Parent company says Rockette participation voluntary

That contradicts what the union said.

The Madison Square Garden Company, of which the Rockettes are a part, told The Hollywood Reporter Friday morning that dancers “must voluntarily sign up and are never told they have to perform at a particular event, including the inaugural. It is always their choice.”

“In fact,” the statement continued, “for the coming inauguration, we had more Rockettes request to participate than we have slots available. We eagerly await the inaugural celebrations.”

That statement seems to contradict an email reported by BroadwayWorld, an industry publication, on Thursday. In it, an unnamed high-ranking administrative member of the union representing the Rockettes known as the American Guild of Variety Artists acknowledged reported protests by at least one member of the group, but said that dancers had to perform and were contractually required to do so.

“We have been made aware of what is going on Facebook and other social media, however, this does not change anything unless Radio City has a change of heart,” an email from the unnamed union official reads in part, according to a report in BroadWay world, an entertainment industry publication.

“If you are not full time, you do not have to sign up to do this work. If you are full time, you are obligated,” it added later.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.