NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- A Southern California drama teacher says his school's production of the musical "Rent" was scrapped because of the play's gay characters.
The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, Calif., planned a spring production of the Bohemian love story until the drama teacher said he was told by the principal to cancel it.
The school district said Principal Fal Asrani did not put the kibosh on the production, but only asked to review the script.
Teacher Ron Martin said he chose "Rent," the story of artists struggling in New York City, for the spring musical because he hoped it would help teach tolerance after overhearing students using anti-gay epitaphs.
"My responsibility as a drama teacher is to expose my students to a variety of different types of plays," Martin said.
After hearing that the play had been canceled, drama students, about 20 of whom had already been cast for roles in "Rent," say they were upset by the decision.
"We've all been angry," said Tim Dyess, 17, president of the school's Drama Club. "The reason why it got canceled was completely ridiculous."
