College cancels ADDING MACHINE musical for being too "disturbing"

A local college here in Pittsburgh recently canceled their production of ADDING MACHINE the musical because of outrage that the piece was too "disturbing." I was intrigued to see something a little different and unusual among the endless Into the Woods and Drowsy Chaperone productions, but the masses spoke and it was canned.

I'm not really that familiar with the piece but does anyone else have issues with it? Is it actually worth this kind of backlash or is it a case of overreaction?

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Updated On: 11/30/19 at 12:25 AM

Yes, it's extremely dark; yes, the score is harsh and visceral; yes, it says some very sad things about human nature... but for goodness sake, it's an artistic statement! And a brilliant one at that, which viscerally connects you with the humanity of the characters!

Also, it's not like it's Sarah Kane! No one's getting their eyeballs sucked out in ADDING MACHINE! These folks seem to be afraid of something that really grabs you by the throat, and they're not going to get a lot of art if they throw out that concept for being "too disturbing."

Updated On: 11/30/19 at 12:42 AM

There are a number of racial slurs in the show, so I could kind of understand if a school didn't want to do a show with that kind of language, but a school cancelling a show because it scares them is just stupid.

Alex Kulak2 said: "There are a number of racial slurs in the show,so I could kind of understand if a school didn't want to do a show with that kind of language, but a school cancelling a show because it scares them is just stupid."

I thought that could be the reason - there’s like one or two lines where Mr. Zero complains about “the Jews,” but...again, he’s not supposed to be a good guy. He’s a racist murderer. If Park Point is also doing Parade in the same season this makes them look even sillier.

Based on the article below, it looks like the cast and other participants actually became uncomfortable with the piece. One could say they should still be willing to present shows that "challenge" the audience, but this is a better situation than the college cancelling it because the administration objected.

Even if it was just the administration, it looks like this is a private college which relies at least in part on subscriptions to finance its shows. Presumably it also relies on alumni and other contributions. For right or wrong, the college has to keep this fact in mind when presenting shows- if a show is going to negatively affect subscriptions/donations, this fact has to be considered. Even at this level, theater is a business. I'm not saying that's a good thing, but its reality,.





https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Production-Of-ADDING-MACHINE-Canceled-By-Pittsburgh-Playhouse-At-Point-Park-University-For-Being-Disturbing-20191130#:~:targetText=The%20Pittsburgh%20Playhouse%20at%20Point,up%20call%20to%20its%20audience.

A student production of "The Foreigner" was cancelled one week before opening at Washington College on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Appropriate?

http://elm.washcoll.edu/index.php/2019/11/the-foreigner-senior-thesis-canceled-by-washington-college/

I'm only just now discovering this show. It almost sounds like an episode of the Twilight Zone and I'm kind of digging it.

What keeps coming back to my mind is that the students were uncomfortable with it. (I am assuming these were the Performing Arts Conservatory students.) In my mind, they are acting students and should be willing to tackle the material.

With that said, I do know some actors, who have been around for a bit, who will not do shows based on some personal beliefs.

Broadway61004 said: "So exactly why are these kids pursuing a degree in theatre if they're unwilling to be challenged to confront things that make them even slightly uncomfortable? I mean, I'm not passing judgment here on anyone for being disturbed by something and not wanting to do it. But what exactly do they think they're going to be able to make a career out of if Adding Machine and Parade are too disturbing to be a part of? Sorry, but that should be a clear sign you've picked the wrong profession."



Thank you. That is my thought too.

uncageg said: "Broadway61004 said: "So exactly why are these kids pursuing a degree in theatre if they're unwilling to be challenged to confront things that make them even slightly uncomfortable? I mean, I'm not passing judgment here on anyone for being disturbed by something and not wanting to do it. But what exactly do they think they're going to be able to make a career out of if Adding Machine and Parade are too disturbing to be a part of? Sorry, but that should be a clear sign you've picked the wrong profession."



Thank you. That is my thought too.

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...and mine as well.

Sooooo... You HS students pursuing theater as a career: After this example of the learning/artistic environment @ Point Park University, where does Point Park fall on your list of prospective universities you'd want to attend?

I wish there were more details regarding exactly what was found so “disturbing?” Some of the students seemed to sight the language and the use of racial slurs but not the whole “guy murders his boss” thing. That wasn’t the disturbing part?

Updated On: 12/1/19 at 12:13 PM

I went to HS and College in Alabama and my high school did the original Adding Machine Play back in 2005. And my college regularly did works by Suzan Lori-Parks, Lynn Nottage, etc. So it's so funny to me, coming from the epicenter of "conservative America," and seeing these seemingly progress schools cancel shows. It's art. It should make people uncomfortable. It should make you question things.

(Duplicate post--wish we had a "delete post" option.)

Updated On: 12/2/19 at 12:03 AM