Attorney Michael Elkin, who represents actor and former "Brady Bunch" star Barry Williams has gone on record to clarify his client's position in his recent dispute with Actors' Equity.
As reported earlier, the union and Williams are in conflict over Williams' starring role as Captain Von Trapp in a non-union Troika Production of The Sound of Music. As reported earlier, there has been some back and forth: Williams was cited by Equity, which had been attempting to negotiate with Troika; then Williams reportedly walked from the role and dodged union disciplinary actions; and, finally, Williams is back with the show now but only after requesting "financial core" status with Equity, an affiliation that falls short of full membership.
It also has repercussions. In response to Williams' request for "financial core" status, Equity followed its routine procedure and refused to accept his dues and has reinstated its own disciplinary actions as well as its requests for disciplinary actions from both the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists -- which have an associative obligation with Equity to do so.
"I think Barry's been a very loyal member of the union for a good number of years," said Williams' attorney, Michael Elkin. Speaking from Los Angeles, Elkin said Williams originally "thought he'd be able to participate in the production and that it would be possible with the union's consent."
"He did not want to offend anyone," Elkin said. "and by electing financial core status it allows him to perform without a union violation. Elkin stressed that Williams was "very supportive of the union" and has elected his different status because he "didn't want to offend anyone." "We feel the union's action was unauthorized and that it will be responded to in the correct forum, " Elkin said.
Asked if Williams planned to return to full Equity membership, Elkin said yes, but only when it was "appropriate for the union, for himself and for the productions in which he will participate."
-- By Murdoch McBride
