<p>I’m sorry, I don’t know how to make the next two paragraphs look like a quote from someone else… but they are:</p>
<p>"Even in college, the VERY FIRST play I went to see at my son’s new college was “Angels in America”…I had not heard of it before, and I was sickened by some of what I saw as unneccesarily graphic scenes…a man with aids purposely going to a park to infect someone, and the “act” being played out on stage with pants partially pulled down. Not with nudity, but still…</p>
<p>Was that necessary to the plot? Or was it just edgy and for shock value? When I contrast that with the way aids is covered in Rent…the two do not compare. I would hope he would choose one and pass on the other, even if he is in college. (He was not in the show, so luckily did not have to choose, but someday he may)"</p>
<p>The short answer is “yes” that scene is necessary to the plot of the play. It does not need to be done graphically, and if memory serves wasn’t on Broadway. “Angels in America…” is one of the best plays of the last half of the twentieth century. It is an important play about politics and is considered a seminal piece of literature. That scene is difficult to watch. It should be. </p>
<p>I don’t bring this up to stand on my soapbox. I bring it up because this is an excellent discussion regarding the work. One aspect of theatre is entertainment. But many times the reasons we tell stories are so that the audience can experience things they might not otherwise understand. Actors do that by embodying a character and bringing the world of that character to the audience. If you believe that the stories we tell (and by “we” I mean those of us who work in the art form) are too strong, too graphic, or too something else I would argue that you may be missing the issues at hand. </p>
<p>The simulacrum presented on stage is often quite entertaining. But there is an audience that craves more and deserves more. I was drawn to the theatre so that I can bring the beauty of plays like “Angels in America” to the audience. To tell that story, to ask the audience to discover those metaphors, that language, live those lives. </p>
<p>I’ve managed to do most every large, happy musical written. I enjoy the mindlessness of “Anything Goes” and the depth of “South Pacific.” But sometimes, forcing the audience outside of the comfort zone – well --I think that’s a good thing. </p>
<p>Students will be asked to do this. No, the vast majority of undergraduate programs will not allow nudity on stage. But some do. And there are shows out there that almost require nudity. But the sheer vulnerability of seeing a live actor naked in the right moment is stunning. And that vulnerability is very often the point. Sure, sometimes it is about the sex, but I hope to avoid those moments on stage. And by and large, so do most audiences. If nudity for the purposes of sex sold tickets on Broadway, it would be on Broadway. (Goodness knows there was a time it sold quite well on, in and around Times Square before the Mouse took over.) </p>
<p>Actors can hold on to their morals and values and still portray characters that are not like them. That’s why it’s called acting. If something isn’t possible for them to do, then don’t do it. But they do need to begin the journey of discovery that tells them when to say yes and when to say no.</p>