I was planning to write a long post/civics lesson today about the federal system and why, despite being designed over 200 years ago, it is still perfectly suited to our current age. But then this happened...
... and it struck a nerve.
It struck a nerve because I've been a huge booster of Hamilton to skeptical relatives, acquaintances, and readers; indeed, I've shared favorite songs from the show on this blog on two separate occasions. I also spent eight hours round trip on a cramped and uncomfortable bus to see this show in New York because I simply couldn't wait for the inevitable tour stop in DC.
I think Hamilton richly deserves its eleven Tony Awards. It is, right now, my go-to example when I try to explain the difference between art that genuinely stretches the boundaries and art that merely postures and celebrates ugliness. In the show itself, there is no present-day political grandstanding; while Manuel-Miranda does take artistic licenses, he is honest about Hamilton's personal flaws and treats his other primary subject - America itself - with respect -- and even an infectious joy. There are mentions of slavery - because, given the period, how can you avoid it - but overall, Hamilton is brimming with the faith that all Americans - even "orphan immigrants" - can "rise up" and make an impact if they work hard enough.
Hamilton has amazing - and fundamentally conservative - things to say about the American idea. Unfortunately, the performers behind it had to go ahead and muck it up, thereby guaranteeing that many of my right-leaning friends will avoid the show from this day forward.
Why - why - do you always do this, leftists? When people go out to see a Broadway show - or any artistic performance, really - they are not looking to be hectored. They want to enjoy your talent, not listen to your presumptuous speeches. You, of course, have every right to express consternation over the prospect of a Trump presidency, but do it on your own time. It is neither appropriate nor fair to subject a paying audience to your supposed "protest."
To steal from Laura Ingraham, just shut up and sing.
Amen.
ReplyDeleteActors (like reporters) are now trained to believe they're activists, just as much or even more than they are entertainers. They believe the audience is both stupid and morally bad, thus the audience must be "educated" to the correct politics. And yes, this is precisely the kind of crap that many Americans are sick of, and why Trump won.
ReplyDeleteThe attitude presented by the cast is part of how we got president-elect Trump. It was an elitist F U to about half the country that got that half to say F U back. These dumbasses seem determined to help him get re-elected before he even takes office.
ReplyDeleteNow the star of the show has put out a casting call stipulating that "NO WHITES" may apply. This has kicked up another storm of controversy, and is a violation of the law as well.
ReplyDeleteI don't care about the show's merits at this point. To hell with it.
I'll never see this show now because I know it's put on by assholes I'd rather not provide my time.
ReplyDeleteOr, more importantly, your money. They have told you that you, and your money, are not wanted.
DeleteLet the prog actors starve...
ReplyDeleteFirst musical I've wanted to see since Pacific Overtures.
ReplyDeleteNow I can just wait for a low-cost video option.
Alexander Hamilton made our America real. The cast of "Hamilton" just made asses of themselves.
As @iowahawk says
ReplyDelete1. Identfy a respected institution
2. Kill it
3. Gut it.
4. Wear its carcass as a skin suit, while demanding respect
Have they forgot the ultimate lesson of Hamilton's life: don't pick a fight with the Vice President? By the way, how do the show's investors feel about this? The fun keeps coming. I'm almost out of popcorn.
ReplyDeleteF'em
ReplyDeleteWe expect professionals to respect their craft and if you have a "message" let it be expressed or spring from your play or your song. I don't watch pro football since the NFL failed to control its bad actors. And I won't support these bad actors either. It would be so similarly and correspondingly rude that conservatives would never do it but imagine several people sitting in the audience individually and randomly jumping up mid production and lecturing the cast about their political bullying and opportunistic exploitation of their theatre guests. Would they get the message? No, but it would make a point. One should not be rude and ponderously boorish in a theatre where people have paid good money to see you perform.
ReplyDeleteSorry, immediate reaction. Let me be more specific. Actors are very much like parrots...they regurgitate others thoughts without having to understand them. The thoughts are generally intelligent, having been originate by someone else. The originator are referred as writers. Because the actors parrot interesting ideas, they are thought, by many, to be intelligent. Nothing could be further from the truth. They have good of not editic memories. They are taught to emote convincingly. Now the want to lecture us on matters of importance. They are of substandard intelligence and no particular ability. Why would anyone listen to them. Polly want a political opinion. Squawk! Hiill! Hill! Hill! Nice parrot, we'll clean you cage because it's our duty, not because we want to.
ReplyDeleteI like how the actor has the whole wagging finger thing going - reminds me of my ex
ReplyDeleteSeems the work is plenty strong on its own. I was less bothered by the actors speaking from the stage as I was from the many reports of the audience booing Mike Pence in the middle of the show at any point that they could (e.g., "You'll Be Back"). Those people are the worst -- the stage is the actors', but the theater is not the audience's to disrupt.
ReplyDeleteIt seems everyone wants to ignore the fact that the audience booed Mike Pence. Once this happened, the show cast was probably obligated to say something, and criticizing their audience was not going to happen, although the diverse one in the audience was fair game.
ReplyDeleteThey could have said something like "our cast may not agree with everything VP Pence and prez elect Trump stand for, and apparently neither do some in our audience, but one thing this play and our founders taught us is we respect the rule of law and the constitution. Trump won the election fairly, and he and his VP should get some respect as our president and VP". That would have been a real expression of tolerance.
DeleteIf they want to make everything political, and they do, I am willing to boycott everything that is of the left. F/u ESPN, NCAA, NFL, NBA, Broadway. I can go somewhere else and do other things.
ReplyDeleteFunny, all are involved with passive watchers. We are done being passive watchers. Time to Trump the Left.
I agree, that was a very good musical about the founders. I used to try and find it on TV every 4th of July.
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ReplyDelete