Miss Saigon

My Broadway tour adventures continue with my third season as a member of SHN, the local company that sponsors large scale shows at two venues. Tonight was my first show of the season: Miss Saigon, which I hadn't seen before. All I knew about it was that it has to do with the Vietnam War and features a helicopter on stage, so I went in with pretty low expectations.

The verdict? Well, it's kind of a mess -- the tragic romance didn't work well for me at all, and the depiction of the Vietnamese characters had multiple problematic aspects. Viewing the story through a political lens, as an indictment of the American tendency to step into the affairs of other countries, then leave a thorny mess behind, redeems the story somewhat, but I'm not sure that makes up for the objectification of the women, a failed white savior narrative, and all the Asian men being shown as sexist skeezeballs. This review of the recent Broadway revivial has good thoughts, as does this conversation with two Filipino-American theater directors. I can admire the attempt at political commentary while accepting that maybe two white French guys don't have the best perspective to tell it.

As always, the production was gorgeous. I have never walked away from an SHN show disappointed by sets, costumes, or choreography, and this was no exception. The performers were solid, though not amazing; I'd say the strongest was probably the actor who played Chris, and for the little we saw of her, I also really liked Gigi. (Now there's a secondary character whose story I'd love to see someday.) So, was it worth seeing? I'd say probably yes, if only because it's a classic musical I hadn't seen, and I appreciate filling gaps like that. But I don't know that I'd go so far as to say I recommend it.

GOTV

I spent this afternoon phone banking for Red To Blue SF, a group working with the Nancy Pelosi campaign to support Democrats running in districts with a chance to flip. I called folks in Florida and California, and it went okay, although I felt far less effective than I did when I made similar calls for Hillary Clinton two years ago. I didn't reach many people, mostly hangups and "sorry they aren't home"s, and the few enthusiastic supports I did reach had already voted (and were clearly tired of being called and canvassed). It was also sometimes difficult to hear, and my friends and I all had significant technical difficulties with the autodialer program.

Still, one person did thank me for my commitment to democracy, and then we went out for a tasty meal afterwards. I just wish I felt like I made more of a difference.

I have sent a few postcards for the Stacey Abrams campaign, and given money to some Senate candidates, but I still wish I had done more. I think I'll get set up to do some texting tomorrow.