On Monday of this week, the Spy published David Montgomery’s opinion piece on the recent school shooting in Colorado that took place earlier this month. In his commentary, David contrasted the terrorist motives with the heroism of the students who charged the assailant, one of whom was killed during this courageous act. Within his column, Montgomery expressed concerns that one of the murderers, who had been questioning his gender identity at the time of the crime, was the result of our society “brainwashing teens into gender dysphoria.” It was tortured logic at best.

Nonetheless, it has always been the Spy’s mission to provide a safe harbor for very different perspectives, even those that might be repugnant to this publisher or the vast majority of its readers. It was the my hope that readers would use the comment section to refute or challenge these outrageous views. That didn’t happen. In fact, serious damage was done.

In the spirit of doing no harm, or more harm, I have removed David’s commentary from the Spy. There are limits to free speech and the stigma he has attached to transgender people crossed a line that I wish I had the sensitivity as both an editor, and a gay man myself, to see the damage it presents to all of us that live in a culture that remains hostile to the notion of being different.

In my desire to find a full spectrum of thought for Spy readers, I failed my own test in judgment. I am horrified by this gap of moral direction.

Since I started the Spy started in 2009, it has been unambiguously supportive of gay rights, same-sex marriage, transgender protection, and, more importantly, we have celebrated Chestertown’s long history of diversity. I regret that David’s column has put this commitment into question.

Dave Wheelan
Publisher and Executive Editor

It is actually quite accurate to suggest that the Academy Art Museum has a blockbuster exhibition going on with its current exhibition of the early work of California artist Richard Diebenkorn.

While the small but mighty Academy has a history of pleasantly surprising visitors with powerhouse shows with the likes of Robert Rauschenberg, Mark Rothko, and James Turrell over the years; with Richard Diebenkorn: Beginnings, 1942–1955 it has set a new high point for the Delmarva peninsula as the only venue on the East Coast to show this remarkable collection the artist’s early work.

In partnership with the Diebenkorn Foundation and the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, the AAM has worked with Scott Shields, the exhibition’s curator, to document the extraordinary artistic journey of one of America’s greatest modern art masters.

The Spy sat down with Scott at the Tidewater Inn a few Sundays ago to understand more how Diebenkorn’s early work demonstrates his unique progression before 1955 which marked his rise to the forefront of American modernism.

This video is approximately two minutes in length. For more information about Richard Diebenkorn: Beginnings, 1942–1955 please go here

In the canon of theater repertoire, nothing can be more challenging or more humorous for actors than portraying actors in a play. Able to use a lifetime of knowing fellow actors as a reference for character development, or tapping into their own thespian id,  actors tend to flock to these productions.

So it no surprise that the Tred Avon Players quickly filled thirteen roles for their upcoming production of Laughing Stock written by Charles Morey.

Laughing Stock is a hilarious backstage farce and genuinely affectionate look into the world of the theatre. When The Playhouse, a rustic New England summer theatre, schedules a repertory season of Dracula, Hamlet and Charley’s Aunt, comic mayhem ensues. We follow the well-intentioned but over-matched company from outrageous auditions to ego-driven rehearsals through opening nights gone disastrously awry to the elation of a great play well told and the comic and nostalgic season close.

The cast includes C J Barnes as Tyler; Val Cavalheri as Daisy; Missy Doyle as Susannah, Alex Greenlee as Jack; Tyler Henry as Henry; Ben Lee as Braun;  Kyla Lynch as Karma; Brian McGunigle as Richfield; Bob O’Boyle as Vernon; John “Perk” Perkinson as Craig; Jackie Royer as Mary; Lynn Sanchez as Sarah, and Rob Sanchez as Gordon.

The Spy caught up with four of the cast members yesterday afternoon.

This video is approximately three minutes in length.

Performances dates are May 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Performance times are Thursday, Friday, & Saturday at 7:30 pm with Sunday matinees at 2 pm. Tickets are $22 for adults, and $11 for students (fees included). May 2 is Half Price Preview Thursday. For tickets go to TredAvonPlayers.com or call 410-226-0061. The Oxford Community Center is located at 200 Oxford Rd. Oxford, MD 21654. Tred Avon Players are sponsored in part by revenues from the Talbot County Arts Council, which is funded by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.