The Rockettes Are Being Forced To Perform At Trump’s Inauguration
On December 22, the Radio City Rockettes were confirmed to perform at Donald Trump‘s inauguration. However, this news only came to light after reported protests from several members. BroadwayWorld has since obtained an email from a high-ranking member of the American Guild of Variety Artists. Not only does it confirm that at least one Rockette disagrees with the performance, but it stresses how that decision wasn’t — and isn’t — up to them.
“We have received an email from a Rockette expressing concern about getting ‘involved in a dangerous political climate,'” it says, “but I must remind you that you are all employees, and as a company, Mr. Dolan obviously wants the Rockettes to be represented at our country’s Presidential inauguration, as they were in 2001 & 2005. Any talk of boycotting this event is invalid, I’m afraid.”
The Rockettes are owned by Madison Square Garden Company, which is run by chairman James Dolan.
“This has nothing to do with anyone’s political leanings (including AGVA’s),” the email continues, “it has to do with your best performance for your employer, period. I will reiterate that if Hillary Clinton was the President-elect, nothing would be different, and there would probably be those who would not want to be involved because of her. It is a job, and all of you should consider it an honor, no matter who is being sworn in. The election is over and this country will not survive if it remains divided. Everyone is entitled to her own political beliefs, but there is no room for this in the workplace.”
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