April 18, 2005

Patrick Willingham
Chief Operating Officer
Blue Man Group Productions
599 Broadway
New York, New York
USA 10012

Mr. Jamie Knight
Filion, Wakely, Thorup, Angeletti
150 King Street W.,
Suite 2601, Box 32
Toronto, ON M5H 4B6

Dear Mr. Willingham and Mr. Knight,

As a longtime supporter of the theatrical arts in Toronto, including stints on Theatre Boards, significant roles in assisting in the approval of the construction of Theatres in Toronto as a City Councillor for twenty years, and as a Member of Parliament currently representing a large number of the technical and creative individuals working in the industry, I am writing to urge you to form a positive and constructive relationship with the organizations that have represented workers so well as they have built this successful centre of gravity for theatre in Canada.

Let me enumerate these excellent organizations:

I have marveled at the growth and importance of the live theatre sector in our city from the earliest days when I had the opportunity to assist with approvals for Pantages, the Elgin/Wintergarden, the Mirvish projects including the Princess of Wales Theatre amongst others. What is not appreciated by enough people, is the collaboration which has taken place between the organizations representing the talented workers in this field and the management groups and producers who bring their unique capabilities to the table. This collaboration is central to Toronto's live theatre success story.

If I can be of any assistance in encouraging such a positive relationship to be embraced by your company, I would be pleased to do so.

Moreover, I will use whatever efforts I'm able to muster to work to achieve full participation in the exciting production that you plan to offer to Torontonians and visitors by those workers who have built this industry in our City.

My hope, is that a productive path forward can be established and that this can happen soon.

Yours sincerely,

Jack Layton, M.P., P.C.

cc.

Canadian Actors' Equity Association Toronto Musicians Association International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 58 International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 822 John Cartwright, President, Toronto and York Region District Labour Council Wayne Samuelson, President, Ontario Federation of Labour Howard Hampton, Leader, New Democratic Party of Ontario Marilyn Churley, MPP, Toronto-Danforth Paula Fletcher, City Councillor, Ward 30, City of Toronto Olivia Chow, City Councillor, Ward 28, City of Toronto Ken Georgetti, President, Canadian Labour Congress