I'm performing at a local festival this summer on a double bill. It's not a storytelling festival, it's improv, but I'm featured as a storyteller, with other storytellers, as a headline act.

This festival pairs two headliners together for the $20 ticket.

I'm sharing the bill with an improvisational comic whose shtick is that he does stand up comedy and improv in the guise of a famous religious icon that many people have accepted into their hearts as their personal savior.

Now, this will be in San Francisco, so the community is very liberal when it comes to this kind of Fringe performer. But... not having seen his act, and knowing that even the concept of such a performer (let alone the execution of such a concept) might offend some folks on my mailing list, I'm wondering of how to get the word out to my contacts delicately.

Mention the double bill and add a caveat?
Mention the double bill and let them decide?
Not let any of my contacts know about this show?
Refer this one to my pastor?

If you're interested, here's the performer in question's web site.

_________________
Tim E
http://www.storyteller.net/tellers/tereneta
http://www.myspace.com/storiesbytim
http://storytelling.blogspot.com
http://storytellersunplugged.wordpress.com

Tim,

My own choice of action would depend on my own reaction to this performer. Do you find him offensive? If it wasn't religion and it was some other offensive pariody, would you even consider sharing the bill? Intregridty is a big deal. There are always oportunities, but the choices we make stay with us and are remembered by others and we interlize them.

I'm Jewish. If the performer was dressed as Hitler doing really funny antisemetic stuff, and the festival was really big, I would not perform. Talking to your pastor sounds like a good idea. If however, I was performing with someone who did offensive comedy that I was OK with, (and any bigotry would not be OK) I would mention the type of performer in small print on my ads to my fan list.

Rivka
Simply Extraordinary Tales

Many audiences confuse shock with funny. He is runnng on some borrowed 15 minutes of fame at this point.

I will say, tho, that "full disclosure" would be my suggestion. His schlock is going to rub off on you if one of "your" audience gets jumped by his act by surprise. I will also say that the other risk is that you will be judged in the same light if he preceeds you in the double billing. Pray (no pun intended) that you go first. Otherwise the audience will be buried up to their ears in the garbage of this guy's act and they won't hear you.

And, I could be wrong.

_________________
K. Sean Buvala
http://www.seantells.com
http://www.fulltimestorytelling.com
http://www.storytellingproducts.com

Can you find a review for this performer? If so, send it to your mailing list along with the announcement... make it an informational mailing.

You know, like:

"I will be performing at yaddayadda.... also appearing on the same bill with me is yaddayadda... if you want more information on yacketyyackety please see http:reviewlinkdotcom"

It's neutral, and nonjudgemental. You might have audience who would enjoy him and others who would be shocked.

I recently turned down a good-payig gig because I could not support the company who wanted to hire storytellers. They are developing one of the most scenic places in West Virginia. They wanted storytellers on the bus as they took prospects around the property.

Great pay, probably lots of future prospects (these tracts of land are high dollar) but I cannot and will not support it.

Your situation is different, and difficult. We have freedom of speech in America. He has a right to do his act. You have a right to not perform, turn down the gig, or do it with the knowledge that people may link you to him in their minds. You have choices, but they're not easy ones.

I'm going to get into trouble for this post, but . . . I'd have to agree with Mel - give them a link, and stay neutral yourself. There may be people on both sides of that fence within your fan group.

I had a look at this guy's website, and he's kind of cute, really. I don't think JC would have been quite as well-fed looking as Conrad, though - that whole group of disciples and their leader were pretty poor.

Here's what it says on his press release for the show:

“People are slowly waking up to the idea that they can be spiritual without religion, and use beliefs for unity and not exclusion and division. Religion has always been a divider, not a uniter. Laughter gives us power over the those divisions.”

How could you argue with that logic? And also:

“I don’t have any ‘personal relationship’ with George W. Bush” Jesus quips, “His prayers go right into my spam folder.”

You got it right that time, mate!

If you think about it, the Muslims really blotted their copybook last year by thousands rioting over a few silly cartoons and KILLING many people, many of whom were their own. Then, when the Pope made a comment about Islam being a violent religion, thousands more rioted - proving the truth of his words. The cartoons may have been in bad taste to some, but were they really worth KILLING over?

Christians who believe in freedom of speech, and who have a sense of humour, would do well to show their tolerance and belief in free speech, which in fact, they have done, mostly. They are one up - in fact, many points up - on the Muslims at this stage.

When the movie "Life of Brian" came out, many Christians demonstrated outside cinemas, holding up signs. But ya know, they didn't think they had to kill anybody over it. ;o) They got their point across without the need for that.

I think it would be good if everyone lightened up when it came to religion.

Cheers,
Kath.

_________________
***********************************************
Bill & Kath Worsfold - Kiwi Entertainers!
Website: http://www.billkath.co.nz/
Email: songs@billkath.com
***********************************************

Whew, and some folks think a chocolate Jesus is controversial...

Tim, one thing I didn't hear in your initial post was your own feeling about sharing stage/billing with this performer. If you are comfortable with it, then run with it. Sending out a caveat would be wise, if you worry that some of your fan-base could/would be offended. It's always wise to be courteous and respectful of our audiences, IMHO.

If, however, you are feeling unsure, then talking it over with your pastor, your wife, your trusted friends, etc. is a good option.

At the National conference in Kansas City several years ago, Elizabeth Ellis shared a wonderful keynote, urging us to work with and support those who we respect, and to refuse to work with those we do not respect. I've taken her advice to heart several times, and they are difficult decisions. I must say, though, in the long run (so far) I have not regretted those decisions, even at the cost of potential gigs.

keep us posted,
Leanne

_________________
Leanne Johnson, Storyteller
http://www.storytelling.org/Leanne
http://www.myspace.com/leannetells (story samples, blog, online calendar)

Boy, there are some good responses to this thread. I think Leanne said it best--go with your gut and you won't go wrong.

I also looked at the performers website. Nothing there that offended me, but then I'm not a tradionally religious person.

If you send out something to your mailing list, you might want to include a reminder of the basic idea of a fringe festival. It reaches out, offers the different, edgy, controversial acts that they may not have access to in other venues. They probably already know that if they're fans of fringe.

Granny Sue

Wow! This is so neat to read this thread, as I thought I would get jumped on! I'm glad to see this forum allows discussion and different thoughts/ideas. I wasn't offended by that website either, but I can see how some would be.

I saw the movie "Songcatcher" (in fact I own it and have watched it several times) and have read about the developers in your part of the country, Granny Sue, and heard (and sung) many of the folk songs dealing with the stealing of the mineral rights, etc. You are so right to forgo the job with them - they are really evil, IMHO.

Cheers,
Kath.

_________________
***********************************************
Bill & Kath Worsfold - Kiwi Entertainers!
Website: http://www.billkath.co.nz/
Email: songs@billkath.com
***********************************************

Declining the gig is not an option. It's an honor to be invited to perform in this festival. I very much respect and admire the producer, and trust her judgement. Her willingness to showcase storytelling at an improv festival is a risk for her... she obviously feels we're a good fit and is promoting the heck out of us. Her confidence and dare I say --faith-- in us is admirable.

So, I want to add that I'm looking forward to seeing this other performer on the bill. I don't expect to be offended religiously. It's more an issue of warning my friends.

_________________
Tim E
http://www.storyteller.net/tellers/tereneta
http://www.myspace.com/storiesbytim
http://storytelling.blogspot.com
http://storytellersunplugged.wordpress.com

Tim, I bet your friends know you well enough to know that this is going to be a very interesting experience. You trust the producer, and that says a lot.

Granny Sue

_________________
Granny Sue
Stories from the Mountains and Beyond
R2 Box 110
Sandyville WV 25275
304-372-5861
tollfree 1-866-643-1353
susannaholstein@yahoo.com
www.grannysu.blogspot.com