Controversial performance at the Academy of Music

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - A local charter school is at the center of a national controversy---and it's all because of a play that was performed Saturday.

Students from the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Public Charter School in South Hadley took to the stage of the Academy of Music in Northampton.

They performed a comedy called, "The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told."

The play retells the biblical story of Genesis using gay characters.

Two groups of protestors, each with differing opinions staged a rally outside the Academy of Music.

Richard Howell opposes the performance saying "You're attacking a faith. You're attacking a religion, something people believe in. And they are indoctrinating young children into believing this sort of thing."

"I do think it's acceptable to do a play that explores the bible and somebody's creative interpretation and I definitely think that issues of sexuality are fine" says Leigh Salvage.

PVPA Principal Scott Goldman states "The play, as currently conceived, is consistent with our school's philosophy, and is, in our view, an appropriate theater piece for PVPA high school actors and a high school and adult audience."