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I totally agree about not editing the intended words of the artist.  By posting a rating on movies at the movie theatre, people have a choice to go and watch or not. By writing a disclaimer letter to send home with the children auditioning, the students and/or the parents have a choice as to whether or not to participate.  By posting a warning on the program for the show, which I'm sure will be printed on there, the patrons have achoice as to whether or not to watch.

If the words are excluded, the removed "f-word" the exception here, then some of the auditory paint is gone from this picture.  The playwright put the words in that he felt best conveyed the characters as he was trying to share them with the audience.  If those are changed then the characters are changed.  If it's important in the context of the scene that Picasso be protrayed as a sex hungry womanizer then you couldn't exactly pull out the words that referred to his thinking about sex all day.

In the movie Amadeus there is a scene where one of the men in high stature listened to one of Mozart's pieces and afterwords a comment was made that there were "too many notes".  Mozart's reply was simply that were nor too many nor too few but just the right amount.  It was his vision that was performed.  The same should hold true in theatre.  We certainly wouldn't chisle the penis off of a statue of David so that it wasn't offensive.  We just wouldn't go look at the statue.  Of course some just might.

Melissa Jackman has brought some fantastic media attention to La Grande.  Now 5 times the people will go and watch this show and really have an opportunity to discuss the issues raised.  What a fabulous educational opportunity for so many that would have otherwise not even have known the production was taking place.  I think the town may just owe her a debt of gratitude.

Choice, freedom, and education.  Sounds like an all-american scenario to me.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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It may be worth noting that at a time when budgets are thin, we are going to see smaller casts simply due to the economics of it.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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Melissa Jackman's assertion that La Grande is just a blip on the map and wouldn't matter to anyone like Steve Martin smacks equality in the face.  Mr. Martin wants to ensure that the production moves forward so that the members of the community can decide for themselves whether or not the play has merit. 

I agree with Mr. Cahill that a range of experiences in high school theatre is a necessary part of the education process.  Thank goodness it's not "Little Mary Sunshine" every year.

Joe- Goldendale, WA and parent of a child in the play in La Grande (my hometown)

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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