Over 600 Catholics Protest Chapman's Mary, Like a Virgin

On May 4th, over 600 protestors gathered in protest of the Off-Broadway musical Mary, Like a Virgin: a divine musical experience.

The play was written and is performed by drag artist Mimi Imfurst (Braden Chapman). The Priestly Order of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), a National conservative Catholic group organized the protest and parade both in front Dillon's Lounge, where Mary is currently playing and marched through Times Square, originating at Shubert Alley. Protest organizers cite a "pattern of abuse to Christian Holy objects and venerated figures which the general Broadway Theater community and the homosexual element in the theatre community especially, are responsible for."

"At 7:45pm, the first protestors arrived and began to chant the rosary repeatedly in front of the theater. The protestors, who grew in number to about 125 continued to chant, pray loudly, and sing. At 8:30pm, a parade of an estimated 500 protestors passed down West 54th, while looping back to Shubert Alley. The parade was lead by 4 priests, followed by fellow clergy members in robes, altar boys, giant 12 foot crucified Christs, life size Mary statues carried on platforms, and hundreds carrying small statues of Mary and signs filled with messages of hate and judgment. The group circled the Times Square area and 54th street over 5 times in the course of an hour. The parade ended in front of Dillon's Lounge with loud singing and continued chanting: 'Save us' and Hail Marys," according to press notes.

Imfurst is upset by the group's reaction her show: "The people objecting my show have not actually seen the show. They're calling it blasphemous and 'worse than the sin of abortion,' and they've done nothing but read the press description on the website. The bible says 'Judge not, that ye be not judged' (Matthew 7:1). I just don't understand how this kind of judgmental protest is very Christian of them. I invite anyone with an open mind to come and see the show, and you will find that while my show is a comedy and asks you to have humility about your beliefs, it is indeed very Christian and true to many religious beliefs. I merely ask people to have a bit of imagination. Mary, while a holy and amazingly selfless woman, probably had emotions and feelings just as any other woman might have. My intention as both playwright and performer is to paint the most realistic and human picture of Mary in a contemporary setting: musical theatre. She is my muse."

Also, over the past two weeks the producers, ticket agent TheaterMania and others involved in the production have received hundreds of hate-filled emails and phone calls from extremist groups around the country.

Mary, Like a Virgin, "a 90-minute tell-all confession by the Virgin Mary herself in an evening of forgiveness, family values and a flawless figure" opened March 23 at Dillon's Lounge in midtown. This show is the first in a series of Mary's shows including an upcoming Christmas show expected to debut this winter.

"After 2000 years of praise, idolization and expectation the girlfriend of God and the mother of Christ is ready to tell her side of the story. Through song and story, both legend and perceived reality, Mary shares the sometimes hazy details of her relationship with God, her adventures with Joseph, the deliverance of Christ, the aftermath of his death, her struggle with eating disorders, and a life in show business. Usually blunt, always funny and sometimes edgy, Mary is a tour de force now forced to tour. Her music surpasses genre and decade as her repertoire includes pop, rock, musical theatre and rap. Described as following in the footsteps of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Kiki & Herb this new production of Mary, Like a Virgin is sure to question the strictest of beliefs and ask audiences just how well they know the people they pray to."

Mary, Like a Virgin is the result of a two-year journey by playwright/performer Mimi Imfurst (Braden Chapman) who plays Mary in drag. The show has been developed through workshop productions in lounges and cabarets throughout Manhattan and Fire Island, notably at the Soho Playhouse in June of 2005. This production celebrates collaboration by two of New York's favorite drag performers in the roles of director and playwright/performer. Daniel T. Booth, also known as his alter ego 'Sweetie' (To Wong Foo…) directs 'Mimi Imfurst,' who writes and performs. Her pianist Earl Weissman, played by Michael Pettry, joins Mary on stage.

Last night production spokespersons announced that Mary, Like a Virgin has been extended through June 1st and a limited tour will follow this summer and fall.

Mary, Like a Virgin is produced by Sanctuary Productions and TJ Micallef. Mary is performed Thursday evenings through June 1st at 9:00pm at Dillon's Lounge. (254 West 54th Street b/t Broadway and 8th Ave.). Tickets are available through the show's website, www.virginmarylive.com, or by calling TheaterMania at 212-352-3101.