6200, Dec. 8 and may be purchased Dec. 8-Dec. 24 only. Saigon tickets are available Monday through Thursday; Miz tix do the trick Tuesday through Thursday.
"We sell out nearly every ticket when we have these sales," Thibodeau said. "Each year we sold a half-million dollars' worth of tickets on each show."
