Project # 3: Too Hot to Handle

1. NYC TODAY - Girls in Trouble by: Jonathan Reynolds




2. NAKED BROADWAY - Equus By: Peter Shaffer

Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway

September 18th, 2008 - February 8, 2009

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths

Directed By: Thea Sharrock

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This production of Peter Shaffer's production of Equus was met with some controversy due to the actor known for playing the character Harry Potter in family film, was to appear full frontal in the production for ten minutes. It had already recieve controversy before it moved to Broadway, in London. That controversy transferred over to the United States. Most of the controversy was seen with the particular actor being nude. If it was another, not as well known actor, I do not believe the controversy would have been so high.


3. GAY BROADWAY - Santa Clause is Coming Out! By: Jeffrey Solomon

Kirk Theatre, Off-Broadway

Diverse City Theatre Company, Penguin Rep Theatre, and Shotgun Productions

Starring: Jeffery Solomon

Directed By: Joe Brancato

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Santa Clause is Coming Out! has been met with a broad variety of controversy due to the shows main topic. Within this one man show, Santa Claus is portrayed as a homosexual. Many people have come up to the playwright, and conveyed their hatred and disapproval of the message that was being conveyed. The whole point of the show is too shock people and to give this reaction. Jeffrey Soloman has stated in an interview that these people don't realize the "play is playing out in front of" them.


4. RACIST BROADWAY - Porgy and Bess Music by: George Gershwin Book by: DuBose Heyward Lyrics by: Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward

Alvin Theatre, Broadway

October 10, 1935

Starring: Anne Brown and Todd Duncan

Directed By: George Gershwin

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Porgy and Bess was an extremely controversial play when it comes to race. Many black people saw it as stereotyping black people as people who lived in poverty, took drugs, and handled things with fist fights. Gershwin was seen as a the "bad" person in this situation. Even members of the original broadway cast were concerned about the message the show was bringing about their culture.


5. BUSTED: (RAIDED OR CLOSED): The Cradle will Rock by: Marc Blizstein

Maxine Elliot Theatre, Broadway

1938

Starring: Howard da Silva and Olive Stanton

Directed by: Orson Welles

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This production was shut down, according the Federal Theatre Project (FTP), due to "budget cuts". However, it was believed that it was actually shut down due to the musicals communists undertones. The theatre was padlocked and surrounded with policemen. Due to this, Orson Welles and his partner John Houseman found another theatre and planned the show to be performed by the writer, Marc Blizstein, from the stage, while actors would stand and sing from the audience. This created a moment in theatre history that will be remembered for ages to come.


6. NEA 4: