Theater News

Equity Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against The Supper Club

David Cassidy (center) and the cast of The Rat Pack Is Back
David Cassidy (center) and the cast of
The Rat Pack Is Back

Actors’ Equity Association has filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board against The Supper Club and its owner, Martin Thesing, alleging that they tried to coerce and threaten Equity actors who were set to appear in The Rat Pack Is Back, a musical revue that was to open at the club in December.

Produced and directed by former TV idol David Cassidy, the show played a few previews in November before Cassidy abruptly closed the production, citing “unforeseen and irreconcilable circumstances.”

Thesing stated: “The Supper Club is a completely non-union house and therefore never had any contracts whatsoever with any of the actors in The Rat Pack Is Back.” The Supper Club quickly replaced the show with a similarly themed revue titled Frank, Dean, and Sammy: Live in Concert, which employs non-union actors.

Maria Somma, a spokesperson for Equity, said that it will likely be a couple of months before an NLRB hearing on the matter is held. At that hearing, arguments from both sides will be heard. Somma added that Equity has not asked for a specific remedy against Thesing or The Supper Club.