Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Prudish dad can't handle Big River
#0Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 1:52pm
Offensive word spoils show
As a teacher and professional artist, I am disturbed by the use of the "N-word" in the Barn's production of "Big River" at Thompson Park in Middletown. It is offensive, racist and damaging on several fronts.
Families attend the shows at the Barn. Choosing to include this vulgar and unnecessary word renders this production inappropriate, especially for young children. If children see this word acted out onstage, it is validated as somehow socially acceptable. This is a grave mistake.
The Barn is supposed to be a cultural center and reflect the values of the citizens. Use of this word on a county-supported stage goes against the grain of many residents' sensibilities and speaks poorly of the community's cultural choices.
The Barn is supported by taxpayers' money. It is alarming to think Monmouth County would fund a production that employs antiquated language that is not socially acceptable.
The public must hold the county accountable and refuse to support this production.
Mark Dzula
MANASQUAN
Asbury Park Press
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Mythus
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/04
#1re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 1:54pmWow. I'm pretty sure this guy missed the entire point of the show.
#2re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:01pmI guess we shouldn't be shocked to still see narrow-minded people espousing censorship. Let's only produce art where folks don't smoke, gamble, swear, have extramarital relationships or have any vices.
"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg."
-- Thomas Jefferson
#3re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:03pm
madbrian, that'd be boring as hell.
Of course he missed the point of the whole show.
#4re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:05pmI think madbrian was being sarcastic. Just a thought...
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#5re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:12pmAs an African American who has seen the show, it did not bother me. Look at when and where the show takes place. As a teacher I would suspect that you should know that this word was used much more then than it is today. As a teacher, maybe you could explain that it is not now socially acceptatble and explain why it was used.
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
#6re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:15pmWhat a jackass.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
#7re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:23pmI bet that guy uses that word daily. HYPOCRITE!
#8re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:35pm
I'm almost ashamed to admit that this is right in my neck of the woods. I've actually seen many shows at the Barn, and have known the guy who designs the sets and costumes there for ages.
However, I have never met the man who wrote this letter.
timote316
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/04
#9re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:38pm
Did he call the word unnecessary? I'm pretty sure the word is necessary in that story...
What an idiot.
MusicalDirector109
Leading Actor Joined: 5/16/03
#10re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:45pmAgain, he missed the point of the show. I'm directing the show right now and the "word" is essential to the story. To take it out would do a great diservice to the show and its intention.
MusicalDirector109
Leading Actor Joined: 5/16/03
#11re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:45pmAgain, he missed the point of the show. I'm directing the show right now and the "word" is essential to the story. To take it out would do a great diservice to the show and its intention.
MusicalDirector109
Leading Actor Joined: 5/16/03
#12re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:46pmAgain, he missed the point of the show. I'm directing the show right now and the "word" is essential to the story. To take it out would do a great diservice to the show and its intention.
sondwisenheimer
Stand-by Joined: 5/3/06
#13re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:48pm
Wow, everything that children see acted out onstage in a show with a far-removed setting and a specific moral message is suddenly "...validated as somehow socially acceptable?" I guess we'll have to remove the Big Bad Wolf from "The Three Little Pigs." And what about those stepsisters in "Cinderella?"
Children have a gift this gentleman doesn't posess: the ability to place a character's actions in the context of a story. Besides, I for one want children to know the ugly, hurtful history of that word. What a great opportunity for post-show discussion.
This man calls himself an artist. I would bet that his "art" involves popsicle sticks and google eyes. I would further bet that he is someone who is frustrated with his lack of influence on any level in the world around him, and is probably a white man who does not have a single black friend.
Why are people so afraid of causing children to think?
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#15re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:52pmim more surprised that a newspaper actually printed the letter than I am that someone wrote it. do we think the editor of the letters to the press page is unfamiliar with Big River and why it uses such language?
#16re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 2:56pmWhy would it be surprising? It's a letter from a reader. There's no reason the reader's opinion has to be along the same lines as the editorial staff. The newspaper is more interested in printing something that will liven up the Op-Ed page; the reader's ignorance has nothing to do with their own.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#17re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 3:01pmno, of course the editor doesnt have to agree with an opinion they choose to put on a page, thats not what i meant. i just wonder the thought behind the choosing, it could very well have been controversy.
#18re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 3:02pmMaybe they wanted that, too.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#19re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 3:08pmLetters to the editor are supposed to represent the voice of the community. And most papers -- except large ones like the New York Times, that get a tremendous volume of letters -- will print anything they receive so long as it falls within the paper's set guidelines. At one of my old jobs, we used to run a big LaRouche-head's letters all the time. He was nuts, yes, but he was a part of the community. They're never edited for intelligence.
#20re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 5:46pm
Apparently, the author is unfamiliar with the term "setting", which incorporates language and the use of vernacular as well scenic and costume design. Did he think Mark Twain's characters would actually use the term "African-American"?
What a doofus dink dangity dong.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#21re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 6:19pmTo the paper's credit, they're usually pretty good about printing letters that have wildly varying opinions. I'm not at all surprised they ran this letter, as the Barn's two summer productions are kind of a big deal, since they're produced by the County Parks System. Someone objecting to a production that the County produces is exactly the kind of thing the APP would want to print.
#22re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 8:22pm
He's almost as ignorant as the people that want HUCK FINN banned in schools.
Check out my sig!
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird
To Kill A Mockingbird
#23re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 11:09pmReally, he should take it up with Mark Twain.
Faced with these Loreleis, what man can moralize!
TheEnchantedHunter
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/27/05
#24re: Prudish dad can't handle Big River
Posted: 6/19/06 at 11:37pm
Any person who calls himself an 'artist' (unless he literally slaps paint to canvas) is immediately suspect in anything they have to say.
n* Jim
On The Mississippi
Updated On: 6/20/06 at 11:37 PM
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