Here is my letter so far:
Dear Dianne L. Moake:
I am writing to you in response to an online article I read for the Journal Gazette regarding your choice to deny the student’s right to perform “Urinetown” merely because the title was offensive. First of all, I am an avid lover of theatre. Why do you think “Urinetown” is going to create such a controversy? Have you even read it? If you ever heard the cliché that “you cannot judge a book by its cover” then you most definitely cannot judge something you haven’t read. And even if you have read it, let me tell you that it is by far less offensive than “Cabaret.”
How can Cabaret be any less offensive than Urinetown??? As the article stated, “many of the songs [in Cabaret] have sexual overtones, and the play deals with an unplanned pregnancy and an abortion.” Urinetown centers around poor people who cannot afford to go to the bathroom. If they go to the bathroom without paying, they are punished, according to strict policies set forth by “Urine Good Company.” The main character, Bobby Strong, starts a revolution to stop this legislation. Meanwhile, a love is brewing between Bobby and Hope Cladwell, the daughter of the owner of “Urine Good Company.” Urinetown is a satire. Exactly what content are you offended by? Is it the fact that they mention “piss” twice in the show? If anything, that is probably the most offensive thing in the show!
Are you only afraid that a show’s title is going to start a controversy? If you think someone is going to be offended by the word “urine” then what makes you think someone is not going to be offended by the sexual overtones in Cabaret? Do not get me wrong, I enjoy Cabaret, but I find it ironic that you want the school to perform something to avoid controversy, yet your choice for a musical is by far more controversial.
I am outraged that someone could be so ignorant, and I believe this is blatant censorship of a caring and well-educated drama teacher. I would think a drama teacher of 32 years knows what he’s doing. You do not present any good reasons as to why “Urinetown” should not be performed except that you are not comfortable with the title. Read it. Maybe then you will learn a little something about making judgments.
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Should I attach a link to this thread? Or perhaps a link to the Urinetown libretto on Barnes and Noble? I might take out the part of calling her ignorant, wouldn't want anyone to be offended...
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
Updated On: 2/3/06 at 04:38 AM
