Orange County high school version of "Rent" cancelled because it features...gulp...gay characters

[marmar]

525,600 bigots.....


from the LA Times:


High school play canceled over possible objections to gay content
Drama teacher at a Newport Beach high school says the principal shut down his production of 'Rent' because of its gay characters. District officials say the principal only asked to read the script.

By Susannah Rosenblatt
February 18, 2009


Drama students at Corona del Mar High School were excited to push the envelope with a spring production of the Bohemian love story "Rent."

But the drama teacher at the Newport Beach school says the principal told him to cancel the show because she disapproved of the gay characters in the musical.

Fal Asrani, the school's principal, disputes that she pulled the plug on the production, saying that she only asked to review the script, according to district officials.

Now, amid growing backlash and consternation from some students and members of the gay community, the actors at Corona del Mar High are grudgingly preparing for a very different show: "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." The drama teacher said it's a safer choice and one sure to pass muster with his boss.

Ron Martin said he chose "Rent," the story of artists struggling in New York City, for the spring musical because he hoped it would be a vehicle for teaching tolerance after overhearing students using homosexual slurs. ........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gay-play18-2009feb18,0,438002.story