The Cabot, a renowned theater in Beverly, Massachusetts, has issued a public apology following a special screening of the 1975 film "Jaws" that featured a question-and-answer session with its star, Richard Dreyfuss. The event, which took place on Saturday night, was marred by comments from Dreyfuss that attendees described as "sexist and transphobic."
The actor, who rose to fame for his role in the blockbuster film, allegedly made disparaging remarks about women in the film industry, the LGBTQ+ community, and his former co-star, Barbra Streisand. The comments sparked outrage among the audience, with dozens of attendees reportedly walking out of the theater in protest.
"We deeply regret that Mr. Dreyfuss's comments during the event were not in line with the values of inclusivity and respect that we uphold at The Cabot," said J. Casey Seward, the theater's executive director, in a message to patrons. "We understand that his remarks were distressing and offensive to many of our community members, and for that, we sincerely apologize."
The Cabot's apology also acknowledged that the theater should have anticipated the potential for controversy, given Dreyfuss's history of contentious remarks. In a 2023 appearance on PBS' "Firing Line," the actor had criticized the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ diversity and inclusion rules, a stance he reiterated during Saturday's event.
"We take full responsibility for the oversight in not anticipating the direction of the conversation and for the discomfort it caused to many patrons," Seward stated. He also outlined plans for more rigorous vetting of event participants and proactive communication strategies to keep audiences informed in the future.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the responsibility of venues to ensure that their events align with their stated values. The Cabot, for its part, has pledged to learn from this experience and to continue its mission of "entertaining, educating, and inspiring our community."
As of now, Dreyfuss has not publicly commented on the controversy surrounding Saturday's event. His remarks, however, have cast a shadow over a film that was largely celebrated for its achievements, including three Academy Awards and a nomination for Best Picture.
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