Whitty Forgives Sacramento Artistic Director.

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 11/11/08 at 3:49pm

In a move I greatly applaud, Avenue Q writer Jeff Whitty has taken a pro-active step in this fight.

"Yesterday Scott made an apology that I find convincing and sincere. He backed it up with a donation to HRC. During our phone call, I sensed that there was some real ambivalence, even regret, over this issue, not necessarily related to his future at California Musical Theatre. While my activist side is saying, "Make an example of somebody!", I also would rather hold an unrepentant bigot's feet to the fire. Scott Eckern isn't that.

Scott has been taking calls and exchanging/enduring dialogue at a time when I think most people would have keep their heads firmly planted in the sand. I applaud him for not shutting down, and instead keeping himself open to an overwhelming degree of criticism. He has engaged in dialogue with some of his angriest critics, which speaks volumes.

I look forward to working with the California Musical Theatre in the future. While I think their artistic director made a grave mistake, it was a mistake he then addressed in an honest and human way.

That's all from me."
Whitless.com

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/11/08 at 3:50pm

So when are you going to write a BWW item about this and then not mention HRC because you don't like them?

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/11/08 at 4:27pm

I respect Whitty's statement. I think this community has made itself clear to the man and a dialogue has begun. Hopefully, there will be healing of the divide this caused and we can move forward.

That's a much better path.