Wednesday, 18 November 2009

• Finian's Rainbow - A Magical Night on Broadway for the Whole Family

   

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  The folks behind the new family-friendly Broadway musical Finian's Rainbow, graciously provided me with two tickets to check out the show, so this past Saturday, I braved the rain and headed into New York City.  I was hoping the weather would clear up before the night’s end and that a real rainbow would appear but alas it did not.   However, the moment the play began I forgot all about the wet weather outside of St. James Theater.  It turned out to be a magical night of songs, dancing, and jokes.
  

  Finian’s Rainbow first graced the stages of Broadway 62 years ago but don’t think that means it is no longer relevant to what is going on in America today.  This play is entertaining for both adults and children about 10 and older.  For the adults there are plenty of funny jokes dealing with love, lust and sex.  The play also addresses social issues such as racism, immigration, social class, and economics. There is a hilarious scene when Cheyenne Jackson’s character, Woody, hands out yellow pieces of paper, which are credit, and makes a joke that it is “better than cash”.  Given the current economic situation in America everyone in the audience found this scene to be wildly entertaining as they did with most of the scenes.

   

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  The play is about an Irish immigrant, Finian McLonergan (played by Jim Norton), who travels to America in search of riches and a better life for him and his daughter, Sharon (Kate Baldwin).  They settle in the fictitious state of Missitucky, in a town of sharecroppers called Rainbow Valley in the hopes of growing more gold from a crock of gold Finian has “borrowed” from a leprechaun, named Og (Christopher Fitzgerald).  The crock of gold is also magical for it can grant three wishes.  Rainbow Valley could sure use the gold and a few wishes because their bigoted Senator is trying to take the poor sharecroppers’ land since they have not been able to afford to pay their taxes. 

  The show's main themes are racial harmony, justice and the notion of hope and home. The show also covers important lessons on living beyond one's means and the ability to find peace and happiness with the important and simple things in life. Kids may not understand a lot of the commentary about social issues and sex (so don’t worry!) but the play is jam-packed with fun songs, plenty of dancing and age-appropriate jokes that will keep them just as entertained!

  
  

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  Both parents and children will love watching the magic on stage happen as the characters encourage one another to keep dreaming and to keep hope for a better tomorrow alive.  The play also teaches children and adults that doing the right thing will be rewarding in and of itself.  I would recommend this play to families across the country, if you can make it to Broadway to see it, please do!

  Do you  or your children enjoy Broadway shows? Which shows have you seen or hope to see?

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