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Queers are calling for a boycott of the California Musical Theatre -- at least according to the Sacramento Bee -- after discovering that its artistic director, Scott Eckern, donated $1,000 to Prop. 8. Eckern has been with CMT for over 25 years. Richard Lewis, the organization's executive producer, released this statement regarding the controversy: "Any political action or the opinion of Scott Eckern is not shared by California Musical Theatre. We have a long history of appreciation for the LGBT community and are truly grateful for their longstanding support."
The California Musical Theatre, Sacramento's oldest theate group, recently produced a production of "Forever Plaid". If don't plan on boycotting the theater because of Eckern's discrimination donation against people in his own office, then do so because "Forever Plaid" is just an awful musical.
Update: Eckern has resigned.
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An artistic director for a musical theater company is a homophobe? Wow. I'm guessing work is going to be a little awkward from now on.
"I have seen the enemy and he is us," should be the motto of everyone urging boycotts of people who exercise their right to political free speech. That includes you too, Brock. There's no link to a review of the production, only the smarmy inference that it's not worth seeing.
No "civil rights" action will succeed by attacking those whom it would persuade. If the courts don't overturn Prop 8, how will public opinion be swayed by cavilling attacks on religion, the arts, and other freedoms that we enjoy?
and just where exactly do you stand on the issue of gay marriage, atthebeach? i really don't know where you're coming from, but i have a good idea.
vile.
that said, forever plaid is a vile show, regardless of the production.
At the beach you have a remarkably short and narrow view of history. Divestment and economic boycotting maybe one of the only truly effective tools when it comes to changing behavior.
Unfortunately the power of candles and clever sloganeering has waned. Money moves people.
Or do you think White South Africans were just tired of being in power and having all the control?
What, Brock, you're demanding that I state my political beliefs to satisfy your curiosity? And tossing in "vile" for emphasis? If I state my bona fides in a blog that is almost 100% anonymous postings, how will that add to the legitimacy of my opinions?
@periqueblend: I agree witth everything you said, except my view of history. I totally support economic boycotts, when they are targeted. (See, e.g., the Nestle infant formula boycott.)
What I don't support is generalized attacks on religions, ethnic or racial groups, or a theater because its director made a contribution to a cause.
If anyone wanted to do a real service to the cause of boycotts, they would publish a list of the donors to the Yes on 8 campaign.
That story is nothing compared to this guy. My girlfriend had done a number of shows with him down when they were working actors down in San Diego. Since then was cast in a lead role in the Chicago cast of Wicked. (Which she tells me is pretty much equal to the Nat'l touring cast.)
He was working in one of the most elite (and coveted) positions in modern American theatre. He gave $18,000 to Yes on 8. Apparently he thought there wouldn't be a problem. He was also nice enough to write an open letter in the way of explanation.
Needless to say, she defriended him on Facebook. After this, I'd be surprised if he could get a job as a volunteer usher.
He has resigned.
He just quit.
brit, I think I owe you a beer.
"I honestly had no idea that this would be the reaction," Eckern wrote
Seriously? If he really had no idea then he's too stupid to hold a job. Any job.
This time around, the government isn't doing it, just the people.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCarthyism
Since my site was linked in the post, I want to comment on atthebeach's comments.
It should be noted that we never called for a boycott on G-A-Y. All we did was bring the donation, which is public information, to light. From there, the field was wide open. People could have risen up and stood with Mr Eckern, or people could have reacted negatively to his funding an anti-gay proposition. The latter seems to have happened to a greater degree.
So again -- there was no "attack" on the theatre or even Mr Eckern. There were simply the revelation of public information. It's funny how nobody on the "No on 8" side has any problem with their donation being made public. Did Brad Pitt or Stephen Spielberg cry foul when their sizable donations became national news? NO!
@ bluecanary
I think "I honestly had no idea that this would be the reaction" is just a more sanitized version of "I had no idea these donations are publicly searchable on the internet, and that my ass would be professionally handed to me as a result."
A list of donors to ALL state campaigns is available from the state. SF Gate created an easy to use database which was probably the source of this tidbit.
"I honestly had no idea this would be the reaction" should be the motto of the Yes on 8 folks. They honestly do not seem to have a clue regarding the consequences of their actions.
both sides can claim that as their motto, i think.
AJ: I wonder if the penny I taped with duct tape on a post card I donated to Ed Jew's election got on the list?
With regard to the vote, yes. With regard to the vote aftermath, the pro-8 side has clearly won ownership. It's like a constant chorus of "What? All I did was punch you in the face, why are you so angry?"
Next lets push for the same with the Boston Celtics. Danny Ainge the GM who lives in Wellesley Mass, with his wife Michelle, gave $1000 to the yes on 8 campaign.
I, for one, will never attend another Boston Celtics game.
...they're the basketball team, right?
Doing stupid shit, even for a good reason, has an effect. He all but explains that his religion blinded him to the possible consequences of his actions, and this is normal. Whether this causes him to re-evaluate his politics and/or religion in this regard remains to be seen.
atthebeach: So you're equating this with blacklisting people from ALL JOBS EVERYWHERE? Has anybody ever told you you're a genius? Ever consider running for office?
I don't know how I feel about blacklisting people... just what do we hope to achieve with antagonizing the opposition?
Frankly, if I had a list of Prop 8 donors in my hand and significantly more chutzpah than I currently possess, I'd be going to their doors and explaining my case, not smearing them as bigots. That's a great way to win over hearts and minds.
"This time around, the government isn't doing it, just the people. [McCarthyism]"
You're saying there's a massive, nationwide fear of... anti-gay people?
Quick! Everyone uncloset all the (anti-)gays!
Okay, no, seriously.
We're in a nation with fucking don't ask don't tell, and you're calling out McCarthyism against anti-gay bigots?
I'm so sick of people claiming that donating money to a cause that suppresses the rights of others is free speech. Would giving money to a cause that brought back slavery be considered free speech?
Go look up the true meaning of "free speech" because it does not mean screaming at the top of your lungs while putting your hand over someone else's mouth and silencing them.
That's right's infringement, not free speech.
You said it, atthebeach: "This time aournd, the government isn't doing it, just the people."
Exactly. There's a HUGE difference between social boycotts and government enforced penalties.
But if you can't see the difference, then I can no longer blame you for feeling the way you do.
Also this: "We are all free to live our lives the way we choose" from Caster's letter is complete crap. Don't these people see the nonsensicality of that statement? When legal rights are suppressed, we are NOT "all free to live our lives the way we choose"!
I'm boggled that anyone could say that with a straight ('scuse the pun) face.
I have worked 22 years in the theater industry and understand the feeling re the artistic director in Sacto. But let's not call atthebeach vile. You can't boycott every company that has one employee who disagrees with you,and even if you could impose your political orthodoxy by such coercion on every working stiff in the world, at some point employees should be able to have unpopular opinions without their companies being pressured into firing them -- otherwise what was the problem in principle with the McCarthy blacklists? If there's a catholic bag-boy at the SF Trader Joe's who is anti-abortion, are you going to gang up with 50,000 other customers to get him fired? How is that any better than the shop in small-town America that fires a scarf-wearing muslim clerk because customers complained?
Good. I'm glad he resigned. This shows other creatures of his ilk what the potential consequences may be of shamelessly trampling all over the rights of others.
@atthebeach Free speech? Donating American dollars to a cause that directly harms other people is free speech, whereas responding by saying "hey, you hate us so we will no longer choose to business with you" is some kind of major transgression on par with McCarthy Era blacklisting? Is your brain even made of human parts? Come off it.
I'm sick of being told to roll over and play nice by people like you when it comes to securing MY rights. "Oh, tough tittie this time around. Maybe next time!" The hell with next time! I pay taxes to this lousy state and to this lousy country and anyone who stands between me and full exercise of my civil rights deserves a knuckle sammich. Especially that old broad in Palm Springs. Next time your rights are trampled on, feel free to collapse into a quivering pile of milquetoast. I don't care. Just get out of my way, mang!
i don't think atthebeach is vile. he's a choice commenter here at sfist.
also, if said trader joe's bag boy refused to bag groceries of some gay guys, that's would be the issue. that is the issue.
no one is attacking the right to free speech, blah, blah, etc., etc.
"If there's a catholic bag-boy at the SF Trader Joe's who is anti-abortion, are you going to gang up with 50,000 other customers to get him fired?"
YES! Let's go!
So I guess free speech is only for liberals.
no, it isn't. not by the longest shot. but god forbid anyone disagree with the far right lest we be labeled "politically correct."
so transparent.
Someone forgot to tell these guys:
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2008/10/31/Gun_firm_head_resigns_over_Obama_support/UPI-19331225496140/
Give him the pulitzer.
i voted no on prop 8,since then backers of no have turned bloodthirsty.want to lill pastors&defaceing church.next time iwill vote yes&so will millions of others.we start now.fredom of choice on both sides.we will spread the word