I disgaree with musical theatre in general

'Rent' show at high school too much for church
Associated Press

A Kansas-based church known for celebrating at the funerals of American soldiers killed at war plans to protest the staging of the musical "Rent" at an Orange County, Calif., high school Friday.

The Westboro Baptist Church intends to picket at Corona del Mar High as classes let out for the day and as the audience arrives for the play. Counter-protesters also plan to attend.

The staging of "Rent," a story of struggling artists in New York City including characters who are gay and diagnosed with AIDS, has created months of controversy at the affluent school. It was nearly canceled, which was cited in an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit filed against the district alleging that the campus is homophobic and sexist.

Westboro Baptist Church, which has been named a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, believes end times are imminent and that President Barack Obama is the antichrist, said Shirley Phelps-Roper, daughter of the church's leader.

She said eight people will come to California to participate in the demonstration.

The organization announced the planned protest on its Web site earlier this month, describing the play as a "lying, maudlin piece of propaganda" and saying those who "enable" such projects are "worthy of death."

"God hates (gay people) and (their) enablers; ergo, God hates Corona del Mar High School!" the Web site said.

Church members show up at soldiers' funerals, saying they are purposefully killed by God because America is accepting of homosexuality.

The Orange County Equality Coalition, which supports gay and lesbian rights, plans to support the teenage actors.

"These courageous students have really been through the wringer," said B.J. Davis, chair of the coalition's board of directors. "It's our way of trying to stand up and say your community stands behind you."

Newport Beach, Calif., police are developing staffing plans.

The controversy may have resulted in one bright spot: Tickets are reportedly selling briskly. The play opens Thursday.

Gotta love Westboro Baptist. They came to Lubbock once to protest Elton John's glasses being inducted in the Buddy Holly Museum and lucky for them Marsha Sharp was set to get her 500th win the same weekend. That's what we like to call a 2-for my friends. Eventually people will learn to tune them out.