Evansville: When Madonna Unleashed Fury on an American Town
Evansville, Indiana, a city with pride rooted in history and resilience, was the setting for an unusual event in 1991. Known for its role in World War II and its fervor for college basketball, this city of about 120,000 inhabitants was embroiled in an unexpected controversy with the one and only Queen of Pop, Madonna.
The spark that ignited the controversy was an interview in TV Guide magazine, where Madonna compared Evansville to Prague, in a derogatory tone, while filming scenes for the movie “A League of Their Own”.Aproximadamente 300 residentes de Evansville, Indiana, se reunieron para expresar su descontento con Madonna.The outrage was expressed creatively. Around 300 residents gathered in the Roberts Stadium parking lot to form a giant human message. A helicopter captured the scene, revealing the name of Madonna with a red circle crossed out, symbolizing the community’s rejection.
The movie “A League of Their Own”, centered on the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, had chosen Evansville as a location, attracting Hollywood stars and generating expectations in the city. The arrival of the film crew, which included Geena Davis and Tom Hanks, sparked local enthusiasm, although not all members of the cast shared the same excitement about being in the city.
Despite initial comments, the interaction between the inhabitants of Evansville and the movie stars was remarkable. Tom Hanks bought a guitar at a local pawn shop, and Geena Davis enjoyed the local gastronomy. Madonna, for her part, received a signed photo from a resident and kept in touch with the community.
The filming lasted three months, and the city prepared to receive the stars and the production team. During the filming, Madonna proved to be accessible and friendly with the people of Evansville.Tom Hanks en una escena de “A League of Their Own”.But Madonna’s statements in TV Guide magazine sparked controversy. The director of a local radio station took advantage of the situation to organize the protest in the parking lot, generating media coverage that turned the incident into a national news story.
The story of Evansville and Madonna became a high-profile event. Despite the controversy, some locals maintained a positive attitude, highlighting the opportunity the city had to interact with Hollywood.
The movie, “A League of Their Own”, became a success, and the impact on the local economy was significant. Bosse Field, the baseball stadium where key scenes were filmed, received attention and became a point of interest for tourists.
Despite the controversy, the incident became another anecdote in the history of Evansville, a city that, despite everything, welcomed Hollywood with open arms.De izquierda a derecha, Rosie O’Donnell, Madonna y Geena Davis en el set de “A League of Their Own”.
