Pennsylvania School Shuts Down ‘Kismet’

The Richland School District in Johnstown, Pa. has decided to scrap its February-planned musical, "Kismet" and put on "Oklahoma!" instead, the Associated Press reported Tuesday. According to Superintendent Thomas Fleming, the Tony-award winning production, based on the life of a Muslim street poet,’ was replaced after several community members complained that its staging was too close in timing to the tenth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

At first glance, the musical's content does not seem controversial—unless you consider setting a musical in ancient Baghdad controversial. Concern over staging the production may also be due to the fact that United Flight 93 crashed in nearby Shanksville, Pa., Fleming told The Associated Press.

He went on to say that the musical may be potentially produced in the future, but nothing has been decided yet.

Comments

[Karen]

I am seriously dismayed by this news. My personal impulse is to jump up onto my soapbox and cry intolerance and racism. From the tenor of this story, it appears that those base and loathsome human qualities exist in abundance within the community of Johnstown. But before I rev my engines, I think it would be prudent to know more about the true motivations behind the this action. The article implies that this community has made this choice because of it is hyper sensitive due to its proximity to Shanksville but, that hasn't been confirmed. It also implies a method of dealing with "the muslim question" that hasn't been confirmed either.

Should any amount of reactive behavior or racism be in play here then this is a case for general outrage. A choice like this doesn't occur in a vacuum. Teaching children that a piece of art is unworthy because it depicts a culture that is out of favor (in this case Iraqi culture of yore) in a positive and human way is reminiscent of the steps that Hitler took during the early years of his rise to power in Germany. I shudder to think what they will do with the character of Ali Hakkim.

Backstage, you have a wonderful opportunity to get the story right and do some good in the national arts and education scenes. Please pick up where AP left off. Do the due diligence, get more information and add clarity to a potentially very serious situation.

Thank you.

[jay]

Absolutely an excuse to exercise racism. Shame on them.