Threaded Order Chronological Order
| re: Happy Talk racist? | |
| Posted by: Michael_Portantiere 02:11 pm EST 02/20/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Happy Talk racist? - Chromolume 02:07 pm EST 02/20/19 | |
|
|
|
| I've always felt that dialogue written in a way that is meant to indicate a specific accent or dialect -- whether in OKLHAOMA!, CAROUSEL, SOUTH PACIFIC, PORGY AND BESS, CARMEN JONES, or whatever other show -- tends to look rather quaint and embarrassing, even if the writing of the dialect is quite accurate. | |
| reply to this message |
| re: Happy Talk racist? | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 02:18 pm EST 02/20/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Happy Talk racist? - Michael_Portantiere 02:11 pm EST 02/20/19 | |
|
|
|
| I've always felt that dialogue written in a way that is meant to indicate a specific accent or dialect -- whether in OKLHAOMA!, CAROUSEL, SOUTH PACIFIC, PORGY AND BESS, CARMEN JONES, or whatever other show -- tends to look rather quaint and embarrassing, even if the writing of the dialect is quite accurate. Exactly. And really, I'm not sure they're particularly accurate in any of those shows. Being a New Englander all my life, I've yet to hear ANYONE ever say "fust" (instead of "first") or stuff like that. It's exaggerated for theatrical effect, I suppose, but it's not how anyone really speaks. |
|
| reply to this message |
| re: Happy Talk racist? | |
| Posted by: OldTheaterGuy 09:54 am EST 02/22/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Happy Talk racist? - Chromolume 02:18 pm EST 02/20/19 | |
|
|
|
| You have not heard anyone say “fust” because you live in the late 20th/early 21st century where mass media has tended to flatten out regional accents. (My husband grew up in Cornwall, England, but except when putting it on, doesn’t talk mush like a 19th century Cornishman). Hammerstein was obsessed with research. For instance, his daughter Alice recalled reading through dozens of period cookbooks to find recipes for the lyrics to This Was a Real Nice Clambake. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Happy Talk racist? | |
| Posted by: davidack 11:12 pm EST 02/21/19 | |
| In reply to: re: Happy Talk racist? - Chromolume 02:18 pm EST 02/20/19 | |
|
|
|
| I’m really enjoying the thoughtful conversation on this topic. One of my favorite versions Is by Nancy Wilson who make it a beautiful jazz number. I suppose now she might be accused of cultural appropriation | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
Time to render: 0.014788 seconds.