Link on the link below to hear my dear friend and fellow bird (“we’re not chicks”), Lee Etzold, on the National Public Radio show, All Things Considered.
Lee, a (fantastic) professional performer, is part of an all-girl cast of the musical, Grease. Lee plays Danny Zuko (the male lead, played by John Travolta in the movie). All was going fine, then a few hours before their first scheduled performance, Samuel French (the licensing company) sent a letter to the director silencing the show. It felt that not casting the men and women by men and women was unacceptable and shut down the production.
So what next? Will they be asking for actors to disclose their sexuality so that only straights can be cast? I can just see the conditions: “straight females only for Sandy and the girls; with the exception of Rizzo, who can be gay.” Give me a break!
Grease is a story that celebrates obnoxious gender roles (men drive fast and wear black leather, women worry, cry, and fuss in their skirts and pumps) and serves it all up on white bread. It’s where we girls learn of our life options: changing for the guy (’cause we’re never good enough as is), or beauty school. What better vehicle for exploring gender and American pop culture than this iconoclastic show?! After all, gender IS performance (complete with costumes and acting) and the American Theatre is a wonderful place to examine how gender plays out. I love the idea of the show and I think it ridiculous not to support it. Does Samuel French really think that we will forever be okay with and never question the 13-year old’s fantasy of bubble-gum stereotypes? It is time to move on!
SO — Listen and hear Lee! (As well as a great article!)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4667355
Contact information for Samuel French, should you want to write them to express your disappointment at what yutz-balls they are:
Samuel French, Inc.
7623 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90046-2795
Phone (323) 876-0570
Fax (323) 876-6822
Office hours are Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Pacific Time.
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