Shows With Heavy Social Commentary

I don't think I've necessarily "learned" anything I didn't know from a play or musical, but some have certainly crystallized a certain aspect or aspects of life in ways that couldn't have been done simply reading a book or article. I was particularly impressed with last season's Sweat, which I felt did an excellent job of humanizing something that feels very distant to many Americans, while not being apologetic to anyone. 

I completely agree with @dramamama611.  Those types of shows are always on my favorites lists...including most she listed - Next to Normal, Normal Heart, Kander and Ebb (especially Cabaret, Chicago, Scottsboro Boys, The Visit).  Urinetown sprung to mind immediately as well.

haterobics said: "Until I saw Urinetown, I never knew stuff like that was happening in some places... spooky."

THIS. I didn't realize how important this one is until a few years ago. And I disagree about it's spoofiness. That is legit happening in some places...just because Urinetown is super heightened and a dark comedy does't mean it's a spoof. I believe it's commentary in it's own right. In fact it's one of my answers to the question, along with Next to Normal, Waitress, and if I saw it, that Rebeck play finally it's light I daresay I'd be all over it.

I think pieces like Hairspray, Ragtime, Carousel, and basically anything else that takes place in the past can be problematic in term so making someone see a problem they didn't know about or didn't know how bad it really was because of the very reason that they take place in the past. They feel distant because too many people think these things don't happen anymore because "oh that was a thing back then, not now" which translates into why there's pushback on any social justice front. It's not immediately obvious that it takes years, if not decades to make progress because it ties into the power ploy. Those with power will always push back because they think they own the world and don't believe there's a problem, whether it's social justice, the workplace, landlord/tenant relationships, etc. I tell you, give me anything and I can tie it back to "power ploys", it's literally why humans don't listen to the misgivings of others and why the whole world goes to hell once or twice every century because of it.

JennH said: "haterobics said: "Until I saw Urinetown, I never knew stuff like that was happening in some places... spooky."

THIS. I didn't realize how important this one is until a few years ago. And I disagree about it's spoofiness. That is legit happening in some places...just because Urinetownis super heightened and a dark comedy does't mean it's a spoof. I believe it's commentary in it's own right. In fact it's one of my answers to the question, along with Next to Normal, Waitress, and if I saw it, that Rebeck play finally it's light I daresay I'd be all over it.


I think pieces like Hairspray, Ragtime, Carousel, and basically anything else that takes place in the past can be problematic in term so making someone see a problem they didn't know about or didn't know how bad it really was because of the very reason that they take place in the past. They feel distant because too many people thinkthese things don't happen anymore because "oh that was a thing back then, not now" which translates into why there's pushback on any social justice front. It's not immediately obvious that it takes years, if not decades to make progress because it ties into the power ploy.Those with power will always push back because they think they own the world and don't believe there's a problem, whether it's social justice, the workplace, landlord/tenant relationships, etc. I tell you, give me anything and I can tie it back to "power ploys", it's literally why humans don't listen to the misgivings of others and why the whole worldgoes to hell once or twice every century because of it."

I saw a beautiful production of Ragtime recently, and to me it really highlighted the race issues that are happening now.  It honestly seemed more like a social commentary on today, even though it's set in 1906.  I don't agree that almost anyone seeing it now would say "oh that was then, this is now."