Controversial DCI (Finals) Shows

[verzephobe]

Hello! This is my first post on here so please excuse me if this is already a topic that's been posted. For a school project I'm documenting a few highly controversial DCI shows, and I wanted your input on them! So far I have

• Cadets 2007 (Rose Bowl Performance) "This I Believe: Truth, Value, and the Personal Experience called Drum Corps"
• Cadets 2008 "...and the Pursuit of Happiness"
• Boston Crusaders 2014 "Animal Farm"
• Cavaliers 2016 "Propaganda"

For research's sake, it would be best if you all could reccomend shows from around 2000-present. Thank you!!!

[wolfgang]

As a historical context for your project, either early DCI or pre-DCI, the Madison Scouts had a female play Alice for Alice in Wonderland.

Aside from having a lady in an all-male corps, the introduction of a themed show was itself controversial. Old timers, pkease elaborate.

Edited January 31, 2025 by wolfgang

[verzephobe]

4 minutes ago, wolfgang said:

As a historical context for your project, either early DCI or pre-DCI, the Madison Scouts had a female play Alice for Alice in Wonderland.

Aside from having a lady un an all-male corps, the introduction if a themed show was itself controversial. Old timers, pkease elavorate.

I looked it up a little- 1971's show! Thank you for the recommendation, I'm sure even though it's pre-DCI it'll fit into the paper just fine 🙂

[KVG_DC]

Also older than your range.  1971 Cadets "no more war" show had a peace sign in the drill that ranked some of the VFW vets.  The story goes they tried telling the VFW nationals officials "it's a Mercedes logo". Heh.

[Jurassic Lancer]

I would also point to Garfield Cadets’ 1971-72 No More War show, complete with a large peace sign formation 

Edited January 31, 2025 by Jurassic Lancer

[Jurassic Lancer]

Just now, KVG_DC said:

Also older than your range.  1971 Cadets "no more war" show had a peace sign in the drill that ranked some of the VFW vets.  The story goes they tried telling the VFW nationals officials "it's a Mercedes logo". Heh.

Jinx

[KVG_DC]

was it 71 or 72? or both?  I know back when, corps would carry parts of shows over from year to year sometimes.

 

[KVG_DC]

There have been a few ruffled feathers more recently here regarding the themes of Boston's Wicked Games, Mandarins' Sinnerman, and Troopers' Dance with the Devil regarding whether "DCI designers are celebrating satanic worship."  

Blue Devils When a Man Loves a Woman rose eyebrows for some of the choreography and costuming considering the age of performers.   Which has been a reoccurring and ongoing issue at times.  Particularly given the prevalence of sexual abuse in the activity.

[Jurassic Lancer]

3 minutes ago, KVG_DC said:

was it 71 or 72? or both?  I know back when, corps would carry parts of shows over from year to year sometimes.

 

Just checked … it was both

[wolfgang]

3 minutes ago, KVG_DC said:

  

Blue Devils When a Man Loves a Woman rose eyebrows for some of the choreography and costuming considering the age of performers.   Which has been a reoccurring and ongoing issue at times.  Particularly given the prevalence of sexual abuse in the activity.

BD ripped off Alliance of Miami's 1991 WGI show.