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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10:00 A.M., WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2005
MEDIA
ADVISORY
FOR
RELEASE: 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2005
MEDIA
RELEASE
Theatrical
professionals Coalition installs dramatic Blue Man Boycott
banner on Yonge Street; Clear Channel slammed for legal threats
against information picket.
TORONTO
- The Blue Man Boycott Coalition took their campaign for recognition
by the controversial theatrical production to the next level
today, beginning with the Yonge Street installation of a vivid
700-square foot banner less than one block from the Panasonic
Theatre, currently under construction.
The banner
dramatically challenges Blue Man Group's refusal to cooperate
with the representative organizations long recognized by every
major theatrical producer in Toronto
"Toronto
has become one of the world's great theatrical cities because
of the high level of cooperation between theatrical producers
and those who make the productions come to life," said
Susan Wallace, Executive Director of the Canadian Actors'
Equity Association. "Blue Man Group does not want to
be part of that cooperative tradition but wants to take advantage
of all that we have achieved here. We cannot and will not
allow them to do this. We are stepping up our boycott efforts,
which are already supported by organizations representing
millions of potential ticket buyers."
Panasonic
Canada and its parent company, Japanese electronics juggernaut
Matsushita Electric, also came under fire for its association
with Blue Man Group, which intends a long run at the Panasonic
Theatre. Panasonic Canada has spurned the Coalition's request
for a meeting to discuss the issue.
"We
are putting Panasonic on public notice," said Bill Skolnik,
Executive Director of the Toronto Musicians' Association.
"If they are so keen to be associated with this anti-artist,
anti-union production, they must expect to be regarded in
the same light as Blue Man Group."
Panasonic
Theatre owner Clear Channel Communications was denounced for
its attempt to mute the press conference and information picket.
Late Tuesday, Clear Channel's law firm, Goodmans LLP, faxed
a letter to the Coalition partners threatening legal action
against the organizations and their officials if today's activities
interfered in any way with the theatre's renovations. Former
Ontario Premier Bob Rae is a partner in Goodmans, though he
is not personally acting as legal counsel for Clear Channel.
"Clear
Channel may be the biggest radio broadcaster in the United
States but it is still subject to the Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedoms," said Kevin Mahoney of Local 58
of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
(IATSE). "We will not be intimidated and we will not
be silenced."
For further
information: or to arrange interviews with spokespersons for
the Coalition, contact: Victoria Lord - (416) 484-9047 &
(647) 519-8577; Additional contact: Bill Reno - (416) 223-7366
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