Letter: While musicals are an ‘abomination,’ this one is worth seeing

To the editor,

Let me be very clear: I hate musicals. Hate. I think they are an abomination of human intellect and society. If aliens wishing to make contact with us, or future generations uncovering our media post-apocalypse, viewed a musical first, they’d write us off as irrational melodramatic fools and cease all further attempts of discovery.

If I am remembered for anything, I would be satisfied that it was of my loathing of musicals. I cannot suspend my intellectual rationale for one minute to accept that people would spontaneously break into song and dance to express their emotions. Why not just say, “I am happy,” or, “I am sad.” At the very least say, “Would you like to sing about this?”

That being said, I have attended two musicals produced by Black Dirt Theater, and I have loved every minute. Loved. I witnessed something much more than an insufferable musical: I attended an experience. If watching the movie of “Sound of Music” is like watching a Disney movie, then seeing it performed by Black Dirt Theater is like going to Disney World. It is much more than watching a show, it is joining the community in a truly immersive experience that can touch even my rational, stubborn, Midwest heart.

It is not too late for you to experience Black Dirt Theater. They have a full schedule that includes “Sound of Music” shows on Aug. 2, Aug. 4 and Aug. 5.

I still hate musicals. Hate. You know it, and Black Dirt Theater knows it. And I have no intention on ever seeing a musical for as long as I live, until Black Dirt Theater presents “Annie” next summer. I sincerely hope you will commiserate with me in the front row.

Tom Braucks

Hastings

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion, hastings, minnesota, spiral, local