FMHS students urge board to restore religious references in 'Love Thy Neighbor,' ask district to verify licensing permissions

Two Fayetteville-Manlius High School students told the Board of Education on Feb. 10 they want lyric changes to the school musical The Prom reversed, saying removing references to Jesus from the number “Love Thy Neighbor” weakens the play’s message and plot.

Matthew Scurringe, a senior and cast member, told the board he and his castmates “understood this show going in” and said, “there is nothing in this number that is in any way anti‑Christian.” He said the passage is central to the plot and that changing it both diminishes the message of acceptance and may also violate licensing rules: “As far as I know… our licensing company, Theater Rights Worldwide, TRW for short, does not… give the production team any permission nor did we ask for permission to change these lyrics.”

Caroline Zoya James, a junior in the cast, told the board the lines taken from scripture are important to conveying the show’s theme of acceptance. She suggested the district could add a disclaimer in the playbill or announce a short pre-show statement noting that the production addresses controversial topics as social commentary.

Superintendent Dr. Trice (superintendent of schools) said the production team had received “a few complaints, probably half dozen,” and told the board, “We can look into it,” when asked about licensing and whether lyric edits had been cleared with the rights holder. The board president asked staff to consult legal counsel quickly, noting the musical is scheduled for March and cast members need clarity in time to rehearse any restored or revised material.

Board members clarified the board itself had not made editorial changes and that decisions about the stage production fall to district administrators; one board member said the matter “is not a typical board-level decision” but asked administrators to resolve licensing and timing questions expeditiously. Board leadership emphasized concerns about potential community disruption and the need to balance inclusion, students’ artistic work and legal obligations.

No formal board vote was taken. Board and administrators agreed to consult district legal counsel about licensing permissions and any required approvals and to communicate an answer to the production team as soon as possible so students can prepare for performances.

Public commenters and several board members urged that, whatever administrative decision is reached, the district strive to preserve the student performers’ intent and the show’s message of acceptance while complying with licensing and district policy.