Another HS denied Urinetown; guess what the replacement is- Page 3
Another HS denied Urinetown; guess what the replacement is
#50re: Another HS denied Urinetown; guess what the replacement is
Posted: 2/3/06 at 1:15pm
Apparently the drug use in the Cabaret revival (as well as the more pronounced homosexual overtones) were something Kander and Ebb wanted to use in the original, but couldn't (I'll look for documentation on this). I think it makes the play make more sense; it gives Sally a much stonger reason for not wanting to leave. Even without the drugs, Cabaret is hardly a tamer choice than Urinetown. Yet another example of clueless administrative types looking only at the surface of things...
We somehow managed to to Pal Joey at my school... hardly an appropriate show, but at least I got to play Vera at 16.
This reminds me of a Baptist HS that did the Fantasticks. The Rape number was deemed too risque, so they replaced the word "rape" in the song....
with the word "snatch".
This is true.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#51re: Another HS denied Urinetown; guess what the replacement is
Posted: 2/3/06 at 1:34pmHaha. I emailed the journalist who covered the story and asked her to forward it to the theatre director and principal.
#52re: Another HS denied Urinetown; guess what the replacement is
Posted: 2/3/06 at 1:46pm
Frankly, I find this whole thing baffling, mystifying...but incredibly amusing.
Through censorship of a show's TITLE, even though the material is pretty tame, they choose instead a TRULY risque musical with a tame title. These high school kids will get to perform a truly magnificent piece, that's sure to SHOCK all these red state/conservative parents, teachers. I would have KILLED to do Cabaret in high school!
Instead of focusing on the unfair censorship of Urinetown, we should be giggling at the notion that a show with songs like "Two Ladies", "Mein Herr", and "Cabaret" will be performed by high school kids!!! Even if they cut some of the songs, it's STILL incredibly risque! I can't think of ANY way Cabaret could be censored enough to not offend the ultra conservative.
These kids are going to have a blast. I hope the principal doesn't catch on, and they're able to pull this off.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#53re: Another HS denied Urinetown; guess what the replacement is
Posted: 2/3/06 at 2:32pm
If I remember correctly, we were allowed to do anything we wanted do. The only time I remember being censored is when we did RUMORS. We were told not to say "God", and we had to drink Perrier instead of "vodka tonics".
We did Rimers of Eldritch, with the rape scene intact, and no one had any issues.
And this is Texas.
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#54re: Another HS denied Urinetown; guess what the replacement is
Posted: 2/3/06 at 6:40pmMaybe I'll change it around a bit and send it after they do Cabaret...so maybe early June I'll send it...wouldn't want anyone to get fired though...but it sounds like someone needs to knock some sense into this principal.
#55re: Another HS denied Urinetown; guess what the replacement is
Posted: 2/13/06 at 2:46pm
This made the Letters to the Editor section!
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/editorial/13854960.htm
Fairies
Chorus Member Joined: 9/17/05
#56UPDATE
Posted: 10/3/06 at 6:39pm
Hi.
It was funny to find this thread. I actually went to this high school.
What isn't funny is that this summer the school administration FIRED the teacher in question for "insubordination" resulting from the whole censorship fiasco.
SO, please write letters! Whatever you want to do. He is an amazing teacher and this is just another symptom of a conservative trend in this country.
The teacher is Ed Koczergo. The school is Homestead High School - Fort Wayne, IN. The principal is Dianne Moake.
Letters to the editor for the local paper can be sent to:
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Letters to the Editor
letters@jg.net
The principal and superintendent responsible for the firing:
Dianne Moake
Principal, Homestead High School
4310 Homestead Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46814
Dr. Brian Smith
Superintendent, Southwest Allen County Schools
4824 Homestead Road
Fort Wayne, IN 46814
#59UPDATE
Posted: 10/3/06 at 10:29pm
I think this is crazy!
I am currently in a production of Urinetown. In the beginning of rehearsals, I mentioned that some high schools across the country were banning this show. My fellow castmates couldn't believe it. I just can't believe that they are replacing it with Cabaret! Urinetown is so innocent in comparison. Like Cabaret, it's also very smart!!!
Hey, if you are in San Francisco - please come see our production of Urinetown this weekend - Oct 6, 7, and 8!!! Hope to see you there!
broadwaystar2b
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/28/04
#60UPDATE
Posted: 10/3/06 at 11:44pm
That's ridiculous. Urinetown has PG if not G-rated book compared to Cabaret! Seriously, there is almost nothing even moderately offensive in the script, except maybe Bobby listening to Hope's heart, and the one or two "hells" and "damns" could be changed if they were so picky.
Does ANYONE read any more!!! 
DTBG2
Featured Actor Joined: 3/15/05
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