Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay Characters
Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay Characters
#1Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay Characters
Posted: 2/18/09 at 5:35pm
A high school in Newport Beach, Calif., has become the latest to cancel a student production of RENT, though the reasons for its cancellation remain murky. Ronald K. Martin, the school’s drama instructor, said the production was canceled by the principal, Fal Asrani, who objected to its gay characters.
NEW YORK TIMES:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/arts/18arts-NOTEENAGEREN_BRF.html
PLAYBILL:
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/126418.html
* * * *
If you feel passionately about the school's decision to cancel RENT, especially for the alleged reason in doing so, feel free to copy/paste this open-letter I composed to Principal Asrani of Corona del Mar High School
* * * *
TO - fasrani @ nmusd.us
CC - rmartin @ nmusd.us
SUBJECT - Please Read: The Effects of Canceling RENT
Dear Principal Asrani
It is with disappointment that I contact you. Upon reading the New York Times article, I have become aware of your poor choice in canceling Corona del Mar's production of the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning musical RENT.
The alleged basis for its termination is both appalling and intolerable.
To restrict your student's the opportunity of performing this important piece of American theatre on the grounds of the sexuality of some of its characters sends an devastating message to your students, and perpetuates a deeply-seeded misunderstanding of gays and lesbians in our modern society.
Had you taken the opportunity to read the script in its entirety, or perhaps even attend a production of RENT, you would learn that the musical provides deep and unique insight into many aspects of life. Its overall theme is about embracing the day, learning to love, and appreciating your friends and family. Indeed, some characters juggle with real-life difficulties including drug-abuse, HIV and straight and gay-relationships... but these are real things. Things you cannot hide from inquiring young high-school minds.
Often, the Performing Arts provides perfect allegories to real life, and can be a vehicle for discussing difficult subjects.
More than ever, educators should be preaching tolerance and love of all people. We live in a country awash in hate, with children learning too-early that it is "okay" to treat someone unfairly because they are different. It is the responsibility of teachers and loved-ones to instill the values and ethics of fairness and tolerance of all people.
The fire of hate can be sparked with the slightest of actions. Unfortunately for the students of Corona del Mar, they have been taught that material (literature, fine art, or performance) about or portraying gays and lesbians is "unacceptable." This is NOT a life lesson.
While some parents may not be prepared or open to discussing sex, drugs and adult-life, the musical RENT provides a window for some students to comfortably learn about these subjects in the safety of an academic environment. RENT focuses on issues these children are bound to learn on their own; if not through the assistance of peers, but from guardians or their parents.
I know your High School aims to focus on aspects of your students' development, especially on communication and college readiness. Banning a school production on the basis of adult-themes is hardly a step in the right direction for positive communication or college readiness.
But there is an issue far more important than the cancelation of RENT, and this is the cancelation of your students' passion.
High school is a terribly transformative period for teenagers, and finding a passion they can attach themselves is imparative to their forming self-worth in the world. Finding a niche to explore, compete, drive and harvest creative energy (such as the dramatic arts) is healthy and necessary for students. Your action to cancel their musical doused that passion... may we both hope they can heal and move-on, able to find some other means of keeping their passion burning.
Principal Asrani, I am not asking you to remount their production of RENT. I only ask that you provide a public apology to your students in the drama department, for canceling their show.
And I ask you make deep efforts to remind your educators that tolerance and love of all people is the greatest lesson you can teach any child.
Respectfully,
YOUR NAME
Updated On: 2/19/09 at 05:35 PM
#2re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay Characters
Posted: 2/18/09 at 5:47pmThank you. I sent it. Not sure what it will do, but thought it was worth a shot.
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#2re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay Characters
Posted: 2/18/09 at 5:55pmWe don't know that's the real reason it was cancelled. This basically just someone claiming something with no evidence to back it up.
Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!
TheCharleston
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/18/08
#3re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 5:58pmmormon - emails from random people won't do anything... so to answer your question: nothing.
#4re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 6:01pm
This should work as well as the Australian Phantom cast recording petition.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Updated On: 2/18/09 at 06:01 PM
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#5re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 6:07pm
Feel free to cut and paste!
Dear anonymous principal-
I heard you canceled your school's production of Rent. Good for you. It sucks. If you're looking for a replacement, check out Anything Goes. MUCH better.
Anyways, I bet you got plenty to do running your school.
Later-
#6re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 6:10pmIt may not make them put the production back on, but I liken this to a bunch of angry parents complaining about a show's content. If an administrator gets enough complaints either way, they know they've done something wrong. And it took a full minute out of my day. Oh the sacrifices I make.
nydirector2
Featured Actor Joined: 10/4/05
#7re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 6:14pm
Jesus Christ, why don't people know the meaning of this word.
ALLEGED: (of an incident or person) said, without proof, to have taken place or to have a specified illegal or undesirable quality
Let the poor principal do his job.
#8re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 6:47pm
See, people, at least JoeKv99 is willing to put forth the effort into writing something original.
I love the word Snopes coined: "slacktivism."
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
PiraguaGuy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/08
#9re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 6:49pmThis "activism" against homophobia reminds me of Glinda's activism for Dr. Dillamond in Wicked!
Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#10re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 7:03pm
mormonophobic: I don't think it will do any good if you're not an actual parent of a student there who can threaten to pull said student from the school. Or a member of the school board, stuff like that.
I just can't believe everyone's attacking the principal without any proof that it was the reason the production was cancelled. There are plenty of valid reasons not to let a high school put on RENT.
Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!
CurtisTaylorJr2
Leading Actor Joined: 3/17/06
#11re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 7:16pmBottom line, the show is totally inappropriate and has no business being performed in schools. I don't think there is any hate involved, some people just have different ideas of what is appropriate subject material and almost everything about RENT makes it a wrong choice for a school production. There is no need to make a big stink about it, it's not that serious.
yeah
Featured Actor Joined: 10/2/08
#12re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 7:39pm
Ah, yes, the lack of evolution continues and it's still totally acceptable to hate on the homosexuals; be it out front and in the open, or from a more "alleged" point of view.
I'd give my left pinkie toe to see a production of "Porgy and Bess" canceled for "alleged" reasons.
Call a kid a "fag" in front of most teachers, and nothings done. Throw a negative epithet at someone over their race or religion, instant suspension. Why is one okay but the others not?
ALL HATE MUST STOP! ALL PREJUDICE MUST STOP!
TheCharleston
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/18/08
#13re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 7:40pmget MORE mad. I dare you.
#14re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 7:48pm<3
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
TheCharleston
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/18/08
#15re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 7:49pm
#16re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 8:24pmThere are bigger issues to worry about in the world right now than a canceled high school production of RENT.
"I will join this conversation on the proviso that we stop bitching about people. Wigs, dresses, bust sizes, penises, nightclubs and bloody Kylie!" - Bernadette, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#17re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/18/09 at 9:15pm
There are plenty of valid reasons not to let a high school put on RENT.
I thought you wanted us to do a good show. I mean if you wanted us to do a bad show, we could've done ReNt.
~Peter Griffin
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#18re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/19/09 at 12:12am
1. I know the meaning of "alleged;" hence my minimal usage of accusatory language in the first 2 paragraphs of the letter.
2. It really really doesn't hurt to try.
EDIT: Oh for goodness sake, whatever your real-life names are... I don't have any say on who is or isn't invited to post in a thread. My phrasing should have been "are not welcome"
It really is disheartening (and this goes beyond this High School RENT discussion) to see so many people on this thread eager to discount the ability/power of a quiet minority to speak-up (even against allegations to acts of intolerance). Am I to assume this crowd also doesn't sign petitions or write their congressman? Better to speak-up against an issue (alleged or not) than not speak-up at all.
Updated On: 2/19/09 at 12:12 AM
#19re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/19/09 at 12:13am
1. You may write for BWW, but that doesn't give you invite/un-invite abilities.
2. I don't think the fact that it only takes ~10 seconds is necessarily a selling point. It makes me feel like the principal in Back to the Future.
"SLACKERS!"
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Updated On: 2/19/09 at 12:13 AM
#20re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/19/09 at 12:18amOh Lizzie, I think I love you.
"I will join this conversation on the proviso that we stop bitching about people. Wigs, dresses, bust sizes, penises, nightclubs and bloody Kylie!" - Bernadette, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical
TheCharleston
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/18/08
#21re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/19/09 at 12:19am
Wait.
Eug has the power to uninvite message board users from viewing public domain????
Amazing magical powers.
#22re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/19/09 at 12:21am
Seems silly to complain about a completely unsubstantiated rumor. Why not wait to see what the actual reason for canceling the production was? There is a whole treasure trove of completely legitimate reasons for a high school not to perform Rent that have nothing to do with gay characters.
Updated On: 2/19/09 at 12:21 AM
#23re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/19/09 at 12:21amMaybe he wrote letters to ask the mods to give him those abilities. I don't know. Anything is possible in this wonderful world!
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Fosse76
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
#24re: Response to High School Cancelation of RENT on Alleged Grounds of Gay C
Posted: 2/19/09 at 11:29am
You people really are a bunch of losers, aren't you? The polite thing to do would have been to simply ignore the post. Alleged reason or not, the principal should now make the reason clear, since clearly it is bringing the school bad publicity.
As for CurtisTaylorJr2 comments, I find it amusing how hypocritical you are. In one breath you say that appropriateness is subjective and then claim with absolute certainty that RENT is inappropriate for high school. You can't have it both ways. There is nothing in RENT that is inappropriate for high schoolers. Society has a way of infantilizing youth to its detriment and "protecting" them from so-called "evils" of society. When in reality that does more damage than exposure to the so-called "evils."
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