Theater has often paralleled or based on real life. In the years that AIDS and HIV were in the forefront of news discussions, the Broadway show that later became a movie, "Rent," theatrically examined the many grim issues and consequences regarding this often deadly illness. In 1998, the multi talented Paul Simon wrote the musical, "The Capeman," based on the deadly gang fight that occurred in the El Barrio session of New York City, in 1959. This show, although containing some of the most amazing music and performances by an incredibly talented predominantly Hispanic cast, led by Reuben Blades and Marc Anthony, was a financial and critical disaster, much of which occurred because it touched upon a too sensitive and "raw nerve."
More recently, the show "Lombardi" has graced Broadway, and theatrically addressed and taught the many issues about the significance of winning, effort, attitude and effective leadership. The show indicates how amazing the man was, and how he impacted the lives of so many players, fans, and disciples.
The current example on Broadway that brings real life to the musical stage is based on the 2004 ground breaking musical album by Green Day, "American Idiot." Adapted to the Broadway stage as an amazingly impactful musical, "American Idiot" follows the "twenty something" generation of the first decade of this millennium. As a parent of two young men in that age group, it is a somewhat haunting commentary on a generation that appears to have limited motivation, parties aimlessly, is often narcissistic, and, in generally avoids either making a decision or decisive action. While it would be difficult to find a show with better music, better musical performances, more energy, a finer young cast, as amazing staging and production, etc., the lack of clear cut financial success and audience generation of this production makes it appear that this show may be suffering from the same basic problems that Mr. Simon's show of more than a decade before. In both cases, I believe that a significant number of people find the subject matter somewhat "queasy'" and are attempting to stay away from a show with the obvious anti- war sentiment that both this album and the show have.
The same way that the American public avoid inundating itself in learning more about important but controversial information such as war, disease, policy, etc., some potential audiences stay away from shows that are "too close to reality" for their comfort. One would hope that at one point people would expand their horizon and open themselves up to further understanding and learning about controversial issues, basing their eventual decisions and judgments on facts, not just "gut" feelings. When we can begin to look at both life and art in a more open-minded and open manner, perhaps then, we will be willing to actually confronted those issues that we have often avoided for far too long.
Richard Brody has over 30 years consultative sales, marketing, training, managerial, and operations experience. He has trained sales and marketing people in numerous industries, given hundreds of seminars, appeared as a company spokesperson on over 200 radio and television programs, and regularly blogs on real estate, politics, economics, management, leadership, negotiations, conferences and conventions, etc. Richard has negotiated, arranged and/ or organized hundreds of conferences and conventions. Richard is a Senior Consultant with RGB Consultation Services, an Ecobroker, a Licensed Buyers Agent (LBA) and Licensed Salesperson in NYS, in real estate.
More recently, the show "Lombardi" has graced Broadway, and theatrically addressed and taught the many issues about the significance of winning, effort, attitude and effective leadership. The show indicates how amazing the man was, and how he impacted the lives of so many players, fans, and disciples.
The current example on Broadway that brings real life to the musical stage is based on the 2004 ground breaking musical album by Green Day, "American Idiot." Adapted to the Broadway stage as an amazingly impactful musical, "American Idiot" follows the "twenty something" generation of the first decade of this millennium. As a parent of two young men in that age group, it is a somewhat haunting commentary on a generation that appears to have limited motivation, parties aimlessly, is often narcissistic, and, in generally avoids either making a decision or decisive action. While it would be difficult to find a show with better music, better musical performances, more energy, a finer young cast, as amazing staging and production, etc., the lack of clear cut financial success and audience generation of this production makes it appear that this show may be suffering from the same basic problems that Mr. Simon's show of more than a decade before. In both cases, I believe that a significant number of people find the subject matter somewhat "queasy'" and are attempting to stay away from a show with the obvious anti- war sentiment that both this album and the show have.
The same way that the American public avoid inundating itself in learning more about important but controversial information such as war, disease, policy, etc., some potential audiences stay away from shows that are "too close to reality" for their comfort. One would hope that at one point people would expand their horizon and open themselves up to further understanding and learning about controversial issues, basing their eventual decisions and judgments on facts, not just "gut" feelings. When we can begin to look at both life and art in a more open-minded and open manner, perhaps then, we will be willing to actually confronted those issues that we have often avoided for far too long.
No comments:
Post a Comment