Posted on 12/09/2006 10:43:13 AM PST by wagglebee
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.
"The main word here is appropriate. … I do not feel that the wardrobe is appropriate for high school. I feel that the content of the play is adult in nature and not appropriate for high school students," Winn said.
Yes, but high school girls are not sex objects.
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Good thing they didn't put on "Some Like It Hot/Sugar" !!
Is it accurate in the movie? Are they playing every detail of the movie? I do believe the movie did have them dressing like that. I did not see it but you could tell from the commercials. Nobody complained about the movie and it won awards so maybe this is accurate.
They are to high school boys.....
The point is that these are teenage girls, not adults. Plenty of movies have won awards, but that doesn't mean that they are appropriate for teens.
Good point!
Of course...almost everything and everyone is a "sex object" to a high school boy....
I remember when they had a Caberet number in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. (they usually have bits of current musicals, one of the most enjoyable parts for me).
They chose one of the nastiest parts, with revealing and sexual costumes. It was so inappropriate. My lib brother told me to get into the 21st century, but I couldn't believe my eyes.
Their parents must know and have given their approval. I wonder if some of the girls' fathers might be embarressed when they see their daughters onstage dressed in less and performing "differently" than they might've expected. ;-)
The parents themselves probably approve. But, here's a ping, anyway.
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"The point is that these are teenage girls, not adults."
How about at teen-age 18? Legal for voting and military service.
At what age is raunchy acceptable? Why? When does one mean raunchy when using the word adult, not be confused with mature? A prerequisite to performing in these plays to understand inclusion should be to adhere to a political philosophy held by rabid feminists. Same with Playboy Bunnies.
Sounds like cheerleaders at most HS Football games. Better throw some pants on the pom pom girls and outlaw dancing while they're at it.
Imagine dad and daughter when they meet in the striptease house.
Since when?
Why can't they just do a more age appropriate play? Since it was a combined effort between the college and the highschool, it should have been geared to the younger, not the older. It is a pity. It's possible to showcase talent in a respectable manor. Why is this so hard to comprehend?
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