West Side Story: Racism, Patriotism, and The American Dream set to Musical Satire
I love musicals! Yes I said it, "I love musicals!" Perhaps because its the fusion of two things I really enjoy, movies and music. Perhaps its because of the era in which the most classic of musicals were done. An era where decency, and societal impact, spoke louder than freedom of expression when determining the finish product (the film) was to be released to the masses to consume. Perhaps its that I consider myself a bit of a movie buff and I really enjoy watching talent on screen, and whats more talented than someone who can act, sing, and dance (those who did dance)? Hat's off to Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Donald O'connor, Marlon Brando (before The Godfather), Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke and others.
One of my favorite musicals of all time is West Side Story. An adaptation of the timeless romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Set in New York City, the story is draped in a social stigma, modern to that time, and most will agree, still relevant today. Two star cross lovers Maria (a Puerto Rican) and Tony (a White American) are caught between two feuding gangs, the white Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. I won't give anything way as far as the ending, if you haven't seen it yet, lets just say there's no surprises, someone dies. One of the most entertaining acts in the musical is the song and dance "America." The Puerto Rican Sharks (led by Bernardo) and their ladies atop an apartment building, enter into a song of statements and retorts, dripping with witt, irony, sarcasm and truth. The song and dance could seem to de-thorn the rather prickly issues being alluded to of "patriotism, racism, equality" and the often forgotten pit falls to the pursuit of the American Dream; but I feel it's a creative readdressing of the issues, true to meaning of "Satire."
As I watch this clip for whats seems like the hundredth time, it got me thinking about Cayman. What would a musical satire look and sound like if done by our expatriates, the Filipinos, Jamaicans, Hondurans, Haitians and others; those of whom fill the jobs considered menial on Island. What would they say of the their Caymanian bosses? What inconsistencies and hypocrisies to the "Christian Nation"title would they colorfully highlight? What abuses of their desire to create a better life for their families in their home countries would they seek, at the least, for us to respond to in shame? My appeal to your imagination notwithstanding the issues are all too real. To the Caymanian Christian being a foreigner is something to which we should relate to, for even our home is not our home, in the spiritual sense. And its that cross centred, kingdom focus that should encourage us toward hospitality in the physical realm. We should be reminded that the gospel initiative involves every nation, tongue and tribe. And God has been gracious to bring the mission field to us, in the expatriates we attract. Cayman belongs to God (Acts 17:24-28), lets be good stewards and hosts.
Grace and Peace.
One of my favorite musicals of all time is West Side Story. An adaptation of the timeless romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Set in New York City, the story is draped in a social stigma, modern to that time, and most will agree, still relevant today. Two star cross lovers Maria (a Puerto Rican) and Tony (a White American) are caught between two feuding gangs, the white Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. I won't give anything way as far as the ending, if you haven't seen it yet, lets just say there's no surprises, someone dies. One of the most entertaining acts in the musical is the song and dance "America." The Puerto Rican Sharks (led by Bernardo) and their ladies atop an apartment building, enter into a song of statements and retorts, dripping with witt, irony, sarcasm and truth. The song and dance could seem to de-thorn the rather prickly issues being alluded to of "patriotism, racism, equality" and the often forgotten pit falls to the pursuit of the American Dream; but I feel it's a creative readdressing of the issues, true to meaning of "Satire."
As I watch this clip for whats seems like the hundredth time, it got me thinking about Cayman. What would a musical satire look and sound like if done by our expatriates, the Filipinos, Jamaicans, Hondurans, Haitians and others; those of whom fill the jobs considered menial on Island. What would they say of the their Caymanian bosses? What inconsistencies and hypocrisies to the "Christian Nation"title would they colorfully highlight? What abuses of their desire to create a better life for their families in their home countries would they seek, at the least, for us to respond to in shame? My appeal to your imagination notwithstanding the issues are all too real. To the Caymanian Christian being a foreigner is something to which we should relate to, for even our home is not our home, in the spiritual sense. And its that cross centred, kingdom focus that should encourage us toward hospitality in the physical realm. We should be reminded that the gospel initiative involves every nation, tongue and tribe. And God has been gracious to bring the mission field to us, in the expatriates we attract. Cayman belongs to God (Acts 17:24-28), lets be good stewards and hosts.
Grace and Peace.
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