Broadway stagehands went on strike Saturday, forcing dozens of Broadway shows to be cancelled.

Union members began striking at 11 a.m., setting up a picket line outside of St. James Theater, the location of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" — the first show affected by the job action.

See below for a list of all shows affected by the strike, as well as ticket refund information for each show.

The stagehands union, Local One, says it made a last attempt at negotiations with the League of American Theatres and Producers, but could not reach an agreement.

At an afternoon press conference, the League of American Theatres and Producers fought back, saying the stagehands are the true Grinches in the battle.

The major sticking point has been the number of stagehands required to work each show. The League wants for more flexibility and control over hiring practices, but the union says it will not give up job protection. The League said the under their latest contract proposal, the stagehands would remain the highest paid stagehands in the theater world.

"It's devastating because we have seven sold out shows between Saturday and Sunday and not a lot of notification for the customers," said James Sanna, producer of "The Grinch." "So, they'll be coming here - the families - and 'The Grinch' just opened last night and we're really proud of the show and it really hurts."

Actors' Equity Association released a statement in support of the striking stagehands.

“[A.E.A.] strongly supports Local One/IATSE in their efforts to reach a fair and equitable contract. The responsibility for the shutdown of Broadway rests squarely with the League of American Theaters and Producers. The Equity Council, per the Union's Broadway contract language, endorses and supports the strike, which has been sanctioned by Local One's IATSE International President, and directs its members to honor the picket line.”

The actors union is instructing its members to report to their theaters and sign in for work.

Meanwhile, extending their "sympathy for the inconvenience caused," the League of American Theatres and Producers says that ticket holders can exchange their tickets or receive a full refund.

"We deplore the strike and the harm it does to the city, the industry, and the theatre-going public," said League Executive Director Charlotte St. Martin. "Indeed, to all talented people who make Broadway the top tourist attraction in New York. A strike will have an economic impact of $17 million per day in direct and indirect costs."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg seconded St. Martin’s statement that the city could suffer economically from the strike.

“While this is a private labor matter, the economic impact is very public and will be felt far beyond the theatres closed today,” said the mayor in a statement. “It is in everyone's interest for both sides to come together and resolve their differences."

Theater-goers and actors NY1 spoke with were upset to hear about the strike.

"I think it's very sad,” said one. “There are so many people that come to New York to see the plays and the performances and things. To have to miss out on that, not to have the opportunity would be heartbreaking to some people."

"I'm really disappointed because we came just to see the shows,” said another. “I'm just disappointed because that's what we came here for."

“It means the stagehands don’t have work, the actors don’t have work, and the kids don’t get to see it,” said Patrick Page, the lead actor in “The Grinch.” “Hopefully we’ll get this over with soon.”

The work stoppage does not affect shows produced by non-profit organizations or shows in theaters owned by non-League members.

Affected shows and refund information:

If you purchased your tickets from Telecharge.com, via phone and Internet, your tickets for cancelled performances, including service fees, will be automatically credited within two business days.

If you purchased your tickets from Ticketmaster, via phone or at Ticketmaster.com, your credit card will automatically be credited with the ticket price and convenience charges, and should post to your account within seven to ten business days. Please note, the $3.10 per order processing fee and any ticketFast or UPS delivery charges are non-refundable.

If you purchased your tickets at the theatre box office by credit card — Telecharge.com and Ticketmaster — your tickets for cancelled performances will be automatically credited within two to ten business days.

If you purchased your tickets for the following shows at these theatre box offices with cash or by check, you may return to the theatre box office for a refund. If the box office is closed, mail your tickets back for exchange or credit to:
Telecharge.com
411 Hackensack Avenue
Hackensack, New Jersey 07601

Federal Express delivery charges will not be refunded.

August: Osage County
Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th St.)

Avenue Q
Golden Theatre (252 West 45th St.)

A Bronx Tale
Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th St.)

Chicago
Ambassador Theatre (219 West 49th St.)

A Chorus Line
Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th St.)

The Color Purple
Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway)

Curtains
Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th St.)

Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas
St. James Theatre (246 West 44th St.)

Duran Duran
Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th St.)

The Farnsworth Invention
Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th St.)

Is He Dead?
Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th St.)

Jersey Boys
August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd St.)

Les Miserables
Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th St.)

Mamma Mia!
Winter Garden (1634 Broadway)

Monty Python's Spamalot
Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th St.)

The Phantom Of The Opera
Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th St.)

Rock 'N' Roll
Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th St.)

The Seafarer
Booth Theatre (222 West 45th St.)

Spring Awakening
Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th St.)


If you purchased your tickets for the following shows at these theatre box offices with cash or by check, please return to the theatre box office for a refund. In the event the box office is closed, you may mail your tickets to:

Nederlander Organization
1450 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10018

Please remember to retain a copy of your tickets for your records.

Cyrano De Bergerac
Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th St)

The Drowsy Chaperone
Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway)

Grease
Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th St.)

Hairspray
Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52th St.)

Legally Blonde
Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway)

The Little Mermaid
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th St.)

The Lion King
Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th St.)

Rent
Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st St.)

Wicked
Gershwin Theatre (222 West 51st St.)


If you purchased your tickets at the Broadway Ticket Center at 1560 Broadway, between 46th & 47th Streets, bring your tickets to the Broadway Ticket Center, located in the Times Square Information Center on the east side of Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets for a refund or exchange.

If you purchased your tickets elsewhere, return to or contact the point of purchase for more information.