Canceled 'Disney on Broadway' streaming fundraiser will take place

The American Federation of Musicians union, reversing a previous decision, is allowing a COVID-19 fundraiser to proceed.

A day after the musicians who performed at the November concert "Celebrating 25 Magical Years of Disney on Broadway" asked the union to relent and give permission for the show to stream, national president Ray Hair said Monday in a statement to Newsday. "We believe all musicians should be fairly compensated for their work all of the time," Hair said, "but we also believe that we must do everything possible to support entertainment workers hurt by the coronavirus pandemic. We fully support the union musicians who have graciously offered to forgo all required payments to allow this charity event to move forward."

Hours after the union’s announcement, Broadway Cares rescheduled the fundraiser, which originally had been set for April 13, to April 17, at 7 p.m. The stream will be available at BroadwayCares.org and Playbill.com.

“There is no better news today than that which helps us ensure all in the entertainment industry who are facing the serious challenges of this COVID-19 pandemic can depend on the support of all their colleagues in the industry,” Tom Viola, the group’s executive director, said in a statement. “My thanks to the leadership of the American Federation of Musicians,” he added, additionally noting the concert’s 15 musicians and their orchestra conductor, as well as the union local’s president, Adam Krauthamer, “who were willing to speak up during this unprecedented time to support the arts community and those in need. We all will surely one day gather in Times Square together to celebrate Broadway’s rebirth and renewal of hope.”

The fund Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS provides assistance to “those onstage, backstage, in the orchestra pit and behind the scenes“ requiring “urgent health care and immediate financial support during this pandemic and work shutdown,” the organization said.