Addressing the backlash to the "Ratatouille" musical benefit concert

Yesterday, it was announced that a filmed concert presentation of Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical will air on Jan 1st. The concert will donate ticket sales to The Actor’s Fund, which provides emergency financial assistance, affordable housing, health care and insurance counseling, senior care, and more to the entertainment community.

While details about the project haven’t been publicly disclosed as of yet, what we do know is that contributors to the project will be credited and compensated.

We covered the rise of this viral hit on Tik Tok a couple of weeks ago, and while many are thrilled with the news that this project getting Broadway industry attention and support, others are calling out that the industry hasn’t done the same when it comes to issues of inclusivity and developing the works of BIPOC playwrights. While we’re throwing logs on the fire here, let me just add that they haven’t addressed sexual misconduct within their ranks either. But that’s another column coming soon.

But while I certainly understand and agree with those railing that vast changes in the industry are needed, I don’t think a one-time concert of Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical is the dartboard to be aiming at nor do I see this as an example that highlights the marginalization of BIPOC theatrical artists.

The primary reason is that this is a concert to benefit The Actor’s Fund which could use all the resources it can get to pass along to artists in need.

Last time I checked, Broadway isn’t opening anytime soon, and affording everything from rent to food to healthcare is becoming harder and harder. Just ask any AEA member about the cost of health insurance and you’ll be sick to your stomach. Any method that is going to attract a lot of donations to this group, I’m all for it. If Logan Paul boxing Floyd Mayweather was going to raise millions for The Actor’s Fund, I’d buy a ticket and I’d encourage all of you to do the same.

Given the viral hit that Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical is, I’m willing to bet it’s going to bring in a ton for this fund. Tickets range from $5 to $50. If 1,000 people buy tickets at the $35 level, that’s $35,000 that most of which will go to the fund. I’m positive that more than 1,000 people are going to tune in. There is the potential of raising six-figures for The Actor’s Fund, which is why this is a great idea.

But the key to remember here is that this is not an “either/or” situation, it’s an “as well as” one. The Broadway industry should look to find creative ways to financially support its community throughout this pandemic while it’s shut down AS WELL AS make changes to ensure casting equality and the cultivation of work by BIPOC artists once the industry resumes.

We should support the first mission and hold them accountable for the second.

I will be the first one to admit that the New York theatre industry has been slow to change its ways and that same non-action has had disastrous chain reactions in many issues, but I also won’t ignore steps of improvement either.

For instance, the Signature Theatre announced that for its 2021-22 season, three of the five works produced are written by BIPOC playwrights. Also, theatre organizations such as Playwrights Horizons, York Theatre Company, and Second Stage have all hired BIPOC theatre professionals for leadership roles. So I do see a trend of improvement occurring and I imagine/hope there will be more once the industry resumes.

So, while others may disagree, I don’t see this concert as being an example of marginalization or an example of the Broadway industry ignoring calls for change. I look at it as a creative way to raise a lot of money for struggling theatrical artists. I’ll be donating and if you can, I hope you do too.