Project #3: Too Hot To Handle

Controversial Theatre

1) NYC Today- "Naked Boys Singing"-Musical
What- Musical comedy that involves naked guys singing and performing.
Where- New York City's New World Stage's
When- Every Saturday and Sunday (still running)
Who (Starring)- Michael Chapman, Charles Duff, Gavin Esham, Frank Galgano, Brian M. Golub, Timothy John, Scott McLean, David Macaluso, Lance Olds, W. Brent Sawyer and TrevorSouthworth
http://www.nakedboyssinging.com/gallery_newyork/gallery.html


"A chippendale's glee club by a Full Monty gang!... A hit with gays, straights, and everyone in between!"- NY Daily News

This production is “Too Hot to Handle” because of the profound nudity that is involved in the entire performance. Not only is the fact that they are completely nude controversial, but some of their songs that are performed are about controversial issues. Titles of their numbers include; “Perky Little Porn star”, “ Fight the Urge”, and “The Naked Maid”.

2) Naked Broadway-"Equus" by Peter Shaffer
What- A play about a disturbed teenage boy who blinds six horses.
Where- London’s West End Gielgud’s Theatre
When- 2007
Who (Starring)- Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffith
“Last night, 17-year-old Daniel Radcliffe was brave enough to perform the denouement of Equus without wearing so much as the specs that are his Potter insignia…for a sex-scene that proved as abortive as any puritan could wish…”- London Times

http://london.broadway.com/blog/id/3006205/WereCriticsSpellboundbyDanielRadcliffeinEquus

This production could be considered “Too Hot to Handle” not only because of the controversial script and play in itself but because the character that teen sensation Daniel Radcliffe took on. Harry Potter’s star barred it all in the 2007 revival of “Equus” in which a teenage boy has a obsession with horses and ends up blinding six of them in anger.

3) Gay Broadway- “ Bed, Boys, and Beyond” by Jeff Dobbins music by Alfredo Alvarez
What- A Musical about gays and what the new millennium will bring forth
Where- Duplex Cabaret Theatre New York City
When- 2000
Who (Starring)- Jason Ma, Chad Miller, and Ryan Perry
“This new musical revue explores the confusing, poignant and often hilarious lives of gay men at the beginning of the new millennium.”
http://news.theatermania.com/new-york/shows/bed-boys-and-beyond_2557/#userreviews



http://www.queermusicheritage.us/gm-bedbb.html
This production would be “Too Hot To Handle” for some due the nature of the whole production and homosexuality. This play featured five men performing and singing about issue’s and problems gays have. This production included song titles such as; “Gay Today”, Men Seeking Men”, and “Family Values”. Depending on your views this could either be an enjoyable show or just “Too Hot Too Handle”.

4) Racist Broadway- “Show Boat” by Edna Ferber and music by Hammerstein and Jerome Kern
What- A musical involving racial issue’s and other controversial aspects
Where- Torronto, Ontario
When- 1993
Who-Directed by Harold Prince
“...picket lines were mounted in front of the Show Boat box office and a "Coalition to Stop Show Boat" was formed..."
http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-17305360/show-boat-revival-racism.html

Although the original script and productions of "Show Boat" were considered controversial to some, the revival definetly caused some controversy as well. The uproar started before the show even went into rehearsals, and following the opening caused people to stand outside and protest against it . I guess "Show Boat" will always be " Too Hot Too Handle" for some.

5) Busted- "Jesus Christ Super Star" musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
What- A musical that was shut down before it opened.
Where- Berlin's Hebbel Theare
When-2010
Who (Starring)- Electro-Pop star Peaches
""stripped-down" performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar has been "crucified before opening night"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/16/peaches-jesus-christ-superstar

This production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" was closed before it could open due to the german authorities who held the rights to the vocals refused to let the production have them. The reason for the "bust" was because many thought it was absurd to let electro-pop star Peaches perform her one-women rendition of the show.

6) Nea 4- Holly Hughes, Tim Miller, John Fleck, and Karen Finley
What- A controversial case that mades it's was to the supreme court on the bases of the NEA's funding for indiviual performance artist and their subject matter.
Where- The U.S Courts
When- 1990/1992
Who- Hooly Hughs, Tim Miller, John Fleck, and Karen Finley
"Congress passed a law requiring that "general standards of decency and respect for the diverse beliefs and values of the American public" be taken into consideration in making funding determinations."
http://faculty-web.at.northwestern.edu/commstud/freespeech/cont/cases/finley.html

This controversy made its way through the courts due to the NEA ( National Endowement for the Arts) retracting grants from four indivuals on the bases of subject matter that was included in their works. This issue caused many to question what and what should'nt recieve funding in the performance realm of individual artists. It was stated that subject matter be determined when allowing grants for artist.

7) Regional Theare Controversy- Manhatten Theatre Clubs "Corpus Christi"
What- A production by Terrence Mcnally that depicts Jesus Christ as a homosexual texan
Where- Manhatten Theatre Club
When-1998
Who- Directed by Joe Mantello
"...sick beyond words."- William Donahue of the Catholic League
"http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/csrpl/RIN%20Vol.1No.1/RIN%20Vol.1No.2/Corpus_Christi.htm"

This play was definetly too hot too handle among ,not only the general public but even caused the Catholic League of Religious and Civil Rights to act upon sending threats to the theatre to burn it down. This play written by Joe Montello depicted Jesus Christ as a homosexual texan that would have intercourse with his apostle. In my opinion this blasphemous production should have been shut down before it ever started, whether religious or not this is a line that should not be crossed.

8) College/ University -Controversy over a Seniors project " Gratuitous Pieces", that was a production on campus.
What- A college Senior at SMSU caused controversy when he produced a show that included extreme graphic content
Where- Southwest Minnesota State University
When- 2003
Who- Senior Beau Jorgensen
"The show is considered to be so graphic that the SSU theatre department is requiring him to put a disclaimer that the production is not affiliated with the theatre department or the drama club on his posters, said Ray Oster, associate professor of theatre arts. "

This production was "Too hot too handle" for some that attended Senior Beau Jorgensen's production of " Gratuitous Pieces". This piece dealt with sexual assault and rape and was considered so graphic that only persons over the age of eighteen were allowed to be admitted. The senior even tried to ask that local counselers be on hand after the show in case students or audience members wanted to talk, but they refused after reading the graphic nature of the production.

9) HighSchool Controversy- "Rent" the musical
What- a highschool production of the acclaimed musical caused controversy galore.
Where- Corona Del Mar Highschool, California
When- 2009
Who- Highschool students
""(Rent) is catering to the totally out-of-control youth of this nation," Phelps said. "They've got no discipline, no morals. Only doom and destruction lie ahead for them." -Fred Phelps Jr.
http://www.ocregister.com/news/school-112946-church-play.html

This production of "Rent" was prehaps one the most controversial issues of Corona Del Mar Highschools time. The controversy started when the announcement that the show was going to be produced. It caused members of churchs to stand outside and hold up signs for people passing by and ended with police intervention. This show had undergo a more "school-safe" version after protests and was finally allowed to be performed by the students.


10) Wildcard- "The Bus Stop" by Gao Xingjian
What- A production that included the same idea as "Waiting For Godot" that sparked contreversy among Chinese Communist Officials and others.
Where- Sanford Meisner Theatre, New York
When- 2009
Who- (Starring)-Joe Albert Lima, Ray Chao, Hank H. Kim, Adam Bedri
"Condemned as "spiritual pollution"
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Controversial_Play_THE_BUS_STOP_Premieres_At_Theater_HAN_41_20090212

This show was presented at the Sanford Meisner Theatre in New york and raised much controversy , especially among the Chinses Communist Officials. This production included eight characters, all on different journeys, watching as each bus passes them by. To some this symobolized waiting for God or some other higher being to come a pick them up, but they never do. This could be considered too hot too handle mostly from a religious and cultural standpoint.

Project #2 unconventinal theatre

1) A Midsummer Nights Dream by Shakespeare

Directed by Kate Lynch

Producing Theatre Company -Theatre Passe Muraille
Performance dates -November 2001

"Theatre Passe Muraille's stellar
all-woman production of A Midsummer Night's
Dream..."
http://www.canadianshakespeares.ca/multimedia/imagegallery/m_i_8.cfm

This is considered an unconventional production because of the all female cast. All though when originally produced it was with an all male cast this production turns the table around. The director wanted to see how the connection to the gender of the cast would convey the story and how much different it would be from an all male cast or gender specific cast.

2) The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Directed by David Fielding

Performed at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre April 28th- 29th May 2005

"Phallic cucumbers emblazoned across the walls, men in skirts and the medley of gay anthems that rings out during the two intervals leave little to the imagination."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bristol/content/articles/2005/05/06/earnest_reviewed_feature.shtml

This production of Oscar Wilde's Importance of Being Earnest was unconventional in the way that not only was it performed with an all male cast, but the set and other elements were unconventional too. The characters alone were done in an over-the-top manner with the women played by men being overly flamboyant. The set was emblazoned with pink tulips and even had a huge purse hanging over the stage which shows how unique this production of a classic was done.

3) A Cat On A Hot Tin Roof by Tenessee Williams

Directed by Debbie Allen

Performed at The Broadhurst Theatre in New York February 12th- April 13th 2008

**Staring James Earl Jones, Terrence Howard, Anika Noni Rose, and Phylicia Rashad**

" Not only is Broadway history being made, African American theatre history is also being made!"
http://www.gainformer.com/Files/All%20Black%20Cast%20in%20Cat%20on%20a%20Hot%20Tin%20Roof%20is%20Super%20Hot.htm

This production of Tennessee Williams Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is unconventional in the aspect of casting all African-Americans even in the parts that are typically cast as whites . This was a year when many Broadway shows were practicing untraditional casting in the area of ethnicity. This was a smart move because of the current audiences that were attending Broadway shows and wanted to see more African-Americans among the scene.

4) Richard II by Shakespeare

Directed by Meryl Federman

Produced and Performed by the Hyperion Shakespeare Company October 21st-24th 2009

"Hyperion Shakespeare Company’s “Richard II” attempts to interpret Shakespeare’s play anew by using an all-female cast, with limited success."

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2009/10/26/play-richard-allfemale-character/

This production can be considered unconventional because of the gender casting as all female. This show usually has men play the majority of the parts and this theatre company wanted to explore if masculinity has to be there in order for the king to seem powerful. This production challenged the accepted rules of femininity versus masculinity.

5) The Man Of Lamancha by Dale Wasserman

Directed by Steve Wilson

Performed by Phamaly ( Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League) July 23- August 16th at the Space Theatre in Denver

"PHAMALY's production of Man of La Mancha is a triumph. Not because the vitality and momentum of this very fine musical make you forget that all the performers in the PHAMALY company are disabled — some in wheelchairs, some stumbling, some unable to see. "

http://www.westword.com/2009-07-30/culture/phamaly-s-man-of-la-mancha-is-impossibly-good/

This show can be considered unconventional in many ways because of the cast of all handicapped people. Among the cast includes people who are blind, deaf, or even wheelchair ridden. This show involves much dancing and singing and with the non-traditional cast for this show is done differently then most have experienced it. With different barriers to try and adjust to this show was unconventional in more ways than one.