While it's obvious from several of the speeches at the Tony Awards earlier this week that those in the theater world won't sit silently by when it comes to Trump Administration, few have commented as strongly on the dramatics of Trump's presidency as Shakespeare in the Park. The summer production of Julius Caesar directly alludes to the president's antics, casting a Trump doppelganger--costumed in a business suit with a strangely long tie beside a wife with a Melania Trump-esque Slavic accent--in the titular role.
In response to mounting criticism of the president-emperor being stabbed to death onstage with ancient Roman brutality, Delta Air Lines has pulled its sponsorship of the theater group, stating, "No matter what your political stance may be, the graphic staging of Julius at this summer's Free Shakespeare in the Park does not reflect Delta Air Lines' values. Their artistic and creative direction crossed the line on the standards of good taste."
Two-time Oscar winner Sally Field, an alumnus of the Shakespeare in the Park and an activist, had a lot to say about the airline's decision on twitter, the least of which being that Delta appeared to have no problem sponsoring a production of the play that cast a President Barack Obama stand-in in the lead.
When Delta responded directly to her with its PR statement, Field reminded those in charge that the airline once sponsored the play when it portrayed the assassination of Obama.
She also echoed the sentiment that theater should make people uncomfortable.
Many in the Twitterverse supported Field's perspective, calling out Delta's actions as hypocritical censorship.
Some also slammed the airline for its lackluster service and called for a boycott.
For anyone who thinks Sally Field should stick to only saying lines off a script, she also has a response.