In the wake of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel’s pastor’s recent decision to cut ties with the State Street Players over language in play, the group said it is “looking ahead to the future.”
The theater group issued the following statement via email Monday.
“In May, State Street Players (SSP), which had been entertaining the community as a musical and comedy troupe, and official parish organization of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Doylestown, since the 1970s, was informed in a single-page letter by Father Matthew Guckin, that he had made the decision to disband the organization. In a statement to the press, Guckin referenced some instances of innuendo in the March show, Giggles, Groans, and Gross Exaggerations, as a part of his reasoning.
“While SSP always considered themselves a community organization, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless volunteer hours since their inception, the productions have always been a show put on for adults by adults. Humor is subjective, and it is disappointing that a couple of jokes were considered enough to put an end to an almost 50-year community group, especially as there has always been an open invitation to SSP rehearsals for stakeholders prior to any public performances.
“Now, the group previously known as State Street Players, is looking ahead to the future.
“They invite the community that they have helped to foster for almost half a century to join them in this exciting next chapter. Updates will be shared regularly as efforts to establish a new organization name and nonprofit entity, as well as fundraising to rebuild their lost assets from the ground up, get underway.
Above all else, this group of family, friends, and neighbors would like to thank all those who have shown them such support over the course of their long history, and over the past month following this sudden development. This change of course will be an adjustment for everyone, but they are determined to share music and laughter together with you again soon.”
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