MCC and LaBute

[thealtoslament]

Sudden cancellation of MCC's production of Reasons to be Pretty Happy, and termination of Neil LaBute's playwright-in-residence position. 

http://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/news/mcc-cancels-upcoming-production-of-neil-labute_84106.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=15feb2018

I haven't heard any rumors about him, but then again I'm not a huge fan of his work (barring one play) and I haven't really been keeping my ear to the ground. Anyone here know what's going on? 

[tobiasragg]

Tears. Tears of joy streaming down my face.

Today is a most auspicious occasion where champagne will flow and bells will toll marking the end of a dark time. May we all look back at February 15 as a day of great joy throughout the land.

Good riddance to white mediocrity.

[Kad]

I have witnessed firsthand how LaBute can treat women. I am surprised there hasn't been more gossip about him in general, but MCC would not make such a drastic move if there wasn't something coming.

[ColorTheHours048]

I’ve always thought his work was beyond mediocre, but - more than that - the way he views and writes women has always pissed me off. This is exactly the right decision on MCC’s part.

[RippedMan]

Won’t lie I’m a bit of a sucker for his plays, but agree there must be something coming to cause such an uproar.

[IdinaBellFoster]

My comment was deleted, in which I did not accuse him of anything. Seems a bit much, moderators. 

So i'll reprint the second part here. It's a secondary blessing that they canceled this play, as each sequel ruins REASONS TO BE PRETTY, which is his only play I enjoy. 

[newintown]

His misogyny has always been implicit in his writing, which, I confess, I have always found juvenile and amateurishly nihilistic, like something penned by an overly narcissistic, pseudo-jaded teenager. I support this decision by MCC 100%. It's just regrettable that they hitched their wagon to him for such a long time.

[Alan Henry]

Hi all,

Just a reminder we can't allow anonymous allegations (implicitly implied, alluded to, or otherwise) to be posted in this thread for a number of reasons, including your protection. Anonymous allegations on here can result in real life repercussions. 

If anyone has any information they wish to make public, we can connect you with a reporter (off the record or otherwise) if you DM or email me.

Thanks for understanding.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

I do like some of LaBute's work, although I understand why some people don't. That said, there has got to be an actual reason for this besides "Oh, he's so pre-2018." If there's not, then I find this very strange.

[Kad]

Given MCC's long partnership with LaBute, I doubt this is simply a matter of changing artistic vision. You don't cancel a prominent show in your season and sever all ties with the playwright because of an evolving producing philosophy.

[perfectlymarvelous]

I assume there's something coming out about him, which given the blatant and disgusting sexism in his work, doesn't surprise me at all. Aside from that, he's also just not a good writer and it's always been a bit mystifying that MCC hitched their wagon to him in the first place. 

[QueenAlice]

I will say the original production of BASH back in the day was thrilling. I will never forget Calista Flockhart's final scream.

[RippedMan]

Does seem a bit odd and out of left field. 

[Kad]

They, legally, may not be able to disclose something.

[emilyfaye48]

I'm just so so so so so so so so happy about this happening. It's the most wonderful news. Warms my heart.

[Alex Kulak2]

*crosses fingers* please don't be bothering ladies please don't be bothering ladies please don't be bothering ladies

[sinister teashop]

LaBute is an artist whose subject is the sexual sadism of white men and the three white men who are still the only three artistic directors of MCC thought he was a great playwright until yesterday. MCC needs to either make room for a female identified artistic director or to find a more serious sense of artistic purpose.

[RippedMan]

well, I mean, they've done quite a bit of odd stuff. LIke the African American Mean Girls. 

[Theater3232]

Many people posting here would be dismissed from a jury for being highly prejudicial.  They'd have to recuse themselves since they couldn't be impartial.  Now we have the female politician from California in hot water.  

[Kad]

Theater3232 said: "Many people posting here would be dismissed from a jury for being highly prejudicial. They'd have to recuse themselves since they couldn't be impartial. Now we have the female politician from California in hot water."

Good thing this is just a message board and not a jury. 

[newintown]

"Impartial" is nothing but a synonym for wishy-washy. Or perhaps "faux objectivity."

[Kad]

sinister teashop said: "LaBute isan artist whose subject is thesexual sadism of white men and the three white men who are still the only three artistic directors of MCC thought he was a great playwright until yesterday. MCC needs to either make room for a female identified artistic director or to find amore serious sense of artistic purpose."

I agree that MCC has not had a good history of representation in its programming history, but I give them credit for course correction in the last season- which is seeing work by or focused on women, people of color, and trans people. Cutting ties with LaBute- whatever the reason may be- is another step in the right direction for them.

 

[QueenAlice]

LaBute is an artist whose subject is thesexual sadism of white men and the three white men who are still the only three artistic directors of MCC thought he was a great playwright until yesterday.

Taking LaBute out of the equation, I think its kind of scary that all of a sudden being a white man in the New York theatre is being viewed as some kind of transgression. And I'm not even white or a male. I'm all for diversity, but talk about swinging the pendulum too far in the opposite direction....

[Theater3232]

With the female politician from California now in hot water, this is starting to remind many people of a period in the 1950s (that also ruined many acting careers).

[Kad]

It's a pity that female politician from California apparently doesn't have a name. It would make knowing what the heck you're talking about much easier.