#2 Naked Broadway
What? Equus
Where? Broadway
When? 2009
Who? Daniel Radcliffe
Image and Link: http://www.afterelton.com/theatre/2008/10/nudebroadway?page=0,0
Why "too hot to handle?"
Everyone knows Daniel Radcliffe as the young pre-teen and teenage "Harry Potter," in which he is plays a very innocent character that is coming of age. The fact that he has been chosen to play this controversial role that includes nudity is shocking to people because it is outside of what people are used to seeing from him.
#3 Gay Broadway
What? Next Fall
Where? Playwrights Horizons
When? 2009
Why is this "too hot to handle?"
Most plays dealing with homosexual couples usually deal with the topic of HIV/AIDS as well, it is usually a very common theme. In this show that is not the case, which people are not used to. This play deals with topics that are common with all couples, for example religion. Both people in the relationship have very different religious views and the play tackles that issue.
#4 Racist Broadway
What? Race
Where? Broadway
When? 2010
Who? David Mamet
Why is it "too hot to handle?"
This play hits racial issues head on. It is a storyline that has been used in movies and novels for a good length of time; A rich and powerful white man is accused of raping a black woman. The lawyers, one black and one white bounce back between racial assumptions and questions.
#5 Busted
What? Naked Boys Singing
Where? Atlanta, Georgia - The Armory Bar
When? 2004
Who? The police?
Why is it "too hot to handle?"
Since this production was done in a bar, you need an adult entertainment license to have nudity in shows and this bar did not.
#6 NEA 4
What? Shut Up and Love Me
Where? Baltimore
When? 2001
Who? Karen Finley
Image and Link: http://www.citypaper.com/arts/story.asp?id=4372
Why is it "too hot to handle?"
She is naked only covered in honey talking about hot topics like sexuality...Need I say more?
#7 Regional Theatre
What? Keely and Du
Where? Philadelphia Theater Company
When? 1994
Image and Link: http://theater.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?res=9E06E1DF143CF935A25753C1A962958260
"IF there's a sizzling play of the moment, it's "Keely and Du," with productions of the pro-choice/pro-life war of words popping up all over the regional theater map"
Why is it "too hot to handle?"
This play deals with the ever controversial topic of abortion. It is a topic that most likely will always be "too hot to handle" in any context.
#8 College/University
What? Spring Awakening
Where? Bucknell University
When? 2009
Image and Link: http://www.bucknell.edu/x30261.xml
Why is it "too hot to handle?"
This play deals with many controversial topics, such as sex, including a few rather graphic sex scenes. This show has been censored since it opened. The main issue for this University is that this is the show that will be playing on Parent's weekend.
This play deals with many controversial topics, such as sex, including a few rather graphic sex scenes. This show has been censored since it opened. The main issue for this University is that this is the show that will be playing on Parent's weekend.
#9 High School
What? Urinetown
Where? Mount Madonna High School, Santa Cruz
When? 2010
Image and Link: http://www.examiner.com/x-15796-Santa-Cruz-Parenting-Examiner~y2010m1d18-Mount-Madonna-Schools-controversial-play-is-about-more-than-potty-words
Why is it "too hot to handle?"
This play has a great deal of bathroom humor, very uncommon for high school theatres to take on. It is rather crude, though not the worst that could be done.
#10 Wild Card
#10 Wild Card
What? My Name is Rachel Corrie
Where? New Olde Bank Theatre
When? 2009
Image and Link: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_608879.html
Why is it "too hot to handle?"
It is a true story about a woman who was crushed to death by a bulldozer during a protest in Palestine. Many people view her death differently, some as being heroic others as getting in the way.
It is a true story about a woman who was crushed to death by a bulldozer during a protest in Palestine. Many people view her death differently, some as being heroic others as getting in the way.
