Here's a silver lining for today:
While all of this is going on around us: Hate, pain, Disappointment, Sore Losers, Sore Winners, and fear that I see on the faces of many people I pass on the street in NYC, for the first time, in a Long time, Maybe since the Original production of HAIR, a musical is at the front and center of a national debate. Musicals Like Mormon, Producers, Phantom, et. al are cultural icons, but not titles that start actual political debates among Americans about who we are as a country. Because of the actions of what the cast did on Friday night, people all across the country are debating the place of performing arts in America, and we are being reminded of how integral it is to the American way, to the many freedoms that we experience as Americans: freedom of expression, freedom of opinion, freedom of choice, freedom of religious practice, and freedom of speech. It is no coincidence that Hamilton, as well as HAIR started at the Public, who's truncated mission statement follows: "The Public serves as an advocate for the theater as an essential cultural force in leading and framing dialogue on important issues of our day. These core democratic values, set in place by its visionary founder, Joseph Papp, inform all aspects of The Public’s activities."
I think Joe Papp would be extremely proud that theatre is at the forefront of not only the NYC dialogue, but also a national dialogue. This is when theatre is vital. This is when theatre creates change, and new ideas. This is when theatre artists step up and say We care about the World, and we are going to make a difference.
"I'm an American, Damnit!!! And if it's three things I don't believe in, it's quitting and math."