Les MIs tour cast to Boycott Trump performance- Page 2

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 5/7/25 at 11:50pm

fray3 said: "On one hand I completely support what they are doing. But isn't that just proving him right and giving in to him? If there is no one to fight against hatred, then the battle is lost before it has even begun."

What he's trying to prove is that he is the arbiter of what should play at the Kennedy Center, this is actively taking away that from him. Making it so that the show can't go on because they say so, not him. Performing there is not fighting him, they'd be performing because he's allowed them to. In the grand scheme it should be Cam Mac pulling the show entirely from the Center, but he's too much of a rich douche to do so and this at least allows the cast to say SOMETHING while minimizing the risk to their employment. In the end I'm sure its going to be a situation where he ends up not attending the performance and it goes on as planned and the cast doesn't sit it out. 

[SnoopyQc]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 7:22am

What would be more funny would be to see those actors switch role. I would love to see a surprised genderswap performance before a crowd of Trump fan. And since Les Miz is an universal story, this gender swap would not alter the spirit of Victor Hugo’s story.

[Seb28]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 7:24am

All theatres should boycott this unprofessional Les Mis tour.

Theatre is not about judging your audience members. Those people should never work in theatre again. And the people on here who do not understand that should never visit a theatre again.

 

 

[THDavis]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 9:15am

To the naysayers: what IS the right thing to do? How many times have we read history books or watched films of times of oppression throughout history and think “Why didn’t anyone do anything?” Is that what you’re suggesting? Being the complacent sheep watching as “enemies of the country” are deported to foreign prisons as 45/47 is suggesting we send American citizens he deems to be a threat? You’re down to tolerate that for the 20th national tour of Les Mis to entertain the man stripping communities of their resources, rights, and dignity?
 

So instead of being critical of artists who are taking a stand and doing something, or those supporting them for making that decision, maybe question if the complacency of believing “the show must go on” in tolerance of The Fuhrer is truly just a people pleasing response to not ruffle feathers and tolerate the oppressive behavior out of personal discomfort. I’ll respect you as an individual for believing there’s another way, but until you have any alternative or suggestion instead of taking it on the chin, take your “tolerance” of these hateful politicians and shove it right up your…

[Seb28]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 10:00am

THDavis said: "To the naysayers: what IS the right thing to do? "

Not this. Because it's indirectly saying that what they think is being done to them is allowed to do to others too.

Write stories, perform them, seek unity, be the bigger person (if that's what you believe you are). The list is endless. But this kind of evil is not the right answer. It's unprofessional and it puts you completely out of the game.

Also, without this administration there would be no free society and theatre in 100 years at all. 

 

 

 

 

Updated On: 5/8/25 at 10:00 AM

[Huss417]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 10:05am

Seb28 said: "THDavis said: "To the naysayers: what IS the right thing to do? "

Not this. Because it's indirectly saying that what they thinkis being done to them is allowed to do to others too.

Write stories, perform them, seek unity, be the bigger person (if that's what you believe you are). The list is endless. But this kind of evil is not the right answer. It's unprofessional and it puts you completely out of the game.

Also, without this administration there would be no free society and theatre in 100 years at all.

It's sad that you think without this administration there would be no free society and theatre in 100 years. Does listening to Fox news really warp ones thinking this much?

 

 

 

 

"

 

 

 

Updated On: 5/8/25 at 10:05 AM

[Seb28]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 10:09am

Bless you, these facts are not only on that news channel. They are everywhere in the real world. Please explain what part of his explanation you do not understand or agree with. Thank you.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 10:37am

"Theatre is not about judging your audience members."

While I normally think this is correct, theater for all should be the goal, this fella is actively defunding theater across America. This is not a political theory, not his "deeply held belief," not a personality clash... theaters all across the country have actively had their funding pulled just this week. And it's still ongoing. An active protest for current, ongoing activity that the folks in the audience are directly responsible for is different than "I don't like how orange he is." 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 10:39am

SnoopyQc said: "What would be more funny would be to see those actors switch role. I would love to see a surprised genderswapperformance before a crowd of Trump fan. And since Les Miz is an universal story, this gender swap would not alter the spirit of Victor Hugo’s story."

They don't actually care...

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 10:39am

"these facts are not only on that news channel. They are everywhere in the real world."

How can someone's prediction of what 100 years in the future be facts? Is that how we're defining "facts" now? Opinions and predictions are not and never will be "facts" no matter how strongly you believe them.

[rannells_renthead.11]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 10:40am

how hysterically ironic is it that TRUMP wants to see les mis. these actors are doing exactly what their characters do in the show; banding together to show they're not gonna take it.

they want to make sure that trump can hear the people sing.

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 10:42am

rannells_renthead.11 said: "how hysterically ironic is it that TRUMP wants to see les mis. these actors are doing exactly what their characters do in the show; banding together to show they're not gonna take it."

All those characters except for Marius get shot. 

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 10:44am

Show up. Perform the show, and let the message of the musical speak for itself. If he shows up, do the entire final "Do You Hear the People Sing" directed entirely to him. 

That's called using your voice. Sitting out doesn't do squat. There will be somebody to replace you. It's showbiz.

 

[rannells_renthead.11]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 10:52am

BorisTomashevsky said: "rannells_renthead.11 said: "how hysterically ironic is it that TRUMP wants to see les mis. these actors are doing exactly what their characters do in the show; banding together to show they're not gonna take it."

All those characters except for Marius get shot."

that's the point though. they stand up and try to fight against injustice even though deep down they know they will get shot or face extreme consequences.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 11:01am

QueenAlice said: "Show up. Perform the show, and let the message of the musical speak for itself. If he shows up, do the entire final "Do You Hear the People Sing" directed entirely to him.

That's called using your voice. Sitting out doesn't do squat. There will be somebody to replace you. It's showbiz."

That's called being a little bitch. Its called you don't want to be inconvenienced. 

A silent voice can be just as effective as a loud one, and in this case, a silent one is going to be covered far more loudly than just... performing your show with a furrowed brow. 

It is also much harder to replace actors on such short notice especially when the people you reach out to know exactly why you're asking. 

Updated On: 5/8/25 at 11:01 AM

[MasterThespian 2]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 11:07am

THDavis said: "To the naysayers: what IS the right thing to do? How many times have we read history books or watched films of times of oppression throughout history and think “Why didn’t anyone do anything?” Is that what you’re suggesting? Being the complacent sheep watching as “enemies of the country” are deported to foreign prisons as 45/47 is suggesting we send American citizens he deems to be a threat? You’re down to tolerate that for the 20th national tour of Les Mis to entertain the man stripping communities of their resources, rights, and dignity?


So instead of being critical of artists who are taking a stand and doing something, or those supporting them for making that decision, maybe question if the complacency of believing “the show must go on” in tolerance of The Fuhrer is truly just a people pleasing response to not ruffle feathers and tolerate the oppressive behavior out of personal discomfort. I’ll respect you as an individual for believing there’s another way, but until you have any alternative or suggestion instead of taking it on the chin, take your “tolerance” of these hateful politicians and shove it right up your…"

Amen. There’s no reason to normalize the evil, disgusting behavior of Trump and his goons. I can’t imagine performing in front of that orange vulgarian. Congrats to the performers who want no part of the MAGA circus. And to that person who said we should never step foot in a theatre again, hahaha. Thanks for the laugh. I’ll be on Broadway tonight enjoying a show. But I so appreciate your deep concern. 

[seaweedjstubbs]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 11:49am

The cast and crew of Les Mis are being put in an impossible situation that none of them asked for. Please do not judge those who decide to perform and especially not those who are sitting out of that one performance. You have absolutely no idea the immense stress they’ve all been under. 

[Seb28]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 12:05pm

seaweedjstubbs said: "Please do not judge.... especially not those who are sitting out of that one performance."

They are the ones who judge. They judge audience members. It really is just as evil as being hired for any job and refusing to serve people who are black or gay. You might think you are winning your personal hate battle, or even lie to yourself that it's noble, but the world is losing with that standpoint. You really wouldn't want to live in a world like that.

And nobody in their right mind will judge performers for the fact that they do what they were hired to do. 

Updated On: 5/8/25 at 12:05 PM

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 12:13pm

Seb28 said: "seaweedjstubbs said: "Please do not judge....especially not those who are sitting out of that one performance."

They are the ones who judge. They judge audience members. It really is just as evil as being hired for any job and refusing to serve people who are black or gay. You might think you are winning your personal hate battle, or even lie to yourself that it's noble,but the world is losing with that standpoint. You really wouldn'twant to live in a world like that.

And nobody in their right mind will judge performers for the fact that they do what they were hired to do."

Today I learned the things like sending people to a foreign gulag without trial is... the same thing as refusing service to people who are black or Gay. You have exactly zero sense of reality and want people to act as though everything that is happening within this administration is normal business as usual when you know full f*cking well isn't because that is why you voted for him. You voted for this but for some reason you don't want to feel ostracized because of it? Too bad?

Updated On: 5/8/25 at 12:13 PM

[Ensemble1698878795]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 12:16pm

Seb28 said: "All theatres should boycott this unprofessional Les Mis tour.

Theatre is not about judging your audience members. Those people should never work in theatre again. And the people on here who do not understand that should never visit a theatre again.

Respectfully, would you expect a Jewish actor to perform for a Nazi during the Holocaust or a Black performer to perform for a KKK member in a sun down town? This isn't about theater anymore. It's about morals, life, rights and freedom. Trump is a piece of trash and would love every Queer person in that company stripped of their rights. Part of our "American freedom" is for people to choose what they see fit for themselves. In 2025 the rules are different. Theater is political and also human beings are afraid for their lives. I'd call Trump unprofessional before these actors. It's a musical, everyone will be alright. Our country, not so much.  

 

[seaweedjstubbs]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 12:35pm

Seb28 said: "seaweedjstubbs said: "Please do not judge....especially not those who are sitting out of that one performance."

They are the ones who judge. They judge audience members. It really is just as evil as being hired for any job and refusing to serve people who are black or gay. You might think you are winning your personal hate battle, or even lie to yourself that it's noble,but the world is losing with that standpoint. You really wouldn'twant to live in a world like that.

And nobody in their right mind will judge performers for the fact that they do what they were hired to do."

You…….seem troubled. I’m sorry for whatever happened in your life that lead you to become the person you are. But remember, it’s never too late to seek help and change. Best of luck to you.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 12:42pm

It really is just as evil as being hired for any job and refusing to serve people who are black or gay

Just as evil? Just as evil to serve vulnerable and minority communities? The Sociopaths in Charge don't deserve a fun night out. They don't even deserve anything positive in any of their lives. They are actively stripping Americans of fundamental rights simply for not voting for them. Knowing NO ARTISTS would EVER vote for him or anyone in the beautiful Rainbow Community is the only reason he is suddenly "interested in the arts". It's about control, misery, pain and making everyone around them suffer. Remember, his mentor was ROY COHN who had three rules that Melonball Rapist has followed since the 1980s:

1. ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK

2. DENY DENY DENY

3. ALWAYS HAVE AN ACTIVE LAWSUIT IN THE COURT

So, your ignorance, delusion, cruelty, stupidity, and lack of any common sense is not wanted or needed in this space. You equate hateful, cruel, sociopathic people who want to take away rights/resources/education away from anyone that doesn't agree with them to vulnerable and disenfranchised communities? It's laughable and embarrassing. F*ck outta here. 

[Huss417]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 1:08pm

Not that it will make any difference but I sat down and sent an email off to Cameron Mackintosh to let my feelings be known. He holds quite a bit of blame in this as he could have pulled the production out of the Kennedy Center but instead he is putting his "employees" in harms way.

Just thought I would pass on the info if anyone else felt like letting him know your feelings on the matter.

[e-mail]

https://www.cameronmackintosh.com/contact

 

 

[getatme]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 1:11pm

Seb28 said: "THDavis said: Also, without this administration there would be no free society and theatre in 100 years at all."

 

 

A patently insane thing to do and then shared with a video of Stephen Miller, one of the most vile and repugnant people on earth, means the rest of your post loses any ounce of credibility it may have had. And there was no credibility to begin with.

I applaud the cast members who are boycotting performing for this man.

[jakethesnake]

Posted: 5/8/25 at 1:21pm

Here's a thought.   Not all actors are the same.  They are all individuals with different thoughts, values, and opinions.   Some may have their reasons for wanting to boycott the performance.  Some may align with the left.  Some may align with the right.  Some may be centrists.  Some may agree with those that are boycotting but feel it is their responsibility to do the performance.   They aren't the ones who created this mess of a situation or this mess of a world.  Let's cut them some slack and let them do what they feel comfortable with without judgement.  As someone wrote earlier in this thread, the actors have been put in an impossible situation.