Texas high school sees ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ musical production canceled because of one controversial casting decision
In a play about a man-eating plant, a woman playing a man is apparently the most unbelievable part
A Texas school’s musical production of Little Shop of Horrors was canceled after the Grand Prairie Independent School District (ISD) said it was concerned that a female student was cast in the lead role, traditionally played by a male. While the school initially tried to recast the role, the production was ultimately canceled.
The South Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie ISD cast for its production of Little Shop of Horrors. A female student named Ana Mota was cast in the lead role of Seymour Krelborn, a character usually portrayed by a male actor. Grand Prairie ISD allegedly intervened after catching wind of the casting choice, leaving the school with little choice but to try to recast the role.
After five days of trying to find a new lead, South Grand Prairie High School decided to cancel the play altogether. Mota told Fox 4 that she believed the reason behind the interference from Grand Prairie ISD was that the male lead in the play falls in love with a female character. “It’s really saddening just to see that this is what the district is focused on. When there’s so many more issues that can be addressed,” she said.
Others online also expressed concerns that the ISD was enforcing a more conservative agenda on the school.
Grand Prairie ISD cited other reasons for canceling the play
Contrary to Mota’s accusation, the ISD claimed that there were other concerns regarding the Little Shop of Horrors production that prompted it to intervene. The issues reportedly surrounded the depiction of an “abusive relationship” in the play, and it also claimed compliance with Senate Bill 12 as another reason for canceling the play.
“Our goal is always to comply with not only our own local policies, but also state and federal law.” A statement from the ISD said. “In the musical, a romantic relationship develops between the two main characters. When District leadership learned of this issue and in consideration of themes in the musical involving an abusive relationship, a decision was made to pull that production and find something more appropriate.”
The statement went on to claim that the decision was consistent with Senate Bill 12 and other laws, and that the decision was not intended to diminish the accomplishments of the students involved in the production.
However, Mota said that her mother and she intended to go to the Grand Prairie ISD to speak with them and try to get the play reinstated. They also claimed that they were prepared to take legal action if the decision wasn’t reversed.
It’s rather common for roles in plays to be played by the opposite gender; it’s part of the magic of theater. Mota herself claimed she had previously played three traditionally male characters in musicals.
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