Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Mon, Aug 16 2004
Sandy Duncan And The Musical Stage
Something or someone the other day reminded me of entertainer Sandy Duncan. I wondered what she's up to in her work these days, and found this. It's good to know she is still spreading that smile and that energy across the planet. Several articles reported that she was lamenting the fact that no new good musicals have come along to attract theatre-goers in recent years, and that musical theatre has lost a lot of its sparkle because of people who put shows together on the cheap and rehash old productions when there is such a wealth of talent they could be growing.
It's sad to wonder whether show business is becoming mostly business and very little show. The arts are what we all turn to when the world news is too much to bear. Spirituality is the backbone of life for many of us, and the arts are that part of our humanity that lures us to join hands with the Grand Creator. At their best, the arts inspire benevolence and majesty in the human existence. Let's hope that all the best stories haven't yet been told, and that some of the best songs are still to come.
posted at: 16:20 | category: /Arts and Entertainment | link to this entry
Something or someone the other day reminded me of entertainer Sandy Duncan. I wondered what she's up to in her work these days, and found this. It's good to know she is still spreading that smile and that energy across the planet. Several articles reported that she was lamenting the fact that no new good musicals have come along to attract theatre-goers in recent years, and that musical theatre has lost a lot of its sparkle because of people who put shows together on the cheap and rehash old productions when there is such a wealth of talent they could be growing.
It's sad to wonder whether show business is becoming mostly business and very little show. The arts are what we all turn to when the world news is too much to bear. Spirituality is the backbone of life for many of us, and the arts are that part of our humanity that lures us to join hands with the Grand Creator. At their best, the arts inspire benevolence and majesty in the human existence. Let's hope that all the best stories haven't yet been told, and that some of the best songs are still to come.
posted at: 16:20 | category: /Arts and Entertainment | link to this entry
Bang! Bang! Let's Give The Little Lady A Hand
Last week Alan K. Henderson mentioned something on his blog, and I didn't get time to talk about it until now. He pointed to a story about female athlete Nassim Hassanpour. The BBC News did their own story of the young Muslim woman from Iran.
As a female who lives in a much more free society, it would be really easy for me to feel sorry for her. But I doubt very much that she'd like that. She could have refused to pursue her athletic dreams to spite the limits placed upon her by her country and her religious leadership. She could have come to competition and worn clothes that were unacceptable to her critics, placing herself in danger of social, if not physical, repercussions. Instead, she has embraced the benefits of her religion and her roots, and has chosen to work through the accompanying limitations and to stand in a unique place among women, among athletes, among theologians and among history. Because of her careful choices, she is going to give hope to many young girls who might otherwise have given up the whole dream of someday being able to exhibit their talents and hard work. She's changing this world with the kind of spiritual insight that even ayatollahs might aspire to, if they chose to be half as wise as she is.
posted at: 10:34 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
Last week Alan K. Henderson mentioned something on his blog, and I didn't get time to talk about it until now. He pointed to a story about female athlete Nassim Hassanpour. The BBC News did their own story of the young Muslim woman from Iran.
As a female who lives in a much more free society, it would be really easy for me to feel sorry for her. But I doubt very much that she'd like that. She could have refused to pursue her athletic dreams to spite the limits placed upon her by her country and her religious leadership. She could have come to competition and worn clothes that were unacceptable to her critics, placing herself in danger of social, if not physical, repercussions. Instead, she has embraced the benefits of her religion and her roots, and has chosen to work through the accompanying limitations and to stand in a unique place among women, among athletes, among theologians and among history. Because of her careful choices, she is going to give hope to many young girls who might otherwise have given up the whole dream of someday being able to exhibit their talents and hard work. She's changing this world with the kind of spiritual insight that even ayatollahs might aspire to, if they chose to be half as wise as she is.
posted at: 10:34 | category: /Religious and Spiritual | link to this entry
