Broadway Producers, Unions Announce Emergency Relief Agreement

Thomas L. Miller, prolific Hollywood and Broadway producer, has died at the age of 79.

By Tim Dams

By Tom Grater

Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe says he is ready to declare a state of emergency from as early as Tuesday, as part of a growing response to the novel coronavirus outbreak. The declaration would affect Tokyo, second city Osaka and five other densely populated prefectures.

YNW Melly has tested positive for coronavirus while awaiting trial in Florida's Broward County Jail, the rapper's Instagram account confirmed on Thursday (April 2)."He’ll be filing a motion for restricted release in hopes of better care due to any jails not being prepared to treat this new virus," the post alongside a photo with his family reads.

By Dave McNary

By David Robb

Universal Music Group today announced several initiatives to bring relief to musicians, its employees and the music industry in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that in a short time has devastated so much of the global economy. It also pledged to assist its artists in their charitable efforts

By Jake Kanter

The U.K. has finally announced an economic relief package for freelancers not in employment after much of the country’s creative industries shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Spotify has unveiled a plan to fight the coronavirus pandemic’s devastating impact on artists and the music industry. Through the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief project, the streaming giant will partner with various music charities—starting with MusiCares, PRS Foundation, and Help Musicians—to advise artists on seeking financial relief. Spotify will also match donations to those charities (via its dedicated page) up to $10 million, according to a press release.

By Patrick Hipes

A deal reached Friday between a coalition of stage unions and the organization representing Broadway producers for wage payments and additional health contributions to aid stage workers in distress doesn’t — and couldn’t — include playwrights, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The reason? Unlike screen and television writers, playwrights are independent contractors who license their work to producers for a fee.

Responding to the coronavirus pandemic, the Producers Guild ​of America has created the Producers Guild of America Members Relief Fund with a lead gift of $100,000 from former PGA president Mark Gordon.

The COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund set up at long-running charitable organization Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS to provide financial relief and services for entertainment professionals impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and work shutdown has received a boost from some of the sector's most successful producers.

It’s been nearly two weeks since Broadway went dark due to New York state’s social distancing measures amid the Coronavirus. As the Great White Way endures its  longest shutdown in history, Broadway producers are coming together to pledge financial assistance to the Actors Fund and other emergency assistance programs.

By Andreas Wiseman

By Greg Evans

In the wake of a complete shutdown of New York theaters, a coalition of stage unions reached a deal Friday afternoon with the organization representing Broadway producers for cash payments and additional health contributions to aid stage workers in distress. The emergency relief agreement provides short-term pay and health benefits, and applies to for-profit Broadway theaters and, in a pact announced Saturday morning, to Broadway shows on tour as well.