Producers of a play about former Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell accused a New York City theater of censorship this week for canceling their production at the last minute.
“Oh Gosnell: The Truth About Abortion,” a play by conservative writer Phelim McAleer, was supposed to begin May 5 at Theatre Row in New York City, Fox News reports.
Late last week, however, McAleer said they received a letter informing them that the theater was canceling the play, citing concerns about the safety of their “staff and neighbors.” The letter also claimed the play is “inappropriate for children,” “material information was withheld in a manner constituting fraud” and the content “violates material terms” of their contract.
McAleer suspects the theater really is just trying to censor them because the play presents the ugly reality of abortion. He told Fox News Digital that the theater has not “explained what the fraud is,” and the cancellation “just came out of the blue completely.”
“Despite these ridiculous attempts at censorship, the show will happen,” McAleer said in a statement provided to LifeNews. “The story is too important to die at the hands of cowardly theater executives.”
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He described the production as a “verbatim play comprised entirely of testimony” from the former Philadelphia abortionist’s trial. Gosnell was convicted of murdering three newborn babies, contributing to the death of a female patient and numerous other crimes in his “house of horrors” abortion facility. He will spend the rest of his life in jail.
McAleer, known for producing the “Gosnell” film and writing a book by the same name, said they decided to run the production in New York City to contrast with another play by “Star Wars” producer J.J. Abrams. “Oh God: A Show About Abortion” is being promoted as an “abortion comedy.”
“I do want people to go and see both and to come to their own conclusions, which is something that Theatre Row wants to rob the people of – this ability to hear all the facts. What are they scared of?” McAleer told Fox News.
The Gosnell trial revealed horrific details about the Philadelphia abortionists’ business, which operated for decades without being inspected by authorities. When Gosnell finally was caught, authorities discovered filthy conditions inside his abortion facility, including a gruesome collection of aborted babies’ body parts kept in jars. Gosnell was convicted of violating a Pennsylvania ban on late-term abortions as well as killing late-term babies after they were born alive in abortions.
Though the subject matter is not appropriate for children, McAleer said the theater’s complaint about their play does not make sense. He pointed to several other recent plays at Theatre Row that also were not child appropriate, including “Hitler’s Tasters,” which “explores the way girls navigate sexuality,” and “My Mothers Severed Head,” which was about decapitation.
“Theatre Row claims to support the arts and a diverse array of views, but it’s clear from their letter that they will not hesitate to silence artists who don’t fit their narrative. Their letter is a complete fraud and they should be ashamed of themselves,” McAleer said.
His Unreported Story Society sent a letter in response to the theater’s termination letter. He said they also found a new theater for the play: Chain Studio Theater on West 36th Street.
The play opens May 5 and runs through May 15. Tickets may be purchased at www.GosnellPlay.com.
