Wednesday, November 12, 2008
THIS IS WHAT AN ASS LOOKS LIKE
I'm fired up about Scott Eckern (Artistic Director of the California Music Theatre) and his $1000 contribution to the 'Yes On Prop 8' campaign. And I'm glad the musical theatre community is calling him to task on it.
Jeff Whitty says,
Marc Shaiman says,
But really, is this that surprising? A commenter on Parabasis hit the nail on the head in saying,
But if what Eckern says is true: "I honestly had no idea that this would be the reaction", then I have to wonder how poorly the anti-prop 8 campaign was handled, that the Director of the California Music Theatre not only supported, but gave One Thousand Dollars to help it pass. And didn't think that was a bad idea, personally or professionally.....Didn't think anyone would care. It blows my mind.
********************************
On the lighter side, Queerty.com posted a list of some big Anti-Prop 8 Contributors and I have to give it up for David Hyde Pierce who gave $40,000. He had it to give and he gave it, and that makes me proud and a bit weepy (I'm feeling a little guilty right now). (note: Brad Pitt's $100K is noteworthy too).
UPDATE: Scott Eckern resigned today. ¶ 11:27 AM
I'm fired up about Scott Eckern (Artistic Director of the California Music Theatre) and his $1000 contribution to the 'Yes On Prop 8' campaign. And I'm glad the musical theatre community is calling him to task on it.Jeff Whitty says,
"he's one of those hypocrites who profits from the contributions of gays, whose soul is fed by us and pockets lined by us, but thinks of us as ultimately damned. And I support anyone who’s moved to cancel subscriptions and tickets and write letters and express their feelings about Mr. Eckern’s actions."Whitty's show AVENUE Q is set to perform there this spring.
Marc Shaiman says,
"the idea that money from his salary that was, in a small way, made from a production of HAIRSPRAY had now been put to use to pass this bigoted Proposition truly hurt and sickened me and that no future project of mine would ever play his theatre."Good luck planning a season next year Scott....if you still have a job by then.
But really, is this that surprising? A commenter on Parabasis hit the nail on the head in saying,
[this story] "brings to the fore some very provocative questions about the uneasy alliances and contradictions that have simmered under the surface of American musical theatre for years. It's an art form counts gay men as an overwhelming majority of its practitioners, yet I'm willing to say that the bulk of its consumers are homophobes."Mr. Eckern's public apology doesn't make me feel any better. It sounds more like, 'I'm sorry I got caught'. He basically says 'my church made me do it'. This season CMT is producing AVENUE Q and THE COLOR PURPLE, two shows rife with gay issues, and it sucks to know they are being produced by this man (read: gay jokes made by anti-gay straight people aren't funny anymore).
But if what Eckern says is true: "I honestly had no idea that this would be the reaction", then I have to wonder how poorly the anti-prop 8 campaign was handled, that the Director of the California Music Theatre not only supported, but gave One Thousand Dollars to help it pass. And didn't think that was a bad idea, personally or professionally.....Didn't think anyone would care. It blows my mind.
********************************
On the lighter side, Queerty.com posted a list of some big Anti-Prop 8 Contributors and I have to give it up for David Hyde Pierce who gave $40,000. He had it to give and he gave it, and that makes me proud and a bit weepy (I'm feeling a little guilty right now). (note: Brad Pitt's $100K is noteworthy too).
UPDATE: Scott Eckern resigned today. ¶ 11:27 AM
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this is on the top of their webpage now:
Statement from the Board of Directors of California Musical Theatre
November 11, 2008
The Board of Directors of the California Musical Theatre has received notice from Executive Producer Richard Lewis of the resignation of Artistic Director Scott Eckern. California Musical Theatre is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated only to the mission of providing quality theatrical productions. At no time does it involve itself in politcial issues or ever impinge on the rights of its employees to engage in political activities of their choice. The views and opinions of its employees do not necessarily represent those of California Musical Theatre. The Board appreciates Scott Eckern's 25 years of invaluable service to the organization and the advancement of musical theatre as an art form.
Hope it's true!
Statement from the Board of Directors of California Musical Theatre
November 11, 2008
The Board of Directors of the California Musical Theatre has received notice from Executive Producer Richard Lewis of the resignation of Artistic Director Scott Eckern. California Musical Theatre is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated only to the mission of providing quality theatrical productions. At no time does it involve itself in politcial issues or ever impinge on the rights of its employees to engage in political activities of their choice. The views and opinions of its employees do not necessarily represent those of California Musical Theatre. The Board appreciates Scott Eckern's 25 years of invaluable service to the organization and the advancement of musical theatre as an art form.
Hope it's true!
# posted by 
: 3:50 PM
: 3:50 PM
Good! Get him out!
This Prop Hate fiasco must end! Equality for all! There's a rally this Saturday all over the country and I will be there to support it!
This Prop Hate fiasco must end! Equality for all! There's a rally this Saturday all over the country and I will be there to support it!
# posted by : 3:15 PM
: 3:15 PM
I guess I'm going to be the voice of dissent. I think we are getting into a dangerous position when someone looses their job based on participation in the political process.
Furthermore, as stated in the last article linked too, Scott Eckern has a lesbian sister, who is in a long-term relationship, with whom he is on good terms. So I think its safe to say that his actions weren't based on hate, but on his religious convictions and definition of marriage. And I think it's a bit frightening when someone looses their job based on political convictions.
I understand what the theater and gay community is saying, and I understand that they are deeply, deeply hurt by this action. I understand that they see anyone who supported Prop 8 as haters. I think that is a valid point of view, but I still don't think this guy should have lost his job.
Please don't delete this comment.
Furthermore, as stated in the last article linked too, Scott Eckern has a lesbian sister, who is in a long-term relationship, with whom he is on good terms. So I think its safe to say that his actions weren't based on hate, but on his religious convictions and definition of marriage. And I think it's a bit frightening when someone looses their job based on political convictions.
I understand what the theater and gay community is saying, and I understand that they are deeply, deeply hurt by this action. I understand that they see anyone who supported Prop 8 as haters. I think that is a valid point of view, but I still don't think this guy should have lost his job.
Please don't delete this comment.
hey sarah-lucy, I would never delete your comment. Mostly cause I don't disagree with you. Nobody should lose their job just because of their political convictions. But I don't think that's what happened here.
Because of what he did, several actors and artists stated publicly that their work will never again be seen at that theatre, which is entirely their right to do. I can only assume that countless subscribers also threatened to cancel their subscriptions, which is also their right to do (I would have). As a result, it quickly became clear that Mr. Eckern's actions were severely detrimental to the future of that theatre. Whether the board asked for his resignation or he gave it on his own, it wasn't simply because of his beliefs. It was because he acted in a way that was going to hurt the California Music Theatre. That is not what an artistic director does, as the public face of the institution.
Clearly, the man was good at his job. But I just don't know how he thought that contribution was a wise move.
And yes, his sister is gay. And I would LOVE to know what she thinks of all this.
Because of what he did, several actors and artists stated publicly that their work will never again be seen at that theatre, which is entirely their right to do. I can only assume that countless subscribers also threatened to cancel their subscriptions, which is also their right to do (I would have). As a result, it quickly became clear that Mr. Eckern's actions were severely detrimental to the future of that theatre. Whether the board asked for his resignation or he gave it on his own, it wasn't simply because of his beliefs. It was because he acted in a way that was going to hurt the California Music Theatre. That is not what an artistic director does, as the public face of the institution.
Clearly, the man was good at his job. But I just don't know how he thought that contribution was a wise move.
And yes, his sister is gay. And I would LOVE to know what she thinks of all this.
Did you see The Daily Show last night? Jon Stewart said some great things to Bill O'Reilly about how the legacy of this country is a constant unfolding of equal rights for all, and how in the future that will include gay couples' right to marry, and those resisting this movement forward through Prop 8 will look just as foolish as those in the 60's standing on the steps of schools to keep out the black students.
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