1. NYC TodayWho: Sarah Kane
What: "Blasted"
When: October 2, 2008
Where: NYC, Soho Rep
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/121915.html"'Kane's startling imagery and bleak humor forge a potent theatrical vision of destruction, collapse and, ultimately, redemption and love,' read production notes."
This play first raised eyebrows in the London debut back in 1995. This play was and is considered controversial due to "scenes of brutal rape and cannibalism." When people scrutinized this production, fellow playwrights of Kane came to her aid and stood up for her work. Unfortunately, Kane committed suicide in 1999.
2. Naked BroadwayWhat: "10 Naked Men"
When: July 3rd
Where:
Toronto
http://www.ginoempry.com/releases/10nakedmen.htm"And yes, they all get naked!"
Ronnie Larson's play "10 Naked Men" is about prositution in California. These 10 actors seek their fame and fortune in the entertainment industry throughout this show. This show was well recieved by the public in New York and sold out performances in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
3. Gay BroadwayWhat: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: "Keep It Gay"
When: February 11, 2007
Where: Circle Square Theatre
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/105399.html'"the students of Putnam County are sure to show you the definition of F-U-N at Gay Night."'
This special performace is directed by James Lapine. It was only open to mature audiences over the age of 16 on the "gay night." "If you're feeling pretty and witty and gay, the students of Putnam County are sure to show you the definition of F-U-N at Gay Night."
4. Racist BroadwayWhat: "Showboat"
When: opened 1927
Where: Broadway
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_Boat#Original_1927_Production"The show has also come under much attack, primarily because of the use of the word nigger in the lyrics "
This show is controversial, mainly because of the song "Old Man River" which has the word "Nigger" in the lyrics. Some directors make the choice of omitting the word and replacing it with a less offensive word. This happened when the show opened in the Lincoln Ceter at the height of the Civil Rights Movement for fear of retaliation or offended viewers.
5. Raided or ClosedWho: "Naked Boys Singing!"
What: Lack of license
When: August 2005
Where: Milwaukee, WI
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/94724.html"The Milwaukee City Vice Squad closed the show a week after its Aug. 11 opening on the grounds of 'lack of license and public nuisance'"
This show produced by Mark Hooker was closed by the Milwuakee Vice Squad on August 18th. That day, a production was supposed to happen, but due to a lack of license, Detective Wilcox advised Hooker against it due to legal issues. After a thorough investigation, the police came to the conclusion that the theatre was fully licensed to perform a nude show, but not licensed to have a small theatre.
6. ArrestedWho:
What:
When:
Where:
7. NEA4Who: Karen Finley, Tim Miller, John Fleck, and Holly Hughes
What: Sexual/Gender Orientation, Sexuality and Nudity
When: June, 1990
Where: Washington, DC
http://www.cd.sc.ehu.es/FileRoom/documents/Cases/338neafour.htmlJohn Frohnmayer vetoed grants that were given to these four actors. The reasons being these actors' works were "lewd" and their political views controversial. in 1993, however, their grants were more than reimbursed, but the use of content restriction is still in court and being debated over to this day.
8. Regional TheatreWho: Barter Theatre
What: Nudity protest
When: October 29, 2003
Where: Abington, Virginia
http://www.sullivan-county.com/w/naked.htm"they opened the door to controversy."
The Barter Theatre in Abington, MA put on a performance of "Liquid Moon" which contained a nude scene. The main male character (Ryan) is in a problem marriage and having a non-sexual affair with a young girl named Kelly. Kelly tries to have sex with Ryan and enters a bedroom scene naked on stage. The town disapproved of this show and voted to have a protest outside the regional theatre to get them to cancel the show.
9. College TheatreWho: Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Minnesota
What: Protest "The Pope and the Witch"
When: October 25, 2006
Where: University of Minnesota
http://www.catholic.org/prwire/headline.php?ID=2278'“If the University of Minnesota allows Catholic-bashing to qualify as higher education, then the academia there is demeaning education, and harming the good reputation of the Catholic Faith.”'
The University of Minnesota was putting on a show called "The Pope and the Witch." The play and the playwright was considred blasphemous because of the depiction of the Pope and religion itself. The peaceful protest happened on October 18, 2006 when 904 callers in less than 24 hours from 716 colleges called up the director to tell him he needs to cancel this show.
10. High School TheatreWho: Ron Martin (theatre director)
What: “Rent: School Edition” causes controversy in the school
When: February 20, 2009
Where: Corona del Mar High School
http://www.theliberaloc.com/2009/02/20/rent-controversy-makes-frnt-page-of-ny-times/"I stopped her and looked her in the eye and said, 'First, there is no prostitution in 'Rent,' and second, homosexuality is not wrong,' "
Ron Martin wanted to perform the show "Rent" at his highschool. Knowing how mature the content was of the original show of "Rent" is, he decided to do a "school appropriate version." When the principal caught wind of his work, at this time in progress, she demanded a copy of the script so she could approve its content for the highschool students. When Ron could not do so, she cancelled the show. This has now caused much strife in the high school between this director and the principal, especially after she offended Ron by saying how she "objected to the show because of its treatment of 'prostitution and homosexuality.' "
