Martin Battles School Over Play Ban

16 March 2009

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Steve Martin is personally funding a kids' production of a play he wrote in 1993, after it was banned by a U.S. high school.

Students have been prohibited from staging Picasso at the Lapin Agile at La Grande High School in Oregon, after parents complained about its adult themes.

Martin is baffled by the controversy, and is offering to pay for the play to be performed outside the school grounds.

Martin's letter adds, The play has been performed, without incident, all over the world by professional and amateur companies, including many high schools

In a letter to a local newspaper, he insists parents' claims the play is about "people drinking in bars and treating women as sex objects" are incorrect.

Martin's letter adds, "The play has been performed, without incident, all over the world by professional and amateur companies, including many high schools".

Drama teacher and play director Kevin Cahill is now making arrangementsto stage the production at the nearby Eastern Oregon University.

He reveals any money left over from Martin's donation will be put towards acting scholarships for students.

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