Evita (Better Title TBA)

I think I've had a little time to think about this situation. And we are all at the point of being amused by it.

Of course, I've just got back from our traditional Thursday Tuckers Trip. And I had myself a couple drinks...

Ok. Maybe I'm still freaking out a little because I've just watched the little video cast on www.myfoxstl.com.

It's kind of flattering to be the top news story. Free publicity rocks. Thank you.

But, you know I'm going to have to rant. So, you can read my rant or just do whatever you want... I don't care.

Here we go:

The building is NOT a church anymore. It was sold to some nice folks who decided to turn it into a beautiful theater. It is a beautiful theater. We have gone through HELL to get the beautiful theater. God has moved out. His friends are still painted on the wall and they are behind a curtain. It's a theater now... not a church. We do not perform the sacraments, we do not do witch craft, we do not dance topless around poles while men pull out dollar bills.

This is a theater.

Art is created here.

It is not pornography. It is not a burlesque show.

It's true that New Line is a company that deals with adult issues. THAT'S what they have a problem with - Our "adult content."

... Or the fact that they think "adult content" means it's restricted to adults only. Give me a break.

You can bring you're five year old. But, he will be extremely bored and probably disrupt the audience members around him and then giggle when we mention the word "penis."

I'm catholic. (or used to be... I'm not so sure anymore.) But, this is just ridiculous. Really, it is.

Nobody even knows the content of the show. The only people who know are the people directly involved in this production. The archbishop has not come to any of our rehearsals. So, why does he think he can shut down a show when he doesn't even know what's in it...?

Oh. It MUST be the title. A phrase that has been used since... what... the sixties?

The truth. I've been apart of this show since the first damn rehearsal. It's a brilliant show. Scott, using his super musical genius power, took songs from various musicals... some very popular... some you probably have never heard of. And he created somewhat of a plot involving various couples. The songs are taken out of their original context, but he has magically melded them together into a show that will force the audience to think about some pressing issues.

THIS IS WHAT NEW LINE THEATRE DOES.

So, yes. There are songs about homosexually, adultery, drugs, porn. If you don't care to explore these topics with us - stay home. The show itself is not a huge porn flick. We want the audience to explore them with us - realize that these issues exist, not be afraid to discuss them or hide them. Accept the fact that this is what is going on beyond your living room.

We don't put an age limit on any of our shows. So, bring the kids if you want them to be exposed to all this... It's your discretion.

Ok. Excuse my A.D.D. way of thinking... you ever go to any art museum and see the picture of a naked woman?

Well, the art museum is opened to the public. You can bring your five year old to the art museum... but, you make the choice of exposing him to the oil painting of a penis...

So, why isn't that considered porn? Why isn't that considered to be inappropriate? Oh. Because it's a painting? Because it's ART?

Yeah. Well, we're creating art too. Except our paintings are on stage and alive.

... I guess it all comes down to the fact that it's an ex-church. Whatever. They don't own it anymore.

There are so many people excited about this theater being built. There are so many people supporting us... The girl in Fox's video, waving our program... you rock... Everyone standing out there rocks. Anyone who wanted to come see our show rocks.

We love all of you and we hope we can put on this show for you.

So. There is a hearing tomorrow at 1pm. Our humble director is going to go and defend us in a court of law.

God bless that man. Really. He is fucking awesome.

So, pray, pray, pray, for us. Yes, Catholics... you pray for us too.

I really want to go on with the show.

Signing off -

Trish
The Stage manager
(of an unbelievably awesome and fantastic show that you should all come see if we still get to do it.)
:0)

P.S. I love how in the video you can hear the show going on. Well, it's a chipper little song about STDs. So. Ha.