“Frozen” has been on Broadway since March 22, 2018. The popular Disney movie-made-musical is a lighthearted story about sisterly love, magic ice powers and talking trolls. Then why, at this musical, did an audience member feel inclined to hold up a Trump 2020 banner during the curtain call?
The arts, including paintings, drama, music and film, have been used for political purposes throughout history. Shows like “Hamilton” have a clear political commentary, with lyrics such as, “Immigrants, we get the job done.” However, “Frozen” is entirely fictional, where the most political plotline is that monarchy can be corrupt.
The First Amendment guarantees the freedom of speech. This has been brought up often when people have been spewing hate about someone’s political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion or skin tone. The only thing that the First Amendment guarantees is that the United States government cannot make a law that stops you from demonstrating your beliefs. This does not mean that your actions cannot have repercussions.
In response to the presentation of the flag, one of the actors on stage, Timothy R. Hughes, took the banner and threw it off stage. The question that media has been arguing over is whether or not the actor’s response was justified.
The short answer is yes. The musical had no relation to President Trump or the Republican Party. Bringing any sign to a Broadway show is strongly frowned upon, whether the sign is in admiration of an actor or a political stunt. The average Broadway musical ticket, according to LAtimes.com, is over $100. For a two-hour production, the prices are not cheap. A poster or, in this case, a flag, would not provide any additional commentary. It would only block the view of people who got the back-row seats, which, startlingly enough, still paid $96 per ticket.
Broadway shows are not sporting events. While there is no formal dress code, viewers are expected to be respectful of the performers and the hard work they put into the production. The amount of time the actors practice would be exhausting for anyone, and being cast in such a major production is nothing to scoff at. The curtain call is meant to give attention to the hard work the actors, directors, producers, orchestra and conductors put into making the Broadway experience worth the time and the price, all while being entertaining.
Following the showing, the owner of the banner stood outside the theater, threatening to sue if the banner was not returned to him. Trump yelled at the cast of “Hamilton” for saying horrible things to Vice President Pence, such as “We, sir — we — are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights,” and “We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us.”
Meanwhile, the very people who support him inappropriately make a show about magic trolls a political stunt about reelecting him. Too many politicians, lately, have been hypocritical, exclaiming that those who do not support Trump and his supporters are “snowflakes.” These same people turn around and demand the cast of musicals apologize for taking a flag that was inappropriate for the venue or politely directing a message to the vice president speaking of their concerns for the future of our nation.
The arts do not have to be a political stunt, of course. “Hamilton” is a musical about the founding of our country, and, therefore, making a speech to the vice president was appropriate, especially when many of the immigrants in our country are fearful of the future. The musical itself is about a founding father who was discriminated against because of his immigrant status. “Frozen,” of course, has nothing to do with Trump’s administration, and, therefore, the presentation of the flag was disrespectful and unacceptable. The actions of Hughes were both justifiable and necessary.
Photo provided by PBS via Wikimedia
