Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for December 9, 2006 SCHOOL IS A CABERET OL' CHUM

If this is raising eyebrows in CALIFORNIA, better close your eyes if they take the show on the road to the midwest!

From the WorldNetDaily.com website...

Local newspaper refuses to run 'sexually suggestive' photographs

By Bob Unruh

A production of "Cabaret" in a California city that features high schoolers as cast members is drawing a horrified reaction from public interest organizations and local officials because of the revealing costumes and the teens' sexually provocative poses.

Titus Gee, a reporter for the Valley Press in Lancaster, first reported on the situation, noting that the high school performers will be "attired in bras, teddies, foundation garments, garter belts and little else."

The production this weekend at Antelope Valley College's Black Box Theatre in Lancaster, Calif., was not the responsibility of the high school, where spokeswoman Bridget Cook told WND that "there may be some individuals who have some connection to the high school district, like students or staff or volunteers" who are participating in the college event. But a spokeswoman from the college who did not provide her name told WND that the production was a joint effort with the high school. The newspaper said both high school and college students are involved.

Karen England, executive director of Capitol Resource Institute, said she was "absolutely appalled that a high school would allow its students to participate in a show that can only be described as a strip tease for minors."

"As a parent, I am outraged that a high school would allow its students, minors in their charge, to be involved such an inappropriate production," England said. "We are calling on parents all across California to contact the Antelope Valley Union High School District and express their outrage."

"Schools should be engaged in education, not titillation!” she said.

The newspaper said the production was a part of the Antelope Valley Union High School District's "senior project program." Highland High senior Lane Williams told the newspaper he's wanted to stage "Cabaret" since he was a freshman and was "surprised" he was able to do it.

"The musical numbers themselves are priceless – bold, raunchy and packed with sex appeal," Williamson had told the newspaper's entertainment writer, Julie Drake.

The newspaper, whose managers decided against publishing any promotional photographs of the event because they "featured sexually suggestive positions from dance numbers" also said the production "raised an alarm" among Antelope Valley district officials who saw photographs and watched rehearsals this week.

The play is a look at the nightclub life in Berlin before World War II, and as a Broadway show has won many Tony Awards. As an R-rated film it collected eight Oscars, including one for Liza Minelli as Best Actress.

School District Supt. David Vierra, who didn't return a call from WND, told the newspaper the district would have to look into its authority in the matter since it is a partnership between the school district and the college.

The school district does have a policy undergarments are required and midriffs be covered at all times, and another policy that bans sexually explicit or suggestive materials.

Trustee Donita Winn told the newspaper she was concerned about high school students taking part.

"I'm really going to suggest – not knowing anything about the play – that the girls wear a little more clothing. Also, the poses are a concern."

The newspaper said the poses show students clutching or pointing to their breasts, and their legs spread and angled suggestively toward the audience.