Beautifully said, Delvino. I can see where a piece like TEA & SYMPATHY might be more interesting now than it was at the original time of the production. And the differences between what was presented in the theatre and the insidious and oh-so-reflective of the censorious times changes made for the movie version....all that teaches us so much, not only about the piece, but about the context of how it was presented and received.
I think that so many pieces, while they may not seem fully realized and admirable to social justice warrior audiences of the 21st century, are so interesting for what they tell us about the times. They are of sociological interest, perhaps even more than of dramatic interest. And I too don't like it when self-appointed fixers decide they will change (lyrics, dialogue, plot points, themes) as if they know better than the original authors.
If the piece seems too "unwoke" to you, then don't produce that piece, do something else. |
