Calif. Theatre Hate Over Prop 8

Have you read Susan Egan's letter about her intention to boycott California Music Theatre in Sacramento? It's been popping up all over the Interwebs today. I first read it on blogger and theatre critic Steven Stanley's Facebook page after Back Stage's Wenzel Jones and Les Spindle tipped me off to it. As if I needed another reason to devote more hours a day to Facebook....

You can read the letter and a good discussion about it on Broadwayworld.com here.

The gist is that Tony- and Drama Desk-nominated Egan will join Broadway composer Marc Shaiman in boycotting CMT because its artistic director Scott Eckern allegedly supported California's Prop 8 initiative, which -- unfortunately -- passed on Nov. 4. Egan notes that Eckern is listed on a site called Anti Gay Blacklist as having donated $1,000 to the Prop., which eliminated same-sex couples' right to marry.

Egan writes, "I am deeply troubled by the news about Scott, as I have worked for and known him since 1993. I find his behavior hypocritical at best and, more likely, distressingly prejudiced. Many of you friends who, like myself, have worked for Scott might be floored to know this news. I think at this point I shall do my best to 'out' him and any others like him. Folks who show (and make money) playing one game, but with an inner intolerance that denies everything our industry represents....

I support Marc Shaiman in his boycott of CMT, and hope others will follow -- as ticket-buyers, writers, musical directors, crew, designers and performers and more.... In support of my gay and lesbian friends I find it a travesty that the entire arts community is not standing in solidarity for equal rights. Shame on Scott."

Strong, well-written words indeed. I've contacted reps for Egan and Eckern to find out A) If Egan did write this letter, and B) If Eckern did contribute to pro-Prop 8 forces and what he thinks of this boycott. As my mentor and former Back Stage national news editor Roger Armbrust used to say, "A reporter never assumes."  

Personally, my friends and I have been reeling since Prop 8 (or "Prop Hate") passed. Dancing in the streets inspired by Obama's  win quickly turned into tens of thousands protesting throughout L.A. -- most notably in my 'hood Silver Lake on Saturday night. And as a native Angeleno, I'm devastated and embarrassed that voters in my home state aren't as evolved as I previously thought.

However -- and isn't always a big however?

Should CMT suffer if Eckern made a private donation to a political cause with his own money and on his own time? If he did so with CMT funds in the name of the organization, that is an unethical horse of a different color. But if he contributed to a cause privately -- even a cause that most artists seem to abhor -- should the insitution he works for be punished?

Frankly, I'm not sure. I worry about what could happen if we censure artists for contributing to political campaigns as private citizens. And what of the actors, directors, producers, tech crew, and other staff at CMT? Aren't they going to pay a price for Eckern's political belief?

Then again, I'll boycott a company and/or its products if their CEOs donate to causes antithetical to my beliefs. Is this is the same thing? One could say that Eckern's salary is made possible in part by gay artists such as Shaiman and Scott Wittman (left), whose hit Hairspray played CMT in August. Therefore, does he have a moral or ethical imperitive to support gay rights -- or at least withhold support from anti-gay rights legislation?

What do you think?

--Lauren Horwitch

Comments

[Laura Butler]

I personally agree with a boycott of CMT and applaud Susan Egan for taking on Scott Eckern's hypocrisy. Boycotting has never been an easy choice and kudos to you Lauren for presenting such a balanced perspective, but in this case its is clear - we have someone who makes a living on the backs of people he donates money to take away rights from. CMT should show him the door.

[Lonni]

Voting is a right extended to everyone in the country. I don't think it is right to retaliate against someone for exercising theirs in a way you don't like. You are attacking this man on a public website and didn't even bother getting your facts like whether or not he used his own money.

[Brett]

Elton John is against gay marriage. So is he a hateful bigot? Why don’t you attack and boycott Elton John?

http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-11-12-elton-john_N.htm

And what about the 3 judges on the California supreme court that voted against legalizing gay marriage? Are they bigots and hate mongers? Then why aren’t those judges being forced out? Where is the outrage against those 3 judges? Or is it possible they have expertise in the law and know that gay marriage is not a civil right?

This new “law” barely passed 4 against 3. That doesn’t mean it is suddenly correct.

So why don't those who believe in traditional marriage now boycott Marc Shaiman as he believes in gay marriage, which is considered immoral to many Californians? Those heterosexuals have supported him for years by attending his plays and productions. He lives a pretty nice life because of many heterosexuals who buy tickets and support his productions.

Now that Scott has been forced out his job I suppose you all feel terrific. Justice served right? Since when lately were any gays forced out of their jobs for supporting gay causes?

A lot of hypocrisy going on here!