THE SUPPER CLUB

Musicians who play at the Supper Club with bandleader Michael Smith recently voted to approve a new two-year contract. Wages will rise from $113.50 per performance to $121 in year one and $125 in year two, a 10 percent hike over current rates. Pension increases half a percent each year, to 7 percent and then 7.5 percent. Musicians will also see a rise in health contributions, currently $11, to $12 in the first year. And, for the first time, all doublers will be compensated an additional 6 percent. All increases are retroactive to Feb. 13, 2000. Before winning union representation one year ago, musicians at the Supper Club had a minimum scale wage of $100 per performance, and no benefits.

OFF BROADWAY

Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center, Nyack: Base wages will increase by 3.5 percent over three years and doubling is covered for the first time, under a new collective bargaining agreement. The first double will pay 12.5 percent and each additional double, 6.25 percent, while the synthesizer premium is to be phased in – at 12.5 percent for the first year, 20 percent in year two, and the full rate of 25 percent in the third year.

Available work for each production has increased from three to four weeks. Side-musician scale is $477.23 per week for performance and rehearsal weeks with no more than 40 hours over six days, increasing to $489.16 on January 2, 2001. The scale for the music director/conductor is $636.30 (increasing to $652.21 next January); overtime is time-and-one-half; the associate conductor premium is 15 percent and pension is 7 percent of wages, increasing to 8 percent in the third year. Three productions with live music are to be presented during the 1999-2000 seeason: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Honk and Mame. Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Honk both used six musicians, and at least six are expected to be engaged for Mame.

Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding: A new agreement provides a 9.5 percent pay increase over 39 months for the three musicians in this production. The contract was backloaded, with the largest pay increase of 5 percent coming in the first year, giving the musicians a fairly substantial three-month retroactive check. Side-musician scale is $638.69 for a seven-performance week, increasing to $657.85 on January 1, 2001, and to $667.73 on January 1, 2002. The musical director/conductor receives $768.04 for a seven-performance week (increasing to $791.08 and then $802.95). Separate scales were negotiated for four-, five-, and six-performance weeks at a higher per-performance rate than pro-rata.

The rehearsal/audition musician will receive $24.62 per hour for a minimum two-hour call, rising to $25.36 on January 1, 2001, and to $25.74 on January 1, 2002. The orchestra scale for rehearsals is $21.01 for a minimum two-hour call (rising to $21.74 and then $22.07). Doubling premiums are 12.5 percent for the first and 6.25 percent for each additional double. Vacation is set at 4 percent of scale wages, health benefits at $49 per week, and pension is 8 percent, rising to 9 percent on January 1, 2001.

The Big Bang: A contract for this production at the Douglas Fairbanks Theatre provides a minimum weekly scale of $460 for eight or fewer performances for the side musician, rising to $500 per week in the 17th week of performances. The contract provides a 50 percent premium for the musical director/conductor and 30 percent for the associate conductor. Scale for the musical director playing the rehearsal and auditions is $880 for 40 hours over a six-day week, with no more than eight hours in any one day. The hourly scale is $25 for a minimum two-hour call; orchestra rehearsals are $16 per hour for a minimum two-hour call; and dress rehearsals are paid as performances. The first double is paid at 12.5 percent and each additional double, at 6.25 percent. The in-costume and/or body paint premium is $15 per week. The one musician in this show is eligible for one week’s paid vacation after 25 weeks of employment, health benefits are $50 per week, and pension is 8 percent of scale wages. Music preparation is paid at 80 percent of the General Price List. Should the production move to another venue, the additional 20 percent will be due.

Saturday Night: An agreement for this musical, which employs ten musicians at 2econd Stage Theatre, pays side musicians $568.45 for eight or fewer performances, with a 50 percent premium for the musical director/conductor and 15 percent for the associate conductor. Rehearsal/audition musician scale is $726.66 for a 40-hour/six-day week with no more than eight hours in a day. The hourly scale is $24.50 and hourly orchestra scale is $15 per hour, both for a minimum two-hour call. Overtime is time-and-one-half and dress rehearsals are paid as performances. All doubles are paid at 6.25 percent and the synthesizer premium is 15 percent. Vacation is 6 percent of scale, pension is 8 percent, and health benefits are $50 per week. Music preparation is paid at 80 percent of the General Price List. If the show moves to any other venue, the additional 20 percent will be due.

NON-COMMERCIAL WORKSHOPS

Femme Fatale: Local 802 recently negotiated its first non-commercial workshop agreement with the newly-formed Overture Theatre Company, covering five weeks of rehearsals at Chelsea Studios and presentations at 890 Broadway. The side musician scale is $400 for a five-day/30-hour week and musicians called by the day will be paid $20 per hour, for a minimum three-hour call. Premiums include: 50 percent for the musical director/conductor, 15 percent for the associate conductor, 25 percent for the contractor, 12.5 percent for the first double, 6.25 percent for each additional double, and a 25 percent synthesizer premium. Musicians will receive 100 percent of cartage expenses. Health benefits are $50 per week and pension is 8 percent. There are three musicians in the workshop, all of whom have identity with the product.

COMMERCIAL WORKSHOPS

The Royal Family: An agreement with Nina Lannan Associates for this pre-Broadway workshop at the Manhattan Theatre Club covers three weeks of rehearsals and three performances. The side musician scale is $1,035 for a 40-hour/six-day week, allowing for a pro-rated daily wage of $40 per hour for a minimum three-hour call. Premiums include 75 percent for the musical director/conductor, 30 percent for the associate conductor, 25 percent for the in-house contractor, 12.5 percent for the first and 6.25 percent for each additional double. Each presentation will be paid at $155 for three hours or less. and overtime is $38.75 per 30 minutes or less. Vacation is 6 percent, pension 9 percent and health benefits are $54 per week. The two musicians in the workshop have identity with the product.

Little Women: A contract for a four-week pre-Broadway workshop at Westbeth TheatreCenter provides the same standards as the Royal Family agreement, except that the side musician scale is $1,035 for a 42-hour/six-day week. There are four musicians in the production, all of whom have identity with the product.

For information regarding Off-Broadway, call Senior Theatre Rep Mary Donovan at (212) 245-4802, ext. 156.