Good Show! on protesting a bad show! Cheers to the Christian's who still have a back bone!!!

LONDON (Reuters) - There is such a thing as bad publicity after all.

Creators of "Jerry Springer - The Opera," the musical that sparked
outrage among conservative Christians when shown on British
television, say protests and lobbying have dented ticket sales for a
tour in what they call a blow to freedom of speech.

The outcry, which culminated in more than 60,000 people complaining to
the British Broadcasting Corporation when it aired the profanity-laden
show last year, has also undermined plans to take the award-winning
musical to Broadway.

"Despite having a show which has won all the best musical awards and
critical praise, I would say that it looks to me like (lobby group)
Christian Voice are winning the audience battle," said Jon Thoday, the
show's producer.

"I would hope there is the opportunity for it to be shown in other
countries, but the truth is, the protests haven't helped," he told
Reuters by telephone from the United States. "And people say there's
no such thing as bad publicity."

The show, based on television host Jerry Springer's brash talk show,
depicts Jesus being referred to as "a little bit gay" and features Eve
attempting to fondle his genitals.

At least two Christian lobby groups, Christian Voice and the Christian
Institute, have led a campaign against it, calling it gratuitously
offensive and blasphemous.

They also argue that no one in Britain would dare put on a similar
show depicting other religions in such an irreverent light.

Christian Voice's Stephen Green said supporters had been leafleting
people outside the Theater Royal in the southwestern English town of
Plymouth where the tour kicks off on Friday, and would hold a peaceful
protest vigil on the opening night.

"Freedom of speech is a qualified right, and the kind of society where
people go out of their way to cause great offence is not a civilized
society," he said.

EXTRA SECURITY

The theater is sufficiently concerned about the demonstrations to
boost security for the show's run.

"We appreciate that some people may not want to see this production
which we, of course, respect," said a spokeswoman for the Theater
Royal, which has warned audiences that the show contains strong
language.

"Likewise, we hope that those not wishing to attend will respect the
right of people with a different viewpoint and allow them to see the
production and to form their own judgment."

Just over a year ago, a theater in the English city of Birmingham
scrapped a play about a woman and her sick mother visiting a Sikh
temple after hundreds of Sikhs gathered outside the playhouse and
pelted it with stones.

The Springer tour, which ends on July 8, was temporarily shelved last
year after several theatres declined to put it on.

It was only rescued when producers Avalon decided they were determined
not to let the protests sink a show that had filled London theatres.

Co-creator Richard Thomas said the protesters had missed the point of
the show.

"The fundamental error is that they say these are portrayals of Christ
and religious figures, but in fact they are portrayals of a man's
nightmares before he dies," he told Reuters.

"They (the Christian groups) are now saying that the show is rubbish.
I think it doesn't help: I would rather be accused of being a
blasphemer."
Tag Line: Politically Correct: Means Always Having To Say You're Sorry.
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