I Support Rocky Horror Picture Show Being Performed In Carrollton

Carrollton city manager Casey Coleman just pulled the plug on the Cultural Arts Center's production of The Rocky Horror Show.... [Though our page title says "Picture Show," we are aware that the play and the movie are different! It's just not possible to edit page names!] "Like" this page and share it with friends to let the city know you disapprove of this crude and clumsy censorship, while letting the director, cast, and crew know they have the support of regular folks in Carrollton.

Coleman has said he is standing by his decision and that if we want to see it reverse we should contact the mayor and/or city council.

Contact the Mayor's Office At: (770) 830-2000
Mayor Garner's e-mail address: wgarner@carrollton-ga.gov

Here is a copy of my email to Mayor Wayne Garner. Feel free to steal from it:

Dear Mayor Garner,

As a city of Carrollton resident and voter I am writing to express my disapproval of your decision to cancel the Cultural Arts Center's production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. This clumsy act of censorship is an embarrassment to our community. The show was already age restricted, so no one participating in the production or attending would have been under the age of 18. Your decision to say what entertainment we as adults should or should not be allowed to view is paternalistic and offensive. I understand your view that it is more appropriate for a private venue, but that decision would have been more appropriate before the show was approved and a whole community became excited about it. Now you've just succeeded in making Carrollton look backwards and small-minded. Please reconsider your decision.

Thanks,

Josh Niesse
410 Cedar St.
Carrollton, Ga 30117
(678)977-5517

Other Admins have sent e-mails as well. Feel free to paraphrase:

Dear Mayor Garner,

As a Carrollton resident and voter I am appalled and baffled at Mr. Coleman's recent pulling of The Rocky Horror Show from the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center. First of all I would like to say that I was in no way involved with the production of the play. That being said I feel it is an act of censorship for the city to pull a play that had already been green lit. I understand that there are some illicit acts referred to in the plays plot, but this is why the play is age restricted to adults who consent viewing such material. Rocky Horror Show is play that has been around for 38 years now. It's film adaptation The Rocky Horror Picture Show is STILL the longest running theatrical release in United States history as it continues to be screened at theaters nationwide. In 2005, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". How can this city apply bans to something like that and then justify it? Who are we protecting? No one who does not want to see the film is going to see it, so how is it in anyway offensive to them? I mean no disrespect in any way, and I hope nothing I say here has come across that way, but I am a very upset citizen. It seems like there are more important things to be focussing on right now then what plays in our community theaters. I appreciate the time you took the read this and hope you will repeal Mr. Coleman's decision.

Brent Reno
(770)377-7416

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Dear Mayor Garner,

As a City of Carrollton resident and an avid voter, I am writing to express my disapproval of your decision to cancel the Cultural Arts Center's production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Let me first clarify that I am not a member of the production, and let you know that I mean no disrespect in sharing my opinions with you.

I believe that this act of blatant censorship is an insult and an embarrassment to our community. The show was clearly age restricted, and always has been; your decision to determine the types of entertainment to which adults should have access -- based on the city manager's (and your own) personal preferences -- insults Carrollton residents. Individuals who didn't want to see the show wouldn't have gone to the show, while the hundreds of people who have been excited to see the show would have enjoyed it greatly. In fact, two separate theater groups in town, one being the Carrollton Cultural Arts Center, were planning to do this production in Carrollton this season. One stepped down, in honor of community spirit, in order to allow greater access to the show through the CCAC.

Do keep in mind that the Rocky Horror Show has been around for 38 years. Its film adaptation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, remains the longest running theatrical release in U.S. history, as it is screened at theaters nationwide, year-round. More than half of the people who wanted to see Carrollton's version have seen the production in other cities and states, providing financial and moral support to those cities' and states' artists and art lovers. In 2005, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

I'm already hearing a lot of negative feedback and criticism regarding our town from individuals in other towns across Georgia and the nation, as this has become a pretty big news story in cyberspace. I'm sad and ashamed to see Carrollton appear as unenlightened, small-minded, and ignorant. It is a college town, and has contained a lot of diverse individuals with differing tastes and preferences for decades. It works well for Carrollton, and I'd like to see it continue its growth.

Please consider repealing Mr. Coleman's decision.

Thank you,
Lauren Parker (M.A. Psychology from UWG)
120 Stewart St.
Carrollton, GA 30117
Vice President of local small business -- Better for Babies
Located at 493 Rome St. See More