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'Pocahontas' strives to promote racial
harmony
If you find Disney's version of "Pocahontas" a bit,
well, not P.C., you might consider packing up the kids and bringing
them out tomorrow to see a very different version of the classic
tale.
This live musical version was written for children by Michael
Taubenslag and his father Elliott Taubenslag, for their family-owned
NJ based touring theater company. With music and lyrics by Michele,
Michael's wife, and Michael as well.
"We've been in this business for over 35 years and we have
a repertoire of over 40 shows for kids," said Michael Taubenslag.
"My father's a playwright. He specializes in children's theater.
And we literally travel from Michigan to Florida, performing six
different shows a year."
When he's not on the road with his theater company, Michael Taubenslag
teaches summer camp at Middlesex County College. "If you
hate kids, it's a horrible job. If you love kids, it's a piece
of cake," he said.
"Pocahontas" focuses on the story of the native american
princess and how she prevents a war in the 1600's between the
early English settlers and her native tribe, the Powatan Indians.
The theme is simple - "being different just means we are
all special in our own way," Michael Taubenslag explained..
"We try to make the kids see that everyone can live together
in harmony. I actually have it black against white, using multiracial
(all adult) cast. Our message is, it doesn't matter what god you
believe in, or the color of your skin, or where you're from, we
can all be friends."
The play is very different from the Disney version many kids
likely are familiar with.
"In fact, I think Disney is the best in everything they
do, but with 'Pocahontas,' I think they failed," he said,
"I think they had an obligation to teach about racial harmony
and I was shocked they didn't."
"My father grew up as the only Jewish boy in the community,
and he got beaten up every day," he continued. "He raised
his family to believe everyone is equal. So this is probably the
easiest script we ever wrote."
"If you know the show 'South Pacific,' there is that song
that goes 'You have to be taught to hate and fear.' Well, I think
that's really true. If you can teach them early enough to love
each other, it will sink in."
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