I respect the emotions behind the objection... But these are some damned ignorent people
Appeal filed over banned LHS play
Written by Dick Mason, The Observer February 24, 2009 03:39 pm
The show may yet go on.
An appeal of the cancellation of the La Grande High School play “Picasso at the Lapin Agile’’ was filed Monday.
The play was canceled Friday by La Grande School District Superintendent Larry Glaze after a complaint was filed by a parent, Melissa Jackman, because of the play’s adult themes and language. Jackman submitted a petition signed by 137 community members.
LHS Principal Doug Potter and Kevin Cahill, the play’s director, filed the appeal. Cahill, who selected the play, is a French and English teacher at LHS.
The La Grande School Board will meet Wednesday to discuss the appeal, which asks that Glaze’s decision be overturned.
Wednesday’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the La Grande Middle School commons. Cahill and Potter will both speak at the meeting.
“Picasso at the Lapin Agile” was written by Steve Martin, the well known comedian and actor. It was to have been performed April 23-25 at LHS.
“We are appealing for the simple reason that we undertook a worthwhile project. I don’t feel that the project was fairly represented or characterized by the people who brought the complaint,’’ Cahill said.
The LHS teacher added that he does not believe the people protesting the play “are representative of the entire community.’’
Auditions for the play were conducted in mid-January. Rehearsals started Feb. 2. Rehearsals were stopped by the school district after the play was canceled.
“I don’t believe that banning this play in any way advances the interest or education of our students,’’ Cahill said.
Potter said that the adult content of the play is not as bad as many are portraying it. He said “Picasso at Lapin Agile” warrants nothing more than a PG-13 rating.
Cahill is looking into the possibility of having his cast perform “Picasso at the Lapin Agile’’ off campus at a site like EOU if the appeal is rejected. The LHS teacher and Potter met Monday with the 11 students involved in the play’s production. Arrangements were made to start holding rehearsals off campus. The first will be held at the home of a cast member this afternoon.
Cahill told the students Monday that if they have concerns about remaining in the play they were more than welcome to step aside.
“If you have any problems, you have my blessing. I don’t want anyone to feel squeezed and feel they have to walk lock step (with the rest of the cast).’’
No cast members expressed any reservations to Cahill about continuing with the play during or following Monday’s meeting.
Written by Dick Mason, The Observer February 24, 2009 03:39 pm
The show may yet go on.
An appeal of the cancellation of the La Grande High School play “Picasso at the Lapin Agile’’ was filed Monday.
The play was canceled Friday by La Grande School District Superintendent Larry Glaze after a complaint was filed by a parent, Melissa Jackman, because of the play’s adult themes and language. Jackman submitted a petition signed by 137 community members.
LHS Principal Doug Potter and Kevin Cahill, the play’s director, filed the appeal. Cahill, who selected the play, is a French and English teacher at LHS.
The La Grande School Board will meet Wednesday to discuss the appeal, which asks that Glaze’s decision be overturned.
Wednesday’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the La Grande Middle School commons. Cahill and Potter will both speak at the meeting.
“Picasso at the Lapin Agile” was written by Steve Martin, the well known comedian and actor. It was to have been performed April 23-25 at LHS.
“We are appealing for the simple reason that we undertook a worthwhile project. I don’t feel that the project was fairly represented or characterized by the people who brought the complaint,’’ Cahill said.
The LHS teacher added that he does not believe the people protesting the play “are representative of the entire community.’’
Auditions for the play were conducted in mid-January. Rehearsals started Feb. 2. Rehearsals were stopped by the school district after the play was canceled.
“I don’t believe that banning this play in any way advances the interest or education of our students,’’ Cahill said.
Potter said that the adult content of the play is not as bad as many are portraying it. He said “Picasso at Lapin Agile” warrants nothing more than a PG-13 rating.
Cahill is looking into the possibility of having his cast perform “Picasso at the Lapin Agile’’ off campus at a site like EOU if the appeal is rejected. The LHS teacher and Potter met Monday with the 11 students involved in the play’s production. Arrangements were made to start holding rehearsals off campus. The first will be held at the home of a cast member this afternoon.
Cahill told the students Monday that if they have concerns about remaining in the play they were more than welcome to step aside.
“If you have any problems, you have my blessing. I don’t want anyone to feel squeezed and feel they have to walk lock step (with the rest of the cast).’’
No cast members expressed any reservations to Cahill about continuing with the play during or following Monday’s meeting.