The Paris News had an article the other day about the North Lamar High School drama department fall production. They're staging the musical "Urinetown." Musical selections include "It's a Privilege to Pee" and "Snuff the Girl." There has been a lot of discussion locally about the propriety of high school students performing in something so low-brow. Many people, Essie May included, don't care to discuss bodily functions in public. Can you imagine a high school doing a play like this 25 years ago? How far we have fallen!
The newspaper article reeks of damage control. It's purported focus is the school district theme of promoting the environment. The drama department spokesman says this production fits right in to that -- yet the article also states that the play "emphasize(s) the importance of water conservation, although conservation is not the theme." Clue number two that it's mere damage control is that the title of the musical is not in the headline -- it's not even in the first paragraph.
In the play, private toilets are outlawed after a 20-year drought. Citizens must pay to use public facilities with wealthier people being able to afford better urinals. When a citizen cannot pay and is forced to relieve himself in the street, he is arrested and sent to Urinetown, a penal colony. In reality, people sent to Urinetown are exterminated. When the people turn against a leader of the revolution, they sing the song, "Snuff the Girl." A synopsis of the play says it "pokes fun at capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, and petty small town politics, as well as advocating environmentalism. Urinetown rejects musical theatre convention, parodying successful Broadway shows . . . the unconventional plotline shatters audience expectations of a pleasant ending." Sounds real entertaining and cultured, doesn't it?
To sum up the newspaper article, Superintendent James Dawson is quoted: "If they see the title, they may want to come to see what it is about. It is not offensive . . ." Speak for yourself, Mr. Dawson.
"North Lamar plays to follow a theme." The Paris News; August 25, 2008; p. 1.
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1 comment:
Thank you Essie for such a well-written piece. I just wish the world had your common sense!
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