Raul to Recreate Censored Shows in 'Banned Together'

Banned Together: A Censorship Cabaret, a retrospective of songs and scenes from stage shows that have been censored or challenged at various times and places across the U.S., will be performed September 27 by a cast of Broadway stars including Raúl Esparza (Company), Zainab Jah (Eclipsed), Daniel Jenkins (Oslo, Billy Elliot), and Lisa Kron (book and lyrics for Fun Home).

The concert, which will be held at 9:30 PM at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theatre in Manhattan, was organized by the Dramatists Legal Defense Fund of the Dramatists Guild to “raise awareness about issues of censorship and free expression in the theatre.” Also appearing at the event will be writer-actors Andrea Frierson (Me & Ella, Once on this Island) and Christine Toy Johnson (The Americans, Madame Secretary).

Banned Together will feature selections from Cabaret, Chicago, Almost, Maine, Rent and Angels in America, among other notable works that have stirred controversy. The show will have a script by John Weidman (Assassins, Pacific Overtures), will be directed by Ari Edelson (Building The Wall, 24 Hour Plays), and will be produced by Patti Anne Miller. Click here to order tickets, which cost $10.

Banned Together: A Censorship Cabaret is scheduled to be performed in separate productions in 16 cities across the U.S. as a part of Banned Books Week (September 24–30), the annual celebration of the freedom to read.

The Dramatists Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization created by the Dramatists Guild to “advocate for free expression in the dramatic arts and a vibrant public domain for all, and to educate the public about the industry standards surrounding theatrical production and about the protections afforded dramatists under copyright law.”

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