Producer Scott Rudin, center, and the cast of Hello, Dolly! Receive the award for Best Musical Revival at the 2017 Tony Awards in New York City. Rudin says he’s stepping down from Broadway work. Theo Wargo / Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions hide subtitles
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Theo Wargo / Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Producer Scott Rudin, center, and the cast of Hello, Dolly! Receive the award for Best Musical Revival at the 2017 Tony Awards in New York City. Rudin says he’s stepping down from Broadway work.
Theo Wargo / Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Scott Rudin, producer on Broadway shows such as The Book of Mormon and To Kill a Mockingbird, will be stepping down from his theatrical productions following reports of angry behavior and a hostile work environment.
Earlier this month, The Hollywood Reporter published a story about Rudin’s outbursts. Once, the producer reportedly hit an assistant with a computer monitor after failing to secure Rudin a seat on a sold-out flight.
Following these allegations, Rudin released a statement Saturday apologizing for his behavior and announcing that he would quit his Broadway theater duties, The Associated Press and The Washington Post reported.
“After a period of reflection, I have decided to withdraw from active participation in our Broadway productions with immediate effect,” Rudin said in the statement. “My roles will be filled by other members of the Broadway community and, in some cases, the list of attendees already on those shows.”
Rudin did not deny the allegations in his statement. He apologized for his “troubling interactions with coworkers” and admitted that he should have corrected his behavior years ago.
President Kate Shindle and Executive Director Mary McColl of The Actors’ Equity Association, a union that represents more than 51,000 live theater actors and stage managers, urged Rudin to release all employees from nondisclosure agreements they may have signed.
“We have heard from hundreds of members that these allegations are inexcusable and that everyone deserves a secure job, whether or not they are union members,” the statement said. “This is an important step in creating truly safe and harassment-free theater jobs on Broadway and beyond. It is not the end of our job ensuring safe jobs for everyone in the industry as we work towards reopening.”
As the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be easing in the US, the Broadway shows prepare to reopen. But after the news of Rudin and his outbursts, actress Karen Olivo said she won’t be returning to Moulin Rouge! The musical in protest as soon as the theaters are open again. Rudin is not involved in this production.
The AP also reported that there are plans for a protest on Wednesday. Protesters will stop at Rudin’s office and the Winter Garden Theater, where he produced The Music Man, to debut in late 2021.
Rudin is also a Hollywood film producer best known for award winning titles such as No Country For Old Men and The Social Network. It is still unclear whether he will also step down from the film industry.
