Artistic Director of California Music Theatre Apologizes for "Yes On Prop-8" Contributions

[SoCalNative]

While fighting for equal marriage rights, online watchdogs discovered that Scott Eckern, Artistic Director of California Music Theatre and Sacramento Music Circus had made a $1000 contribution towards the approval of Proposition 8. The information was discovered through publicly available online donation records.

Proposition 8, a ballot measure looking to overturn the May, 2008 California Supreme Court decision granting marriage equality, was approved by a narrow margin on November 4th.

In a widely circulated email from Broadway Actress Susan Egan, it was revealed to many in the community that the Tony Award-Winning composer Marc Shaiman had "expressed his disgust with the idea that a theatrical organization, employing and making money from gay artists and audience members, harbors an executive who uses a portion of his income to publicly support hate legislation." Her email went on to call for a boycott of California Music Theatre by "ticket-buyers, writers, musical directors, crew, designers and performers and more."

-snip-

The story has been picked up by several media outlets and mentioned on internet chat boards including PerezHilton.com and BroadwayWorld.com

Upon being notified of the feelings held by countless members of the theatrical community, Mr. Eckern issued an apology:

"I understand that my choice of supporting Proposition 8 has been the cause of many hurt feelings maybe even betrayal. It was not my intent. I honestly had no idea that this would be the reaction. I chose to act upon my belief that the traditional definition of marriage should be preserved. I support each individual to have rights and access and I understood that in California domestic partnerships come with the same rights that come with marriage."

-snip-

In addition to his apology, Mr. Eckern has made a contribution of $1000 towards the fight for equal rights for all.

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Artistic_Director_of_California_Music_Theatre_Apologizes_for_Yes_On_Prop8_Contributions_20010101

[bluedawg12]

1. Send the money back

buying offf his own guilt? A lot more than a little too late.

[SoCalNative]

7. Make NO mistake

he wasn't buying off his guilt..he's just doing a CYA in hopes of keeping his job.

[GodlessBiker]

2. We should have a pool. How many days before he "resigns"?

[bluedawg12]

3. One week?

Or sooner?

[IndianaGreen]

11. Eckern should resign and get a job organizing anti-Semitic Passion Plays

I can't wait to hear his excuse for staging those!

:grr:

[mitchtv]

4. So Sorry he got caught

and will soon be in another occupation. Thanks for the $1000, bitch. Take your non apology and go out of town. No refunds

[QC]

5. Instead of a grand, thirty piece of silver would have been more apropos. n/t

[MNBrewer]

6. He "understood" nothing.

"I understood that in California domestic partnerships come with the same rights that come with marriage."

What an asshole!

[mondo joe]

8. I wonder how many more individuals and organizations will be uncovered in this way.

Every one of them ought to suffer economically.

[Jamastiene]

9. I sat tough titty.

He should be required to step down.

[IndianaGreen]

10. Screw him! Support Marc Shaiman's boycott until Eckern is purged

Elections have consequences, or retributions in this case.

[Moloch]

12. He's only sorry because he got caught..