I absolutely hated "Caroline, or change" last night..... — Page 3

She sang the hell out of it the night I saw it. Not one problem.

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I bet if she were a Japanese photographer the show would have been a hit.

It could be difficult for a lot of people to accept a protagonist who's quite unlikable. How do you feel her pain when you want to slap her? It's complex and takes work on the part of each audience member.

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Updated On: 10/12/06 at 03:13 PM

I don't need to see Audra. I think Tonya was effing perfection.

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I saw it early September after the Tonys. She rocked it.

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I think your assessment of the "change" part of the story is a bit simplistic, lil. I always thought it was about either being "caroline" or being able to change along with the country. She has such an inbred mistrust of others, especially white people, that she is unable to enjoy her own life.

I think Kushner is trying to make a point about segregation; opposition came from both sides. Caroline fears the freedom that her daughter hungers for and finds solace in the little things in life because that's all she feels she deserves.

The social experiments with the black and white dolls and the chidren who choose "the good doll" come to my mind. Caroline has been taught to devalue herself and not make trouble.

But the entrance of the new stepmother who IS a progressive person and is willing to give Caroline the freedom she's been denied is regarded with suspicion as is her child's new-found voice of dissension. She struggles to find her place in this rapidly changing world, and in "Lot's Wife," we see a woman so damaged she simply wants to be destroyed and re-created, which also alludes to Joe Pitt's (AIA) desire for god to smash him into pieces and start over again.

That being said, I'm sorry you didn't like it.

I have to say, I also don't really understand where the criticism that the score is not musically satisfying comes from. I think that much of the music is derived from the American Pop idiom and is gloriusly tuneful while also containing as much, if not more, emotion and subtext as the lyrics.

I understand the music is derived from American Pop of 1963, but it isnt distinctive...which makes it a problem for me. I liked it alot more in the theater, but kept wanting SOMEONE to finish the damn theme in the music, or complete a song. I find this even more annoying listening to the cd. The music is fine, just not special to me. I enjoy the performances more than anything else.

The lyrics, on the other hand, are amazing and true.

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I do that all the time (an almost 2 hour commute will do that) and still have to make my self listen.

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The freakiest!

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And it'd be flat.

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I'm sorry you didn't like the show, lee. It does have a pretty unconventional arc- the whole idea is that the main character can't change. She isn't as free as Dottie to go with the times because she has her kids to take care of. Her accomplishment over the course of the show is not a psychological revelation, but the upbringing of a new generation, which is why Emmie gets the last word.

"I'm the daughter/ Of a maid. She stands alone/ Where the harsh winds blow. Salting the earth/ So nothing grow too close/ but still her strong blood flow..."

This is my all time favorite contemporary musical EVER. And I think the tough, ugly, heartbreaking nature of the show is something that makes it special.

LIL the change wasn't just about change in the country and change in the kids pocket- it's about how to change- what change means- and the pressure to change. It's truly heart breaking to watch Caroline suffer- to remain Caroline and NOT change so that her kids can grow and be part of the larger change. To me Caroline can't change- she has to stay down so her children can rise and grow- and that's her real struggle. I always felt that the epilogue brings this round full circle (well maybe that's not the way to describe it)- but that we see that Emmie rises and that statue topples and there is change in the future for the world, and for Caroline through her children.

Really this show is so beautiful- I get the chills when I think of it.