What I love and admire about your putting forth an opinion (or perspective) is how you turn it over and over in your hand, examining from all possible angles. This opens it up for your reader to rethink and be more receptive to broader attitudes. Beautifully written, Robin.
What a great comment, Judy! I’m so glad you think so. That’s what I hope, that people will at least know how I arrived at my opinion of something that I think is important to consider.
Thanks for this. Yes, this goes well beyond poetic license. I think people do want to know "real" history, depending on how it's served up, and it sounds like this musical could have been a wonderful, non-didactic, even soul-searching (i.e. what would I have done in that situation?) way to present it. Probably plenty of people left the show thinking real history is what they got. I hope some reviewers have mentioned this particular falsehood, or will (though I see the musical dates back to 2018).
Thanks, Nancy. Yes, I think it was a missed opportunity and a bit of a whitewash. I haven't checked many reviews, but The New York Times didn't love it and mentioned Solidor as a Nazi collaborator (though, to them, it was just one of many sins, mostly aesthetic) and the Post panned the show completely. I think the Times got it right for the most part -- musically, there was a lot to admire. Otherwise, a bit of a mess.
I should add that I didn't look at any reviews before writing this piece. I was glad to see that the New York Times at least mentioned Solidor's Nazi association in passing.
I back your manifesto - send me the pamphlet! Ideally with some great futurist art...
Haha, thanks, Alizah!
What I love and admire about your putting forth an opinion (or perspective) is how you turn it over and over in your hand, examining from all possible angles. This opens it up for your reader to rethink and be more receptive to broader attitudes. Beautifully written, Robin.
What a great comment, Judy! I’m so glad you think so. That’s what I hope, that people will at least know how I arrived at my opinion of something that I think is important to consider.
Fantastic piece Robin!
Thank you, Cate!
Thanks for this. Yes, this goes well beyond poetic license. I think people do want to know "real" history, depending on how it's served up, and it sounds like this musical could have been a wonderful, non-didactic, even soul-searching (i.e. what would I have done in that situation?) way to present it. Probably plenty of people left the show thinking real history is what they got. I hope some reviewers have mentioned this particular falsehood, or will (though I see the musical dates back to 2018).
Thanks, Nancy. Yes, I think it was a missed opportunity and a bit of a whitewash. I haven't checked many reviews, but The New York Times didn't love it and mentioned Solidor as a Nazi collaborator (though, to them, it was just one of many sins, mostly aesthetic) and the Post panned the show completely. I think the Times got it right for the most part -- musically, there was a lot to admire. Otherwise, a bit of a mess.
I should add that I didn't look at any reviews before writing this piece. I was glad to see that the New York Times at least mentioned Solidor's Nazi association in passing.
Yes, I saw the NYT review after I responded to your post and was glad to see this mentioned.