“Assassins” shot down

“All of us have a healthy respect for the freedom of artistic expression that college theater represents, and all of us agree that out of respect for the families of those victims of the tragedies at Northern Illinois University and Virginia Tech, and from an abundance of caution, it is best at this time not to undertake a campus production that contains the portrayal of graphically violent scenes.”

So says Arkansas Tech President Robert C. Brown in an effort to explain why he put the kabosh on a student production of the musical “Assassins” that was scheduled to open this weekend. More details here.

“Assassins”—which was recently staged in Indy by Low Brow Productions at the Hedback Theatre and was presented years back at the Phoenix—looks at all of the people who have attempted to kill U.S. Presidents.

It does not come down in favor of their actions.

So what’s your reaction to Brown’s move? If you disagree with it, are there any circumstances in which an administration would be justified in shutting down a student production?