NEW YORK — There was a refrain outdoors the Broadway Theatre on Thursday on the opening evening of a brand new revival of “West Side Story” however what was being sung was a protest chant.
A bunch of about 100 folks demanded the removing of solid member Amar Ramasar, who was fired after which reinstated final 12 months at New York City Ballet for sharing nude photographs of ladies and sexually specific texts.
The protesters chanted “Hey hey, ho ho, Amar Ramasar has got to go!” earlier than the curtain went up even because the opening evening celebration drew such stars as Andrea Martin, Julie Taymor, Vanessa Hudgens, Alec Baldwin and Iman.
Protests outdoors Broadway reveals are comparatively uncommon however have occurred by anti-Scientology activists outdoors “All My Sons” starring Katie Holmes in 2008 and out of doors “The Scottsboro Boys” in 2010 by folks upset by that present’s materials.
Alexandra Waterbury, a former scholar with the City Ballet’s affiliated faculty, the School of American Ballet, alleged in 2018 that Ramasar and two different males shared nude photographs of her, taken with out her information, with different males within the firm.
Since, then, there’s been a petition to take away Ramasar from “West Side Story,” the place he performs Bernardo, the chief of the Sharks. Producers in an announcement final week backed the actor, noting that the incident occurred in a unique office and “has been both fully adjudicated and definitively concluded according to the specific rules of that workplace.”
“There is zero consideration being given to his potentially being terminated from this workplace, as there has been no transgression of any kind, ever, in this workplace,” the assertion learn.
Protesters held indicators that learn: “Boo Bernardo” and “Keep Predators Off the Stage.” One of the organizers, Megan Rabin, stated she needed alleged abusers to know they’ve been placed on discover.
”I hope that we are able to set the precedent that Broadway isn’t any place for a intercourse offender. There’s no place within the highlight for a intercourse offender, and males who abuse their energy will face penalties for it,” Rabin stated.
Actor’s Equity Association, which represents greater than 51,000 skilled actors and stage managers, issued an announcement saying it’s attempting to make sure that all Broadway actors work in a harassment-free setting.
“Everyone at ‘West Side Story’ should be able to go to work and perform feeling safe and protected in their workplace. Equity has been in communication with the general manager and the members of the show. As a union, Equity’s role is to ensure that our members are protected in the workplace and we take that responsibility very seriously. Equity will continue to hold all employers to their legal obligation to maintain a safe and harassment-free environment,” stated Executive Director Mary McColl.
Ramasar and one other dancer had been initially terminated by New York City Ballet. The third dancer resigned earlier than he may very well be fired. Their union, the American Guild of Musical Artists, appealed the firings to the arbitrator, and each had been reinstated final 12 months. Ramasar didn’t return to the ballet firm.