Canada Assassins N word controversy
Canada Assassins N word controversy
#1Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/11/21 at 11:25am
They removed the word, Sondheim (or representative) insisted it must be sung, they cancelled the show.
https://m.facebook.com/shawfestival/photos/a.119207541319/10160279182481320
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Updated On: 8/11/21 at 11:25 AM
#3Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/11/21 at 11:39am
I'll admit, I'm forgetting how many times the word is used, but this whole situation seems ridiculous, as is their explanation.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#4Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/11/21 at 11:42am
It’s not as if the word is just thrown in there. Also,since it’s the Shaw festival, I saw someone post this quote from Shaw which seems appropriate -
“All censorships exist to prevent anyone from challenging current conceptions and existing institutions. All progress is initiated by challenging current conceptions, and executed by supplanting existing institutions. Consequently, the first condition of progress is the removal of censorship.”
-Mrs. Warren’s Profession
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#6Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/11/21 at 11:50am
everythingtaboo said: "I'll admit, I'm forgetting how many times the word is used, but this whole situation seems ridiculous, as is their explanation."
It is used only once, near the end of "Ballad of Booth." It's not just used willy-nilly, either- it's to totally subvert Booth's otherwise sympathetic account of his actions.
Slurs certainly aren't to be used carelessly or for shock value, but must be given appropriate context and handled with care. I think the use of the n-word in this instance does meet that criteria, so I'm sort of confused by what the festival is doing here. I find their statement to be confusing.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Updated On: 8/11/21 at 11:50 AM
#7Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/11/21 at 12:07pm
I'm sort of confused by their reasoning: it sounds like they're saying they rehearsed it without using the N-word so as to not have to say it until it was totally necessary (i.e. in front of an audience) - fine, makes sense. Seems like a safe and respectful choice.
But then they say that they "the substitution of language had unwittingly become established as fact." What does that even mean? They got so used to using a substitute word that they...couldn't (?) change it back? Did the actors not know they were using a substitute word in rehearsal? I just literally don't understand how that happens.
In any case, I of course welcome alternate perspectives on this, namely from Black people. But for what my opinion is worth as a white person: the single use of the N-word in Assassins is undoubtedly the most carefully crafted, and most carefully contextualized I've ever seen from a white writer. It isn't used lightly, or excessively, or without consideration for its immense power. Quite the opposite. But of course I'm not Black, and I will never know what it's like to be a Black person and hear that word come out of the mouth of a white person, even onstage. So I don't know. But if there was ever a context in which a white writer aught to be allowed to use the word in their piece, it seems to me that this is exactly that context.
#8Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/11/21 at 12:30pmYeah it’s only said the one time, and there’s a very clear story reason for doing so. We learn to sympathize with Booth’s genuine motives for his crime, then he blurts that out and realize how much racism influenced him, and that we’ve been pitying a monster all this time. The word can’t be taken out of the show, it means too much for the musical’s big number.
“Somebody stop me before I sing again” - Bazzard
Featured Actor Joined: 12/31/69
#9Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/11/21 at 1:14pm
The context is irrelevant because the people who are outraged have not, and will not, ever see the show.
#10Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/11/21 at 1:19pm
ctorres23 said: "The context is irrelevant because the people who are outraged have not, and will not, ever see the show."
Did you read the article/statement? It sounds like this was an internal conflict, not a result of audience outrage. They don't say it outright, but if you read between the lines, it seems likely that one or more members of the cast or production team are the ones who spoke up about it, and in that scenario, they would obviously be familiar with the show.
#11Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/11/21 at 1:31pm
ctorres23 said: "The context is irrelevant because the people who are outraged have not, and will not, ever see the show."
Did you read or take a moment to digest the statement?
It's an internal situation and a decision not to move forward. I don't understand it and it seems very odd and poorly dealt with but I don't think anyone is "outraged" except maybe you? This statement is the first the public is hearing about the situation so there was no outraged mob lobbing complaints.
Jesus saves. I spend.
KFC1991
Stand-by Joined: 7/10/18
#12Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/11/21 at 1:33pmI was hoping one of you could explain the reasoning they put out in there statement, but it seems y'all are as baffled as I am. The statement sounds like carefully worded BS which makes me wonder the true reason they can't just put the word back. Especially since they say they still want to do the show at a later time.
#13Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/11/21 at 1:42pm
JBroadway said: "ctorres23 said: "The context is irrelevant because the people who are outraged have not, and will not, ever see the show."
Did you read the article/statement? It sounds like this was an internal conflict, not a result of audience outrage. They don't say it outright, but if you read between the lines, it seems likely that one or more members of the cast or production team are the ones who spoke up about it, and in that scenario, they would obviously be familiar with the show."
That's what I took away from it also. I had to re-read it because they said they had Zoom rehearsals and I thought it may have been overheard by actor's family or someone in the space they were rehearsing from. But is says it was not used during those rehearsals.
I saw it on Broadway, Quite honestly I didn't remember when it was used until I read the letter. I wonder what the other show is that they are removing the same word from?
Just give the world Love.
JasonC3
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/21
#15Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/11/21 at 8:27pm
I love “The Ballad of Booth” and will sing it privately sometimes but whenever I get towards the end of the song I just kinda stop before I get to that lyric…
Seriously though this is ridiculous.
dtlajim
Swing Joined: 4/1/15
#16Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/12/21 at 1:17am
I'm Black and I hate hearing the word N-word casually used by anyone of any color on stage, be they Black or white or whatever ethnicity in the theater. Too many Black playwrights toss the word around for "authenticity" far too much for my liking. That said, I think the use of the n-word is crucial and historically accurate for the character of Wilkes Booth in Assassins. It is a necessary insight into Booth's political motive and psyche. I'm glad Sondheim pulled the show.
It's tiresome to be condescended to as a Black arts patron. It seems that these people are an imagining there is a Black nit-wit who will come to the show who is so backwards that they can't in any way understand context, character, or have no understanding of history. At best it's infantilizing, at worst, it questions our intelligence.
#17Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/12/21 at 1:34am
Kad said: "It is used only once, near the end of "Ballad of Booth." It's not just used willy-nilly, either- it's to totally subvert Booth's otherwise sympathetic account of his actions."
Exactly. The usage has an essential purpose in the storytelling and to delete it is to subvert that purpose. Do we know what the replacement was? (It's also critical to note that the word is coming from a racist so a watered down word makes mush of the inherent nature of Booth that is the precise point of the use. The audience is lulled to sympathy, the word dive bombs them back into the darkness of character's soul.)
#18Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/12/21 at 1:56am
KFC1991 said: "I was hoping one of you could explain the reasoning they put out in there statement, but it seems y'all are as baffled as I am. The statement sounds like carefully worded BS which makes me wonder the true reason they can't just put the word back. Especially since they say they still want to do the show at a later time."
They have a specific rehearsal process that equips them to integrate potentially sensitive material into the show for equity and inclusion reasoning. They didn't follow their process for the concert, so they've determined that they can't use The Word during the number. Since they can't use it during the number, they can't do the concert.
As we modernize our rehearsal processes and involve uppercase Diversity and Inclusion into the mix, stuff like this will happen. It's not really a big deal. Creatives will continue to defend their choices (as they should) and talent will continue to defend their well-being (as they should).
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#19Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/12/21 at 9:30am
I don't see a controversy: they wanted to make a change, they were turned down, they stuck to their beliefs and cancelled the show.
The whole thing was handled in a very mature and professional manner. We might agree with one side or another....but its not a controversy.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#20Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/12/21 at 9:57am
dramamama611 said: "I don't see a controversy: they wanted to make a change, they were turned down, they stuck to their beliefs and cancelled the show."
That is the controversy.
As per Webster's: "a discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views : DISPUTEThe decision aroused a controversy among the students." https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversy
Owen22
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/24/11
#21Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/12/21 at 10:40am
NameGreg said: "Yeah it’s only said the one time, and there’s a very clear story reason for doing so. We learn to sympathize with Booth’s genuine motives for his crime, then he blurts that out and realize how much racism influenced him, and that we’ve been pitying a monster all this time. The word can’t be taken out of the show, it means too much for the musical’s big number."
This, this and this!!!!
#22Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/12/21 at 10:43am
latitudex1 said: "They have a specific rehearsal process that equips them to integrate potentially sensitive material into the show for equity and inclusion reasoning. They didn't follow their processfor the concert, so they've determined that they can't use The Word during the number. Since they can't use it during the number, they can't do the concert.
As we modernize our rehearsal processes and involve uppercase Diversity and Inclusion into the mix, stuff like this will happen. It's not really a big deal. Creatives will continue to defend their choices (as they should) and talent will continue to defend their well-being (as they should)."
All well and good, but that's not what happened here. They dropped the ball at both ends: failing to "process" the word properly and failing to engage with the rights holders in an effort to resolve in a timely fashion in the process mandated a change.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#23Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/12/21 at 11:33am
joevitus said: "dramamama611 said: "I don't see a controversy: they wanted to make a change, they were turned down, they stuck to their beliefs and cancelled the show."
That is the controversy.
As per Webster's: "a discussion marked especially by the expression of opposing views:DISPUTEThe decision aroused acontroversyamong the students."https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controversy"
My definition, and the one most of us think of goes a bit further: a disagreement, typically when prolonged, public, and heated.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#24Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/12/21 at 12:02pm
Um, okay. I think Merriam-Webster is a reputable source, but you do you.
At any rate, now it is public (we are discussing it publicly), it is ongoing, as the people mounting that production and Sondheim could not reconcile their views, and obviously it was heated, as they had strong feelings about not saying the world. Thus, even by your definition, "they wanted to make a change, they were turned down, they stuck to their beliefs and cancelled the show" is the controversy.
#25Canada Assassins N word controversy
Posted: 8/12/21 at 12:31pm
joevitus said: "is ongoing, as the people mounting that production and Sondheim could not reconcile their views, and obviously it was heated, as they had strong feelings about not saying the world. "
I don't care about the definition "controversy" but nothing is "ongoing" and there is zero indication that anything was "heated." The production belatedly asked for permission to change the lyric and did not get it. Happens all the time. The subject was closed and, per the statement the festival recognized that the rights holders were within their rights to act as they did. No controversy and no indication anything was heated. Not even clear that the production had "strong feelings." What it said was that they screwed up by not putting it through the "process." Move on. Next time try to be more accurate.
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