Beck Center CEO: The "Jerry Springer" Show Must Go On

The show must go on.

Despite more than 21,000 complaints, the is standing behind its decision to present the controversial running from Feb. 18 to March 27.

The musical is a satirical depiction of the popular talk show that made its television debut in 1991. Characters include Ku Klux Klan members, strippers and biblical figures.

It’s not meant for kids or anyone else easily offended.

Lucinda Einhouse, the CEO of the Beck Center, said a planned boycott of the Beck education programs and professional theater is putting pressure on funders to withdraw support for the arts center.

But she will continue to defend the award-winning show — one that has taken the top awards in the industry. 

“We recognize that, just like the television show this is based on, “Jerry Springer: The Opera” may not meet everyone's taste and system of values," Einhouse said. "It is, however, a satire based on the absurdities of American talk shows where guests are unbridled and reveal deeply private matters, often with a shameful and over-the-top approach.

“The parody of JSTO lies with its original and artful music contrasted against the unsuppressed obscenities of the talk show guests,” she added. “Taken out of context, some people have interpreted the lines and the actions of the characters as an attack on Christianity. Some of what is being written and distributed by protestors is incorrect and misinformed.” 

America Needs Fatima, an off-shoot Catholic organization, has been rallying across the United States and the United Kingdom, attempting to discourage attendance to the award-winning musical, and is now placing the Beck Center in its crosshairs.

Available on the group’s website is a pre-made email message for visitors to send directly to the Beck Center’s inbox. Part of the message reads as followed:

“As a Catholic, I vehemently protest your hosting "Jerry Springer: The Opera." I have read a description of this play and am shocked at its blasphemous representation of things absolutely sacred to our Faith.”

The Beck Center has received more than 15,000 of these almost identical messages.

A representative of ANF declined to comment.

“In no way is our presentation of JSTO meant as an attack to the values and beliefs of any religious groups," Einhouse said. "Beck Center has a long history  — more than 75 years — of serving the community with professional theater, arts education, exhibits and outreach to people who are economically disadvantaged and those with special needs.

“We pride ourselves in presenting award-winning pieces that stimulate conversation and get our audiences thinking," she added. "That is the point of the performing arts — to challenge our opinions and to encourage us to have conversations about works that dare to push our intellectual boundaries.”

For more information, or to buy tickets, visit Beck's online box office, or call 216) 521-2540.