JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A western Pennsylvania school district has decided not to stage a Tony Award-winning musical about a Muslim street poet after members of the community complained about the play on the heels of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
The Tribune Democrat of Johnstown reports Richland School District had planned to stage “Kismet” in February but Superintendent Thomas Fleming says it was scrapped to avoid controversy.
Fleming tells the newspaper that sensitivity is understandable in part because one of the hijacked planes crashed in nearby Shanksville.
Music director Scott Miller tells The Tribune-Democrat the district last performed “Kismet” in 1983.
Miller says the play has no inappropriate content but he and other members of the performing arts committee decided to switch to “Oklahoma!” after hearing complaints.
“Kismet” won the Tony for best musical in 1954.
Rather insensitive towards the families of the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing,isn’t it?
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Have they ever even been to Oklahoma?
It’s OK (pun), but let’s see Kismet!
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What a few warped minds can do to stop a harmless play.
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Kismet? Kismet! A love story with gorgeous lyrics and music. The world is truely crazy. They could have just changed the costumes and had it take place in the Bronx…oh wait, that was West Side Story. So stupid. What a message for the children.
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On point Woodstock – we’re teaching the kids that this ignorance is okay.
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