Broadway Strike - Day Six: Broadway remains dark, but there is some light - the League and the Union will return to the negotiation table this weekend

The lights remain dark on most of Broadway. The League has officially announced that all performances at shows affected by the strike have been cancelled through to 17 Nov 2007.

However, the first signs that a settlement may be in the air came yesterday when The League of American Theatres and Producers, and Broadway's unionised stage hands, (members of Local one - part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) released a joint statement saying they will resume negotiation talks this weekend.

The statement read in full "Talks have been scheduled between Local One and The League of American Theaters and Producers beginning this weekend, at an undisclosed place and time. No interviews or comment from either organization will be issued until further notice."

It is being reported that Thomas C. Short, the president of Local 1�s parent union, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees will attend the negotiations. When the League and the Union meet this weekend it will be the first time they have met for negotiations since the 8 Nov 2007.

New York mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg, said in a statement, �Today�s announcement that talks have been scheduled between Local One and the League of American Theaters and Producers is a very important step forward. I spoke with both sides again today and reiterated that we will provide any help we can to help resolve these disagreements and let the shows go on.�

The New York Times reports that we have the Disney Theatrical Group to thank for the planned talks, apparently the Disney group, who are not members of the League, were the ones who arranged for the two sides to meet.

It will indeed be good news if both the League and the Union keep to their agreement not to make any comments or give any interviews until after they meet this weekend. Both organisations have been making acrimonious comments since the strike began, comments which have infuriated both sides. Their silence over the coming days may well be the first signs that the strike could end before Thanksgiving.

At least this is what the producers of the Christmas musical "Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas", which is on a limited run over the holiday period, must be hoping for. It is being rumoured that if the strike does not end before Thanksgiving, the producers will pull the plug.

Broadway Strike! - Day one
Broadway Strike! - Day two
Broadway Strike! - Day three
Broadway Strike! - Day four
Broadway Strike! - Day five

Click here to find out which Broadway shows are playing, and which ones are not.