We have been watching ECUSA’s ongoing production of L’Eglise aux Folles now for many years. 

But have not really enjoyed it.

Good for them.  Too bad they didn’t consider the ramifications in planning it in the first place.  But then, it wouldn’t have made the news, would it?

Wow.  Can’t believe Bp. Howe actually had the…uh….nerve to stand up for Biblical standards.  Very happy he did, mind you.

You know, I have been involved with theatre and performing for 35 years, since the age of four (there, now you know how old I am).  I am all for cutting edge art and “freedom of speech” and all of that where theatre is concerned.  As such, I completely understand and appreicate the message of this show. But this is a CHRISTIAN school, for pete’s sake - not some avant garde public entertainment venue.  If the thespians at this school want to be involved with this kind of production, they should get involved with their local civic or community theatre (as I did at their age and continue to do now).  The headmaster and the director should have thought of the ramifications long before opening night.  The fact that they didn’t - especially in this comparatively conservative diocese - shows just how much those who consider themselves “progressive” actively choose to “get in the face” of Christian, Biblical authority.  IMHO, of course.

“La Cage really isn’t about a gay couple. It’s about family,” Papin said. “It’s funny and endearing, and there’s a wonderful message about being comfortable with who we are. And it really doesn’t have to deal with sexuality.” 

Sounds like more creeping “inclusive” culture-speak to me, as well as contradicting the fact that the gay couple are, indeed, the lead characters.

(cross-posted comment from SFIF)
By all means go to the Orlando Senteniel story and read the whole story and even more, the 3 pages and growing of comments.  The liberal so-called tolerant and intelligent and violence-hating commenters reveal their true hearts, especially in this comment:

Da Bishop is an Idiot (commenter’s name)
AOL Reply »
|Flag |#37 51 min ago
Geoff Harvard wrote: “The bishop did what a bishop is supposed to do, instruct the faithful.”
He should do the world a favor and light himself on fire. He’s a pig, and not just because of this issue.

Can’t you feel the liberal love?  Like Latimer, Ridley and Cranmer felt the heat?
Balance that with a comment not from the many parents and students at Trinity who are hacked at the “neanderthal” “backwoods” “idiot” “pig” Bishop Howe (from other comments), but from a parent who has tried to deal with the Fine Arts Director, Jeanine Papin:

Glad it is over (commenter’s name)
Debary, FL Reply »
|Flag |#40 43 min ago
I applaud the Headmaster Maughan for canceling La Cage. It is totally inappropriate for TPS. Finally Ms. Papin got what she deserved. Because of her huge ego, she had to send a press release to the Sentinel basically announcing that Trinity Preparatory School was allowing her to push the limits. This announcement gained the attention of the Bishop. Bad move, huh Ms. Papin? I would suggest that the show be staged at an appropriate venue…The Parliament House! I hope that this experience deflates Ms. Papin’s ego. She doesn’t treat TPS parents or the students with any respect. She continues to belittle us all (unless your happen to give big bucks directly to her program)! Just try saying “Hi” to her on campus. I bet you don’t get much of an answer back. Maybe it’s time for a new Fine Arts department head at TPS. I hope the Board and administration call for her resignation. She has humiliated the TPS family. What comes around, goes around. Good riddance Ms. Papin!

Read the comments!

Big deal.  This is not a good thing.  +Howe covers himself in the press, the faculty moves the play off-campus, and students in an Episcopal school are taught that “there’s a wonderful message about being comfortable with who we are.”

Contra #3, Bishop Howe once again shows himself to be a man of deep principles, who does not make his decisions according to the implications for his popularity—whether among revisionists or conservatives. 
Obviously it is a shame for the kids who had thrown themselves into this production, but the betrayal was by the leadership of the school wanting “to push the envelope” not from Howe.

#7, I never said that Bp. Howe betrayed anyone.  Not sure how you got that from my comment.  Believe me, I love Bp. Howe and have great respect for some of the hard decisions he has had to make.  But often there is a stunning LACK of comment or action from Bp. Howe on some things that I consider to be of great importance.  I truly cannot get into any specifics in a public forum but know this: back-pedaling, silence and “I don’t know” are not responses that inspire confidence.

One would think, if one were going to do something to “push the envelope,” that one would have the courtesy to inform the Bishop before the rehearsals started, instead of allowing him to discover that one of his schools was going to lob a grenade into the Anglican fray behind his back.

At least, one would think that in a Hierarchical church.

#7, I never said that Bp. Howe betrayed anyone.  Not sure how you got that from my comment.

Forgive me, I didn’t mean to imply that at all.  I intended to change topics, but reading my post again, it did indeed sound as you read it.  Sorry, and thanks for bringing it to my attention.

#10, no problem.  It’s often easy to mis-read intended thoughts when one cannot observe body language and hear inflection.  My apologies for making the mental leap. 

Papin is precisely the type of “teacher” that I certainly don’t want influencing my grandchildren!  If Trinity is smart, they will end her contract and send her elsewhere to “do her thing”.  A shame she has already had a huge influence on many, many kids.  This is just not the type of production for a high school (or anywhere else, for that matter).  Kudos to +Howe, and also to the headmaster for listening to him.

If you haven’t seen the play, as Connie has, I recommend the film version which you can rent on line or at your local video store. It’s a comedy with a serious message. I wonder if Bp. Howe is familiar with it, or is only going on rumor.

If the Church were not mired in this controversy over sexuality—and that’s really what it is at the core—I doubt this matter would have occured.

I would recommend the play/film to anyone who takes the Listening Project seriously and is willing to withhold judgment about its appropriateness until seeing it.

Bob, we must have seen two different versions of the movie.  I couldn’t stand it and turned it off less than 1/2 hour into it.  Same with the Americanized “The Birdcage”.  There are thousands of plays out there available for High School productions, a better choice could have been made if it were quality they were looking for.  Frankly, I think she WANTED to make an issue out of it.

Note to Bob: on the other hand, I love the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and occasionally go to midnight screenings.  Never in costume, however.  But I wouldn’t want to see any High School (or lower) put this on as a school play.