I too, am a current resident of "fly over" country, however, I am retired Military... Very use to ALL forms of language and situations... I have lived or worked in many of our country's (and many of the worlds) major urban areas.  My language, in and of itself, is at times colorful, to say the least...  I do, however, attempt to moderate MYSELF when in the company of others who may not have the same need for a four letter exclamation point in their speech.

Though I love diva dearly (she is currently directing me and four other men in a very interesting and powerful show "That Championship Season" which has more profanity and adult situations than you can shake a stick at, that is appropriately slotted in our “second stage” season)  And while I respect the position that many fine works do have language and situations, I have to admit that, like b3607, I often am left wondering why so MANY of the plays we feel NEED to be done are ones we feel we need to caveat with "the public needs to be educated" or "our actors need to stretch" as if in my second career as a middle school teacher,  I should be teaching my students the proper conjugation of Sh#t etc etc... Or encouraging them to stretch their vocabulary to include regular usage of these terms...  AGAIN.. I agree, some great shows out there. Should be done!.. But if your community is not right for them, should you do them for the heck of it?

Again, Diva.... Luv ya... (and I am NOT posing this just to or at you, for there are many like minded among us)  why does the fact that a show has won a Pulitzer or a Tony etc... Etc... Etc...  make it worth doing?  Make it necessary for the audience to see and accept?  Now, I know we are a source of media entertainment, but I think the reasons for  critical acclaim given some works these days are not far from the trash Hollywood puts out.  Make it DEEP, Coarse, painful, profane, and maybe just a little perverse and it's a must do!  Sometimes I think that stuff is just done with the sole intention of shocking people…  I have read some stuff people have suggested and found no other redeeming value than its ability to offend the largest number of people possible. I get that. And there is a place for it.. I’m just not sure it’s Main Street USA.

The problem probably comes down to there just isn’t ENOUGH theater.. There are not enough venues with enough patrons to provide for places where all they do is “cutting edge” or “family oriented”.. Until that day comes, I agree with Diva on the point of the need for a “Balanced Season.”  But I think the point to realize is that balanced for one theater or demographic is not balanced for another..

I guess b3607 just struck a cord with me and hit on something I have always wondered about at play selection time.  My politics is has always been very conservative, but my education has always been quite liberal.  My world travel has exposed me to many things.  I love many art forms besides the theater. Am I out of step if I can stand in awe of Michael Angelo in Rome, admire a Spanish fresco in a centuries old cathedral, find something to think about in a Picasso and yet be put off (if not repulsed) by a crucifix in vile of urine that someone decided to call cutting edge art?

Anyway, sorry for rambling off, but the discussion struck a confluence of emotions and thoughts I have had of late. Again, no intention to offend.. (Not one of those times I try to draw you out Red)…. See ya at play reading..