I was originally worried about reading this -before- my own trip to the show. But I'm really glad I did. Honestly, had I gotten there and with no warning gotten a placatory song after the Booth/Oswald scene I'd have left the theater foaming at the mouth. Now at least I can rant in my own home, and be calmer about it there.
The very fundamental -point- of Assassins is that we don't have an answer. That we don't -know- how to solve this fundamental structure that is solidifying in our society where one need not earn the American dream, but is owed it. Giving 'answers' or soothing people really, -really- cuts away from the importance of that. This isn't The Sound of Music for Pete's sake. Yes, people should find the situation upsetting. As a people it's a looming disaster on the horizon, something we have to cut from our national consciousness, or frankly, as a people we're -fucked-. Assassins is a warning bell. Muffling it does no-one any good.
Yeah, and I could smack my father for being so convinced that blunting the show's point is a good thing (but I won't, and I won't even unfriendslock this entry, because I don't need to risk pissing him off). Bah. I am reminded, though, that my parents were for some reason terribly startled that you were going to go all the way up to New York 'just' to see Assassins, as if that wasn't reason enough. ;) They pointed out that if you wanted, you could crash here for the night afterwards. (Or before, or whatever. :)
Aww! Okay, I really, really appreciate that they're willing. But we're okay. The guys are going to be hitting a Yankees game or something, and we'll hit the show, and it's all an afternoon deal, on a Sunday. But that's really thoughtful of them, and appreciated. :)
I have to agree. As best I've understood it, the whole point of Assassins is to discomfit people, make them uncomfortable, and make them think. In fact, I'd go so far as to theorize that part of the idea was to make the assassins seem... not heroic, but almost potentially so, or near anti-heroes--some of them, at least. I'm thinking mostly of Booth and Czolgosz there. With others, the aim seems more to inspire pity for their sheer patheticness, or maybe horror that such a lunatic idiot was able to wreak such a dreadful change. Nothing, nothing about the musical would appear to be about providing the audience with a security blanket
( ... )
Bah and humbug! That's a wonderful exchange, and I'm miffed they removed it! And I have to agree with everyone. There not only doesn't need to be a song to soothe the masses. The gunshot is final. We know what happened after. Hell, the musical isn't called 'The Implications of the Actions of Presidential Assassins'. Hmpf.
Ah well, so long as my dear wonderfully hot NPH is in it, I will be contented!
Comments 5
The very fundamental -point- of Assassins is that we don't have an answer. That we don't -know- how to solve this fundamental structure that is solidifying in our society where one need not earn the American dream, but is owed it. Giving 'answers' or soothing people really, -really- cuts away from the importance of that. This isn't The Sound of Music for Pete's sake. Yes, people should find the situation upsetting. As a people it's a looming disaster on the horizon, something we have to cut from our national consciousness, or frankly, as a people we're -fucked-. Assassins is a warning bell. Muffling it does no-one any good.
Reply
I am reminded, though, that my parents were for some reason terribly startled that you were going to go all the way up to New York 'just' to see Assassins, as if that wasn't reason enough. ;) They pointed out that if you wanted, you could crash here for the night afterwards. (Or before, or whatever. :)
Reply
Reply
I have to agree. As best I've understood it, the whole point of Assassins is to discomfit people, make them uncomfortable, and make them think. In fact, I'd go so far as to theorize that part of the idea was to make the assassins seem... not heroic, but almost potentially so, or near anti-heroes--some of them, at least. I'm thinking mostly of Booth and Czolgosz there. With others, the aim seems more to inspire pity for their sheer patheticness, or maybe horror that such a lunatic idiot was able to wreak such a dreadful change. Nothing, nothing about the musical would appear to be about providing the audience with a security blanket ( ... )
Reply
Ah well, so long as my dear wonderfully hot NPH is in it, I will be contented!
Reply
Leave a comment