STAGE TUBE: North Carolina High School Cancels ALMOST MAINE Due to 'Sexually Explicit Overtones'

According to WSOC TV, a Maiden, North Carolina High School has canceled its upcoming production of Almost Maine due to controversial content. The Maiden High School principal decided to cancel the romanic comedy (which involves a same-sex couple) soon after rehearsal began, after receiving complaints from both parents and churches in the area.

The school's principal Rob Bliss told WSOC: "Our faculty and staff are still in review of potential performances to be conducted by our students this fall. At this time, no final decision has been made regarding whether and what drama performances are to be presented this fall. In regards to the request for students to perform the play "Almost Maine," careful review and consideration was given to the contents of this play. The play contained sexually-explicit overtones and multiple sexual innuendos that are not aligned with our mission and educational objectives. As principal of Maiden High School, I have an obligation to ensure that all material, including drama performances is appropriate and educationally sound for students of all ages."

Students have already launched an online petition to encourage the school to reverse the decision. As of Wednesday evening it has almost 500 signatures.

Almost, Maine is a play by John Cariani, comprising nine short plays that explore love and loss in a remote, mythical almost-town called Almost, Maine. It premiered at the Portland Stage Company in Portland, Maine in 2004 where it broke box office records and garnered critical acclaim. There are nine short scenes: Her Heart, Sad & Glad, Seeing the Thing, Story of Hope, Where It Went, This Hurts, They Fell, Epilogue, and Prologue.

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