The reason VPA cancelled their end of season show

I wrote an article that appeared in the mid-May issue of The People’s Paper. It was in response to the Valley Performing Art’s decision to cancel their last show of the season, “A Bunch of Amateurs”, four days prior to opening. I was the Assistant Stage Manager and I, like the rest of the cast and crew, wanted answers.

In my article, I posed questions as to, “Why?”. I also emailed the VPA Board requesting specifics. Several days later, VPA sent out a press release as to why the show was cancelled,“. . . artistic interpretation deemed inappropriate and offensive”. This statement was vague and confusing. What specifically was the objection?

I requested to address the Board at their May 22 meeting and was granted a spot on their agenda. Once there, it was made clear to me the time allotted was not for, “Q and A”. So instead, I read them the letter I had sent — the idea being to get answers and avoid something like this happening to future productions. The result? No answer.

On Saturday, May 25, I received a letter from the Board. In it were numbered points including the, “Why”:

5) “Why, then, did we stop production? As you must be aware, our nation and the world have become extremely sensitive to ANY appearance of inappropriate interaction between adults and children. Intentional casting that magnified the appearance of age difference created an inappropriate situation and the Executive Committee made the decision to halt the production. We did not make this decision lightly and heard opinions within the board. And while you and others in the cast and crew may not have been offended, our board of directors must act in the best interest of our community and VPA.” — VPA Board

I was shocked! In the first place, what does, “. . . the appearance of inappropriate interaction between adults and children.” mean in regards to this play? Secondly, who came up with that notion?

Amateurs is a romantic British comedy, directed at mature audiences and rated for ages 15 years and up. Our leading lady is an adult. She stands just under five feet and appears younger than her years. Her role was to play a women in her late thirties — that’s what makeup is for. Our leading man, who is also an adult and stands over six feet tall, was to play a middle-aged, has-been actor. Again, makeup. The “intentional casting”, regarding size difference, was to add to the comedic-irony amidst Shakespeare’s poetic humor and drama — a small, meek character playing against a tall, dominating one. Through the poetry of Shakespeare and the love of acting, these two characters (Dorothy Nettle and Jefferson Steel) discover common ground and develop mutual respect and love for each other. This is the plot of the play! I am certain this would have been understood had VPA allowed their audiences to see the show.

VPA developed a problem with the height difference of their two leading actors which they had already approved. These were two adults portraying two older adults; one petite, one tall. Where the idea of, “inappropriate interaction between adults and children” originated has me baffled. It certainly has nothing to do with this play!

Disappointment has plagued this cancelled production; from the cast and crew, who put in many hours of rehearsing and stage preparation for this show only to have the rug pulled out from under them, to the season ticket holders and beyond. In the end, the decision to cancel Amateurs, backfired — it cost VPA a reputable show, revenue, upset of their patrons and offense to the vetted cast and crew.

Injustices occur in life. Amateurs was unjustly shut down for, “. . . the appearance of age difference created an inappropriate situation.” — a victim of discrimination and fear.

This experience has shown me the many different perceptions and attitudes towards life here in the Valley, possibly demonstrating we are all a bunch of amateurs.

Nan Potts