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"The Illusionists" homophobia returns to Broadway- and nobody cares

Posted by: Wes 12:46 am EDT 11/01/15

http://www.theillusionistslive.com/broadway

Magician Jeff Hobson is putting on a disgusting homophobic minstrel show . (He is heterosexual.) His act doesn't deserve to grace any broadway stage.
Why in the name of God is he getting away with this? Neal Patrick Harris says nothing. Nothing from Ellen Degeneres, Michael Musto, not even Harvey Fierstein.

This act is utter garbage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MnjQnblVTE
Am I missing something?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????


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re: "The Illusionists" homophobia returns to Broadway- and nobody cares

Posted by: Pashacar 01:50 pm EST 11/02/15
In reply to: "The Illusionists" homophobia returns to Broadway- and nobody cares - Wes 12:46 am EDT 11/01/15

I saw this (for free, thankfully) and had no idea he was straight. Knowing that, I find the performance extraordinarily offensive, and I echo the surprise at the lack of vocal outrage in the media.

Even figuring he was gay while I saw it, I found the act offensive; it went too far with some problematic stereotypes and jokes; "minstrel show" is an apt analogy.

(On another note, the illusions themselves were seriously underwhelming. The Chinese water torture escape was the only thing that I found remotely impressive.)


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Your digust is with a hetero actor playing a flamboant character? nmi

Posted by: EasyToRemember 11:20 am EST 11/02/15
In reply to: "The Illusionists" homophobia returns to Broadway- and nobody cares - Wes 12:46 am EDT 11/01/15

nmi = no message inside


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re: "The Illusionists" homophobia returns to Broadway- and nobody cares

Posted by: Seth Christenfeld (tabula-rasa@verizon.net) 11:56 pm EST 11/01/15
In reply to: "The Illusionists" homophobia returns to Broadway- and nobody cares - Wes 12:46 am EDT 11/01/15

Am I missing something?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Perhaps that nobody here gives a shit about any part of The Illusionists at all.

Seth, who couldn't bother to care last time, either


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re: "The Illusionists" homophobia returns to Broadway- and nobody cares

Posted by: Sam890 03:10 am EST 11/01/15
In reply to: "The Illusionists" homophobia returns to Broadway- and nobody cares - Wes 12:46 am EDT 11/01/15

Hmmmm... interesting (not sure what I think yet, have to think it through some more). How do you know he's straight?


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re: "The Illusionists" homophobia returns to Broadway- and nobody cares

Posted by: Wes 11:41 pm EST 11/01/15
In reply to: re: "The Illusionists" homophobia returns to Broadway- and nobody cares - Sam890 03:10 am EST 11/01/15

Hobson has a wife and children. He has said in interviews that he is indeeed heterosexual, and that he bases his character off of Liberace. (try to figure out that one.)
Hobson has a very checkered history in the magic community. Many magicians either love him or hate him. He had an
Asian stereotypical character (complete with buck teeth...seriously) back in the 1970s and 1980s.
There is an interesting discussion from a magician forum here: http://forums.geniimagazine.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45421

Broadway World has called his act "refreshing" and "clever" . http://www.broadwayworld.com/raleigh/article/BWW-TV-Jeff-Hobson-of-THE-ILLUSIONISTS-National-Tour-20151028 The radio interview on that page is extremely softball-esque. Not a single question about his persona.

This is why i am conflicted. Any other entertainer would be vilified. What makes Hobson so crtic-proof?


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