Despite efforts of far right, the show did go on
by Robin Dorner
Editor in Chief
Opening night arrived for The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told in Oklahoma City. The saga of the play being performed in this city has turned into ‘the most controversial story ever told’ for local theatre group, the Oklahoma City Theatre Company (OKCTC).
The play has received a storm of media attention since Oklahoma Republican Legislator Dan Fisher and right-wing groups began attacking the theatre group. Their objection is that OKCTC is presenting a non-traditional Christmas story with a gay theme at Christmas which “mocks Christianity.”
They further claim that taxpayers are paying for the use of the Civic Center while supporting such things as, “nudity." Also, the play is an affront to the contemporary community standards of our fine city.”
Many of their claims have been proven false, but it's not deterred them from trying to stop the production of the show in Oklahoma City.
It didn’t work. The show went on. The preview performance began December 5th as scheduled and opening night is over...and Oklahoma City hasn’t begun to burn into the fiery pits of hell.
Well, not yet anyway.
“Last night’s preview night was well attended despite the weather and we had a really enthusiastic audience,” said Rachel Irick, OKCTC Artistic Director.
Protesters at preview night and opening night didn’t spoil the show.
“A catholic group was protesting and one audience member said he was accosted by them,” said Irick. “An actor said he approached to ask if they knew their data [on signs] was incorrect – they just shouted him down.
“They seemed very angry and even had a child in their group. I would not have wanted to have my children out there, especially considering the weather.”
Irick’s work email was given out Thursday in an eblast sent out internationally by a group calling itself the “Catholic League.”
“It was a little bit frightening – one even called me a ‘Jew Princess.’ I’m sure they are willing to assume a lot of things about me, since Rachel is a common Jewish name for a woman. Prior to that eblast, I had never gotten any personal attacks. Since yesterday, I have been called very ugly names in these emails.”
Their common accusation seems to be Irick’s ‘attack’ on Christians. “You are insane and disturbed,” “You need therapy,” You need help.” She has even received disturbing emails sexually distasteful in nature.
Since some of the emails were a forward, Irick said she is sure the bulk of the responses were a direct result of the eblast sent out by the Catholic group.
“However, I don’t want to paint this broad picture of Christians like they are all bad, they are not,” adds Irick. “Some of them may not like the content of our play, but they are Americans and do not support the censorship. I have received some nice emails from Christians who still support us, but some of them just don’t support this show.
“And part of the message in the play is that two of the characters try to convince others that there is a God. It’s a very inspiring theme. And obviously a lot of gay people go to church,” she added.
Irick concluded by saying, “I think it’s awesome that those of us who are involved in the show are from all different faith backgrounds. It is a beautiful marriage of different backgrounds to ask about spirituality, God and the human race. So actually the controversy has galvanized us as a cast. We are bonded in the process of the show, but also through all this.
“This has drawn us to be more deeply committed to the show and has allowed us to look more closely at how this will be looked at by the different faiths. That strengthens us as a production.”
The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told runs December 5-22nd (shows Thu-Sat at 8 pm and Sundays at 2:00 & 7:30). For ticket information, call (405) 297-2264 or visit www.okctc.org.