Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Broadway Goes 'Gun Neutral' With Donations To Help Destroy Illegal Guns On The Streets For Each Gun Used On Stage

The Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! is taking action toward reducing gun violence.


The production announced it would donate money to help destroy illegal guns circulating on the streets––money equivalent to the number of gun props used on stage and in decorations, in fact.

Oklahoma! producer Eva Price says that the show will donate $10,000 for the more than 100 gun props used, telling CNN:

"People who are storytellers and are telling stories that depict guns should also take responsibility for helping with the gun violence epidemic and helping solving the gun violence epidemic in America."

Oklahoma! is the first Broadway production to go "gun neutral" in collaboration with Gun Neutral, an initiative launched last year by entertainment company Level Forward. The organization, according to its website, examines how "the portrayal of gun violence disproportionately impacts younger minds."

Productions that pledge to work with Level Forward will have a line-item budget for donating an amount of money for each gun shown.

As the website notes:

ADDING LINE ITEMS TO BUDGETS CAN TRIGGER HIGHER TIERS AND FEES WHICH CAN COMPLICATE PRODUCTION.

Gun Neutral is working with the unions to disqualify the Gun Neutral line item from tier designation.

Adrienne Becker, Level Forward's CEO, says the role of entertainment companies in changing the conversation surrounding gun violence is a vital one because storytelling produces "a powerful cultural currency that can be very valuable in changing the conversation."

She added:

Young people today, high school kids mostly, who seem to be on the front lines of the gun violence epidemic, have spoken up and they've asked to be heard and they've asked to be helped. You have young people across the country who have certainly supported the entertainment industry and all of its formats over the years. They are imploring us to now stand alongside them and do something meaningful.

The money will go toward supporting firearms reduction and buyback programs, as well as investment in research or youth programs in areas with gun violence.

The news has received considerable praise. Though news outlets have circulated stories about the move in the wake of last week's terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, which left 50 people dead, and the suicide of Sydney Aiello, a survivor of the Parkland shooting, the production made the pledge earlier this year.




In the meantime, the show's been earning great reviews from critics as well as the general public, and opens on Broadway following its successful run at St. Ann's Warehouse.



Oklahoma! premieres Tuesday, with an opening night on April 7.

More from News

People Reveal The Dark Secrets They Discovered About Someone After They Died

Sometimes you never know who someone is until they're gone.

Everyone has their secrets.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Jesse Watters; Hakeem Jeffries
Fox News; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Jesse Watters Pathetically Tries To Burn Hakeem Jeffries With Bizarre 'Rule For Men' Rant

Fox News personality Jesse Watters was widely mocked after he criticized House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for having recently shared a photo of himself on Instagram that appeared to be digitally altered—with the bench he was leaning against noticeably warped around his hips.

You can see Jeffries' photo below.

Keep ReadingShow less
Snoop Dogg
Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images

Snoop Dogg's Puppy Instagram Breaks Internet

Snoop Dogg introduced his fans to the newest little bow-wow in his household, a puppy named Baby Boy Broadus.

The adorable small tan French bulldog made his debut on the rapper’s Instagram account on June 28th, sporting a Louis Vuitton leash and chewing on his owner’s Death Row Jacket.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
DRM News/YouTube

Trump Ripped After Going Off On Bonkers Rant About Room's Decor During Cabinet Meeting

During Tuesday's cabinet meeting while the press was in attendance, MAGA Republican President Donald Trump gave a rambling stream of consciousness speech that went all over the place before landing on paint versus gold leaf, leading people to again question the POTUS' mental acuity amid a notable cognitive decline.

In a disjointed monologue about the decor in the cabinet room, Trump said he stole a grandfather clock from Secretary of State Marco Rubio's office and chose a painting of James Polk because the frame matched the frame around his favorite President—Andrew Jackson.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Eric Adams
@ericadamsfornyc/Instagram

NYC Mayor Eric Adams Roasted After Viewers Notice Awkward Detail In His 'Morning Routine' Video

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was widely mocked after he shared a video on social media of his "morning routine," with time stamps showing his activities—only for viewers to notice that a standard black-and-white wall clock visible in part of the video showed a very different time.

Adams jumped on the latest Instagram trend this week, sharing his version of a “morning routine” video with his followers. The trend, which has already begun to fade, typically features sped-up clips of people going through their early rituals—complete with edits, ambient music, and timestamp overlays.

Keep ReadingShow less