The Producers. Nothing funny about Hitler.

Anonymous wrote:The creators of BoM call it “a love letter to religion”. It’s about how religion has the power to give hope and be a force for good as long as we take it metaphorically and not literally. Even the Mormon church itself recommends people see it to bring them closer to God. I liked it a lot. But I guess the stereotypes of Africans can be offensive.

It is almost reverential to Mormons compared to the awful stereotypes they perpetuate about the “generic backwards Africans” they depict. I was very offended by that part whne I saw it years ago when it first came out.

A number of shows are full of outdated, what we’d call old-fashioned morals that don’t “work” today. Carousel, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Kiss me Kate, Showboat, are all shows that would be challenging to perform now. I recently saw the new production of Camelot and they had Andrew Sorkin rewrite 99% of the book to make the plot more “acceptable” to 2023, but it didn’t really work. Gorgeous performances and staging, but it’s a tough show to do today, even with a “woke” book.

The creators of BoM call it “a love letter to religion”. It’s about how religion has the power to give hope and be a force for good as long as we take it metaphorically and not literally. Even the Mormon church itself recommends people see it to bring them closer to God. I liked it a lot. But I guess the stereotypes of Africans can be offensive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I forgot what is offensive about Carousel.

Domestic abuse.

Quote from Carousel found on IMDB:

Louise Bigelow : I didn't make it up, Mother. Honest, there was a strange man here, and he hit me hard. I heard the sound of it, Mother, but it didn't hurt. It didn't hurt at all. It was just as if he kissed my hand.
Julie Jordan : Go into the house, Louise.
Louise Bigelow : What's happened, Mother? Don't you believe me?
Julie Jordan : I believe you.
Louise Bigelow : Then why don't you tell me why you're actin' so funny?
Julie Jordan : It's nothin', darlin'.
Louise Bigelow : But is it possible, Mother, for someone to hit you hard like that - real loud and hard, and it not hurt you at all?
Julie Jordan : It is possible dear, for someone to hit you, hit you hard, and it not hurt at all.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049055/characters/nm0429250

The King and I

I get how BOM is offensive, as part of its point is satire. But people are offended because a show merely depicts domestic violence or something? Sprung Awakening deals with tough subjects, but it doesn't mock them or present them as titillating or anything.

Anonymous wrote:Spring Awakening has some adult themes, but is excellent, with one of my favorite songs.

Spring Awakening is my answer. Rape, incest, suicide, abortion (not that abortion is offensive), sadomasochism, abuse, it was all too much. (I haven’t seen BoM, though)

Walked out of BOM at the Kennedy Center.

Did not enjoy how it stereotyped both Mormons and Africans. The sophomoric jokes about AIDS. The colonial tropes were so dumb.

I love South Park, but BOM was just….offensively un-enjoyable.

It’s good to be offended. That means the show stirred something in you. It’s called provocative art.

Anonymous wrote:I forgot what is offensive about Carousel.

Domestic abuse.

I forgot what is offensive about Carousel.

Anonymous wrote:West Side Story is incredibly violent.

The show is nothing like the recent Spielberg movie. Rock to the face!

The show / original movie was mainly in line with Romeo and Juliet (OK, also violent), and with a lot of dancing where there would be fighting in real life.

Thanks, everyone! I'm here for the recs! Keep them coming!

West Side Story is incredibly violent.

A Chorus Line