LZP Wants an Apology

**Craig T Gustafson** · June 25th, 2008, 04:12 AM

This was posted on Nicoth.
My response will be the post following this one.

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Community Divisiveness - Rights to The Producers, etc...
by kattman on Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:37 pm

This is in regards to the recent mix-up with the rights for ?The Producers?. There has been a bit of activity on the NICOTH message board, some of it from people associated with MOS. The discussion in question is ?Just the Facts, Ma?am? (viewtopic.php?f=3&t=894)

This discussion seems to be rather dismissive, and even hostile, to LZP. That they are portrayed as the villain, and the other group, Up and Coming Theatre, is given a pass gives the discussion the form of a ?whisper? campaign to damage the reputation of LZP, an attempt to slime a group which happens to be MOS?s biggest competitor. It feels very hostile and unfair to bash a group for doing what they have every right to do, even though it is a sorry state of affairs that schedules are now mixed up. However, the fact that LZP, the group under attack, is your direct competition, and some of the people involved in the gossip are associated with MOS then the reputation and name of MOS are directly involved with the source of the gossip. We are wondering if this is the type of activity MOS endorses, condones and accepts from their associates. It raises the issue of what kind of community does MOS consider itself to be in, and how universally wide the notion of community should be applied. Is this the type of behavior that community theatre troupes should engage in, or would cooperation be more beneficial?

We would like an official statement from MOS to this regard. Please explain your side of the story in regards to the rights mix-up, and what action do you intend to take about it. And what actions did you take in choosing ?The Producers?? Did you ensure that no other groups were planning on doing it? We are led to believe that this was a change to your original schedule. Most importantly, what is your position on this gossiping, slime attack by your associates on LZP? Is this type of action endorsed by you, or do you disclaim it and distance yourself?

This letter will be posted on NICOTH and sent to the MOS Board. And yes, it is anonymous, as most things on NICOTH are.

**Craig T Gustafson** · June 25th, 2008, 04:15 AM

This discussion seems to be rather dismissive, and even hostile, to LZP. That they are portrayed as the villain, and the other group, Up and Coming Theatre, is given a pass

Unlike "Kattman" or "ooo-baby" or anyone else bravely hiding behind an alias, it has been common knowledge for a couple of years that my name is Craig Gustafson. And I was the director who got reamed up the ass by LZP's action. Up and Coming got a "pass" because they aren't in the same town, much less the same building!

gives the discussion the form of a ?whisper? campaign to damage the reputation of LZP, an attempt to slime a group which happens to be MOS?s biggest competitor.

Hmmm... over-active ego with delusions of grandeur. This wouldn't be Ken Priess, would it? And "damage the reputation"? Do you have a clear view of what your reputation already was in the theatre community? This was just the cherry on top of the cake.

It feels very hostile and unfair to bash a group for doing what they have every right to do

MOS announces a show - to the public at large, not just in a program seen by three relatives and the janitor - and you spitefully do the same show in the same building a month before them, and you have the balls to be aggrieved? Hostile? You betcha. Unfair? Hardly. You have every right to do what you did? Legally, yes. Morally, no. You give somebody a knife in the gut and then your feelings are hurt if they say "Owch"? Boo fucking hoo.

However, the fact that LZP, the group under attack, is your direct competition, and some of the people involved in the gossip are associated with MOS then the reputation and name of MOS are directly involved with the source of the gossip

Well, no, I'm not associated with MOS, thanks to you. It was amicable, but we parted. And they behaved decently throughout the whole deal, which is more than I can say for LZP.

We are wondering if this is the type of activity MOS endorses, condones and accepts from their associates. It raises the issue of what kind of community does MOS consider itself to be in, and how universally wide the notion of community should be applied. Is this the type of behavior that community theatre troupes should engage in, or would cooperation be more beneficial?

MOS attempted to forge a co-production with you and was given ridiculous terms that no one in their right minds would accept. Facts were stated, rationally and (until about ten minutes ago when I read this garbage) calmly; MOS had better distance themselves from that?

We would like an official statement from MOS to this regard.

Hopefully, it will use some form of the phrase, "Blow it out your ass."

Please explain your side of the story in regards to the rights mix-up, and what action do you intend to take about it.

They already did it, you sanctimonius pig-hugger. They switched shows. What do you want from them, blood mixed with holy water? They don't owe you anything, least of all an "explanation". LZP, MOS and Up and Coming all applied for rights at the same time. MOS got them and announced it publicly. LZP, losing the race, went past the finish line anyway and grabbed the trophy -- and how dare MOS even race against you? Your gall is unbelievable. To use my mother's phrase, you have the nerve of a burglar.

And what actions did you take in choosing ?The Producers?? Did you ensure that no other groups were planning on doing it? We are led to believe that this was a change to your original schedule.

And EVERY one of those questions can be directed right back at LZP.

Most importantly, what is your position on this gossiping, slime attack by your associates on LZP? Is this type of action endorsed by you, or do you disclaim it and distance yourself?

You need to change that from "Most importantly" to "self importantly". Of all the ego-ridden, pompous asses I've ever run into, you are the absolute worst. "Slime" attack -- by relating the facts. You have no idea how many e-mails I've received from former LZP actors that describe the management with variations on the phrase "evil people with hearts of ice."

I actually was able to keep my temper throughout all of this until tonight. You sucker punch MOS. They change their show. Everybody's happy, right? No -- you want an explanation and an apology. Jesus H. Tapdancing Christ, you're a piece of work. I can't believe I've spent several years on this forum defending your right to run your theatre the way you want. It's bad enough that you're Satanic - do you have to be smug about it as well?

This letter will be posted on NICOTH and sent to the MOS Board. And yes, it is anonymous, as most things on NICOTH are

But not everything. I'm Craig Gustafson and I'm stating that (purely in my opinion, to which I am entitled), LZP stands for "Loser Zombie Pricks." Congratulations, Ken. Instead of taking your win and going quietly on your way, you had to stir up the shit. Reap what you sew.

[ June 25, 2008 08:09 AM: Message edited by: Sgt. Bilko ]

**Dan Muir** · June 25th, 2008, 12:21 PM

Well, I can't add much to that. I'd reply on the NICOTH message board, but I got kicked off a year ago for being a little too vocal toward those who embody the same immoral proclivity. It made me wonder why I was lowering myself that level. But I will say that LZP will prove to be their own worst enemy. No one else need do anything.

**crhickman** · June 25th, 2008, 05:15 PM

I wish they had the guts to stand behind their decision and say, "Yes, we were cutthroat about this, but we wanted the show very badly and did everything fair and unfair to get it."

This means we can strike honesty from their collective traits of character. Still, they will perform the show first and that is that. No matter how many puppies got kicked, kittens were bagged and tossed into the lake, and grandmothers sold into slavery, they are happy with their...

I almost said "success" but that is not really true. Winning by cheating is not truly winning, so this isn't a genuine success.

I am a firm believer in That Which Goes Around Comes Around. This commonly accepted belief evidently prompted their rebuttal of this chat and other dissenting voices.

They fear the retribution that will surely come.

Cool.

[ June 25, 2008 02:16 PM: Message edited by: Maelifisis ]

Thread: LZP Wants an Apology

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