On the Marketing of a Play

A month or so ago, I was scanning through the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA) listserv and came across the following comment in the promotion of a new play:

"At a time when so many plays base their plots on specialized racial, ethnic, sexual or medically challenged causes, this work actually deals with a major human and world issue affecting all of us deeply."

I was dumbfounded when I read this. Now, I haven't read the play and don't personally or professionally know the person who wrote this promotion, but based on this description, I can surmise the following:

• Plays that address issues of race, ethnicity, sexuality or health have nothing at all to do with the human condition and do not impact our hearts, spirits and minds in a deep or meaningful way. 
• Such themes of race, ethnicity, sexuality or health are not universal and don't speak across time or geographical boundaries.
  

Well, I'm glad this certain someone cleared that up for me. No, I can't even jest. Even now ... after sitting with this dangerous, small-minded and an exclusionary comment as long as I have, I can't make light of it. But for all that, here's all I have to say on the subject:

The marketing of a play isn't easy. And perhaps it takes being from a marginalized group to know that it isn't smart, clever, or impressive to promote a play by denigrating or dismissing other plays that endeavor to share what life is like for characters living with and impacted by racial, ethnic, sexual or medically challenged issues. Just as "nice is different than good," compelling is different than offensive. A little something to consider on this Monday after the Oscar's, which you can read about here, here and here.

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