NEW YORK – IATSE stagehand Peter Wright died Nov. 12 after falling from scaffolding while performing restoration work at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre. Wright, a resident of Milford, CT, was 54.
Police reported that the accident took place around 8:45 a.m. while Wright was performing routine maintenance on the 109-year-old theater. Emergency medical services transported him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“We mourn the loss of our valued colleague,” said Bill Evans, a spokesman for the Shubert Organization, which owns the Winter Garden Theatre, in a statement. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family during this difficult time.”
Wright was also a flyman at the August Wilson Theatre, owned by Jujamcyn Theaters, which issued the following statement:
“We received tragic news about the death of one of our own: Pete Wright, long-time August Wilson Theatre Flyman. We are all devastated by the news and mourn this immense loss alongside Pete’s family, his work family, and his union family.
“Since all of our marquees have been dimmed during the shutdown, we will illuminate the marquee at the August Wilson Theatre this weekend to remember and honor Pete, who brought such light into that theatre year after year,” the statement continued. “Pete is survived by his wife Marcie, who he worked with at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre over 20 years ago, and their two sons.”
“Our brothers and sisters of Local One all offer our deepest prayers and sincerest condolences to Peter’s wife Marcie, their sons Ken and Matt, and the entire Wright family during this extremely difficult time,” said James J. Claffey Jr., President of Local One IATSE, in a statement.
“Your life was truly enriched if you were Peter’s friend, and you knew firsthand of his warmth and his infectious smile,” Claffey added. “Peter Wright had a work ethic that was nothing short of exemplary, was extremely talented and skilled in his craft, and he was one of the finest riggers/flyman in our industry.”
