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'Picasso' play too blue for La Grande High
Friday, February 27, 2009 | No comments posted.
LA GRANDE (AP) — What would happen if Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso were to meet in a bar? Superintendent Larry Glaze and the La Grande School Board decided high school students are too young to find out.
Glaze last week halted a high school production of the Steve Martin play “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” following a parent’s objection to its adult content. Her complaint was accompanied by a petition that included 137 signatures.
La Grande High Principal Doug Potter and teacher Kevin Cahill, the director, appealed the decision, but the board voted this week to back Glaze’s decision. Those voting in favor said they trusted Glaze’s judgment and community opinion seemed to favor cancellation.
Cahill said the play written by Steve Martin is a comedy and people should not lose sight of that when addressing its adult content. “Comedy makes us laugh first, reflect later. Steve Martin invites us to do both. Laughing at sex isn’t the same as endorsing it,” Cahill said.
Written in 1993, the play features the characters of Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, who meet in a Paris bar in the early 20th century. Rehearsals started Feb. 2; it was scheduled to be performed April 23-25.
Rehearsals are now being conducted at the homes of students involved with the production. Senior Richie Scott hopes the play can be performed off campus. “I want to let the community know that we will do the play regardless of what it takes,” Scott said. “They have not silenced us.”
When a school threatens to ban a book or a play, the sides generally argue community standards versus censorship. The debate over the Martin play was no different.
One parent, Stacy Shown, complained about the play’s profanity: “As parents we need to set a standard.”
She warned that if the play is performed, many conservative families would move their children out of the district and into charter or online schools.
But Dr. Joel Rice, a La Grande psychiatrist, told the board that studies show that plays do not have a negative influence on youths. He added that censorship would be more dangerous.
“I strongly believe censorship erodes the human soul,” Rice said.
The director, meanwhile, took issue with those who said they were upset that the play’s content would prevent them from seeing an anticipated event. He observed that the attendance at the meeting would exceed the crowd at even a wholesome production.
“Let’s be honest here,” Cahill said. “You have not been coming (to the plays).”
Glaze last week halted a high school production of the Steve Martin play “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” following a parent’s objection to its adult content. Her complaint was accompanied by a petition that included 137 signatures.
La Grande High Principal Doug Potter and teacher Kevin Cahill, the director, appealed the decision, but the board voted this week to back Glaze’s decision. Those voting in favor said they trusted Glaze’s judgment and community opinion seemed to favor cancellation.
Cahill said the play written by Steve Martin is a comedy and people should not lose sight of that when addressing its adult content. “Comedy makes us laugh first, reflect later. Steve Martin invites us to do both. Laughing at sex isn’t the same as endorsing it,” Cahill said.
Written in 1993, the play features the characters of Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, who meet in a Paris bar in the early 20th century. Rehearsals started Feb. 2; it was scheduled to be performed April 23-25.
Rehearsals are now being conducted at the homes of students involved with the production. Senior Richie Scott hopes the play can be performed off campus. “I want to let the community know that we will do the play regardless of what it takes,” Scott said. “They have not silenced us.”
When a school threatens to ban a book or a play, the sides generally argue community standards versus censorship. The debate over the Martin play was no different.
One parent, Stacy Shown, complained about the play’s profanity: “As parents we need to set a standard.”
She warned that if the play is performed, many conservative families would move their children out of the district and into charter or online schools.
But Dr. Joel Rice, a La Grande psychiatrist, told the board that studies show that plays do not have a negative influence on youths. He added that censorship would be more dangerous.
“I strongly believe censorship erodes the human soul,” Rice said.
The director, meanwhile, took issue with those who said they were upset that the play’s content would prevent them from seeing an anticipated event. He observed that the attendance at the meeting would exceed the crowd at even a wholesome production.
“Let’s be honest here,” Cahill said. “You have not been coming (to the plays).”
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