The hit musical theatre composer behind ‘Wicked’ has banned productions of his shows in the U.S. State.

In a powerful email to American theatre writers and producers, musical theatre composer and lyricist, Stephen Schwartz, has indicated that he will ban the licencing and performance of any of his catalogue of shows, which includes global smash-hits Godspell and Wicked, in the U.S. State of North Carolina. This is in response to the State’s recently passed “reprehensible and discriminatory laws” that actively victimise people from the LGBT community.

North Carolina lawmakers allegedly met for a special session as a response to the nondiscrimination laws that protect the LGBT community, pushing through the new policies in less than a day. Now all North Carolinan restrooms will be single-sex based on “biological sex” only, as “stated on a person’s birth certificate”. Individuals will also be unable to “bring any civil action” based on any existing employment nondiscrimination protections, as well as other new judgments allowing for the discrimination of people within the LGBT community that the State claims are “common-sense”. 

Several cities and other States have already banned government funded travel to and from North Carolina, and national companies in America have begun speaking out against the anti-LGBT laws. Despite the efforts of surrounding governments, North Carolina has yet to change their position. S.C. Governor Pat McCrory has released a statement calling the efforts of anyone boycotting the State a “well-coordinated, national smear” campaign. 

Schwartz has stated that he will deny “the right to any theatre or organization based in North Carolina to produce any of” his shows. He has implored all production teams to join him in refusing to permit the staging of his work until the “heinous legislation” is nullified.  


Stephen Schwartz’s full email:

“To my fellow theatre writers and producers: As you no doubt know, the state of North Carolina has recently passed a reprehensible and discriminatory law. I feel that it is very important that any state that passes such a law suffer economic and cultural consequences, partly because it is deserved and partly to discourage other states from following suit.

Therefore, I and my collaborators are acting to deny the right to any theatre or organization based in North Carolina to produce any of our shows. We have informed our licensing organizations and touring producers of this, and I’m happy to say have met with compliance and approval from them.

In the 1970’s, I, along with many other writers and artists, participated in a similar action against apartheid in South Africa, and as you know, this eventually proved to be very effective.

If you are in agreement, you may want to join me in refusing to license our properties to, or permit productions of our work by, theaters and organizations in North Carolina until this heinous legislation is repealed.”

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