Kismet is set in ancient Baghdad, a time historians call “The Islamic Golden Age.” Johnstown is in western Pennsylvania.

“Flight 93 flew right over our heads,” school Superintendent Thomas Fleming Jr. explains.

United Airlines Flight 93, of course, plowed into the ground nearby on Sept. 11, 2001, after the hijackers were overpowered by the passengers and crew. They died to keep the plane from crashing into the U.S. Capitol.

“So it’s understandable that people might be a little more sensitive perhaps to the (play’s) content,” Mr. Fleming told the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat. —Canceling The School Play Won’t Avoid ‘ Kismet’