In classic putting-a-fire-out-with-gasoline fashion, a “family friendly” community theater halted production of the musical Big Fish after a dispute with the director over a scene featuring two gay dads as extras.
Here’s how laughably innocuous director Nik Nemec’s intention was:
During the song “Stronger,” the show’s protagonist, Will Bloom, delves into his relationship with his father as he faces becoming one himself.
As part of the “bustling park scene,” Nemec decided to include two gay dads holding a baby.
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That is the extent of the “controversy.”
The producers at the Palisade Playhouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, initially approved the decision but changed their minds once they saw it in rehearsal. They said the characters had to go, which led the director to resign in protest, along with several actors.
In a statement posted to the theater’s Facebook page, founders Matt and Michelle Belliston explained their fear that the brief moment would “exclude” some audience members:
“In an effort to show genuine acceptance and welcome all, an initial compromise had been made upfront to include two gay fathers holding a baby and walking across stage as part of a scene with a bustling park setting. The direction shifted with blocking and scene direction that would have created an additional moment of reflection between the lead character and the gay parents during an emotionally charged song about the feelings of becoming a father for the first time. This added moment of focus created question about whether the director’s addition would convey a message about gay marriage in a way that would be seen as inclusive to some but exclusive to others.”
They also said they “grieve” because of the backlash the decision inspired:
“Palisade Playhouse’s founders grieve with those who feel hurt by this decision, but also grieve because of the intolerance and the spite with which they were treated as well. Palisade Playhouse remains true to its founding ideals, and for that reason, Palisade maintains the need as an organization to maintain a level of neutrality on this issue and many other issues, so that all people may feel welcome.”
“You are actually complaining that YOU were the ones facing intolerance?” asked one justifiably incredulous commenter.
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The show was canceled altogether and the Bellistons hoped the drama was squarely behind them.
And it was, until the musical’s big-name composer, Andrew Lippa, and writer, John August, heard what had happened.
They released a statement of their own to Deadline:
“This week we learned that an upcoming production of BIG FISH at the Palisade Playhouse in Pittsburgh has been canceled over a disagreement between the director and the theatre. Specifically, the director planned to include a same-sex couple as part of the background action during the song “Stranger.”
In defending their decision, the theatre argues that, “the script did not include any reference to the LGBT+ community.” That’s correct; nowhere in the script does it say that any character is gay or lesbian or trans. But nor does it say they aren’t. A director’s decision to signal that two silent characters are same-sex parents isn’t changing the text. It’s providing context and framing. It’s directing.
BIG FISH is a musical about parenthood, family and love. These are shared experiences of all human beings.
The theatre continues: “This added moment of focus created questions about whether the director’s addition would convey a message about gay marriage in a way that would be seen as inclusive to some but exclusive to others.”
Which feels another way of saying, “We didn’t want to risk offending anyone.”
And look, we get it. BIG FISH has been produced hundreds of times in the U.S. in part because it’s so family-friendly and unlikely to offend. There’s no sex or violence. In some cases, we will allow for words to be changed or omitted. We do this because we want as many people as possible to get to experience it – both as an audience and as part of a production.
But “family-friendly” shouldn’t mean ignoring reality. Let’s remember that in America there are all kinds of families, including ones with two dads, two moms, people of all gender identity, color and creed. Family-friendly is something bigger than it once was.
This notion of “thinking bigger” is something Big Fish’s hero Edward Bloom would certainly endorse. After all, his friends include a giant, a witch and a werewolf.
When we see #bigfishmusical videos on Instagram of high schools doing “Be The Hero,” it reminds us that the show we wrote inevitably changes with every production, every player, every choice. That’s theater. It exists only because people come together to put on a show.
We’re sorry the show won’t go on at Palisade Playhouse, but look forward to working with the director and company to find a new home for their production.”
– John August and Andrew Lippa
Mandrake
Some places in the country still haven’t entered the 21st Century. Their mindsets never left 1999.
man5996853
This is actually more about the theater and not the community. Pittsburgh has a very large gay community and the theater scene is generally inclusive and diverse. I’ve spent most of my life in or near Pittsburgh and have never even heard of the Palisade theater.
derek mcgillicuddy
It’s a shame for this community theater that “Birth of a Nation” was not written as a play. They could’ve staged it and held up the community values of the ethnic mutants in Pittsburgh (I have lived there).
frankie042172
i find it hilarious when people criticize racists for their backwards view the racists try to say they are the ones being judged for being backwards.
robert_moore
Very true. I got into a debate with someone who is a homophobic, racist asshole. It was a work event that included dinner, so I couldn’t simply walk away. When I told him his remarks were both racist, homophobic, and misogynistic, he started a monologue about intolerant liberals. I responded that I would never tolerate racists or homophobes, and that he ought to apologise to his mum for being such a daft wanker. I was becoming agitated and reverted to my English roots. I’m not sure he understood that “daft wanker” was an insult.
kofender
One crucial point of information is missing from this story (but has been conveyed elsewhere). The couple running this community theatre are anti-marriage equality Mormons, who are decidedly bigoted in their stance. It definitely colors the perspective here.
johnnymcmxxx
I’ve lived in Pittsburgh my entire life and never even heard of this “theater”. Upon checking it out, it is a barely existent sub-community theater in a shitty poor white trash neighborhood. Although it’s position in Pittsburgh’s thriving theater community is negligible, it is still a blight on the city’s reputation especially since Pittsburgh is a progressive and inclusive city.
Nahald
Gay marriage is now the law of the land. People really need to get used to it because as much as they may dislike it, being gay IS NOT A CHOICE. It IS as normal for us as it is for Heteros to be straight.
Dwik27
Germany 1938: “Yes, we are sensitive to the plight of the Jews and other non-Aryans, but we are for inclusion and really don’t want to offend the Nazi’s, so. . . .
joxx67
Why can’t gay men be “family friendly”?? This is the 21st century. !!
Aetherguard
hTo be honest, the written play does not say that any of the characters are heterosexual either. Other than the implication of heterosexuality for some characters due to becoming a father and all. Why not make a play with all Gay character except those that are specifically stated to be Straight in the writing of the play.
Simply put, that sounds just as ridiculous as then saying the characters are not written as gay.
Artistic license has been a thing for centuries in the Theater Arts and this is how the plays have grown over time and stay relevant to the audience as time goes by.
We need more of what I call “gently inclusive” moments in plays, small screen, and big screen performances. I do not want to shock people with Nth degree stereotypes or extremes. Just clean, simple, fun, loving, happy, romantic, cooperative, caring relationships of all kinds.
Welcome to the 21st Century Everyone!
Kevan1
P.S. Every theater is attended by gays and people who love theater, and those that love theater a majority love and support there gay friends families and the community. There is no theater without gays, at least good theater.
I also learned a long time a go the TYPE customers you are talking about DO NOT always know whats right, best or gets what they want, regardless of the old sayings.
hansniemeijer
The Family Of “Human Kind” is inclusive. Period.
nitejonboy
I directed a production of a modern comedy at my local playhouse which contained some language and was told I’d have to issue a warning if I was going to include it. I decided not to make a big deal out of it and cut it. Then later, they staged a play based on a classic novel, and kept all of the language it contained, and no one complained and there were no warnings given. Hypocrisy much ?
ass eater
they can put a show called the bachelor on tv with one man sexing, and making out with twenty women, but a show about 2 gay men who are dads are a threat to humanity.
SPEEDOSWIMMER
May those poor souls be WOKE some day soon.
????????????
SPEEDOSWIMMER
??? <— emoji of smiling with halo above head
SPEEDOSWIMMER
WOW!!! JUST discovered that the emojis are not published as emojis but as the question mark symbol.