Artistic Director Faces Uproar Over Prop 8 Contribution
It's been revealed that Scott Eckern, the artistic director of California Musical Theatre, gave a $1,000 contribution to support the passage of Prop 8. As a result, numerous theater artists (including semi-celebs like Marc Shaiman) are urging a full-scale boycott of his theater until he is removed from his position.
The theater released the following statement: "Any political action or the opinion of Scott Eckern is not shared by California Musical Theatre. We have a long history of appreciation for the LGBT community and are truly grateful for their longstanding support."
Enclosed is a widely circulated email from Tony-winning actress Susan Egan on the events.
Subject: California Music Theatre - Scott Eckern
Dear Friends --
I thought you might be interested to know that Scott Eckern, Artsitic Director of California Music Theatre (Sacramento Music Circus) contributed $1000 in support of California's divisive Proposition 8, which eliminates (not just bans) the right for same-sex couples to marry and receive all of the emotional, economic, and social benefits that married couples often take for granted. Mr. Eckern's affiliation with CMT, as well as his title and the amount donated to legislate the lives of others, is public information that can be found at
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://antigayblacklist.com
Marc Shaiman, composer (most notably of "Hairspray", which was produced at CMT last year) has already contacted Sacramento's CMT and expressed his disgust with the idea that a theatrical organization, employing and making money from gay artists and audience members, harbors an executive who uses a portion of his income to publicly support hate legislation (my term). I believe Mr. Shaiman may have told them they would no longer be allowed to produce his work, and has contacted the creators of "Avenue Q" (to be produced in March of '09) to enlighten them.
I am deeply troubled by the news about Scott, as I have worked for and known him since 1993. I find his behavior hypocritical at best and, more likely, distressingly prejudiced. Many of you friends who, like myself, have worked for Scott might be floored to know this news. I think at this point I shall do my best to "out" him and any others like him. Folks who show (and make money) playing one game, but with an inner intolerance that denies everything our industry represents.
I have personally been in contact with Marc Shaiman to confirm all the information. In his words:
"Yes, it's all true! Of course, there is nothing much I can do since they've already done HAIRSPRAY, but the AVE Q guys (at least one of them) may do something, perhaps picket his own show! But, as I hope people realize, it is not really up to a writer to cancel a production that has already been licensed.
What I could do I did, which was to call Mr. Eckern directly and say what I had to say.
Reading this past week how people still actually think being gay is a choice (the only choice we make is not to lie about who we are) and that that one line from a beautiful book proves we are sinners (a book that also allows for the stoning of wives and of people who wear two different kinds of fabric at the same time), well, I am starting to feel that the only way to make people change is, I think, to now greet every person I meet and say "Hi, I'm Marc, God made me gay and I think that that He and I are both fabulous!" and leave the rest up to them."
Sacramento Music Circus holds a cherished place in my heart, primarily because of Leland Ball and the inspirational talents he would gather for his productions. I feel the spirit of Leland is lost under Scott's leadership. As a private citizen I choose not to support California Music Theatre while it operates under Mr. Eckern's tenure.
I support Marc Shaiman in his boycott of CMT, and hope others will follow -- as ticket-buyers, writers, musical directors, crew, designers and performers and more.
I feel compelled to write because I have heard from so many beloved friends the last few days. People who are in every way caring and generous citizens. Friends who are for the most part very quiet on the political front, who have had to awaken because of last Tuesday, due to their shock that their lifestyles are not "accepted" by so-called friends!! The irony of electing Obama and Prop 8 passing astounds me.
I am not ordinarily a political fighter, but I do believe in information for all, and let them decide. And more than anything I believe in "holding the space" for what is right.
In support of my gay and lesbian friends I find it a travesty that the entire arts community is not standing in solidarity for equal rights. Shame on Scott.
That our industry should be the first to raise money and awareness for AIDS to the result of awakening a country and world to the issue ... well then, marriage (and every other sort of) equality is a no-brainer ... and a duty and obligation.
I hope with this email to find others to "hold the space" with me .... full equality in marriage rights. If you should feel compelled to pass the information about Scott Eckern on to others .... by all means do.
Hoping for change .... still,
Susan Egan
Here is a reply from AVENUE Q writer Jeff Whitty, whose show will be performed at Eckern's theater in 2009.
Yesterday Scott made an apology that I find convincing and sincere. He backed it up with a donation to HRC. During our phone call, I sensed that there was some real ambivalence, even regret, over this issue, not necessarily related to his future at California Musical Theatre. While my activist side is saying, "Make an example of somebody!", I also would rather hold an unrepentant bigot's feet to the fire. Scott Eckern isn't that.
Scott has been taking calls and exchanging/enduring dialogue at a time when I think most people would have keep their heads firmly planted in the sand. I applaud him for not shutting down, and instead keeping himself open to an overwhelming degree of criticism. He has engaged in dialogue with some of his angriest critics, which speaks volumes.
I look forward to working with the California Musical Theatre in the future. While I think their artistic director made a grave mistake, it was a mistake he then addressed in an honest and human way.
That's all from me.
Comments (9)
Good lord... leave him alone. He's entitled to his opinion of what the definition of marriage should be. Stop discrimination against those who think differently from you.
"He's entitled to his opinion of what the definition of marriage should be. Stop discrimination against those who think differently from you."
He may be entitled to his opinion, but no one has the right to assist in the enaction of legislation that attempts to deny anyone fundamental rights. "Discrmination"? You don't know the meaning of the word. Eckern needs to be canned.
Mr. Eckern's right to support any cause he chooses is a fundamental right. The fact that he chose to support a cause that would strip the fundamental right of marriage from the LGBT community seems foolhardy and brings into question his respect for employees and co-workers. Until people like Mr. Eckern understand that their actions foment hate and intolerance, we will remain a deeply divided state. At the very least, Mr. Eckern's contribution to the Yes on 8 campaign should give his employers pause to consider his suitability to lead a performing arts organization and his judgment.
The pro-Prop 8 ads' main thrust were that if gay marriage was allowed by law, organizations would be "forced" to accept it by activists.
Eckern is another example of just that. He expressed his constitutional right to vote for something he believed in, and now we hear the hue and cry "punish him."
This violent reaction is a far cry from the peaceful civil rights movement of the 60s.
Eckern has his right to support whatever cause he wishes. At the same time others can express their disappointment.
Freedom of speech for everyone.
Let the chips fall where they may fall.
I think the outcry is coming from the fact that he works closely with and produces shows by gay people, thus profiting from them. He has every right to a personal opinion, but there is general outrage that he could take such a hypocritical stance.
That being said, I think he should be left alone. He was given a question, and provided an answer. Now then, why don't we attack the fact that the question never should have been asked? I do not approve of the reactions to this man's opinion. I respect his opinion, even though I don't agree with it, and will point out that his opinion and mine are both irrelevant - this issue is a civil rights issue and is to be decided by the courts, who's job it is to interpret the law and protect the minority from discriminating legislature of the majority (especially if such majority is less than the population of my town. Seriously, they claim the majority by 2% on an issue this fundamental?)
That being said, I am hurt by his opinion, but once again - respect it. Good evening.
Michichael
It's too late to "leave him alone", as another posted comment suggests. He should have let others be "entitled to their opinion of what the definition of marriage should be". Would anyone "leave alone" someone if they were advocating against interracial marriage? I think not.
This really is a very sad situation. Yes, everyone is entitled to vote how they think and the people of CA have spoken and Prop 8 passed. Sorry that it hurts your feelings...
He is not a hater, just a human being with an opinion that he supported. Isn't that what this county is all about??? How sad that these other human beings have turned other people against him.
I am proud to know Scott. He is the bigger person by turning the other cheek and walking away. Learn something from his actions!
He was entitled to his own opinion, and people are entitled to boycott his theater. Unless he was was forced to resign by the board I dont see what the problem is here.
Boycotting IS NOT DISCRIMINATION OR BIGOTRY.