<p>I have been following this topic with interest, but have not commented because I prefer not to get into arguments about religion. And this discussion has been a very clear illustration of the fact that arguments about religion often turn into wars. So I hope no one will misinterpret my comments as a statement of my religious beliefs. After re-reading the original Playbill article, I feel that the original issue is more of a procedural than a religious one. To explain what I mean, I’d like say this:</p>
<p>I work regularly as a director/performer at a theater that is located at, and sponsored by a Presbyterian church, of which I am not a member. They are very supportive of the performing arts, but do exert control over the subject matter that is presented. I don’t always agree, but must respect their wishes because they offer the location and opportunity to perform for many actors. Some of the shows they have vetoed are Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, Evita, and Company. As a director, I would NEVER cast and rehearse a show without the express permission of the person in charge, whoever that might be; particularly if there was anything remotely controversial involved. That’s just foolish and poor planning. If you’ve ever been involved with any religious organization, you should understand that it’s a “corporate” mentality. So:</p>
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<li><p>Ms. Papin, although she is director of the school’s fine-arts program and director of La Cage, is not the boss. She is an employee who neglected to inform the Diocese that she intended to produce the show. That was her mistake. She should have known better.</p></li>
<li><p>The Bishop did not hear about the show until just before it was due to open. No one from the production even spoke to him; he read about it in a local paper. He then made the decision to cancel the production. Whether or not we agree with the decision, that’s his job – to oversee events in the diocese. He undoubtedly felt ambushed by the fact that he was never consulted. In fact, it sounds to me like it was quite intentional. Again, I feel Ms. Papin is to blame here. Perhaps if she had approached the Bishop early on, and had a reasonable discussion with him, he would have seen things her way. Maybe not – but her actions eliminated that possibility.</p></li>
<li><p>“Ms. Papin and cast member’s parents rallied around the production”…and the show went on in another location. That was certainly their right. Clearly the parents did not feel La Cage was a threat to their children – and this seems a clear illustration of the “parents’ rights” issue that Gilbert has mentioned. </p></li>
<li><p>It has been mentioned in this thread that if you don’t like a church’s message, you don’t have to belong to it. It would be very interesting to know what is happening to those parents and children who were involved in this controversy. Are they still members of the church, or has this issue turned them against it? And what about the other members of the church – do the majority of them support the Bishop’s decision? I don’t know the answers to these questions – but it would certainly make for (another) interesting discussion.</p></li>
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