The cruz of their complaint was the extent to which the play ties their desire for money into their religious beliefs, with major developments in their money making schemes being directly paralleled with religious ceremonies, religious iconographies, etc., as well as a general sense that the show wasn't created by actual Jews... which indeed, is the case (Massini went to school with Jews but is Christian and has done a bit of a tap dance around his connection to the faith, while Mendes has a Jewish mother but never practiced).
Their perspective didn't change my admiration for the play, but when considering presenting the play in an environment that is seeing a rise in antisemitism and people who are willing to believe in these gross stereotypes, I came to agree with them that the play cause harm when produced in a Red state. |
