Marta Kauffman, Paul McCrane and Paul Scheer to Co-Host Live Fundraiser Amid Dual Strikes

Chris Gardner
·1 min read

They’re calling it “The Give Back-ular Spectacular.”

A new fundraiser has been set for L.A.’s Orpheum Theater on Oct. 25 as a benefit for workers amid Hollywood’s dual strikes, organized in partnership with the Union Solidarity Coalition. It will be co-hosted by Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman, actor and director Paul McCrane and actor and writer Paul Scheer.

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Per official intel distributed Thursday, the fundraiser is designed “to raise awareness that this strike is adversely affecting not just writers and actors, but the entire community of artists, craftspeople, technicians, production assistants and support staff” while also raising money to cover COBRA and healthcare premiums for members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Teamsters, Laborers’ International Union of North America and other workers who are being financially impacted by the work stoppage.

TUSC was founded by writers and directors who were moved to support crews affected by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes with a focus on direct financial support to those who have lost health insurance due to strike-related shutdowns.

The event, which will be streamed live, will be a two-hour show filled with musical performances, stand-up comedy sets and sketches from a lineup yet-to-be-announced. Kauffman, Robbie Rowe Tollin, McCrane, Scheer, Jesse Schiller, Tony Phelan, Tara Miele and Kate Wagener are producing in association with TUSC. McCrane, whose credits include Chicago Fire, The Resident, All Rise, Major Crimes, Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, will direct.

“What do people do during times of struggle and uncertainty? They do telethons! And we are no different,” reads the official website that is currently accepting donations for the cause. Tickets are expected to go on sale shortly.

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