The Dos & Don'ts of Reclaiming Words

I am writing this post on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. With world leaders and people around the world and on social media honoring the brave sacrifice of those who saved the world from nazism, it seems even more fitting to be performing this wonderfully sarcastic work of Mel Brooks—a show that is meant to be deeply offensive along with being wildly entertaining. There are so many reasons why it was awarded more Tony awards than any other show!

(Photo: Marcevan Costanzo, Jason Maur, and Bella Renee Delgado rehearse a scene from "The Producers" at Brookfield Theatre - photo by Tom Heydenburg)

Because I rely on those more clever than me for insights and am also an obnoxiously proud mom of an incredibly smart adult, I would like to share this excerpt from "The Other N-Word" by Emma Okell originally published in SURGE in 2014:

...I’ve heard (the word "nazi") more times than I want to count and not as a way to describe someone who commits genocide. Sometimes it is used as an insult. “She’s such a Nazi. She won’t let me go to the party until I finish my homework.” Other times, it’s used to describe someone who is hyper-organized, strict or on top of tasks: “You’re such a grammar Nazi.” ...It’s even used as a compliment. I realized this during a visit with my grandfather. He can be a little bossy (it’s a family trait) and likes to keep busy organizing events for senior citizens. In response to his activity and joie-de-vivre, his friend told me with a smile, “Your grandfather’s such a Nazi. He really keeps us in line!” I did not dare look at my grandfather. I hoped he did not hear it. He remembers....

I wonder how I would have reacted if I was my grandfather and I had heard that comment. Would I have been angry? Would I have merely been weary? Would I have felt the war reach back across the decades and make itself fresh in a way I never thought possible? How does it feel to be Jewish and hear it used so casually? How about for a survivor of Auschwitz to hear his enemy’s name used as praise?

A few decades have not erased the impacts of Nazism, and Nazism itself is not dead. It lives on in the neo-Nazi movement and in other hate groups. Our (casual use of the word "nazi") shows them that we either don’t know or don’t care about the evils of Nazism. Sometimes we speak without recognizing who listens. By praising Nazis in our slang, we legitimize them, and we legitimize their hate. It gives them the chance to return when not that long ago we, and other nations, swore, “Never again.”

You can read the full article HERE

THE PRODUCERS is a show that is intentionally offensive—it reminds us of the power of ridicule and fits well with a season of shows focusing on American freedoms beginning with YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN reaffirming “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” followed by SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD celebrating free speech. Our season continues this year with THE SPITFIRE GRILL which deals with justice and second chances, and CALENDAR GIRLS which is a show that has been challenged and banned in some parts of the US—you can see the full list at www.thedldf.org. We hope you will join us for the rest of this season!

I could not be more proud of the creative team for this show. Craig David Rosen and Sarah Fay along with the entire creative team and the hugely talented cast have pulled out all the stops and brought us a show that will be remembered and talked about for a very long time! I am so very grateful to be part of such a remarkable theatrical experience. Of course the show could not happen without the many volunteers who work behind the scenes, giving many volunteer hours to keep the theatre running. Brookfield Theatre thanks our treasurer Danette Bottelsen who helped us secure much needed grants this past year and the generosity of our donors and loyal subscribers whose continued support is greatly appreciated! Thanks also to our dedicated Board of Directors and the many volunteers.

Come see THE PRODUCERS at Brookfield Theatre!