stage door demo for Ripley's FAG slur Thurs. at 10 pm — Page 15

Hi Phyllis,

If you look at her facebook page, you'd actually see that many very well-known gay and lesbian people in the theater, besides Harvey, wrote messages on her page...many are younger, so their names may not be as recognizable to some.

Now, if some people are upset by me mentioning three celebrities in this note. But, it's to make a point. If I leave their names out, I cannot possibly make the point...

Max von Essen and I had a very brief facebook chat about my note, and he is a close personal friend of Alice's and knows she is no homophobe. And we all know she is not homophobic. Eccentric? Yes. Should be canonized? I have no idea what that means and who suggested that except regular fans who always say things like that.

Fans say fan things, fans are often worshipful of celebrities -- and of course performers are all deeply appreciative of the support. We know some fans support a celebrity no matter what... But what matters are what all of us colleagues of hers are saying, I think. The close friends of hers are who know her...

Speaking with Betty Buckley on the phone yesterday, she hadn't heard about it, and of course her first reaction was shock. But, of course, she doesn't think Alice is homophobic. But, it's very easy to quickly type a facebook status update without thinking, especially from a little phone. Alice's posts are often cryptic, funny and strange...and clearly impulsive, sometimes.

Lee Delaria wrote a post on my facebook page about it. Scott Nevins wrote in support...and many more...

And we all know Alice is not homophobic. It's just that simple.

I hope everyone will join Broadway Impact and march with the group in the Pride parade: www.BroadwayImpact.com

One thing that's interesting about all this -- What people are saying about her and others defending her is far more hurtful, hateful and absurd than the one word she blurted out from her little phone in response to somebody saying something quite nasty about her performing. It's all over this forum, and even MORE in others, which is why I came on here in the first place. It's unbelievable.

I wonder what purpose it serves those who engage in the vitriol? It's an interesting question for the vitriolic to ask themselves.

Attacks always compensate for vulnerability. Whenever we go on the attack or begin the insults, we are compensating for a perceived underlying threat or fear or "feeling of lack" about something going on with us. If there is a "charge" and reactivity in our response, we can know a vulnerability has been triggered. It's clear that happens a lot to people in this world. Hopefully, evolution will continue to happen and people will learn how to respect and love themselves more, and this will translate to being able to treat others more respectfully and with more love. But, it seems that will take a very long time indeed.

And again, as someone who is around creative people all day long (except when I'm message-boarding with my Cheetos, Wine and Teddy bear next to me), I can understand and appreciate the eccentricity and sensitivity and lack of God-like perfection among us...

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Updated On: 6/10/10 at 10:30 AM

Oh, Jason Bennett's still here.

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Don't assume everyone is Christian, Dearheart.

your avatar is Jesus on the cross...

What's everyone having for lunch? I'm really in the mood for a turkey sandwich so I might run to Lennys and grab one and maybe a bag of Cape Cod chips. Even though they tear the hell out of your mouth they're still the best chips.

Both issues are now addressed in my edit, Phyllis. Thanks for the feedback. I'm sorry you're feeling embarrassed. I hope you feel better soon.

Oh, and I agree what was said was homophobic. And she is also not a homophobe, fully supports my equality, and has worked for these causes for many, many years.

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Updated On: 6/9/10 at 10:48 AM

I just wanted someone to point out examples. I never said she didn't. Thanks, PJ.

Also, no one said she was the enemy. That's your way of framing it.

Updated On: 6/9/10 at 10:52 AM

I don't think she's a homophobe. I just think she made an incredibly stupid move by posting the status in the first place. And her initial reaction, where she came of as more annoyed than anything, bothered me more than the original post.
I do find it fascinating how some people will let these things slide when it comes out of the mouth of a celebrity they adore. Like I never understood when the boycott everything Morman craze was going on it wasn't ok to shop at a store owned by a Morman but it was ok to keep buying Twilight books.

The things I miss when I'm stuck in all-day conferences.

I called Tempestt Bledsoe to get her reaction this morning, but she was busy making tea.

"I called Tempestt Bledsoe to get her reaction this morning, but she was busy making tea."

HA! I'd be more interested in what she had to say than Betty Buckley.

I always thought Healthcliff H. looked kind of gay during some of those opening sequences.

Also, I second what ErikJ said before we started talking about Cosby.

What does Christ on the cross have to do with anything? Jason, this is no place for someone of your obvious intellect, despite your misuse of the word "like". Don't let them bug you, honey.

From facbeook: "Seth Rudetsky: Just FYI; re; Alice Ripley. I hate the word "fag" and I totally accept her apology. We have to look at people as their whole life experience...she has always supported the gay community and she was PISSED OFF at the hostile posting. Why don't instead work to stop the casual use of "fag" in everyday conversation. I don't buy the whole "we're gay and we can say it because we've reclaimed it." Love, Seth"

Maybe some of you can find ways to insult and dismiss Seth, as well...

As I said, what's clear from this forum is that many posters consistently say far more nasty things than Ms. Ripley did for one second. Now we have a Broadway legend insulted, Max insulted, Tempestt, want to go for Seth, too? Harvey Fierstein?

For those of you who actually like to make the world a better place, join us marching for equality in the pride parade... www.BroadwayImpact.com -- You don't have to be a professional performer to take part...

p.s. - irememberitwell -- It only bothers me in that it makes me sad about the state of things in this world. It doesn't bother me, personally, at all...And I very much appreciate your post.

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Updated On: 6/10/10 at 11:27 AM

As I said before, I am dealing with other stuff, so my participation is somewhat erratic, but I'm just going to close out my end of this discussion with a couple of thoughts:

Jason - I'm glad you found a method of which works well for you and for which you are clearly enthusiastic. As I said before, there is no one magic method for everyone and as we move from decade to decade, more magic methods will appear and gain momentum and popularity. While Stanislavsky may seem archaic, there are core values that are essential to study if just to get an understanding of the mechanics of acting and the evolution of the schools of thought and their reasoning. While this means that perhaps the entire Stanislavsky method may not be essential or required, it also does not mean it has to be wholly negated, either. By subscribing to one school of thought (or believing it is necessary), you willfully limiting your own creativity, imagination, objectivity and intellectual reasoning. While I do think there is some validity to elements of the modern method, I also think it is not as scientifically sounds as it purports. There is a difference between imagination and reality, but the terms must be more clearly defined as it can be argued that reality is subjective. I actually did a lot of research on the influence of Einstein's Theory of Relativity and its effects in theatre using Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author as a specific point of reference. In short, I had to illustrate the difference between "truth" and "fact". My comparison to "imagination" and "reality" mirrors that in terms of acting, but I think maybe it differs for you in some way. At any rate, that could be an entirely different debate, but I'll just say, do what works for you. Just be open to the suggestion that it may not work for others. And that doesn't make them wrong.

And for the record, I believe the majority of the people here stated numerous times that they don't believe Alice is homophobic. Hey believe she used a homophobic word, but were more angry that she took it so lightly and was completely dismissive and unapologetic for so long. I think spreading the word that the BWW community is up in arms because they think Alice Ripley is homophobic is a gross misinterpretation.

Maybe you're missing all the news, but I believe that there is plenty of focus on these other issues as well. It's not like we choose ONE issue and hone in on it to the exclusion of all else.

Thank you, taz. I don't know why people keep acting like there can only be one possible issue at time that should be addressed. This became a particularly heated discussion because it was occurring in the here (like, specifically HERE on BWW) and now. So, we're not supposed to talk about it because nothing else is being discussed at all? To me, it just says that the finger-pointer is the one who is more focused on this topic if they are unaware of every other thread and news item in existence.

Anyway, I think I'm done now. I'm very tired. I'm very anxious. And I'm in a lot of pain, physically and mentally. So just a heads-up to everyone if my appearance on the boards is sort of spotty.

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Updated On: 6/9/10 at 11:32 AM