World's Finest

I went on a trip to Mount Vernon on Friday, killing three birds with one stone...beat that ancient hunter!  I got to visit with my folks, Dad donated a bass drum pedal to the Just A Sprinkle cause that I'll be using to be able to play Cajon and Ukulele at the same time, and I got to hang out with a few friends, Ryan, Brandon, and Amanda, (as well as anyone else I bumped into) at the Mount Vernon High School Operetta of Guys and Dolls.

Basically, this post is about the Operetta.  See, I love the musicals that MVTHS puts on every year; they never cease to amaze me.  This year's Guy and Dolls actually blew my mind with what they allowed on stage.  First, I must say that I was very impressed with the musical abilities of the singers and the orchestra that backed them up!  Grace, Caity, and Nathan did phenominally well with their vocal performances, including some amazing duets.  The story cocluded with a high rolling gambler converting to Holy living because of his attraction to the head lady in charge of the Mission, and a floating Crap game host finally marrying his sweetheart lead singer at the Hot Spot after 14 years.  The whole play had brilliant colors, and the scenes were well made, but it was the Hot Spot performances that really caught me off guard.

The Hot Spot was a night club in this story, and the singers are "flappers".  In today's culture, they would be considered strippers.  One of the songs was about how their men buy them gifts, like jewelry and mink coats, but treat them horribly otherwise, and their message is that their men can take back their fancy gifts, because they deserve to be treated better.  That message is great in itself: Women shouldn't be treated like all they are good for is pleasure and all they want are men to buy them things.  The song was used as a story-line of why these singers are stripping off each item they mention in the song, and that's where it gets a little much.  All of a sudden, I'm watching a high school musical, and about nine minors are dancing around the stage wearing nothing but skimpy lingerie!  WHAT?!?!? I wasn't sure really what to do in that moment.  Luckily, once the coats came off, it wasn't long before they left the stage and moved on to the next scene, but I had to pick my jaw up off the floor at what I had just seen.  As a 25 year old youth pastor, I felt rather uncomfortable. 

Once it happened, I heard a "YEAH! WOOHOO! *wistle pretty*" behind me, so I turned slightly to see who it was.  Apparently the 40 year old man sitting five rows behind me didn't mind that the girls were minors, and getting turned on at such a scene makes him somewhat of a pedifile.  Then the girls practically got a standing ovation once their performance was over.  I'm so thankful all these parents were so proud of their daughters; the same ones that ask youth pastors like me to help straighten out their kids because they can't figure out why they don't see anything wrong with engaging in sexual activities. 

On a positive note, a club was selling candy bars in the lobby, and they were just putting out a fresh pile of caramel filled chocolate bars!  At a dollar each, I grabbed two, because the wrapper said "World's Finest Chocolate".  Now that I think of it, I guess the whole evening showcased what the world has to offer. 

I still have yet to see an MVTHS Operetta that tops 2003 and 2004's Bye Bye Birdie and Anything Goes.