Is a lead actor's personal politics a good enough reason to avoid seeing a show?

[nycfan2]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 12:06pm

Coming in town for a few shows this week. Trying to decide whether to see La Cage, but Grammar's politics are repugnant to me. Should I underwrite him with my ticket purchase and see a show with universally good reviews and a show I've never seen or go with something that has actors in it whose politics I don't know?

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 12:17pm

What is it about Kelsey's politics that bother you so much? He's a Republican (who happens to be pro-choice and pro gay marriage), it's not like he's Glenn Beck. Personally, I don't care what an actors politics are. That's their own thing, and they are entitled to their opinion. And that would never, EVER stop me from seeing a show.

Anyways, go see La Cage. It's amazing.

[nycfan2]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 12:31pm

Maybe I don't know enough about him, but I really don't think what this country needs is another right wing group. It seems to me that to get any power, a right leaning group has to align itself with socially conservative players even though each individual might not be so personally conservative. You are often known by the company you keep. (See Obama - Donnie McClerkin - Rick Warren - Rahm Emmanuel). I do support shows whose actors' politics or shows' politics I am more in tune with. i.e. I'll be seeing Hair for the fourth time this week. So, maybe I'll go to Broadwaybox and let discount and seat assignment dictate what I see. I have two slots to fill and choices between Americna Idiot (not a Greenday fan, but love J.G. Jr.), Everyday Rapture, and LaCage. Already ticketed for Next Fall, Promises, and Million $. I know some are not so fond of Million $, but I live in Memphis and work in the shadow of Sun Studios. So, it's kind of required. Plus, have been Levi Kreis fan for years.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 12:35pm

Well the show's politics would seem to match up with yours, even if Kelsey's doesn't. And La Cage is way, way better than Everyday Rapture and American Idiot. Hell, it's way better than your ticketed shows.

For what it's worth, I like MDQ, and if you are a Levi Kreis fan, you definitely will too.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 1:06pm

Seriously? This is a ridiculously bigoted thread. Not seeing a show because of someone's political orientation is absolutely ludicrous. Would you not see 'Fences' because the cast is all black? Or stay away from 'Falsettos' because the cast would be Jewish? There is a simple answer to this and it is: NO.

You are spreading the same hatred and radicalism that you don't think the country needs. Stop.

Updated On: 5/1/10 at 01:06 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 1:08pm

Well some posters over at ATC are boycotting the production over this.

[James885]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 1:21pm

Not seeing a show because of someone's political orientation is absolutely ludicrous.

Ditto. I care about the performance an actor is giving on stage. The political views and/or political affiliation of one of the lead actors is nowhere near a factor in deciding whether or not to see a show.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 1:28pm

"Well some posters over at ATC are boycotting the production over this."

Nonsense. ONE very vocal poster is advocating it, repeatedly and rabidly, and one, maybe two people agree. Everyone else sees it as the short-sighted, ridiculous suggestion that it is.

Boycott an entire show over one man's politics? It's an absurd idea. McCarthyism is McCarthyism whether it comes from the left or the right.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 1:32pm

I never said it wasn't a ridiculous idea. But I do recall more than one poster wanting to boycott/not see the show over Grammer's politics.

[nycfan2]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 1:40pm

I'm really not being bigoted about an inborn characteristic or immutable trait. I do, however, reserve the right to criticize and work against a person's behaviors, CHOICES, and politics. Because I disagree with a person's political beliefs and practices, does that make me bigoted or really just a Democrat? Is a boycott against AZ bigoted or an expression of disapproval of their politics? Is a boycott against the Mariott in San Diego bigoted because the owner expressed political opinions and his own bigotry against a minority? Is my absolute refusal to support anyone financially from Family Research Council, American Family Association, or Focus on the Family bigoted because I am discriminating against their religious belief? I can tell you that religious belief is a definite choice, and when it crosses into the ballot box, legal rights and priveleges, I will discriminate against the people who so impose their choices. I really don't get how my being adverse to a person's choice of political affilitation is bigoted. I thought it was what is expected by someone who cares deeply. Calling me a bigot is really a red herring. It is inflammatory and serves no purpose.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 1:46pm

Apologies, I did not mean to suggest that you felt that way, ljay. I meant "nonsense" that some posters on ATC are boycotting, because if you re-read the thread(s), you will see that only one poster, Roman, is suggesting the the show be boycotted (over and over and over and dear God, over again). One other poster, Mama'sboy, agrees that the show should be boycotted, but cannot boycott because Mama'sboy doesn't live in nyc.

The rest of the posters disagree, most quite emphatically. The threads are still there, but I wasn't sure if it was allowed to link to them. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

eta: Roman, is that you? Seriously, why ask the question if you've already made up your mind?

Updated On: 5/1/10 at 01:46 PM

[hannah_bway]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 1:47pm

But he's playing a character (and from what I've heard, quite well), not giving a speech.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 1:48pm

I personally don't have issues with boycotting a legitimate issue that you take offense to (AZ is a good example of such an issue, even though I don't know how you "boycott against AZ"). But what are you boycotting? Republicans? You said yourself that you don't even know anything about Grammer other than the fact that he is politically conservative. If boycotting the show for that reason is not being "utterly intolerant of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own" (literally the definition of bigoted), I don't know what is.
Updated On: 5/1/10 at 01:48 PM

[nycfan2]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 1:49pm

I'm pretty offended that you would think my question condoned racial discrimination or anti-semitism. Besides, I asked a question in order to get input. I like to think of issues from all sides, and obviously, I was questioning my own reaction to this. I am sometimes wrongheaded on such issues and like to have other opinions to consider as well as just my own. I wanted intelligent discussion, but instead I get overblown rhetoric, knee jerk reactions, and name calling. Sound familiar?

[hannah_bway]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 1:55pm

I guess I just don't understand how his political affiliation would have anything to do with his performance. I could understand if you were boycotting seeing say, something unscripted, where he would say what he wanted. But I don't get boycotting a scripted performance for that reason.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 1:56pm

nycfan2, I see you haven't been here long. Over-sensitive, self-righteous theatre people calling each other racist or bigoted for no reason is par for the course on this board. Don't take it personally.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 2:06pm

Nope

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 2:08pm

"I could understand if you were boycotting seeing say, something unscripted, where he would say what he wanted. But I don't get boycotting a scripted performance for that reason."

Exactly. I'll boycott Right network, the new network that Grammer has chosen to be the face of, but to boycott La Cage because of one man's politics is silly. Especially considering he's playing the role of a gay man.

No one here has had a knee-jerk reaction or called you names, and no one has accused you of being racist or anti-semitic either. They asked you questions regarding Blacks or Jews. Bigoted is a description of behavior, and if you're discriminating against someone for their beliefs in an area unrelated to their beliefs, that's bigotry. Some would call it blacklisting. Boycott Grammer, if you must, for his politics that you're not really sure of anyway, by why on earth would you boycott La Cage?

You asked a question that I'm pretty sure you knew would get some volatile responses. Why are you surprised? You asked for opinions and you got them.

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 2:12pm

In my opinion, no. I think it shows a ridiculous lack of maturity if you can't separate someone's political beliefs from their performance. And to me, people are never consistent. If you're going to stop yourself from seeing La Cage because of Kelsey's politics (well first off you'd be missing a fantastic show, so that's really your loss, but that's not the point), shouldn't you also research every show you see ahead of time, including each and every lead's political beliefs, religion, and voting history? God forbid you should enjoy a show and then find out when you go home that they voted for McCain.

To me, it's one thing to boycott something that directly affects those who cause you pain. If it was Kelsey Grammer appearing at
'A Night of Right: The Teabagging for Palin Benefit', I could understand not wanting to go. But in this instance, Kelsey is one of two leads in a great production that actually celebrates a lot of important issues going on right now. If anything, I applaud him for appearing in something that no homophobic uber-conservative would even go to.

My beliefs aside, to each their own. If you really can't put your own politics aside to enjoy a show, I guess stay home. But you should also stay away from any movies or musicals employing Mormons, Republicans, or others who might disagree with you.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 2:15pm

Disagreeing with someone's political views is not the same as blanketly hating a different ethnic or racial group. It's not and no amount of word twisting will make it so.

That said, I think it's a matter of personal preference. If your feelings are so strong about another person's beliefs that it would take you out of the show, then I say skip it. Why waste all that money if if you are going to get the crap bugged out of you for three hours.

Personally, I don't think I could go see James Barbour in something, because I find him totally personally repugnant. I know people who feel that way about going to see something directed by Roman Polanski. Even that isn't exactly the same, because we are talking about specific acts these actors have committed as opposed to their ideology, but it's more in line with boycotting Grammer because of his beliefs than it is boycotting Denzel Washington because he is black.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 2:54pm

Not seeing a show because of someone's political orientation is absolutely ludicrous.

What about all those people who refused to support Twilight franchise because Stephanie Meyers donates 10% of her income to the Mormon Church...which used that money to help pass Prop 8?

Updated On: 5/1/10 at 02:54 PM

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 2:56pm

I consider myself a Republican and still go to NYC and see lots of Democrats perform on stage.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 3:01pm

That is a very well-put distinction, Phyl, but bigotry encompasses intolerance of all kinds, some having nothing to do with ethnicity or race. I'd concur that it is really pointless to go see a show if you really despise the actor, for whatever reason, but I find op's original post a bit disingenuous. There is a difference between not wanting to see an actor whose politics (or behavior) I don't care for, and calling for a boycott for a show because that actor is in it. Not that nycfan overtly did call for a boycott, but s/he made a pretty quick jump (and attempt at connection) by comparing not wanting to see one actor to boycotting organizations.

Also, how would it be better to see a show that has actors whose politics you don't know? Maybe their politics are even worse. Is it okay if you don't know about it? Where do you draw the line? If nycfan feels strongly about this, does s/he check into the politics of everyone of every show (obviously not). Is nycfan okay with watching Grammer on TV?

eta: "What about all those people who refused to support Twilight franchise because Stephanie Meyers donates 10% of her income to the Mormon Church...which used that money to help pass Prop 8?"

Equally absurd. Blacklisting is blacklisting. If the film were made by, and all profits went to the Mormon church, it would be a different matter (for me, anyway). Ms Meyers can do with her money what she damn well pleases. I will confess that there is zero chance I'll support Twilight, but that's just because I don't like it.
Updated On: 5/1/10 at 03:01 PM

[nycfan2]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 3:01pm

Do we use the word "bigot" or "bigoted" as it is defined in the dictionary or is it a word used to define me as less than a thinking person? My objections to seeing the musical "silly?" See, that's not a word that makes me give credence to your argument. I'm not "silly." Immature is another word here - I'm 50 and been around the block a few times, god love me. Should I think this through a little more? Yeah, hence, the thread. But have you thought, really thought, about this even a little. My actions are far from "bigoted." That's reaching out to different ways of thinking. When any of you make sound arguments leaving out the hyperbole, then I listen. But using demeaning words like silly or immature is symtomatic of what is wrong with public and political discourse in this country. You could have said - that's not how I think about it. You could say as some posters here said that a person's politics is irrelevant to your enjoyment of a piece of theatre for these reasons and then told me. I would and did listen to that. But when inflammatory words are used inappropriately and for emotional value only, then the effectiveness of your objection is lessened. RE: Boehner - passage of HCR = "armageddon"; Beck and Limbaugh - "Socialism"; Obama - "Change".
Updated On: 5/1/10 at 03:01 PM

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/1/10 at 3:03pm

I am a libertarian (which, incidentally, is what Kelsey Grammar really is, if you compare him to actual Republicans) and very much enjoy posting on this board full of you insane commie pinko bastards.