This is so nutty we are actually kind not completely convinced that it’s real: a woman in the audience of the play Deathtrap was so outraged by a gay kiss that she wrote an insane angry email to the theater. Then the Pioneer Theater Company in Salt Lake City responded brilliantly.
We’re not saying the email is fake. It’s just so over-the-top that it defies logic. Here is her complaint, with our comments:
- “was infuriated with the explicit, homosexual display on stage” (To be clear, we’re talking about a brief kiss that lasts about three seconds.)
- “I realize that, unfortunately, you feel you must appeal to an insignificant minority of patrons by offering ‘edgy’ material. I regret that you feel that way. I have wasted many tickets the last two years by choosing NOT to attend plays that were offensive and vulgar.” (She’s probably referring to The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Gaaaaaaay!)
- “It took all of my self control as I fumed in my seat for the long minute before intermission. Why was brazen homosexual content not included in the advisory?” (This is a good point. Brazen homosexual content should be included in everything.)
- “I have NEVER been so disgusted and infuriated! I was livid. The decision on the theatre’s part not to divulge repulsive content was irresponsible and negligent!” (Also, the concessions stand was out of Raisinettes, which is a moral outrage on a scale not seen since the sacking of Rome.)
Who gets this bent out of shape about a quick kiss? It’s crazy. It feels almost like a prank email, written by some gay person who wants to make bigots looks even worse.
Whatever the case, the theater’s response is perfect. Some excerpts:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
I have to ask, and I do so in all sincerity: In putting on Deathtrap, we are “play acting,” and in this particular play we show two characters carrying out a cold-blooded murder, and then we show them kissing as the motivation for the murder. You object to the kissing, but not to the fact that they’re murderers? You are comfortable with your son witnessing an enacted murder, but not a same sex kiss? …
Based on your letter, I anticipate that I might receive several more on this subject. (I half expect to get other letters of complaint from other patrons who accuse the play of “gay bashing” by revealing the character’s murderous impulses to be a function of their homosexuality—I’ve learned in twenty-three years that there’s nothing we can do that won’t offend somebody). Even if that happens—even if I get twenty letters– the vast majority of our patrons will enjoy the show and regard the kissing “reveal” as a shocking but satisfying plot twist. In that circumstance—if the majority of our patrons don’t feel “betrayed” by our not mentioning the kiss—I would not tell you you’re wrong to be offended, but I would ask you to consider who we’re writing the advisories for: the 80-90% of our patrons who aren’t offended by the element in question, or the 10-20% who are? …
I always hate to lose a patron, but it is, I’ve found, better to lose a patron than risk betraying her trust and offending her repeatedly, something we have apparently done in your case.
Also, delightfully, the theater refused to refund her tickets for Sweet Charity, which is a show about a hooker.
jckfmsincty
She should just stay home and watch television.
Zekester
@jckfmsincty: But only Hallmark Channel. I was watching Frasier on Hallmark Channel last night and they bleeped the word “butt”. I’m sure they would never allow a gay kiss to pass their censors. That would be the perfect channel for this hyper pious woman.
utahman801
This is what we have to endure day in day out.
Chris-MI
It’s kind of hard to class something that premiered in 1978 as “edgy.” As for the brazen homosexual content, I wasn’t expecting it the first time I saw the play, and it was a bit of a shock. Less so than the murder itself though, given that the plot up to that point led you to expect something rather different.
Comixbear
I can see it now…Going to see Deathtrap in the theatre and seeing in the program: “Caution: The two murderers are gay men who will kiss. Now forget that surprise element since there are two male main characters and be surprised.”
Elektra1138
@jckfmsincty: God forbid she ever sees/reads anything by Shakespeare (Yes, I’m sure she doesn’t recognise the name). The poor woman would be distraught!
Kieran
The theater should have sent this poor lady a complimentary ticket to the 21st century.
sanfranca1
Lady, you are just Looney Toons! What rock have you been living under for the last two or three decades?
Billy Budd
I love the movie with Christopher Reeves and Michael Caine. It is really good. My favorite line: “Please bring me yogurt. Any flavor, except prunes”.
tjr101
I feel sorry for this lady’s teenage son, whether he’s gay or not. What an utter imbecile of a mother to have.
Billy Budd
Sorry, it is Reeve.
gaym50ish
Even in the days when married couples in TV sitcoms were depicted sleeping in twin beds, a kiss was just a kiss.
It never became “sex” until two guys did it.
DK
@Kieran: Comment of the day. You win.
JonahM01
@Kieran: Bwahahahaha!! Priceless response!
SteveDenver
She should have saved her money for movie tickets to see NOAH. It’s about a psychopath deity who mass murders men, women and children because he felt unloved.
damon459
I have to wonder if there really are people who get that upset over being out of Raisinets?
anubis0614
So she’s oaky with the murder part, not a 3 to 5 second man on man kiss on stage? I feel sorry for her son having to be raised in a household like that.
LubbockGayMale
As the longest running play in history (for many years) and a brilliant movie with Caine and Reeves, how is she so unaware of the story? If she’s such a theater snob as she claims, surely she would have had some inkling of the plot! So, it’s BS, or it’s assinine on her part. Either way, who cares?