AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
RAGTIME involves three families and their experiences in a changing, turn-of-the-century America. ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (which is not set in the United States, but on a mythical Caribbean island) involves certain issues of class and skin color, but for me it is primarily a story about a young girl breaking away from family to find love, and challenging the very gods themselves, on the road to growing up. The stories I choose often contain themes of compassion, family, the coming together of disparate cultures, the forming of new kinds of families. "I don't write about the African-American experience, per se, I'm simply drawn to write about human beings in highly dramatic circumstances. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, it’s not the issues of race, but rather what are clearly the underlying themes which intrigue and inspire her her. MTI Marquee caught up with Lynn Ahrens to ask about this common thread in her work. Though Ahrens & Flaherty's musical ONCE ON THIS ISLAND doesn’t deal directly with experiences in the United States, its themes relate to issues of class and race and on Broadway ONCE ON THIS ISLAND's cast was comprised completely of black actors. Just as Black History Month does for Americans throughout the country, RAGTIME and DESSA ROSE ask audiences to reflect and pay respect to those who were both victims of and triumphed against social injustices. Both shows are unafraid to depict more problematic elements of America's past of and relating to Black American segregation. Through DESSA ROSE and RAGTIME (book by Terrence McNally), Ahrens (book/lyrics) & Flaherty (music) explore significant elements of the Black American experience in United States history. The writing team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens are a pair who consistently write about subject matter of this nature. Through song and story musical theatre authors can give voices to groups of people who are often otherwise marginalized. In honor of Black History Month, we're highlighting shows that deal with the national celebration's themes, and artists whose work has helped shape the diversity of musical theater history.
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |