Theater as a Germane Topic Today

 

germane - adjective - relevant to the subject under consideration (Google). 

As we all know, when the pandemic hit, it managed to close the many doors, including those of the Broadway show houses. However, at present, they have squeezed past the paranoia and have opened to everyone holding a valid I.D. and vaccination record. Naturally, each must wear a mask as well, and an usher carrying about an oval sign reading, MASK UP, lolls about the house as if bored at a cocktail party to remind the audience to behave and do as they are told. 

I know this to be true as last night, my daughter and I made our way onto the Great White Way to see Company, George Furth and Stephen Sondheim's musical analysis of the pros and cons of marriage, originally premiering in 1970. And now for something completely different: in case you didn't know, the former leading man, Bobbie, has been altered to a female version with the same moniker. In fact, all of the characters with the exception of Joanne, have been updated in order to be considered germane representations of what is considered a reflection of today. God forbid any director should attempt to revive the musical in its original form and call it a period piece. Everything creative these days must be totally relevant to the time period. Which is okay, but not necessarily a good thing, especially not in Company. Poor protagonist Bobbie has nightmares about her biological clock timing out (a bit stereotypical and sexist as her male counterpart sure didn't) and escapes the stress via getting high or drunk with friends, intimating that no one single at age 35 could possibly be content. To this, I took offense. I am single and 63 and have never been more happy. At 35, I was married with child and was miserable. But to each her own, I suppose. The musical, as you could probably imagine, is a comedy. You have to laugh at Bobbie's antics or else cry. Your choice as the price of the ticket won't change one way or the other.

One day, I am hoping to see something from the past that is actually representative of the past. I'm tired of everything having to be completely germane given the present era. There is nothing wrong with revisiting the past in its original form every once in a while with or without company. It might just be illuminating on another level. 

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