GOBSMACKED AM I

 Of course, you would be shocked to hear that I am deeply immersed in the political sphere and at the dangers it poses for our nation and the populace within. I know all about the importance of paying attention to it. I know all about the individual responsibility we all have to be on guard for the nation, to make sure that we do the right thing, not the politically expedient but the morally wrong. To guard against corruption and call out those guilty of it. To control the greed of too many and the resulting poverty of too many others.

We need to avoid total absorption into the bread and circus distractions that leaders feed the common people. We need to read books of consequence, see productions with meaning, understand between the lines. However, we are humans and we do need off time, where we can laugh and enjoy. I enjoy a good entertaining play or a piece of music simply for the mood it induces. Even a book with a good thriller plot or a family saga over many years, even centuries.

Hence the gobsmacking when I went to see Hadestown, a play which evidently is a hit on Broadway, with sought after tickets. Expecting a lovely musical presentation of a Greek myth, I felt hit over the head with a steel pole when, despite the rich voices of the cast, the incredible dancing and choreography, the entire play was one huge discourse on what is the matter with the world today. 

Of course I agreed with much of the statements via the songs, but still, not what I was expecting. False advertising, information not getting out there, people being deaf, dumb and blind to the rather obvious points made? How could one ignore the use of modern things such as neon, electricity, foundries, factories, walls by borders made of steel, and walls in life, the imperfections and unfairness between the haves and the have-nots. and the list goes on. These terms and similar thoughts were certainly unknown during the time of Greek myths. In fact, the very conveyance within the play, a train to Hadestown, was an unknown concept.

Yes, things are broken today, in this world and if we are to go on, they must be made whole. Can they? Will they? Do we have the ability and will to do so? Can we withstand the pressures on us or subscribe to the path of "keeping heads low"? Is there even a will to attempt this, let alone expect a positive outcome? What happens if we allow the situation to worsen? Will we to have a permanent out of whack environment where it is always too cold, or too dark, or too hot, always amiss? 

Go read the original Greek myth of Orpheus and his trip to the underworld of Hades, a place of death, bravely attempting to rescue his love. Then compare and contrast. Go see the show, for it is excellent within its artistic side, along with food for thought. as long as one knows what is going to be presented on stage along with the entertaining and even amazing dancing and singing.

It is worth the attempt. It is worth it if we can convince even one person to understand the world today. It presents us with necessary to understand facts, understood implications of what we can expect if we do not fix things and fast. Having a group of people in power who wish to dismantle the government is manifestly not a good idea and yet they are poised to do just that.

Unless we stop our own train to Hadestown.