Wedding Day Drama: Musicans Locked out of TONY N' TINA's WEDDING

Drama at the Wedding!  According to a report in the New York Times this morning, Local 802 - the union representing professional musicians - has filed charges against the producers of the long-running Tony N' Tina's Wedding with the National Labor Relations Board for replacing contracted musicians with a recorded music track. 

In a news release, the Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians, claims that they had renewed a three-year agreement with Kim and Sonny Ricciardi of Big Apple Entertainment - who recently took over as producers of the show - requiring the use of 802 members' services.  According to the New York Times report, on the evening of the show's October 17th performance, the musicians were locked out of the show and denied access to instruments and other belongings.  This was after the Ricciardi's reportedly paid the musicians for the October 10 performance and even requested that they to learn a new song for show's October 17th production.  

Mary Landolfi, the president of Local 802 called the producers' actions "unconscionable" in a statement.  There has been no explanation from producers to date.

Since opening February 14th, 1988 in New York City has played over 100 cities worldwide, including Japan, Australia and many European cities. At Tony n' Tina's Wedding, audience members actually play the roles of Tony n' Tina's family and/or friends. The evening allows audience members to eat, drink, dance, converse and allow themselves to be caught up in the activities. 

Tony N' Tina's Wedding runs on Saturday Nights at the Vinnie Black's Coliseum at the Edison Hotel in Times Square. Tickets are $87 (plus $6.95 service charges and tax); VIP Tickets: $125 (plus $7.75 service charges and tax) The VIP package includes upfront seats, unlimited champagne, an appetizer, and gelato. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.tonylovestina.com.

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