North Carolina Theatre Responds to HB2 Theatre Boycott- 'We Are Not This'

As BroadwayWorld.com reported yesterday, a powerful email has been making the rounds throughout the theatre world, written by composer Stephen Schwartz.

In the letter Schwartz urges theatre writers and producers to boycott North Carolina by denying rights to theatres in the state. Schwartz joins many in a fight against HB2, a law that was just passed that does not include gay and transgender people in a non-discrimination bill.

Some North Carolinians hold the same opinion. Blumenthal Performing Arts President Tom Gabbart recently wrote on Facebook: "When the composer of Wicked, Godspell and Pippin decides to deny performance rights to North Carolina theaters, and encourages others to do the same, you see the broad economic impact of Gov. McCrory's cowardice to not veto HB2. #‎WeAreNotThis"

And it's not just a lack of theatre that could hurt the state's economy. According to the Charlotte Business Journal, the status of the 2017 All-Star Game, which was to be held at the Time Warner Cable Arena, is also in question. The game would have raked in an expected $60 million.

CLICK HERE to read Schwartz's letter.

Pictured: Stephen Schwartz at Young Artists of America's symphonic youth premier of CHILDREN OF EDEN at The Music Center at Strathmore. Photo by Carmelita Watkinson.