Sacramento theater director resigns in Prop. 8 aftermath

[Are_grits_groceries]

More Prop. 8 fallout
Scott Eckern, the Sacramento theater director whose political donation in support of California's Prop. 8 ban on same-sex marriage turned into a lightning rod in the debate over gay rights, resigned Wednesday, saying he wanted to protect the California Musical Theatre, his artistic home since 1984, from further controversy.

Word of Eckern's $1,000 donation -- publicly reported under state elections law -- spread rapidly on the Internet last week, and Eckern drew criticism from some prominent stage artists, including Tony Award-winning composer Marc Shaiman ("Hairspray") and Jeff Whitty, the "Avenue Q" librettist.

"I am disappointed that my personal convictions have cost me the opportunity to do what I love the most," Eckern, the nonprofit stage company's artistic director since 2003, said in a written statement. By resigning, he said he hoped to "help the healing in the local theatergoing and creative community."

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-quick13-2008nov13,0,7115878.story

[mondo joe]

1. Good. Ballots aren't the only way to cast a vote, and no one is entitled to our spending. NT