Brooke Shields explains Broadway’s grueling schedule
Brooke Shields, president of the Actresses and Actors Equity Association, tells USA TODAY’s Ralphie Aversa how she feels about the current state of Broadway.
Brooke Shields continues to criticize “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone over a labor dispute at Denver’s Casa Bonita restaurant.
The actress told CNN that in March, she used a false name to deliver a letter to Parker and Stone’s Colorado restaurant demanding better pay for performers who provide live entertainment to customers.
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Parker and Stone.
According to CNN, Shields is president of the Actors Equity Association, the union that represents about 80 Casa Bonita performers.
Shields described the visit to Casa Bonita as “a little ambush,” and told CNN, “It’s very disappointing because[the performers]are putting their lives at risk and they’re not getting any consideration.” She added that she had not heard anything from Mr. Stone or Mr. Parker during the negotiations. “It’s just silence, radio silence,” she said.
Negotiations with Casa Bonita management should result in both higher pay and better safety protections for performers, Star said, who claim they suffered hypothermia and chlorine poisoning in the diving pool, CNN reported. They are also requesting security for performers who interact with guests.
“We value all of our team members and their health. As a matter of policy, we do not comment on ongoing labor negotiations,” company management said in a statement to CNN.
Parker and Stone purchased Casa Bonita in 2021 after the restaurant closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was declared bankrupt. Television producers love going to this Colorado-grown restaurant, and it was even featured on “South Park.”
Speaking on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Parker and Stone revealed in May that they had planned to spend about $7 million or $8 million to restore Casa Bonita, but ended up paying about $50 million. Parker joked that if it wasn’t for the fact that he “decided to buy a restaurant,” we would have been the richest comedians in the world.
Contributor: James Powell, USA TODAY
