Jesse Smith News

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier this summer, via blogger and industry professional Howard Sherman, South Williamsport, a high school in Lycoming County, PA, had been forced to cancel their spring production of Monty Python's Spamalot due to 'controversial content,' which includes a homosexual marriage. Following the decision, Principal Jesse Smith made a statement to the local paper, saying: 'When we have extracurricular activities, we do not ask the students to make a choice as to what they might deem controversial material,' and 'I don't want kids to feel like they had to choose between performing and what they felt was controversial material. They should be able to sign up for a play and know that it's school-sponsored and they won't have to make a moral or ethical decision.' Today, Educational Theatre Association Executive Director Julie Woffington wrote to the school district:

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier this summer, via blogger and industry professional Howard Sherman, South Williamsport, a high school in Lycoming County, PA, had been forced to cancel their spring production of Monty Python's Spamalot due to 'controversial content,' which includes a homosexual marriage. Today, the Dramatists Guild of America issued the following statement...

Smith elaborated that he doesn't want students to feel compromised....

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier this Summer. South Williamsport, a high school in Lycoming County, PA, had been forced to cancel their spring production of Monty Python's Spamalot due to 'controversial content,' which includes a homosexual marriage. According to WNEP, the school administrators thought that the musical's subject matter was too inappropriate for students.

Since then, emails have been revealed uncovering the nature of the conversation between school Principal Jesse Smith and Superintendent Dr. Mark Stamm, according to a blog by industry professional Howard Sherman. After seeking access to their correspondence through Pennsylvania's 'Right to Know Law,' Sherman just now received further information regarding the decision to cancel the show.

The French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, today announces the full program for Crossing the Line 2014, the eighth annual edition of its celebrated fall arts festival, presenting interdisciplinary works and performances by artists from around the world. Crossing the Line runs from September 8 through October 20 in venues throughout New York City. Nespresso returns as Presenting Sponsor of Crossing the Line in 2014. Tickets will go on sale in late July.

A few weeks ago, we learned that South Williamsport, a high school in Lycoming County, PA, had been forced to cancel their spring production of Monty Python's Spamalot due to 'controversial content,' which includes a homosexual marriage. According to WNEP, the administrators thought that the musical's subject matter was too inappropriate for students. After attracting considerable coverage in the media, this issue is still under review by the South Williamsport district and the state of Pennsylvania. But despite the fact that no new information has been released, Hesherman reporter Howard Sherman has been taking the matter into his own hands.

Sound Theatre Company will launch into raunch and ruffles this summer with the Seattle premiere of The School for Lies by David Ives, co-directed by Teresa Thuman and Ken Michels. This saucy update of Moliere's The Misanthrope by Tony Award-nominated David Ives (Venus in Fur) stuffs contemporary off-color slang into the classic baroque farce, in which rivals scheme romance to expose a notorious cynic. A few cunning lies set party girl Celimene and acerbic wit Frank up for battle and sex. Misbehavior, gossip, glamour and scandal reign in this clowning burlesque written in rhymed couplets.

The South Williamsport Junior/Senior High School has ordered its drama department to scrub Monty Python's SPAMALOT as too controversial for its area.

The French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, today announces the full program for Crossing the Line 2014, the eighth annual edition of its celebrated fall arts festival, presenting interdisciplinary works and performances by artists from around the world. Crossing the Line runs from September 8 through October 20 in venues throughout New York City.

Join Bainbridge Performing Arts for the laugh-out-loud racy hit Avenue Q May 9 - 25, a hilarious envelope-pushing modern musical focusing on a group of unique 20-somethings making their way in the big city to seek their purpose in life. Although the show addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children's show; a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good, and life lessons are learned. Scroll down to see some pictures from the production!

Join us for the laugh-out-loud racy hit next May at BPA - a comedy strictly for adults. AVENUE Q is a gut-bustingly hilarious modern musical focusing on a group of unique 20-somethings making their way in the big city to seek their purpose in life. Although the show addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children's show; a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good, and life lessons are learned.

Join Bainbridge Performing Arts for the laugh-out-loud racy hit Avenue Q, running May 9 - 25, a hilarious envelope-pushing modern musical focusing on a group of unique 20-somethings making their way in the big city to seek their purpose in life. Although the show addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children's show; a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good, and life lessons are learned. Click below to watch a fun trailer for the show!

Join Bainbridge Performing Arts for the laugh-out-loud racy hit Avenue Q May 9 - 25, a hilarious envelope-pushing modern musical focusing on a group of unique 20-somethings making their way in the big city to seek their purpose in life. Although the show addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children's show; a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good, and life lessons are learned. Scroll down to see some pictures from the production!

Join us for the laugh-out-loud racy hit next May at BPA - a comedy strictly for adults. AVENUE Q is a gut-bustingly hilarious modern musical focusing on a group of unique 20-somethings making their way in the big city to seek their purpose in life. Although the show addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children's show; a place where puppets are friends, monsters are good, and life lessons are learned.

Sound Theatre Company is pleased to announce the full cast and crew of its first-ever holiday production, Holiday of Errors (or Much Ado About Stockings).

GreenStage will complete its 25th anniversary season with another installment in its popular Hard Bard series. This fall Hard Bard will 'go Greek' with The Bacchae by Euripides, directed by Teresa Thuman, performed Thursdays through Sundays, today, Oct. 12-Nov. 2, at the Stage One Theatre at North Seattle Community College. As always, GreenStage performances will be absolutely free of charge.