Super-producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh recently unloaded a wave of transphobic comments to a U.K. news site declaring he opposes transgender casting in classic shows because he considers it “gimmick casting” and such a decision would “damage the integrity of the original storylines”.

“I just wish performers who suffer from the stresses of social media, didn’t feel forced to engage in it because industry experts are telling them that their jobs can depend on it.”

“Elphaba has never been played by a Black woman full time in the United States. A character, who is painted green for the entire production, has almost always been played by a white woman full-time in America. One argument defending this is that theatre should not “be political,” or “politically correct,” and that the role should just go to “the best person.” To this, I ask you – why do you believe that the best person is never Black?”

In light of the allegations against Alice Ripley, a conversation about interactions between theatre artists and fans has erupted online. But there are aspects to this story that many seem to be missing, especially within the theatre communities.

“While Joseph Brian Houg will certainly be spending a substantial amount of his remaining life in jail, it doesn’t necessarily repair the damage he inflicted on the youth theatre community in Los Gatos for decades. Because Joseph Brian Houg regularly used his positions in the school and theatre to abuse children.”

“Demand for shows is not what it was, and COVID is wreaking havoc on the country. Should Broadway delay its opening?”

“Being a paid performer is a privilege, a wonderful, joyous privilege. With privilege comes responsibility, and yes, as someone who is receiving money from paying public customers, you do have a responsibility to treat their health as safely as possible.”

“Interestingly enough, I’m not as pissed off that Laura Osnes isn’t vaccinated and seemingly believes in dumb conspiracy theories, as I am that her actions put everyone involved in potential danger.”

“With all due respect to white playwrights who have been dead for decades, many of the intricacies and nuances of their work have already been discovered. We know their stories. It is time for something new. It is time for new perspectives and lives to be seen on the stage. That can only happen with a diverse pool of playwright work being presented.”

“In the midst of this weird decade for animation, in 1987 a film came out that I would later realize had a huge impact on my love of singing and dancing, The Chipmunk Adventure.”

“The theatrical community has lost one of its greatest guiding lights. Alvin Ing, a theatrical trailblazer, passed away this week at the age of 89.”

“If the performing arts are so good for us, and bring us abundant benefits, why do they also influence us so negatively? How can a space be our absolute safest, and also the source of our distress?”