Eugene school officials reversing decision to scrap play

Associated Press
Tuesday, February 8, 2005

http://www.kgw.com/education/localeducation/stories/kgw_020805_edu_sugar_censorship.8a12e497.html

EUGENE, Ore. -- Eugene School District officials are rethinking their decision to scrap Sheldon High School's spring musical because of script concerns.

Sheldon High theatre students had been rehearsing "Sugar," an adaptation of the 1959 film "Some Like It Hot," for two weeks when officials canceled the play because the script includes profanity and references to sex, alcohol and violence. Two lead characters' cross-dressing also may have been an issue of concern.

The movie and play tell the story of two hapless musicians who try to avoid the mob by joining an all-female jazz band.

Sheldon Principal Bob Bolden said Monday he is prepared to let the play go forward if modifications are made to the script and a "viewer notice" is included in the playbill.

Students hope to present the musical in late April and early May.

"We have some very responsible students who want to express themselves in a way that honors their First Amendment rights," Bolden said. "We don't want to get into censorship, but we also have a duty to make sure that what's provided at the school is appropriate."

Bolden said he doesn't routinely review scripts but asks to be notified when there's a possibility of questionable material.

Stacey Goldenberg, a Sheldon parent, said she believes that district officials changed their mind after receiving dozens of e-mails of protest over the weekend. She said minor script changes probably will not be a problem.

"This script is totally benign and pure entertainment, and I frankly don't see why we need to rewrite any of it," she said. "But if the administration wants to water it down a little bit, we'll probably be able to deal with it.

Goldenberg's son, Dillon Flynn, has a lead role in the play as one of the cross-dressing musicians. He said he thinks "a social shift to the right" led to the initial decision to scrap the play.

Though Flynn is delighted that the production will likely go forward, he called it a bittersweet victory because of "the political battle that had to be fought."

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