Cleveland Diocese Donates $4,538 to Theater as prepares to present "Agnes of God"

various (Diocese Press Release, Beck Center website, Sun News) | December 24, 2003

[Akron Al]

Three years ago, the Beck Center had a transvestite march in the town of Lakewood 4th of July Parade:

"Bob Simon learned that firsthand when, in costume as the sweet transvestite from Transylvania Frank N Furter, he received a sour reaction for his role in Lakewood's Fourth of July parade."

"Michael Gill, marketing director at the Beck Center, said the arts facility received 28 calls within two days after the parade that complained about the publicity appearance for the stage show, which opens Friday."

Now the Beck Center is preparing to present the vile anti-Catholic play, "Agnes of God." April 9 - May 2

[Agnes of God (1985). The movie opens with the uplifting spectacle of disturbed young nun Meg Tilly giving birth in a convent, murdering her baby, and then flushing the tiny, bloody corpse down the toilet.]

So why did the Diocese of Cleveland just donate $4,538 to the Beck Center?

_________________________________________________________

Here is the recent press release from the diocese:

http://www.oce.org/news/catholiccommunityfundmakesgrantstofivelocalgroups2003.htm

For Immediate Release

November 20, 2003

release number 11-03-003

CONTACT: Ed Mayer

(216) 696-6525, Ext. 2140

emayer@dioceseofcleveland.org

Catholic Community Fund makes grants to five local groups

The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation has awarded grants ranging from $4,000-$10,000 to five local organizations. The funds are from the Foundation’s Catholic Community Fund, which supports efforts in the areas of workforce development, academic achievement, cultural diversity and regional development.

“These grants demonstrate our commitment to serving the entire community,” Bishop Anthony M. Pilla explained. “I would like to thank each of the many donors who made this possible by contributing to the Catholic Community Fund.”

Donna Kelly Rego, chair of the Foundation’s board of directors, praised the award recipients for developing creative programs that respond to community needs. “The Catholic Community Fund was created to allow the Diocese to support agencies that are addressing important regional issues,” she said. “These organizations serve a broad cross-section of people in the community, not just Catholics.”

The competitive awards totaling more than $34,000 will support projects ranging from teaching basic reading and math to low-income, unemployed adults, to involving Catholic high school students in diversity training programs.

The grants include:

-- $10,000 to The Center for Employment Training to provide basic reading and math tutoring through Project: Learn for job trainees (Workforce Development and Academic Achievement)

-- $10,000 to The National Conference for Community and Justice to fund the participation of students from Catholic Schools, specifically those from Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School and Cleveland Central Catholic High School, in the It’s Your Move Program (Cultural Diversity and Workforce Development)

-- $6,000 to Cleveland Scholarship Programs for post-secondary advisory services for students from the following Catholic high schools: Cleveland Central Catholic, Benedictine, Saint Joseph Academy, Saint Augustine Academy, Villa Angela-Saint Joseph, Regina, Saint Peter Chanel (Academic Achievement and Workforce Development)

-- $4,000 to Catholic Commission of Summit County to enhance its leadership training and increase its advocacy related to poverty (Regional Development)

-- $4,358 to the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood to support the Outreach Education Program that provides art education to Catholic elementary school children (Academic Achievement)

The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Foundation serves a wide cross-section of people by raising funds to support programs and services of the Diocese, which includes Cuyahoga, Ashland, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Media, Summit and Wayne Counties.

For further information on the Catholic Community Fund grant program, contact Valerie Raines at 1-800-869-6525, ext. 1630, or via e-mail at vraines@dioceseofcleveland.org.

###

_________________________________________________________

Here is the website for the Beck Center and its promotion of the upcoming "Agnes of God":

http://www.lkwdpl.org/beck/studio.htm

_________________________________________________________

Article concerning Beck Center transvestite in the Lakewood 4th of July Parade:

http://www.sunnews.com/news/2000/0713/WROCKYHO.htm

Well-heeled Beck actor causes fuss at parade

By ROGER VOZAR Staff Writer

July 13, 2000

More than 25 years since it was written, "The Rocky Horror Show" retains much of its shock value.

Bob Simon learned that firsthand when, in costume as the sweet transvestite from Transylvania Frank N Furter, he received a sour reaction for his role in Lakewood's Fourth of July parade.

Michael Gill, marketing director at the Beck Center, said the arts facility received 28 calls within two days after the parade that complained about the publicity appearance for the stage show, which opens Friday.

The stockings-and-garters attire and a comment to firemen about their hoses were deemed inappropriate for the surroundings by some attendees.

Still, there were at least as many cheers as jeers during the parade, Gill added.

Looking back, Simon said he's not sure if he should have dressed in drag, but doesn't know what all the fuss is about.

"I've got to tell you, I was actually amazed. I didn't hear a lot of animosity directed at me," he said. "I'm an actor; I kept it subdued. I understood that it was a parade."

It's ironic that cross dressing is so shocking, yet the two movies that recently topped a list of the best comedies of all time were "Some Like It Hot" and "Tootsie," both featuring leading men in drag.

"Think about it. I'm not sure why there was a big fuss," Simon said. "Now, bringing children to the show itself is a different story. I'm not letting my 12-year-old niece see the show. But she had fun seeing her Uncle Bob in costume."

A graduate of Lakewood High School and former student at the Beck Center's Theater School for Teens, Simon has played the transsexual head of the Frankenstein Place castle and its collection of freaks since 1993, when he joined the cast of a United States tour. A European tour followed, and he hopes to continue the role when the show takes on Broadway this fall.

Meanwhile, he seized an opportunity to return to the place where he started at age 10 with a role in "Alice in Wonderland."

"It's the exact same stage. It's like coming home," Simon said. "I was last on stage here when I was 16, doing 'The King and I' (in 1984)."

When he became an actor, Simon envisioned himself doing musicals like "The King and I" and "West Side Story." He first viewed "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," a 1975 film based on the stage show, only days before auditioning for the touring cast.

"I never sang rock 'n' roll before I got this job," Simon said. "It was really weird. It was not one of my favorite films. It's rather plodding when it started."

However, the stage version, which affords him many opportunities for improvisation, grew on him.

"The great thing about the live show is that I'm allowed to answer back during the show," he said, referring to stock responses audiences developed over the years while interacting with the movie during midnight shows.

Simon said he's grown protective of the show, adding it speaks to a lot of important social issues.

"In this country, there is a lack of tolerance," he said. "There's a lot of hate out there. I like the quote that (Rocky Horror author) Richard O'Brien had — 'No army intent on destruction has ever marched in anger wearing high-heeled shoes."'

While touring Europe, the Rocky Horror actors found themselves filling a last-minute vacancy at an opera house and performing for an audience unfamiliar with the show.

"In Italy, we performed in a beautiful old opera house," Simon said. "People planned on seeing this classic opera and they put us in there. All of these season ticket holders thought they would be seeing 'La Traviata' or something and were surprised to see Brad and Janet. At the end of the night, they were singing along."

Songs like "Time Warp" are key to the show's popularity, he said.

"Once they get in your head, they never go away," Simon said.

For all of its strange characters and costumes, "The Rocky Horror Show" simply is a big glam musical, according to Simon.

"It's a lot of fun. There's no nudity. There's no vulgar language. It doesn't discriminate," he said. "It's actually very tame."

"The Rocky Horror Show" runs through Aug. 13 at the Beck Center in Lakewood. For ticket information, call (216) 521-2540.

[Akron Al]

And here are the e-mails for three Cleveland bishops, Pilla, Quinn and Pevec, as well as these e-mails for Sister Harwood and Father Jurcak, the two people who actually run the Diocese of Cleveland. I would appreciate if people could send these folks a short note: (just cut and paste these addresses)

bishop@dioceseofcleveland.org , bpaepevec@dioceseofcleveland.org , ajquinn@dioceseofcleveland.org , rmharwood@dioceseofcleveland.org , ljurcak@dioceseofcleveland.org

[Akron Al]

And here are the e-mails for three Cleveland bishops, Pilla, Quinn and Pevec, as well as these e-mails for Sister Harwood and Father Jurcak, the two people who actually run the Diocese of Cleveland. I would appreciate if people could send these folks a short note: (just cut and paste these addresses)

bishop@dioceseofcleveland.org , bpaepevec@dioceseofcleveland.org , ajquinn@dioceseofcleveland.org , rmharwood@dioceseofcleveland.org , ljurcak@dioceseofcleveland.org

Also, from the press release:

CONTACT: Ed Mayer

(216) 696-6525, Ext. 2140

emayer@dioceseofcleveland.org

And:

For further information on the Catholic Community Fund grant program, contact Valerie Raines at 1-800-869-6525, ext. 1630, or via e-mail at vraines@dioceseofcleveland.org.

[Codie]

The Browns and now this.Yea you guys need a break.

[Akron Al]

Please help!!!!

[livius]

Akron Al, what would be the most effective thing to say to these people? Thanks.

[Akron Al]

The Diocese of Cleveland has a habit of giving to wacky organziations like this.

For a few years it gave thousands of dollars to a group linked to NARAL.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=23573

The Gay Rainbow Flag and Pink triangles remain on the website:



http://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/gayandlesbianfamilyministry/events/index.htm

With the pink triangles:

http://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/gayandlesbianfamilyministry/other_support/index.htm

____________________________________________________________

Nevertheless, these folks still fear bad publicity. When they get emails and telephone calls they begin to panic. So please take the time to drop a short note simply indicating that you are outraged that a Catholic Diocese would help support a local theater that produces anti-Catholic plays.

Perhaps others can give you some better guidance.

THANKS!

[Akron Al]

The Browns and now this.Yea you guys need a break.

Thanks, please pray that Bishop Pilla converts to Catholicism. And throw in a Hail Mary for the Browns!

[livius]

OK, thank you. Will do.

[Coleus]

Click Here to E-mail the Diocese expressing your outrage

Also, from the press release:
CONTACT: Ed Mayer
(216) 696-6525, Ext. 2140
And:
For further information on the Catholic Community Fund grant program, contact Valerie Raines at 1-800-869-6525, ext. 1630,

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[dsc]

Sent this:

It is outrageous that the Diocese of Cleveland gives Church money to an organization like the Beck Center that produces such garbage as "Agnes of God," and astounding that you would allow such people contact with Catholic children.

Displaying the "gay" rainbow flag and pink triangles on the Diocesan website is a grave scandal, and a sin that cries out for God's vengeance.

[Akron Al]

For further information on the Catholic Community Fund grant program, contact Valerie Raines at 1-800-869-6525, ext. 1630, or via e-mail at vraines@dioceseofcleveland.org.

Who is Valerie Raines?

http://www.co.tompkins.ny.us/legislature/committee/health/7-8-99.html

AIDS Work

Mr. Ferrari brought the Committee up-to-date on some projects AIDS Work has been working on. He announced he has resigned his position at AIDS Work and be assuming the position of Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Tompkins County. Valerie Raines will be the interim Director of AIDS Work during the transition period. Mr. Ferrari updated the Committee on funding for the Needle Exchange Program and stated the Harm Reduction of the AIDS Institute of the New York State Department of Health let them know that Tompkins County's waiver process will not be looked at before January 1, 2000; therefore, the expectation of launching the program in the Fall of 1999 needs to be moved back to some time in 2000. He said additional endorsements received include Cornell University Health Services, Ithaca Rape Crisis, Planned Parenthood, Tompkins County Chapter of NOW, and others. Mr. Ferrari said the media has continued to provide positive coverage on this program. He also reported there has been no movement on this issue at the federal level.

[Akron Al]

Re #12. I'm not sure if this is the same gal.

[Akron Al]

From the diocesan press release:

Donna Kelly Rego, chair of the Foundation’s board of directors, praised the award recipients for developing creative programs that respond to community needs. “The Catholic Community Fund was created to allow the Diocese to support agencies that are addressing important regional issues,” she said. “These organizations serve a broad cross-section of people in the community, not just Catholics.”



From womenpriests.org re the Women's Ordination Conference:

Appendix B - WOC Core Commission and Advisory Board 1979-80
WOC Core Commission

http://www.womenpriests.org/classic2/nwnc_pre.htm

Teresita Basso, PB - VM Santa Ana, CA
Betty Carroll, RSM - Pittsburgh, PA
Kathleen Keating, SSJ - Holyoke, MA
Donna Kelly Rego - Cleveland, OH
Rosemary Kutz - Topeka, KS
Jacqueline Marie Merz, SSND - Irving, TX
Margaret M. Mohler - Endicott City, MD
Jamie Phelps, OP - Chicago, IL
Dolly Pomerleau - Mt. Rainier, MD
Kathryn Power - Plymouth, MN
Marilyn Steffel - Calumet City, IL
Catherine Stewart Roche - Albuquerque, NM
Carroll Stuhlmueller, CP - Chicago, IL
Marjorie Tuite, OP - Chicago, IL
Barbara Zanotti - Cambridge, MA