Multi-Cultural “High School Musical”
We’re rarely surprised when a musical goes overseas to the U.K. or Australia, or vice versa. Even shows like “Dancing With the Stars” have versions down under that are even more popular, in their countries, than they are here in the states.
But I had to blink when I found out that a theatre group in Beirut, Lebanon is putting on a version of Disney’s “High School Musical“. Why would they do that? Says one actress, “since this is Lebanon, lots of foreigners have this image of war. They don’t realize we have arts and theater. We’re giving a good message about the Lebanese people. We want to give a positive image of Lebanon.”
They have to deal with all the normal stresses of putting on a musical - schedules, funding, rehearsal space, the demands on the students playing the leads - plus there were extra difficulties in that they had to find good dancers who also spoke and could sing in English. There was also an effort not to do it in the “slapstick” style of most Lebanese comedies.
I’m not sure if I agree that the themes of peer pressure are as cross-cultural as all that - while I have long ago surrendered to the inevitability of globalism, I would be more comfortable if I also saw local American theatre groups doing plays by Lebanese playwrights.
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POSTED IN: General: Peforming Arts, Life in the Performing Arts
3 opinions for Multi-Cultural “High School Musical”
Charbel N. Karam
Apr 30, 2008 at 9:51 am
Well, i’m lebanese, and i’m interested in this. So if anyone knows anything about it, just send me an e-mail! Charbel_N._Karam@windowslive.com
Karamcharbel90@hotmail.com
Charbel_Karam_90@yahoo.com
Please this is so important, if any one knows anything about it, HELP IN NEED!
Milia Ayache
May 15, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I just saw the production; it premiered tonight after being postponed due to the recent hostilities in the country. My sister plays Sharpay Evans and it was thrilling to be able to watch it in the midst of such an ugly national crisis - very emotional.
If you are interested, tickets are being sold at Virgin Megastore. I think it runs until next week. There’s also a group and an event profile on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=12915915966&ref=share
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15272116962
Of course, it would be better if the flow of culture were less unilateral, but that is the nature of mass media. However, HSM is exactly what it what it seems to be: popular due to its harmlessness and Disney backing. It would be difficult to find a Lebanese play that would sell tickets as readily, although it’s a fair idea. If the same Lebanese theater group were to put on something by Sondheim, would it bother you less? It seems that when a play is of better quality, its nationality is of little importance.
Lebanese High School Musical: “Thrilling”
May 15, 2008 at 6:40 pm
[…] “I just saw the production; it premiered tonight after being postponed due to the recent hostilities in the country. My sister plays Sharpay Evans and it was thrilling to be able to watch it in the midst of such an ugly national crisis - very emotional.” That’s the comment that Milia Ayache, from Lebanon, left in answer to my entry about a “Multi-cultural High School Musical.” […]
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