Joan Rivers Helps Fund Westboro Baptist Church Musical Comedy Satire [VIDEO]
Rivers, Margaret Cho, and others have donated towards ‘God Hates This Show: Shirley Phelps-Roper In Concert, Live From Hell’
By: Ashley Baylen
Playwright John J. Caswell is protesting against Westboro Baptist Church’s hate-filled ringleader, Shirley Phelps-Roper, the only way he knows how: a musical!
Caswell is seeking funding through Indiegogo to produce his new musical comedy satirizing the ongoing bigoted antics of the Westboro Baptist Church’s leader.
The show, playfully titled ‘God Hates This Show: Shirley Phelps-Roper In Concert, Live From Hell’ will star the hilarious Erin Markey, and takes place in “a sadistic flame filled haunted house/lounge in Hell where the fashion is flawless.” The musical “imagines Shirley… as recently deceased, banished to Hell, and forced for all eternity to sing her favorite earthly songs.”
Comedians Joan Rivers and Margaret Cho and author Ann Bannon are among many celebrities supporting the project. Each of them have donated an autographed prize package as an incentive for major backers. Other non-celebrity fun prizes include a tote bag that reads “God Hates Bags” and a personal phone call from Satan himself.
Additionally, 50% of any funds raised above production costs will be donated to Equality House, the LGBT organization dedicated to spreading messages of love and equality in the Westboro Baptist Church’s home neighborhood. The rainbow-coloured home, purchased by Planting Peace, held a same-sex marriage on their front lawn last month and helped 5-year-old Jayden Sink with a “pink lemonade for peace” stand.
Assuming all goes as planned, the show will premiere in New York City October 16th-20th.
Find out more about the project here.
GOD HATES THIS SHOW! PTW’S NEWEST PLAY! from John Caswell on Vimeo.


