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Show BANNING BOOKS THREATENS FREE SPEECH Speakeasies & Swing BY AARON CLARK /STAFF WRITER PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAODWAY THEATER BY BRIAN POWELL/sTAFF WRITER PHOTO BY DANE GOODWIN W hen I was a child, my mother began reading Harry Potterto my siblings and me. The first chapter alone drew me in with its vivid imagery — it was the first time a book had done something like that for me — and it was purely magical. The next night, however, she read from a different book and never touched Harry Potter again. When I asked her, years later, why she stopped, she looked around the room, leaned in to me, and said with a hushed voice, "It's about witchcraft!" Banning books does not protect the innocence of children, it does not prevent extremist ideas, it's not even an issue of taste — it's about censoring free speech. When a school, group or individual challenges or bans a book, the only thing they accomplish is strengthening the shadow of fear around the issue. For example, in 2012 the children's book In Our Mothers' House was challenged in Davis County, Utah. The book featured a multi-racial, lesbian couple and was purchased by the Davis School District in an effort to be inclusive of students who were being raised by two mothers. However, when the effort to ban the book completely failed, it instigated a witch hunt for other books that featured gay or lesbian characters. One of the plays being produced by the U's Theatre Department has a history of being challenged for similar complaints. "The Children's Hour," authored by Lillian Hellman, is a play about two female teachers accused of homosexuality by a student with a vendetta. The playwright insists that, "This is not a play about lesbianism, but about a lie." How that lie builds and ruins the lives of the teachers is a testament to the power of fear-mongering, and it's actually based on a true story. In a state where rallies are being held to insist that children must be raised by heterosexual couples, and lesbian teachers are expelled for their sexuality, surely we can see how banning information is a tool for organizations to instigate fear. Considering the play was written in 1934, it's amazing how the question of whether LGBTQ+ individuals are a bad influence hasn't been resolved. Controlling political information is an additional aim of those who challenge books. "The Threepenny Opera" (based on "The Beggar's Opera") was banned by Hitler's propaganda office because of its Marxist and socialist themes. This was an attack on Bertolt Brecht's writing but also an attack on performing and audiences attending theatre. Banned book awareness extends to all types of information sharing: art pieces, lectures, news and the Internet. In countries where the Internet is censored, citizens find other avenues to communicate (i.e. Twitter and social media). Preventing access to information incites fear and hostility but also seems to breed resistance. "The Threepenny Opera," which is also being produced by the U Theatre department, will open Nov. 7 at the Babcock Theatre. The Marriott Library has many librarians who are interested in protecting your right to information and only refuse to tolerate child pornography and anything banned by federal law. According to the Library Bill of Rights (adopted by the American Library Association in 1939), "libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues" and "materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval." It's not the library's responsibility to ban books or access to information. Instead it is the responsibility of the reader to make their own decisions. Groups that manipulate readers to read or not read information of any kind are borderline fascist, which denies individuals the opportunity to think for themselves. When my mother was told not to read Harry Potter by her church leader, it was to prevent information that an individual saw as unfit to be read from being read. And although "witchcraft" is clearly a ridiculous theme to ban in the first place, history has demonstrated over and over again that those who control information control the population. 10 THECHRONY 2? 16 n Ggoss iC ~p • o1 (dikhozci4 and Safci W Today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Library Plaza there will be a banned books open reading. Students can read from their favorite banned book or just listen to other students read theirs. Because it is National Banned Book week, take this opportunity to read your favorite banned book and open this dialogue to your friends and family. Free speech is being protected by the American Library Association, and the least you can do is exercise that right. b.powell@chronicle.utah.edu @ChronyArts hile the majority of us can only dream of what it would have been like to experience the flash and glitz of the Roaring Twenties, the chance to see a re-creation of that bygone era is coming soon from the bright lights of Broadway to Salt Lake City. The Tony-winning musical comedy "Nice Work If You Can Get It" is swinging its way onto the stage of Capitol Theatre along with girls, glamour and a plethora of classic songs from the legendary George and Ira Gershwin. "Nice Work" is a new musical that made its debut on Broadway in April of 2012, and after nearly 478 performances, it's embarking on a national tour that will bring its riotous song and dance spectacle to Capitol Theatre Sept. 23-28. "Nice Work" is a visual marvel that brings to life the fun-loving times of the Prohibition era in New York City through catchy tunes, outrageous humor and a healthy dose of swing dancing. "Nice Work" comes to town on the heels of the popular "Wicked" and provides theatre fans with yet an- other musical that truly embodies the Broadway experience. "We wanted 'Nice Work' on our season because it is what people think of when they think of a Broadway musical:' said Bruce Granath, vice president of marketing for Capitol Theatre. "It's a big, colorful show filled with the music of George and Ira Gershwin. It's full of life and energy" Granath compares "Nice Work" favorably to "Wicked:' saying both shows have strong scores from different eras. While "Wicked" is story-driven, "Nice Work" is a celebration of singing, dancing and some of the best songs ever written. "Most of the songs in 'Nice Work' have been covered hundreds of times by artists from every possible musical genre in every country on earth," Granath said. "The Gershwins will get your toes tapping no matter what your age or background is." The musical follows the story of wealthy playboy, Jimmy Winter, whose womanizing and boozing ways finally catch up with him when he meets his match in Billie Bendix. Hilarity and confusion ensue as Billie uses her charm on the egotistic Jimmy to find a place to hide her stash of illegal liquor. "Nice Work" draws on a strong storyline, combined with witty banter and catchy songs, which have sprung this musical to success on Broadway and on to its first national tour. "Nice Work" is a great way for college students to spend an entertaining evening downtown and check their worries at the door, Granath said. "Being a college student is all about trying new things," he said. "Take advantage of the student price, and bring someone who has never been to a musical?' Tickets are on sale at saltlakecity.broadway.com and at Capitol Theatre ticket offices. Don't miss out on a chance to experience the Roaring Twenties through the catchy tunes of the Gershwin brothers in a production that Granath calls, "Broadway bliss tied up in a bow." a.clark@chronicle.utah.edu @ChronyArts 11 |