A Pittsburgh theater stagehand has accomplished the rare feat of filing a privacy suit against the makers of a “mockumentary” not named “Borat.” The film, “Pittsburgh,” released last year, is set at the Benedum Theater where Debbie Sue Croyle works and features Jeff Goldblum taking time off from his movie star life to perform in a production of “The Music Man.” According to her complaint, Croyle, who says she never signed a release, appears in one scene in which Goldblum directs a bawdy innuendo at her.
“The scene reduces Movant’s professional work to an act with a sexual purpose,” Croyle argues in a motion for a temporary restraining order which is scheduled to be heard Wednesday by U.S. District Judge David S. Cercone.
The various lawsuits against Fox and Sacha Baron Cohen by the unwitting stars of “Borat” haven’t gained much traction. Similar to those cases, the defendants here include the six production companies involved in “Pittsburgh” and directors Chris Bradley and Kyle LaBrache. The restraining order would enjoin the Starz cable channel from airing the film later this week.
Croyle is also seeking $8 million in damages, alleging the film has tarnished 30 years’ worth of credibility built up working as a female stagehand in “a male-dominated field.” She is represented by Margaret Fried and Shelley Segal of Fried & Davis in Pittsburgh.
