Re: Now that I have seen Oklahoma!...

> > "wife-beating"...The term if not the concept-- anachronistic...
> And the show is a musical entertainment, not a social tract on stage.

I must be misunderstanding you. I think the more currently used term
"domestic violence" replaced [and expanded the meaning of] the earlier
"wife-beating" which was neither anachronistic as a term or a concept
when/where CAROUSEL was written [mid 20th century, NY], or even set [late
19th century, New England].

And I don't believe the show would/should/could be [nor has it ever been]
reduced to "a social tract on stage" by dealing forthrightly with the
bullyish/brutish aspect of Billy's behaviors. I don't believe that any more
than I think "the show is [merely] a musical entertainment", or was ever
intended as such. Something, I think, far different from believing there is
no room for comedy in a show with "serious" dramatic intent.

What I do believe is that, for some reason, justifying, glossing over and
dismissal of Billy's actions became the accepted way of dealing with the
dark side of his character... and cheapened what I believe is a good part of
the power of the book. Hytner addressed that, and, thereby, "redeemed" the
show [for me], by allowing room for Billy's "redemption", which avoidance of
the issue had, in other interpretations, IMHO, disallowed.

In any event, I imagine we've "beaten this dead horse" enough... don't you
agree?

Mila

"Steve Newport" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in "wife-beating" because it
isn't there. (The term if not the concept--
anachronistic.)message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (BTC/TAK on ACK) I have no idea
what's left to any meaningful story-line in CAROUSEL if Billy's
struggles with his many difficulties [including the "wife-beating" you
seem to want to ignore] are left out. Or why anyone would produce,
direct or see an eviscerated production done for smiles and chuckles?
----------------------------------------
There are a *lot* of smiles and chuckles in a good production of
CAROUSEL. These even (better!) include such characters as Jigger and
Mrs. Mullin. There are far, far fewer tragic or even highly dramatic
moments. No one suggested "leaving anything out" (hell, I want "The
Highest Judge of All PUT BACK IN) or evisceration. I'm not ignoring
 And the show is a musical entertainment, not a social
tract on stage.


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