Activists hope Broadway stars won't perform during Republican convention

[Nambe]

LPI Media Inc

An anti-Bush organization is hoping Broadway stars will call in sick the night they're scheduled to perform for delegates at the Republican National Convention, reports the New York Daily News's Rush & Molloy. Gary Boston and Jeff Adler of www.shutitdownnyc.com are approaching Broadway performers, particularly gay men, and asking them not to perform on September 1, when convention delegates have been given tickets to eight shows, including 42nd Street, Aïda, Bombay Dreams, and The Phantom of the Opera. "There are a lot of gay people in the Broadway community," Boston told the News, "and basically asking them to sing and dance for them while they're writing them out of the Constitution."

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[stopbush]

1. You know, I hate when activists single out a single constituency

to protest like this.

Why must the talent take it on the financial chin? What about the taxi drivers, the hotel workers, the deli operators, and on and on - the other denizens of NYC who will be "enabling" the RNC by providing their services to visiting delegates during the RNC? Are they being asked to participate in similar actions? I doubt it.

These stage performers belong to unions, and they are probably prohibited from taking certain job actions. Refusing to perform without cause could well be grounds for dismissal from a show, and in a union where 96% of the members at any given time are un- or under-employed, the typical hoofer or chorister could be protesting their way right out of their livelihood.

I really don't approve of this kind of spotlight being thrown on people who are just trying to get by.

And, there is another way: go on with the show and show the knuckle draggers just what and *who* they're attacking when they denigrate gays and showbiz "elites." What better way to say "fuck you" to the simians than to give them the old smell of the greasepaint, roar of the crowd treatment?

[Rowdyboy]

2. Maybe we could persuade Ronstadt to substitute for the female lead

That would truly piss them off!

[Piperay]

3. I agree

I think this is a much better tactic.

[Cronus Protagonist]

5. You didn't read the site, apparently.

They call for all service workers to take the day off, not just the on-stage talent.

SHOVE IT! - Drop Bush Not Bombs! - Hero Kerry AWOL Bush
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[stopbush]

6. You're correct. I didn't check out the hyperlink. My bad. n/t

[Cronus Protagonist]

4. Look who's the featured site at hated.com

http://hated.com

:)


SHOVE IT! - Drop Bush Not Bombs! - Hero Kerry AWOL Bush
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[kaos]

7. Maybe I am missing something here?

Are some anti-Bush organizations trying to shut down the right to Free Speech?

[Nambe]

8. I think there is a lot of bitterness from the patriot act and....

the anti gay marriage mess. Some feel this is their only chance to strike back at the conservatives, and it probably is.

[TheDonkey]

9. Rethugs will watch gays sing and dance but write them off the constitution

it's an interesting angle. It is sad that these republicans will bash a segment of our society that is quite productive.

[Liberal Gramma]

10. Same ploy, different issue

They feel the same way about black entertainers. Good dancers, nice voices, but don't let them vote.

[Ernesto]

11. Put on the blackface

Where's dem minstrel boys?... Oh why they be on down to Broadway, don't ya think?

[drdtroit]

12. I know one show for sure they won'y see

"the FROGS" at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, Lincoln Center

http://www.theatrescene.net/ts%5Carticles.nsf/0/745481E67E4D29E785256EEE00442B87?OpenDocument