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'Racy' High School Musical Causes a Stir
posted 10/27/09 4:59 pm
ABC 7 News - 'Racy' High School Musical Causes a Stir
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POTOMAC, Md. - A high school musical is causing a lot of controversy in Montgomery County (web | news) . Some school leaders wanted the show cancelled because of its racy content.

Michelle Levenson showed us what her daughter was supposed to wear as "Roxie," the leading lady in "Chicago" until officials at Winston Churchill High School suddenly pulled the plug on the show Monday.

According to her daughter Alex Levenson, "Miss Speck just walked in and said, 'you may as well pack your stuff up and leave. The show's cancelled.' And you know, I kind of sat there, and like, 'did she really say that?'"

"We're kind of known for doing racy shows. So the fact that the show was originally completely cancelled...we thought that doesn't seem right," said Steven Rigaux who was poised to play "Billy Flynn" in the musical.

The show, based on the popular Broadway play and movie set in Chicago during prohibition, was deemed inappropriate for high schoolers for its themes of sex and murder.

Parents like Randi Braverman said they'd picked the play last spring so why did they wait till the last minute to object?

"To do it three weeks before the production goes on, after monies have been collected, spent, is inappropriate. I think it's bad management," said Braverman.

Dozens of outraged parents and students showed up at a school board meeting Monday night to object and suddenly, Tuesday afternoon, it all changed with a phone call to parents.

"This is Joan Benz, principal at Churchill High School. I want you to know that I'm now able to approve the continuation of 'Chicago.' Rehearsals will take place today,'" the principal said in her phone call.

The students were excited to get that phone call.

"It means so much. All of us, the band, the crew, the cast, we have worked so much," said Alex Levenson.

Now all that work will hit the spotlight after all.

The principal says the controversy was whether the students were using the student version of the script with bad language edited out or another version. They were using the other version. She says that issue has been resolved and the play will be tasteful. The play will go on as scheduled on November 13.

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