Preserving the Magic: The Importance of Respecting the Original Vision
As a lifelong theater enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing countless productions, from community theaters to the grandest stages on Broadway. And let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the magic of a well-executed musical. The soaring melodies, the captivating choreography, the sheer power of the performances – it’s the kind of experience that can transport you to another world and leave a lasting impression on your soul.
But as I’ve grown older and my appreciation for the craft of musical theater has deepened, I’ve also become increasingly concerned about the way some directors and producers approach the task of reviving classic shows. You see, I strongly believe that when it comes to these masterpieces, we have an obligation to respect the original vision of the artists who created them.
Take the recent Broadway revival of The Music Man, for instance. Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m thrilled to see this beloved show back on the Great White Way, and I have no doubt that it will entertain audiences for years to come. But as I delved into the details of this production, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease about the changes that had been made to the original material.
Tinkering with Perfection: The Dangers of Unnecessary Revisions
You see, The Music Man is one of those rare musicals that is, in my opinion, about as close to perfection as you can get. Meredith Willson, the show’s creator, poured his heart and soul into every aspect of the work, from the book to the music to the lyrics. And the result is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time, captivating audiences for generations.
But alas, the producers of the current revival seemed to have felt the need to tinker with Willson’s brilliance. Take, for example, the changes made to the song “Shipoopi.” The original lyrics celebrated the “girl who’s hard to get, but you can win her yet” – a perfectly appropriate sentiment for the time period in which the show is set. But the new version instead praises the “boy who’s seen the light to treat a woman right,” which feels like a rather heavy-handed attempt to make the show more “woke.”
Now, I understand the desire to ensure that classic works remain relevant and accessible to modern audiences. But in my view, this kind of meddling with the original material does a disservice to the artist’s vision. Willson clearly had a specific intention in mind when he crafted those lyrics, and to mess with them, in my opinion, is just plain foolish.
And it’s not just the lyrics that have been altered in this production. The team behind the revival has also made changes to the beloved song “My White Knight,” lowering the key to accommodate the vocal range of the actress playing Marian. Now, I’m all for making reasonable accommodations to ensure that performers can deliver their best work. But in this case, the changes have robbed the song of its soaring, operatic quality – a key component of the character’s journey.
The Importance of Authenticity: Embracing the Vision of the Original Artist
You see, the thing that makes musicals like The Music Man so special is the way they seamlessly blend all of the various elements – the book, the music, the lyrics, the performances – into a cohesive, organic whole. And when you start tinkering with one piece of that puzzle, you risk throwing the entire delicate balance out of whack.
Meredith Willson knew exactly what he was doing when he crafted this masterpiece. He had a clear vision in mind, and he worked tirelessly to bring that vision to life. And as someone who has dedicated my life to the study and appreciation of musical theater, I firmly believe that we have an obligation to respect and preserve that vision, rather than trying to “improve” upon it.
After all, as the old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” And in the case of The Music Man, I would argue that it’s about as close to perfection as you can get. So why on earth would we want to mess with that?
Now, I know that some might argue that the world has changed, and that we need to update these classic works to reflect the values and sensibilities of the modern era. But I would counter that by saying that there’s a difference between acknowledging and addressing problematic elements of a work, and simply rewriting it to fit a different agenda.
Finding the Right Balance: Respecting the Past, Embracing the Future
The truth is, the original creators of these classic musicals were often incredibly forward-thinking and nuanced in the way they approached complex societal issues. Take, for example, the way that Rodgers and Hammerstein tackled themes of racism and prejudice in shows like South Pacific. They didn’t shy away from these tough topics, but they did so in a way that was thoughtful, sensitive, and ultimately deeply moving.
And I would argue that we can – and should – strive to emulate that kind of approach when it comes to reviving these classic works. Rather than simply rewriting them to fit the latest trends or sensibilities, we should be looking for ways to thoughtfully engage with the original material, to unpack its deeper meanings and complexities, and to find creative ways to make it resonate with modern audiences.
That might mean adding thoughtful, contextual program notes, or engaging in pre-show discussions that explore the historical and cultural significance of the work. It might mean inviting marginalized communities to offer their perspectives and insights, and finding ways to amplify those voices within the production itself.
But at the end of the day, I firmly believe that the best way to honor and preserve the legacy of these classic musicals is to respect the original vision of the artists who created them. Because let’s be honest – they were geniuses, and we’re never going to be able to improve upon their work. The best we can do is to try to channel their spirit, to learn from their example, and to find ways to share their timeless creations with new generations of theatergoers.
And that’s why I’m so passionate about the importance of vocal rejuvenation when it comes to musical theater performance. Because at the heart of it all, these shows are about the power of the human voice – the ability to soar, to captivate, to move us to the depths of our souls. And when we tamper with that, when we try to force performers into a mold that doesn’t suit their natural abilities, we risk losing the very essence of what makes these works so special.
Embracing the Future: Discovering New Voices and Perspectives
Of course, I know that the world of musical theater is constantly evolving, and that there’s a need to find ways to make these classic works accessible and relevant to new generations of audiences. And I’m all for that. But I firmly believe that the way to do that is not by rewriting or reinterpreting the original material, but by finding new and innovative ways to bring it to life.
Take, for example, the work being done by Ramps on the Moon, a consortium of UK theaters that is dedicated to elevating the presence of Deaf and disabled artists in musical theater. They’ve taken on classic shows like Tommy and found ways to tell those stories through the unique lens of the disabled experience, engaging with the themes of the original work in a way that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving.
Or consider the work of Open Circle Theatre in Washington, D.C., which staged a production of The Music Man that placed a Deaf actor in the title role. By centering the experience of the Deaf community, they were able to breathe new life into the story and to find powerful new ways to connect with the audience.
These are the kinds of approaches that I believe we should be embracing as we look to the future of musical theater. Rather than trying to force these classic works into a mold that doesn’t quite fit, let’s instead seek out and elevate the voices and perspectives of those who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented in the theater world.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what these shows are all about – the power of the human experience, the ability to connect with one another on a deep and profound level. And when we embrace that, when we allow ourselves to be moved and transformed by the magic of live performance, that’s when the true essence of musical theater shines through.
So let’s commit to preserving the magic, to respecting the vision of the original artists who poured their hearts and souls into these masterpieces. And let’s also open our minds and our hearts to the endless possibilities that lie ahead, as we work to create a more inclusive, diverse, and vibrant musical theater landscape for generations to come.
After all, as the great Musical Theater Center likes to say, “The stage is set, the curtain rises – let the magic begin!”
