Honk If You Love Freedom of Speech

Carla Kowalski, a Lakewood resident and supporter of the , wouldn't have missed opening night of the "Jerry Springer: The Opera" for anything.

But she wasn't there for the show.

"I support freedom of speech and I am happy to see these people here," Kowalski said. "I'm not so sure they were happy to see us." 

She said she did not represent any specific group, but was a supporter of the Beck Center — and an advocate for free speech.

Kowalski was one of at least hundred people who showed up Friday — in unseasonably warm weather — to have her voice heard.

(Watch the protest here, at CoolCleveland.com)

Dressed in Nun Habit accessorized with Groucho Marx glasses, Kowalski chanted with dozens of others: It's satirical, not Satanical! What part of satire don't you understand?

Members from America Needs Fatima, an off-shoot Catholic organization, also attended the opening night of the performance to protest — and they rallied against what they call "blasphemy."

The group has been out in full force across the United States and the United Kingdom, attempting to discourage attendance to the award-winning musical. The organization has now placed the Beck Center in its crosshairs.

Still, the controversial performance sold out in its opening night. The performance runs through Feb. 27.

The musical is a satirical depiction of the popular talk show that made its television debut in 1991. Characters include Ku Klux Klan members, strippers and biblical figures — and is not intended for children or anyone else easily offended.

were posted near the Beck Center to make sure the protesting didn't get out of hand on Friday night.

Lucinda Einhouse, the CEO of the Beck Center, that the award-winning show would go on — despite mounting pressure and 21,000 complaining emails and phone calls.

“We recognize that, just like the television show this is based on, “Jerry Springer: The Opera” may not meet everyone's taste and system of values," Einhouse said. "It is, however, a satire based on the absurdities of American talk shows where guests are unbridled and reveal deeply private matters, often with a shameful and over-the-top approach."

After the protest ended — with the religious group's procession with  the Virgin Mary crossing Detroit Avenue — Kowalski said she was exhausted from the evening's protest.

"I'm ready for a tall, cold brew," she said, adding that was keeping her plans to see the "Cats On Holiday" performance at Brothers Lounge.

She did not say, however, if she planned to wear the nun habit and Groucho Marx glasses.