The NY Times runs a piece 'encouraging' Sanders -- a subtle, patronizing trivilization of it
I mean, seriously? Talking about a campaign for President in terms of a Broadway show that won the Tony? Don't get me wrong: I am a huge fan of the show "Fun Home." I grew up in the same town, and at the same time, as the author of the book on which it is based, Alison Bechdel. Her father, who features so prominently in the story, was one of my high school English teachers, and I worked in summer stock theater productions alongside her mother. One of her brothers was in my Boy Scout troop! I saw the show both off-Broadway and on Broadway -- it is absolutely brilliant, and I was overjoyed that it won Best Musical. But really, saying a campaign for the presidency can "take heart" from a Broadway champ? Really????
By PATRICK HEALY
JUNE 13, 2015
IF you want to support Senator Bernie Sanders for president but worry that he doesn’t have a shot against Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination, take heart from the Broadway show “Fun Home,” which won the Tony Award for best musical last week.
“Fun Home” was the decided underdog: a nominee with little money, bold themes, no frills and a small team on the payroll. (Sound familiar, Sanders-ites?) The story of a lesbian cartoonist and her relationship with her closeted gay father, “Fun Home” is about facing difficult truths and the tragic consequences when we don’t — the very message, as it happens, that the Sanders campaign is offering to America about income inequality and climate change. Compared with the flashy big-budget musical “An American in Paris,” which was the safe bet to win the Tony, “Fun Home” looked like a fringe contender, too dark and offbeat to have wide appeal, not unlike certain politicians who are easily dismissed as quixotic nonfactors.
In other words, “Fun Home” isn’t the sort of musical you imagine on Broadway — just as Mr. Sanders isn’t the sort of politician you imagine in the White House. (He would be the first socialist president, after all.)
What does it take for an underdog to succeed? In politics and on Broadway, two worlds I’ve covered as a reporter, some of the factors are similar. Message and perseverance are crucial. Money — not a fortune, but at least enough — is essential. And authenticity matters most of all.
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= new reply since forum marked as read
I was referring to the article from the OP. They used the term Sanderites.
Be cool my friend.
