| It's not a question of happy endings... | |
| Posted by: GrumpyMorningBoy 11:42 am EDT 10/30/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Genuine question: are LGBT people well-represented in Broadway musicals? - Ncassidine 08:03 pm EDT 10/29/17 | |
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| The point I'm essentially trying to raise is that up until now, for MOST of our prominent LGBT characters in Broadway musicals, their sexuality is the primary source of their particular conflict. Either an inner-conflict, attempting to accept themselves (as in FUN HOME, SPRING AWAKENING, Ethan and Malcolm in THE FULL MONTY) or an outer-conflict, attempting to win acceptance from society at large / their particular community (as in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, KINKY BOOTS, Paul's monologue in A CHORUS LINE, Marvin's relationship with Trina in FALSETTOS). In other works, their sexuality is portrayed as the troublesome source of relationship drama, the way that RENT plays up a classic stereotype about bisexuals being 'selfish' and unable to please, as portrayed in Maureen's drama between Mark and Joanne. Here's what we hardly ever see: an LGBT character who happens to be LGBT, and now has something else exciting going on. We have had a handful. I'm glad that other posters noted the lesbians in FALSETTOS and IF / THEN, and the gay couple in COME FROM AWAY. Hooray for supporting characters. Let's get ourselves some compelling LGBT protagonists overcoming universal challenges that have nothing to do with their sexuality. I do think it's important to say that this is not a mere question of happy endings. WEST SIDE STORY is my favorite musical, and straight-up racism is the enemy of that story. In WSS, it's clear that being latino is inherently going to make life in America more difficult for you; the show becomes a didactic polemic on how racism can literally kill. Obviously, we've seen a LOT of Broadway writers try to make similar antagonists of homophobia -- or closed-mindedness in general (HAIRSPRAY, gobs and gobs of others) -- but it's time for us to move on and explore other foes. As KingSpeed and others have pointed out, TV / Film is waaaaaaaaaay ahead of us on this. Let's catch up, people. - GMB |
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| Previous: | re: Genuine question: are LGBT people well-represented in Broadway musicals? - Ncassidine 08:03 pm EDT 10/29/17 |
| Next: | re: It's not a question of happy endings... - Chromolume 01:31 pm EDT 10/30/17 |
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