Writing Whatevers

For this week, I am given the freedom to write about whatever I fancy.
*evil laugh*

So, to start us off, let's take a look at the definition of absurd. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, absurd means ridiculously unreasonable or having no rational or orderly relationship to human life. Well, there are many things that would suit this definition. However, my current favorite would have to be in the form of a musical,  Oedipus for Kids!

This offbeat fringe musical marries children's theatre with ancient Greek mythology. And, it goes horribly wrong.

The concept of the play is that the theatre troupe, The Fuzzy Ducks, are trying to make the classics kid friendly. They claim to have made great plays such as "Titus Adronicus Makes a Cake!" and "Uncle Tommy's Cabin". The three members have embarked on the great challenge of adapting Oedipus Rex. However, all is not well within this troupe. Two of the members are in a divorce, and the other one has questionable acting methods. As they try to make the play a success, devious plots are revealed. Their conflict spills onto the stage and ends with general chaos.

Please note: this play is not for children.

After having been involved in children's theatre for many years, I have found that it doesn't always make sense. Trying to make anything appropriate and "politically correct" is nearly impossible. Plot lines must be eliminated, musical numbers added, and character development is to be kept to a minimum. For proof of this, just look at the text of any fairytale as compared to its Disney counterpart. Oedipus for Kids! does a brilliant job of poking fun at the absurd parts of children's theatre. Sometimes there is just no way make a thing kid-friendly. Especially when the original myth involves eye gouging, manslaughter, and incest. Oh dear...

http://www.oedipusforkids.com/astory.shtml