Basic facts:
My Name is Rachel Corrie”–a play based on the words of the American peace activist crushed to death three years ago by an Israeli bulldozer in Gaza–is causing controversy after the New York City theater that was scheduled to run it postponed production.
New York City
March 22, 2006 The play opened last year in London to rave reviews and sold out audiences. It was scheduled to come to New York and open tonight at the celebrated off-Broadway New York Theatre Workshop.
In late February, the theater announced it was indefinitely postponing production of the play due to the current political climate.
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The co-creator of the play, Alan Rickman responded by saying, “This is censorship born out of fear” and that the theater had effectively canceled the play.
Link
http://wwwdeomcracynow.org/2006/3/22/my_name_is_rachel_corrie_a
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I do not think the show Rachel Corrie was to hot to handle because it was sharing an informative courageous story. A female activist and journalist that traveled to Israeli to focused on the issue of war in Israeli. Rachel was following her passion and doing what she loved and was brutally killed by a bulldozer in Gaza. Personally, I would rather see a nonfiction play about someone who was courageous and not afraid to explore and share humanitarian efforts to end a war. Rachel gave her life in an attempt to make Americans aware of the autracity's of war in Israel. Dispite the danger, she was dedicated to her country and job as a journalist. In my opinion I believe nonfiction would bring the story more true to life. Censorship is used to monitor and govern what can or cannot be reported and can sometimes be politically incorrect. While I agree some subject matters should be censored, I also believe it should be based on the content, validity and nature of what's being shared with the audience.
Naked Broadway
Basic Facts:S.C. paper says ‘No way’ to ‘So gay’ Broadway( “Naked Boys Singing,” )
daily Columbia newspaper — the largest in South Carolina.
On Aug. 15, Bailey’s company, MBF Productions, paid for online list advertising for “Naked Boys Singing” casting calls in the general announcements section of The State newspaper’s website.
History :
The production, “Naked Boys Singing,” has been well-received internationally and at home, after being performed on and off Broadway for a decade. “Naked Boys” has also caused controversy due to the production’s nudity and gay content.
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We have canceled both your ads and issued you a full refund,” wrote The State’s Michael Dudash in a support email to MBF. “Because of the nature of the content, we cannot run these ads. Thank you!”
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While the State Paper has a right to refuse to post an ad in their newspaper, it also contridict its purpose for reporting information to all viewers. Canceling the show's ad expresses the bias in the newspaper. The show may have stir some controversy due to the production's content, however, by doing so, it does not serve all viewers (gay, nudist, etc.). It was wrong to pull the ad.
Gay Broadway
Basic Facts:
Gaywatch: Whoopi goes "Back to Broadway"
In "Whoopi: Back to Broadway -- The 20th Anniversary," which premieres on HBO Saturday, April 9 at 10 p.m. EST, Whoopi Goldberg
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How sad of a society we have become, to persecute and judge someone based on their opinions. Whoopi has every right to express her point of view and support whatever cause she believes affect others lives in a negative manner. Whoopi has always been respected for her opinionated views usually mixed with humor. However, because she choose to use her star status to focus on issues that are real and affect millions of Americans should not have been a reason to lose endorsements. In my opinion it only shines the light on those who truly are prejudice, not just against race but for freedom of choice.
Racist Broadway
Basic Facts:
Just 'another Puerto Rican with a knife'? Racism and reception on the 'Great White Way'
The Capeman/February 1998 issue of Hispanic magazine, Robert Dominguez called the upcoming musical The Capeman a 'historic event', His prediction has proven inaccurate. Musicals such as In the Heights notwithstanding, this group has continued to be under-represented – or misrepresented – on and behind the Broadway stage.
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"failure" of The Capeman and pointing towards new directions for the future of Latino/a musical theatre.
Link :http://www.atypon-link.com/INT/doi/abs/10.1386/smt.1.2.183_1
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Racism exists, and this is a fact. I truly support Dominguez article about the show and believe he was right in writing the article on how the show does not reflect a positive image of Latinos. The stereotypical issues that become the focus of a show, only reminds us of how far we've come and just how much farther we still must go to remove these kinds of images.
Raided or closed
Basic Facts:
Broadway Stagehands Strike, Close Shows
NEW YORK
Times Square area
Broadway stagehands walked off the job, shutting down more than two dozen plays and musicals.
"Wicked" to "The Phantom of the Opera," from "Mamma Mia!" to "Rent,"
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"Jersey Boys" and "Hairspray" play on either side of the street, pickets stood behind police,barricades as theatergoers received directions on how to get their refunds. The stagehands carried signs reading, "Our families are No. 1."
Link :http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20071110/broadway-labor/
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This is a clear case of false advertisement. Selling a product that does not exist and actually taking consumers money is a crime and those who take advantage of innocent people should be punished. False advertisement and fraud is exactly what this smells of.
Arrested
Basic Facts:
Backstory: Cry-Baby and John Waters' Journey to Broadway
Baltimore home for pre-production rehearsals.
FBI, who appeared onsite to arrest Traci Lords in relation to a federal case
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Lords was in good company: “Every person on that set had been arrested!” Waters said).
Link:http://www.broadway.com/buzz/news_feature_detail.aspx?id=5010399&p=2
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Harassment is against the law and those that abuse the law should be prosecuted to the fullest. Why are these people being arrested? Why and how is their arrest a federal issue. Why the FBI? These people have committed no crimes yet they are being harassed and treated like common criminals because of their occupation and involvement with a play. How unfair and unjust.
NEA 4
Angry at Daddy
An uncensored Holly Hughes rails against censorship.
Holly Hughes’ recent performance piece, Preaching to the Perverted, at New York’s premier downtown performance space, P.S. 122, last April was like traveling back to 1989.
Hughes, a New York performance artist, was penalized for having allegedly stuck her hand up her vagina–a gesture that, however mutually rewarding for audience and performer, occurred during a federally funded performance, which the NEA felt violated its obscenity rules
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What if the NEA-funded art in question had depicted Nazi hate images, such as swastikas?," Hughes comments dryly, "Nazis are not making much art right now." This provokes resounding laughter from the audience, as if it somehow negated the justice’s point, which no one seems to have heard.
Link : http://www.reason.com/news/show/27824.html
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As a woman this is very offensive. Hughes took her right to free speech and expression too far and forced it on her audience. She should have been banned and issued a citation for rude and inappropriate conduct.
Regional Theatre
Basic Facts:
The Show Will Continue at Meadow Brook Theatre
Board of Trustees of Oakland University, which houses the 600-seat Meadow Brook Theatre, a major LORT theatre in Detroit.
The Board's decision followed weeks of controversy about possibly turning the venue into a commercial road house operated by the Nederlander organization.
On May 5, the Committee staged a rally on the Oakland University campus and a coalition of actors, students and theatre patrons led a protest drawing attention to the situation and increasing public awareness.
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"thereby eliminating the employment of a great many Detroit-based actors, stage managers and theatre technicians... A live professional theatre within the university is valuable to students, the greater Detroit community, the employees of the theatre, other university employees (maintenance, security, etc.), the merchants who supply the materials used by the theatre, and the list could go on. The theatre is not a group of outsiders coming in to entertain, but rather it is art created by those who live in the Detroit area." (Central Regional Director Kathryn V. Lamkey )
Link:http://www.actorsequity.org/theatrenews/meadowbrook_show_06-06-2003.html
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One of the reasons it is so difficult for artists and performers is because most begin their career in community theatre. However, when the city decides to replace their only source of income to turn the theatre into a commercial road house will cause major hardship on those that work in the theatre business. The theatre should remain as an active community asset and keep families gainfully employed.
College/University
Basic Facts:
Sex Workers' Art Show Arouses Conflict
Controversy, officious statements and student activism, the Sex Workers' Art Show arrived to campus on Feb. 4.
It came censored and covered up but performed two shows to full audiences, with around 400 students at each performance.
Four days before the performance, the cast was given a contract drafted by the Virginia Attorney General, according to Annie Oakley, the show’s organizer and master of ceremonies. They were told that if they did not sign, they would not be allowed to perform.
Dirty Martini of the Sex Workers' Art Show. Courtesy of sexworkersartshow.com
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In the interest of audiences for these types of shows, audiences should be made aware of the content and sexual nature of the show. What may not be offensive to one group, may be offensive culturally, spiritually and privately. Especially in the presence of a younger audience. Being nude to some may come naturally, however, that doesn't mean others should be subjected to their views or opinions.
High School
Basic Facts:
Stage is set for controversy when schools put on 'Rent'
High schoolers in West Virginia performed "Rent"
Theater directors and students at more than 40 high schools across the country have selected a new show for their big springtime musical this year: “Rent: School Edition,” a modified version.
At least three of the planned high school productions, in California, Texas and West Virginia, have been canceled after administrators or parents raised objections about the show's morality, its portrayals of homosexuality and theft, and its frank discussions of drug use and HIV, according to administrators, teachers and parents involved in those cases.
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He said his principal, Fal Asrani, objected to the show because of its treatment of “prostitution and homosexuality.” “When I heard that, I stopped her and looked her in the eye and said, 'First, there is no prostitution in 'Rent,' and second, homosexuality is not wrong,' ” Martin said. “She made no comment. It was the most demoralizing, disappointing moment in my career as a teacher.”
Link :http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/feb/20/1n20rent004712-stage-set-controversy-when-schools-/?uniontrib
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Sometimes people don't take the time to see the forest beyond the trees. While Rent may have a reputation of viewing homosexuality as acceptable, it has offended many. Many religious organizations find showing these types of plays supports the lifestyle of homosexuality and prostitution. However, instead it has a positive view on sex and the consequences. Rent is an excellent play and should be viewed for its role in informing its audience of the gay community concerns.
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