Broadway, in accord, strikes a happy chord

There was a festive, almost giddy air in the New York Theater District as the 18 musicals that had been shut down for four days by a strike, including “The Producers,” “The Lion King,” “Mamma Mia!” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” resumed playing Tuesday night.

There were celebrations at many theaters. At “La Boheme,” all 28 players in the orchestra came on stage after the show to take a bow, as did the musicians at “Hairspray.”

At “Movin’ Out,” the show’s composer, Billy Joel, was in the audience to lend support. Calling himself “a union man,” Joel said, “I’m a piano player. And as a composer, I want to be able to say how many musicians should be playing.”

The walkout by 325 musicians, which began Friday, was over the size of Broadway orchestras. It was settled Tuesday morning when the musicians accepted some cuts but not as many as the producers originally desired.