henrikegerman said: "The town really has no choice but to search for Harryand prevent his leaving. Kind of like the Into the Woods folks havingno choice but to destroythe giant's wife. But well said, adam.peterson, about Harry's being trapped against his will in the town.And I also have issues with miracle-negotiation fears not being ofindustrialization, or the English, or the gentry, but ofwitches and sorcerers and the need to defend the church agains tthem. The real villain in the piece, not that anyone realizes it, may be Forsythe for bargaining with God to begin with and for obligating everyone against their will. And, notwithstanding the violent sexuality at the wedding,Harry is really a very relatable character not only deprived of choice in his destiny but being forced to live out his life there without love.
Still, I have no problem suspending belief for the joys the show offers, or at least the ones Encores' production did."
Oh, I think Harry is quite
sympathetic. I've always
assumed Forsythe was
the village lawyer--er, solicitor.
It makes perfect sense that
he made such a "bargain".
Seriously, blame Oscar
Hammerstein. Perhaps his
most profound contribution
to the American musical
was the knowledge that
happy endings come only
at a price: Harry, Jud,
Julie, Lt. Cable, Billy
Bigelow, even Rolf in
the SOUND OF MUSIC
(though I know OH didn't
write that last book).
Hammerstein took the
human sacrifice out of
the church and put it
into the theater, where
it should be.
Updated On: 1/1/18 at 11:57 PM
