This week marked the opening of "Angels in America", a two-part play by Tony Kushner about the AIDS epidemic. This is its first time being produced on Broadway since 1993, and this particular production could not be more timely.
Not only is it culturally and politically relevant, but it shines in a way that most Broadway shows currently fail to do.
This Broadway season has many new musicals as well, but many of them are not original. Current musical adaptations this season include "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical," "Mean Girls" and "Frozen." While these shows can be a lot of fun, they fail to bring anything new to the stage.
Not only are they adaptations of pre-existing popular media, they also fail to deliver the political and cultural punch that shows like "Angels in America" do so well.
Obviously it is not necessary for theater to deliver social and political commentary, but the art form itself is so special because it can deliver this commentary in an extremely meaningful way.
Theater also has a long history of being political, and this has not changed. The most recent Broadway season has given us masterpieces, both new and revivals, with excellent socio-political influence such as "Indecent," "Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812," "Sweat" and "Falsettos".
While the season may be lacking in originality, one musical in the current Broadway season shines above others. "The Band’s Visit" follows a group of Egyptian musicians and their arrival in the small Israeli town of Bet Hatikva.
It is a beacon of beauty and originality in a season that needs it desperately. I hope it will receive the award for Best Musical at the Tony Awards in June.
Shows like "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical," and "Frozen" may cater to audiences willing to spend their money on something they already know, or perhaps those who just want to take their children to a Broadway show.
There is an entertainment factor at hand, but as long as there are people who already like "Frozen" and "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical," these shows are guaranteed to make a profit.
There is little risk and nothing unexpected, which is unfortunate. Theater is supposed to take risks and give the audience something they did not expect. It is supposed to give them new ideas and even make them a little bit uncomfortable.
"Angels in America" and "The Band’s Visit" do exactly this, so at least the season has its bright spots.
Hopefully next year’s season will bring with it many new and original shows that Broadway and its audiences have never seen.
