Message 188 of 1199
for search Parade
» Return to search results |
help |
Re: A question about Ben Brantley's Parade review.
| Author: |
|
PrestonDL <prestondl@aol.com> |
| Date: |
|
1998/12/21 |
| Forum: |
|
rec.arts.theatre.musicals
|
|
|
fm15 recently wrote:
>Brantley's main point (and problem) with the show I gather, is that it is too
>preachy. While I do agree that the show does tend to sound like a sermon
>sometimes, I think the way he described it was way too harsh. The way he put
>it,
>you'd think they were stuffing morals down your throat against your will.
>Yes the
>show does preach, but compared to Ragtime it is a lot more subtle.
I'm sorry but I have to disagree. If RAGTIME were anywhere near as UN-subtle
as PARADE, when you walked into the theatre you would have seen a picture of
people of all colors holding hands in unity, and this would have remained
through the entire performance as a backdrp to the action.
I thought there was a lot to commend in PARADE (Brent Carver and Carolee
Carmello were magnificent, as was a great deal of the score), but subtlety of
theme and presentation were not among them. . The townsfolk dancing while the
bars close around Leo? That hangin' tree looming over everything. Hardly a
light touch, I'd say.
Give me RAGTIME anyday.
David
