Some very good friends of my wife and I had the pleasure last evening watching some great performances by the cast of "Brighton Beach Memoirs." The evening was fast moving and ended too soon as far as the story line was concerned. However, the evening was also a disappointment by the scene between the two brothers on the subject of masturbation and other needless babble during the scene that was totally not necessary for enhancing, clarification, setting the stage for later on, or further promoting our interest in the play. It was there only for shock value, sensationalism and a pathetic attempt at humor. Yes, there were a few laughs, but at what expense? At the end of our row, Section 2 Row D sat a youngster of approximately 10 years of age and, looking around the arena were a few other young people of a questionable age for that type of subject matter. In other words, it was not purely an adult audience. How old was Tara?
On the way out of the theater last night there were numerous discussions going on regarding the need for that scene, with obvious offense taken not only by the four of us but, many others as well. After arriving home, I asked my wife if we had missed any type of disclaimer in the advertising or at the ticket window about minors, or a warning to anyone, that parts of this play would not be suitable for minors. That disclaimer or warning would have also provided adults advanced knowledge of questionable subject matter and given them a choice of whether or not to attend.
For this type of information not to be published in a visible forum for the public is unacceptable. It also reeks of an attitude that anything is acceptable and that due diligence by the Wagon Wheel Theatre to address this matter so everyone has fair warning is not necessary.
It is also a considered opinion that the Wagon Wheel Theatre has a responsibility to its club members, advertisers and ticket holders to make every effort to eliminate scenes that only serve to promote an immoral way of behaving.
Bottom line, that particular act could have been dropped entirely and not one person would have noticed the difference or said wow, that play sure could have used a scene where 5 or 10 minutes on the subject of masturbation and whacking off was discussed between the two brothers.
I've debated about sending a copy of this letter to all our area newspapers and some of the advertisers but, I am hopeful that this matter will be addressed and that management of the theatre will give fair warning about content, language, etc., to those thinking about attending any future attraction or whether they would be suitable for an impressionable mind.
It's distressing that gutter garbage has been so thoroughly introduced and now entrenched in the world of movies, theatre, fine arts, etc.; sadly, the industry itself is more interested in dollars and sensationalism than the moral decay of our society in general. I would like to believe that good solid wholesome entertainment would be given first and primary consideration over objectionable material or scenes that add nothing but shock value to the mix.
The successful resolvement of any issue is, "What is fair to everyone involved" and in my mind, fair warning about content would be a rational and open-minded way to satisfy this matter.
