The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an appeal by Tony Award-winning producer Garth Drabinsky, who claimed that the Actors’ Equity Association organized an illegal boycott that prevented him from producing live Broadway shows. Drabinsky’s $50 million lawsuit alleging antitrust violations and defamation was dismissed by the court. The union represents over 50,000 theater actors and stage managers. Drabinsky’s lawsuit claimed the union engaged in defamation and harassment tactics to discourage others from working with him. The court ruled that the union’s actions were justified in protecting its members’ wages and working conditions, as opposed to harming Drabinsky. Al Vincent Jr., executive director of the Actors’ Equity Association, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating that the union’s mission is to protect actors and stage managers from harmful employers like Drabinsky. Drabinsky’s production “Paradise Square” closed on Broadway in July 2022 after 23 previews and 108 performances, while his previous hit, “Ragtime,” had a two-year Broadway run. Drabinsky, a Canadian, was previously sentenced to seven years in prison in Canada for fraud convictions related to submitting false financial statements to investors.
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