Category: Theatre
Tarleton University cancels controversial production that depicts gay Jesus
Promotional still from 1998 New York production.
Tarleton State University has canceled Saturday’s performance of four student-directed plays, including “Corpus Christi,” the controversial production which portrays Jesus as gay.
In a media release (PDF) posted on it’s website Friday night, Tarleton cited an unnamed professor’s decision to cancel the performances “because of safety and security concerns for the students, as well as the need to maintain an orderly academic environment.”
On Wednesday, we reported that Tarleton, located in Stephenville, Texas, was expecting demonstrations Saturday protesting the student production of “Corpus Christi.”
Critics say the Terrence McNally play, which premiered in 1998 in New York, is blasphemous.
John Jordan Otte, the Tarleton student who was directing the production, said he chose it to help gay youths who may be struggling with their faith.
The release indicated there are no plans to reschedule any of the four canceled plays.
Previously from LGBTQ Nation:
Appeals court reverses Texas same-sex divorce case
Student play depicting gay Jesus planned at Texas university
Hundreds march in support of Austin men attacked in alleged hate crime
City moves forward with prosecution of bar patrons injured in 'Rainbow Lounge' raid
New musical chronicles relationship between two WWII-era gay servicemen
Two Austin men say attack was a hate crime
New musical chronicles relationship between two WWII-era gay servicemen
Bobby Steggert, left, and Ivan Hernandez in Yank
With “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the national headlines, along comes the York Theatre Company’s new off-Broadway musical about gays in the military.
Set during World War II, Yank! chronicles the relationship between two servicemen long before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was part of the national discussion.
With a lively score inspired by the pop sounds of the 1940′s, Yank! captures the spirit and exuberance of the era as it explores questions of prejudice, courage and survival.
While all the characters in Yank! are fictional, all of the situations and viewpoints come directly from memoirs and oral histories of gay (and straight) service members who took part in WWII.
Yank! runs thru March 21 at the Theatre at St. Peter’s in New York City.
It has been nominated for a GLAAD Media Award.
Previously from LGBTQ Nation:
British actors give acclaimed performances in off-Broadway play ‘The Pride’ (Video)
British actors Hugh Dancy and Ben Whishaw have won praise for their turns playing troubled gay lovers in an off-Broadway production that jumps back and forth from repressed 1950s London to 2008.
Hugh Dancy and Ben Wishaw in Alexi Kaye Campbell's 'The Pride.'
“The Pride” is Alexi Kaye Campbell’s sentimental story about a fraught love triangle in 1958 and a stormy gay relationship in the present day. Dancy and Whishaw portray two couples in the different eras who anguish over emotional isolation and gay identity.
The New York Daily News said “Dancy is particularly good as the controlled 1950s Philip, who can’t acknowledge his same-sex longings” and Whishaw was “a wonder to watch.”
Watch a preview here… Continue reading…
