Protesting Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show — Page 5

It's fantastic that we live in a country unlike say Germany (no offense to Germans) where we have the freedom and ability to look at some of the more terrible parts of our past in an upfront and artistic manner.

I am truly baffled by this comment. I get that some conservative Germans may get offended by the Springtime for Hitler number, but that has nothing to do with Germany's "freedom and ability to look at some of the more terrible parts of [its] past in an an upfront and artistic manner". ESPECIALLY in Berlin. There are incredible artistic expressions of the events of WWII all over the city. I was in awe of this city for its unflinching ability to acknowledge the atrocities that had occurred there over five decades. Not to mention The Producers had its first German-language production not far to the south in Vienna. It's sort of like saying the US has no artistic freedom because of the protesters outside The Scottsboro Boys theatre.

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wyman, putting on a hat does not constitute drag. It is very different. That review read to me that there were two characters who look like they could be in La Cage. And yeah ive been to stage grade and read many of the positive and negative reviews. And im still waiting on the one that gives a good reason. Being made to feel uncomfortable or dealing with a tough subject is not one. Im pretty sure thats what art should do. IMO

julesboogie - I've read the negative reviews and in each one, it is clear to me why the critic didn't think the minstrel show format worked. Their reasons are well thought out. Could it be your love for the show doesn't allow you understand the objections or is it matter of reading comprehension?

I read an interview with David Thompson in which he states a minstrel show is the way the real Scottsboro Boys would tell their story. What a bunch of BS.

From The Roots review:


In place of true wit, we get camp. Nor do characters develop or have any dimension. In fact, the play resembles a cartoon version of events, perhaps the biggest insult imaginable. The white Alabamians are bad, but in ridiculous ways; and the blacks are all victims, but victims without any traits other than their victimhood. Because the cast is so richly talented -- especially the actors who play the boys -- an audience member can occasionally get caught up in the power of a song, like Haywood singing "Go Back Home." But this is never enough to dispel the uneasiness caused by the joking attitude about a grave injustice.

Near the end, it almost seems as if the creators want to apologize for their approach, as they reveal the fates of the Scottsboro boys -- horrendous fates even for those released early. It leaves you wondering all the more why they chose this story, and why so many people in the theater seemed delighted by such a callous production in such questionable taste.

Kad you may be right. I do love the show and i just found alot of the review bubkiss. But as i said it was imo.


And wyman. Again theres a difference in suggesting/helping a audience with the minstrel form by adding a scarf or a hat, and drag. They are never female impersonators. They are males playing females. As was done in minstrel shows. Its alot different to suggest the show has drag on top of all the other stuff that this reviewer didnt like. Inaccurate in my opinion. But splitting hairs none the less.

If you say 'drag' to someone, they will not imagine a few articles of female clothing. If you use the word "drag" to describe something, it will undoubtedly invoke an image in someone's mind. It doesn't matter what the dictionary definition is- if you say "drag", most people will envision a female impersonator.

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It wouldn't be. However, there is a difference between making FUN of, and having fun with. (I,however, do not know where Book of Mormon will fall.)

However -- this has nothing to do with the Scotssboro Boys that does nothing BUT show and demean the blatant racist history we are so awfully guilty of.

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"For instance, THE BOOK OF MORMON musical which is opening this year, is not going to be a look at Religious persecution, it's going to BE RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION."

Trey Parker and Matt Stone have taken on Mormons before- and, although mocking of them, actually ended up being on their side. Sort of.

Irreverent, yes. Persecution, no. That is not something they do.

And I doubt Book of Mormon will actually solely be about Mormons.

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He still doesn't like The Scottsboro Boys Minstrel Show.

http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-11-10/theater/in-the-wake-middletown-and-scottsboro-boys-enter-the-discomfort-zone

I'm glad they posted their video online showing how THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS trivializes the black holocaust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0LUeDPeZcg

Updated On: 11/10/10 at 04:46 PM