Burroughs High in Burbank banned the production of a play about the murder of gay teenager Matthew Shepard (pictured, right). The critically-aclaimed play is called “The Laramie Project” and it was produced in 2002 at The Colony Theater here in Burbank – I saw it and remember it well. However, the students who proposed the play to the school in the first place have found a new venue for production – again at Burbank’s Colony Theater. Read the L.A. Times link here. Way to go, students.The Burroughs principal was quoted as saying this production “would tear this community apart.” (He has subsequently supported the students’ off-campus production.) But Burbank, what’s going on? Are we living in Mayberry R.F.D.? Here’s the irony: the play is just as much about small-town narrow mindedness as it is about the actual crime – sound like anybody you know, Burbank?
C'mon, Burbank, get over it and enter the 21st Century. Theater was my major in college and I still believe it’s a vitally important form of artistic expression in our culture. I really believe that if you want students to learn, and love, this form of expression, don’t just give them big musicals to perform. Give them big ideas, too.
