Posted on 06/11/2017 6:56:18 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
“No matter what your political stance may be, the graphic staging of 'Julius Caesar' at this summer’s Free Shakespeare in the Park does not reflect Delta Air Lines’ values," the airline said in a statement.
Just hours before the theater world gathered for the annual Tony Awards, Delta Air Lines revoked its four-year-old sponsorship of New York's Public Theater, according to reports. The airline found issue with the summer production of Julius Caesar, featuring the assassination of the title character, who in this staging bears an unmistakable resemblance to Donald Trump.
"No matter what your political stance may be, the graphic staging of Julius Caesar at this summer's Free Shakespeare in the Park does not reflect Delta Air Lines' values,” Delta spokeswoman Ashton Morrow said in a statement. "Their artistic and creative direction crossed the line on the standards of good taste."
Delta also reportedly told The Public Theater its decision is effective immediately.
The play, which is staged by the Public's artistic director Oskar Eustis and runs through June 18 at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, features characters in contemporary costumes and such unconventional casting as Elizabeth Marvel in the key male role of Marc Antony. The chief talking point, however, has been its portrayal of Caesar, played by Gregg Henry, who sports yellowish blonde hair, a Trump-style suit and extra-long red tie, with his wife Calpurnia styled as a sleek Slavic beauty. The play ends with the title character's bloody assassination.
"Donald Trump has been president for less than a year," wrote The Hollywood Reporter theater critic Frank Scheck in his review. "But using him to make satirical points has already become cliche."
The news follows on the heels of comedian Kathy Griffin posing with a fake, bloody likeness of President Trump's head. Griffin has since apologized for the photos, although CNN ultimately decided to cut the comedian from its annual New Year's Eve special with Anderson Cooper.
A representative for The Public Theater did not immediately respond to THR's request for comment.
No weapon formed against President Trump shall prosper, and every tongue that rises up against him shall be condemned.
permit me a lil Bible Scripture paraphrasing.. (’
Good for Delta.
The depravity of Democrats and other liberals knows no boundaries.
It’s a communicable psychosis/disease worse than zombieism.
Fox and Friends had a video of the assassination scene this morning. Caesar is at the podium on a stage dressed like Donald Trump with the US and presidential flags on either side. The “assassins” drag him from the podium and attack him. It was noted that the assassins were all “minority” men and women to depict his supposed racism and misogyny. One of the F&F hosts quipped the only thing missing was Kathy Griffin walking off with his severed head.
Who are the other sponsors?
I have never enjoyed Shakespeare plays done in a modern setting. It’s distracting from the amazing characters and language.
Good for Delta.
I should write and give them my appreciation. I’m already a frequent flyer member.
They didn’t want to be known for, “They hate the president and it shows.”
These people are so boring
Every little bit of decency helps.
NYtimes, AmEx, per their website. B of A dropped them also.
I’m shocked, shocked to see a major corporation making good business decisions.
Mercat: Well said. Shakespeare is best done in the amazing language in which it was written because there is a beautiful flow of words for which one needs a little education to appreciate it.
Central Park in NYC isn’t the place for much of that, not any more.
{The last Shakespearean play I saw was a powerful production of “Othello” starring Avery Brooks, aka Commander Sisko of Star Trek: “Deep Space Nine”. Will never forget his performance].
I was thinking about this story. If you’re familiar with the play, you will recall that Julius Caesar was actually the noble victim of a murderous conspiracy of envious and jealous losers in the Roman Senate. I don’t think the promoters even realize the irony .
Phones will be ringing at Time Warner and AmEx. NYT has no customers to call them.
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