Etcetera, etcetera, and so forth: Musicals and Morality (The King and I)

Etcetera, etcetera, and so forth: Musicals and Morality (Part Three)

This musical is quite interesting.  It is also the first musical that three of my four children have participated (including running, talking, walking, etc...).  In case you missed the picture, this musical is "The King and I."  The musical itself is available both with children actors and the more well-known version with adult actors.  Both versions are available from the Rodgers & Hammerstein website (www.rnh.com).   The musical portrays the events of the book "Anna and the King of Siam" published in 1944.

The concerns here are quite dramatic.  I would assume just like the version my children performed in, the scenes, words, and songs kept in or removed would be up to the individual director.  All in all I think my kids did a great job.  

Well back to the details.  The simple plot version.  A British teacher and her son move to the country of Siam to teach the king's children.  While there the teacher (Anna) hears and sees the activities and culture of the country of Siam (this includes the way slaves are treated).  The king of Siam is viewed as a "barbarian" but he wants the county to be viewed as modern and sophisticated.  This creates multiple humorous scenes involving British culture, Siamese culture, to include both clothes and dancing.  In the end the king dies and his son "the prince" takes over.  Ultimately the prince ends up removing some of the old cultural traditions of his father.

This quick summary does not include all the details and was not intended to.  No doubt I left out some of you favorite parts.  I am saving the comments concerning "Uncle Tom's Cabin" for later.  But I thought that was an American novel?  Just wait, we'll get to it.

First, is the reference to Moses and the Creation account as found in the Bible.  The king scoffs at the unscientific presentation of creation by Moses in six days.  This later will be a point of humor since Anna will have a similar time period to prepare for guests to arrive for a party.  Ultimately, Anna waffles on creation and talks around it.  

Second, is the issue of how the king treats slaves in his culture.  The book does more justice to the atrocities of his treatment of slaves.  The musical versions waters it down dramatically.  The musical almost treats slavery in a comical fashion in a play they perform which is adapted from the book "Uncle Toms Cabin."  The play for the king is rearranged by one of the slaves.

Third,  which is related to the second concern, is the blatant idolatry involved.  The culture is obviously of a Buddhist persuasion.  Therefore, the characters in multiple scenes ask an idol Buddha  to  help them in their situation or for wisdom.  This is simple idolatry.  Bowing and praying to an idol (even if treated in a comical fashion), is still idolatry.  This is one area repeatedly dealt with with our children in their participation in this musical.  The sad part is that in reality there are millions of people trapped in this false religion.

Obviously, discernment is needed in watching or participating in musicals of any nature.  Hopefully we don't want to embrace the extremes of throwing out all musicals or on the other end saying all musicals are okay.  Surely there are redeemable parts of our culture.  God is not neutral toward culture.  Scripture is clear certain activities and behaviors will always be evil and sinful.  And no we should not be afraid to say some parts (some more than others) of all cultures have serious problems with sin and evil.  Just to be clear it is not sufficient to simply adhere to an ad hominem argument to accuse others of _____ism for not agreeing with their own views of what is good or evil with a culture.  Too much of Christianity (and especially our unbelieving media) resorts to this line of reasoning.  Especially when this thought is considered cool, trendy, and culturally acceptable (even in churches).

Definitely worth viewing but be sure if children watch you explain Biblical issues of concern with them (of course, if they are of appropriate age). 

Comments as always encouraged.