La Cañada High School's decision to produce the play "Bat Boy" as its spring musical has caused quite a bit of controversy. Written by Keyethe Farley and L.A. filmmaker/playwright/blogger Brian Flemming, the darkly comedic play spoofs our tabloid culture (Bat Boy, of course, is a frequent cover subject of the infamous Weekly World News). The original script does, indeed, get graphic; the school is planning on producing an edited version.
About 200 parents gathered at the school last night, some to protest and others to support the school's decision to produce a version of the play. Darleene covered it for the Glendale News-Press:
Principal Mike Leininger told the audience of nearly 200 that he met with drama teacher Gale Caswell several times to discuss the play before allowing her to go forward with using it for the spring musical. Ads for the performance will include a disclaimer that it might not be appropriate for children younger than 13. Leininger told the audience he suggested elements of the play to Caswell that could be toned down.
But those reassurances did not appease parents like Belinda Randolph and Karen Mathison.
"This is not an issue about censorship or morals," Randolph said, adding that she took issue with the decision being made without notifying parents.
"I find it inconsiderate," Randolph told the board. "From my understanding, some students read the original script. I am stunned that that was allowed into the hands of minor children."
The parents even created a website, www.notbatboy.com, to garner support for their protest.
But on his blog, Flemming is stunned to learn that the school board -- in conservative La Cañada Flintridge, no less -- has decided to support the drama department in putting on the play:
Even though, as my source tells me,
Bob Waliszewski showed up. He is on the staff of Focus on the Family. He flew in from Colorado Springs to ask the Board to cancel the musical. He said Dr. James Dobson was horrified when he heard about the musical.
Apparently the drama students at the meeting were quite eloquent in defense of the freak (Bat Boy, not Dobson). God bless the little perverts.
My thanks to drama teacher Gale Caswell, administrators and staff of the school (this time, even the principal is on the side of the angels), the Board, and of course the students. They're all standing up to quite a lot of pressure, and I admire the hell out of them.
According to Flemming, "Bat Boy" has already been performed at schools such as Victor Valley High (Victorville, Calif.) and Jesuit High School (Sacramento).
No comments:
Post a Comment