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He would have had a better chance of joining “Wicked” if he was green.
An NYC-based composer claimed he was cheated out of a Broadway directing opportunity with the iconic musical “Wicked” because he’s a white man.
Kevin Lynch wasn’t even considered for a three-week paid apprenticeship with the show because the nonprofits behind the program only hire racial minorities, women and nonbinary people, which is against the law, he said in a Manhattan Federal Court lawsuit.
“Broadway is known for breaking rules, suspending reality, and—in the case of the blockbuster musical Wicked—defying gravity,” he said in court papers filed this week against the musical and the nonprofits.
“But one thing Broadway can’t defy is the law, including the many laws banning status-based discrimination.”
The 35-year-old producer, composer and songwriter’s eyes lit up when he came across a Facebook post by Maestra and Musicians United for Social Equity, or MUSE, in June 2023, according to court papers.
The two nonprofits announced they were partnering with the smash Broadway hit and were scoping out aspiring directors for its “Music Director Experience” — a role Lynch thought he’d be perfect for.
A graphic allegedly shared as part of the post stressed the competitive experience was only for “MUSE and Maestra directory members.”
MUSE’s directory is specifically for people of color, while Maestra’s is catered toward women and nonbinary people.
Lynch, a Juilliard graduate with accompanist experience, thought he was perfect for the role and tried to apply anyway, attempting to join the two groups — only to get shot down, he said in the lawsuit.
About a month later, the lucky winner of the “Music Director Experience” — who would have the chance to work on the set of the musical that has grossed more than $1.8 billion since 2003 — was announced as a nonbinary person of color.
While Lynch does not name the winning musician, Maestra member PJ Ju, who according to their LinkdIn uses they/them pronouns, announced they had earned the coveted spot on Instagram.
“Since the MD Experience, I’ve gotten six jobs. I’ve music directed seven new works.
… It’s been great, I’m getting jobs, getting paid, and then hiring people,” Ju said, according to the lawsuit.
Lynch, who is backed by anti-discrimination advocacy group American Alliance for Equal Rights, argued that “Wicked” and the nonprofits are violating both state and federal civil rights laws.
He demands that the groups be banned from considering people’s races during the application process and is seeking unspecified damages.
Lynch and his legal team declined to comment. Wicked, Maestra, MUSE and Ju did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Lynch’s fight for Broadway justice began in December, when he sued Playwrights Horizons after it discounted ticket prices for patrons who identified as people of color during a “BIPOC night.” Both parties later settled the matter out of court.
English (US)