Tools
In last week's paper I praised the production of Miss Saigon that closed at the 5th Avenue Theatre on Sunday. This week I'm going to slam Miss Saigon--but just one element of it, something that usually escapes critical notice: the program.
In the "Who's Who" section--also known as bios--the cast and the show's directors get to say a few words about themselves. In theaters where you're seeing actors who don't have many credits to list, bios are often clogged with annoying inside jokes and shout-outs. When you're at a professional theater, however, the bios get more restrained. Actors list roles they've played in the past, and maybe mention where they studied. Short, relevant bios are one of the hallmarks of professional theater.
Stranger Personals
The 5th Avenue is supposed to be a professional theater. So why are the bios in its programs so unprofessional?
I'd like to give a shout-out to Raul Aranas, Kingsley Leggs, Joey Matta, and Khanh Doan, serious professionals with serious bios. Their professionalism stands in sharp contrast to most of the other members of company. Wives, agents, parents, siblings, and children are thanked; one cast member dedicates his performance to his great-grandfather; others wish various family members a happy birthday; some mention their pets. "Love to Chrissy!" "Thanks to my family and especially Mikey! Love ya like a fat chocolate éclair!" "To mom and dad: Happy retirement!"
But the worst are the Christians.
Apparently Christians just have to bear witness wherever the fuck they plop their asses down these days--no opportunity to shove their faith down our throats can be resisted. When we're no longer safe from proselytizing Christians at a musical--the original faggot art form!--something is deeply, deeply wrong.
It starts in the very first bio in the program. Emy Baysic, who played the role of Kim on Broadway and at the 5th Avenue, sends love to her "family, friends, God and Noel." I'm sure God was pleased. Eric Ankrim's bio ends with this one word sentence: "Church." Go sing in one, Eric. The worst offender is Candice Donehoo, who played Ellen: "Candice… is truly thankful for all the support over the years from her friends and family, including her husband and two children, but gives God the glory for the opportunities and experiences He's granted."
Where to start?
Candice's bio is the theatrical equivalent of dancing in the end zone and pointing a finger toward heaven, or giving Jesus credit for the Grammy your violent, misogynistic rap album just won. Not only is it unprofessional, it's practically blasphemous. Apparently Candice believes the same God who sat idly by when parents watched helplessly as their children were swept out to sea in the Asian tsunami, the God who didn't prevent the Holocaust--He Who Is Never There When You Really Need Him--that God is there to help her land parts at regional theaters.
Thanking God for the part or touchdown or the Grammy isn't piety, Candice, it's narcissism.
Commenting was not available when this article was originally published.
I'm sorry you feel hurt by "Christians." Some people claiming to be Christian don't do very Christian things, and this gives Christians a bad name. Believe me, for many years I felt a lot of animosity toward "Christians." But three years ago during a very dark period of my life, I met someone who showed me what God is really about...love; not the political agendas that some claim to be the "Christian" doctrine.
Jesus is all about love. The true meaning of being a Christian is loving each other and showing love. And I hope that we can all feel that love in our lives.
After feeling the love of God and having Him help me out of a very dark period of my life where I was too depressed to get out of bed for a year, I too thank Him every day for His Blessings and for everything he has given me.
I wish you a happy, healthy year. And I hope that you someday meet a Christian who treats you the way Jesus would...with love and support.
I agree that the 5th Ave could up the ante and put forth a more polished foot, but check yourself there.
Candice-- and any other member of the company-- is allowed to be as self-indulgent as they wish about their God, while others wax on about their kids, and even their dogs. And they are not any worse for it. The fact that she subscribes to something with the same vehemence that you deny it doesn't make her wrong, or ignorant. It just makes you look like an ass when you use the your blog to bully someone who doesn't deserve it.
We don't know what kind of Christian Candice is (not that it should make a difference). Maybe she is the kind that stands on the street corner with a bull horn and sandwich board, maybe she is ignorant and bigoted, maybe she is caring, educated, and truly compassionate to all people.
Do you really think that she-- any of them-- deserve the spite you just published because of the kind of Christian you aren't?
Poor form, Dan.
RSS
Twitter
Comments (2) RSS