Broadway musicians say they are being preyed upon by violent criminals at the stage door of the beloved “The Lion King” musical and other shows.
Video obtained by The Post shows the moment a violinist with the Disney production was suddenly shoved to the ground in the breezeway of the Minkskoff Theater after exiting an Aug. 5 matinee via the stage door, breaking her wrist in 10 places and nearly ending her decades-long career.
Another “Lion King” violinist was targeted twice in the past year by deranged crooks outside the theater between 44th and 45th streets.
One thief tried to swipe the instrument strapped to his back, according to leaders of American Federation of Musicians Local 802, which represents the Broadway maestros, and the union’s newsletter.
Two months later, the musician was attacked by a different goon, who fled after the violinist decked him.
Numerous musicians from Lion King have reported attacks after the show lets out. J.C. Rice
A fourth attack occurred on March 10 outside of the New Amsterdam Theatre, when a stranger whacked a substitute drummer for “Aladdin” in the head with a tree branch-like weapon just as he was heading inside to perform that evening.
“It seemed like a ‘knock out game’ kind of thing,” the 62-year-old musician told The Post. “He hit me as hard as he could when I wasn’t looking, and ran away.”
The drummer still managed to play despite observing “dents” in his head from the assault, but a few days later, he began slurring his speech and couldn’t walk straight.
He went to the ER and was diagnosed with a concussion. He hasn’t played on the Great White Way since.
I meant: What made people want to hurt them?