Wow, That Takes Balls

Actors at the “American Girls Revue” have walked out on the job, citing unfair labor practices:

Sisters Elizabeth and Savannah Powers came to the ‘tween shopping mecca American Girl Place yesterday, dolls in tow, to watch their favorite characters on stage in “The American Girls Revue.” Too bad Uncle Guard, Cornelia and the majority of the cast were outside waving protest signs on a picket line.

The actors claim the New York retail store and theater, part of the American Girl empire, is guilty of unfair labor practices, withdrawing proposed salary raises after they expressed interest in joining the Actors’ Equity Association.

“I went to school four years to become an actor,” said Kalynn Dodge, who walked out of rehearsal to protest in the sweltering heat. “The next step is to become a member of the union, and we want to take the next step. It’s not right.”

The show went on inside the Fifth Avenue theater, but some scenes were cut. Some roles were filled by sales associates and managers and others went unfilled. Parents weren’t offered refunds for their $32 tickets but were allowed to come back to see another show for free.

“It’s disrespectful to us actors that they did that,” said Mat Sanders, 24, an actor at the store since December. “It’s also disrespectful to those who pay $32 a ticket to see the show that they’re not using real actors.”