Alaska theatre replaces production over content and cost

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – An Alaska theatre has removed a book-inspired play from its scheduled annual productions after concerns were raised about its content and cost.

The Juneau Empire reported Thursday that Perseverance Theatre removed “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” in July because of its depiction of topics in indigenous culture and sexual assault and the theatre’s financial limitations.

Officials say the book published in 1962 is told from the perspective of a Native American character written by a white man and its main character is a convicted rapist.

Some residents say the decision can be considered censorship.

Officials say the theatre is funded by donors who paid off its six-figure debt last year.

Officials say the play was scheduled from mid-January through February 2020, but will be replaced with “Silent Sky.”

Information from: Juneau (Alaska) Empire, http://www.juneauempire.com