A majority of Broadway actors and crew members may be unemployed, but they can at least get a free meal. Two NYC restaurants near Times Square, Bouillon Marseille and Nizza, are offering free meals every night for members of various Broadway unions, including Actors’ Equity Association.
Bouillon Marseille and Nizza are owned by Simon Oren, chef Andy D’Amico, and Robert Guarino. The meal deal has been in place since Oct. 12, and it applies starting at 9 p.m. every night of the week. Members of the unions in the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds are encouraged to make a reservation. The price of their meal will be placed on a house tab, and if they are able to pay it later when Broadway reopens, then they are encouraged to (though it’s not required).
In addition to Equity, the unions that this deal applies to include the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the American Federation of Musicians, the American Guild of Musical Artists, the Dramatists Guild of America, and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Broadway has been shut down since March and is looking to reopen, at the earliest, by May 2021. Unfortunately, its closure has had repercussions on surrounding industries that depend on spending from Broadway audiences. According to the Broadway League, from 2018–19, Broadway audiences spent $8 billion on restaurants, hotels, shops, and public transportation. $1.8 billion of that was spent at restaurants.