. . has a variety of what might be called "mature themes". . . I'd add something about relations between women and men.
. . .
What I'm getting at is that presenting this play to young people isn't a new idea, but it's been controversial. However, what seems to be proved in Boston is that if nudity is involved, it instantly goes to the top of the list of problems!
One I would add to that list of John's is the treatment of those that simply don't fit in. i.e. Chief Broom. The Indian that hardly spoke. He was there because no one knew what to do about him, not because he was dangerous to anyone. I watched two talking heads on TCM one night when they aired this movie and was amazed that two supposed adults would say the silly things they said. They were both impressed mostly by the actors performances, talked very little about the themes in the story and flat out rejected Mr. Kesey's disapproval of the movie made from his book. They believed the movie was what was important.
I was reminded of that discussion by Johns comment about people being distracted by things that are merely peripheral. On the movie discussion, it was the perception by the host and guest that Hollywood and it's worker bees were what were important and in Boston the supervisors belief that nudity was the thing that was controversial, not the themes that occurred in the story. John is correct in his observation.
If personal objections control decisions as opposed to valid questions, the people on the board should be held accountable.
Duane
