Theatre Musicians Association Philadelphia Chapter

As we head into the weekend, we wanted to tip our hats to the fantastic band of ’s production of DEAR EVAN HANSEN, which opened last week! These eight musicians – one of the largest pit orchestras in recent Arden memory – are performing the show’s full original orchestrations, and audiences are loving it; the show has extended, and performances now run through July 5th!

Nero Catalano – Guitar 2
Rachel Massey – Violin
Dan McCain – Bass
Lorenzo Raval – Viola
Emily Roane – Drums
Tim Schilling – Guitar 1
Ryan Touhey – Conductor/Keyboard/MD
Justin Yoder – Cello

And a special shoutout to Jake Collins, Assistant Music Director, who was another invaluable member of the music team during the rehearsal process.

This crew would be worth celebrating in any context, but it’s especially exciting to have them representing on the first full production operating under the Arden’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement with our Philadelphia Musicians Union! Check out the new union representation language and Local 77-274’s logo in the playbill.

Come cheer on these great players at DEAR EVAN HANSEN through July 5th!

Thanks to all who joined in ’s leafleting action this week in support of our colleagues at the Forrest Theatre! Our solidarity was audible, visible, joyful, and defiant! We are truly stronger and more powerful when we stand together and speak up for what is fair and right.

If you haven’t yet, you can add your name to show your support for our Philly musicians at https://philamusicians.org/forrest-theatre-unfair-labor-practices

CHICAGO is coming to the Forrest Theatre this week, and opens this evening, May 12, 2026. Unfortunately, this is a non-union production, where the musicians are not receiving the fair wages and workplace protections they deserve. That is in conflict with Local 77-274’s collective bargaining agreement with the Schubert Organization, which is in place to protect musicians working at the Forrest. Even more egregiously, the Forrest management has engaged in retaliation against our local musicians in response to Local 77-274’s continued efforts to address this unfair labor practice; after 5 of our musicians and one contractor had been hired to join the orchestra for the run of CHICAGO, they were abruptly un-hired by the Shubert Organization.

At a time when more and more touring productions are being sent out on non-union contracts, without proper protections and compensation for the musicians who play them, we are sending a strong message that Philadelphia is a union town, and that we will not tolerate producers who take advantage of their workers and violate our collective bargaining agreements. Please join us for an informational leafletting action outside the Forrest Theatre TONIGHT from 6:30-7:30 pm.