You are correct that there is a threat of a Broadway strike right now.
Two major unions, the Actors' Equity Association (representing actors and stage managers) and the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 (representing musicians), have both authorized a strike as they negotiate new contracts with The Broadway League (which represents producers and theater owners).
Key points:
* No strike has been called yet, but the authorizations give union leaders the power to call one if negotiations fail.
* The main sticking points are generally pay increases, stable healthcare benefits, and job security/working conditions, with the unions arguing that the industry's record financial success should translate to better compensation for their members.
* The unions are currently working under expired contracts (the musicians' contract expired August 31, and the Equity contract expired September 28).
* A federal mediator has stepped in to assist with negotiations.
* The last major full Broadway shutdown due to a labor dispute was the stagehands' strike in 2007, which lasted 19 days. The last strike involving musicians was in 2003, and the last involving actors was in 1968.
For now, the shows are going on, but the situation is tense as negotiations continue.
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