Bainbridge Performing Arts, on Bainbridge Island just outsid eof Seattle, Washington, has pulled Woody Allen鈥檚 Bullets Over Broadway musical from its 2017鈥�2018 lineup.
An online statement from Executive Director Dominique Cantwell explained that the cancellation was a 鈥渕atter of principle,鈥� and that the company no longer wished to show Allen support following his comments over the numerous allegations of assault faced by Harvey Weinstein.
鈥淕iven our national conversation about how women are treated or mistreated by men in positions of power, and given that Woody Allen has placed himself very publicly on what we consider the opposing side of the issue and has been advocating against a 鈥檞itch hunt鈥� of the men perpetrating this culture of abuse, we have decided that we cannot promote or support him by paying royalties for his work,鈥� read Cantwell鈥檚 statement.
As the allegations of sexual assault against Weinstein and other high-profile men came to light鈥攁nd continued to intensify鈥攖his month, Allen told Variety that he was cautious of the scandal creating a 鈥渁 witch-hunt atmosphere.鈥� He warned against the rise of an environment in which 鈥渆very guy in an office who winks at a woman is suddenly having to call a lawyer to defend himself.鈥�
With a leadership made up primarily of women, BPA has decided to replace Bullets Over Broadway with a new show that 鈥渟hows solidarity with those who have been affected by the impact of abuse.鈥� The new spring program has not yet been revealed.
Cantwell said, 鈥淎n end to complacency begins by making difficult, but meaningful choices to break the cycle.鈥� Read the .
Though Allen has not responded to the cancellation of the show, he has since gone to clarify that he meant that Weinstein is a 鈥渟ad, sick man.鈥�
Bullets Over Broadway is a musical adaptation of Allen鈥檚 Oscar-winning film of the same name. The story follows a playwright whose first taste of success comes with mobsters and an unforgettable stage diva. The show opened on Broadway in 2014 with direction by Susan Stroman.
