Seeing a show is never a consideration for these people. They just want something to protest. They don't really care about the show - they just want to use it to draw attention to themselves.
In 1993 Hal Prince's new production of SHOW BOAT debuted in Toronto as the first production in a brand new theatre. For months there was heavy advance publicity, but one woman, Stephanie Payne - a member of the board of education no less - started a campaign against the show claiming it was racist, and no one could convince her otherwise. She persuaded her board members to pass a resolution banning their schools form taking students to see the show. She organized noisy protests outside the theatre and the show's temporary box office. She verbally attacked one girl working in the box office, then lied to the media claiming she was never there - until the security video was released showing her walking into the booth and yelling at the poor girl.
Opening night there was a band of about 30 protesters but they did not know that the opening performance started early: By the time they arrived the audience was in and the show had started.
Each and every review pointed out that SHOW BOAT was anything but racists and the furor died down, though it did not subside completely. Ms. Payne, by the way, was just re-elected last month for her 6th term on the school board - this despite the fact that she can't even spell her own name correctly! (She always signs her messages Stephnie!)
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
