Newsies in India, and Broadway

Ever heard of the musical, Newsies, starring the legendary Jeremy Jordan, soon to be replaced by the young hopeful, Corey Cott? Well, let's just say that I'm a pretty big fan. OK, a huge fan. Though I would be lying if I said I was the biggest fan. If I was the biggest fan, I would have already seen it...so you may call me hypocritical for talking like this if I haven't even seen this musical, but here's the proof.

1. NEWSIES was nominated for 8 Tonys.
2. NEWSIES won two tonys.
3. NEWSIES is inspirational.

I love Newsies because the music is awesome, I love theater, the singers are authentic (I'm completely against autotune and voice coaters, because what's the point of being a singer if they are  no good really?) and mostly because the musical and lyrics are so inspirational.

Child labor makes me really sad. I know that if you are reading this, you probably have never witnessed child labor. I haven't. In America at least. In India, where I was just a few days ago, it's everywhere. And you see it. Everywhere. In fact, I bought a paper from a newsie in India just last week. For three rupees, the equivalent of about six cents. Perhaps the same cost that the newsies back in 1899 were payed for a paper. Perhaps the old American newsies were payed less.

Indians have a strangely sensible idea of how to stop child labor, but I don't believe it actually works. Indians believe that if they ignore child laborers and do not buy their papers or products, the child laborers will not make any money, and will go to school, and the government will pay for the education. The truth is, if they can't make money, they'll starve. And I'm pretty sure that these kids would rather eat and be uneducated than be educated and hungry. And who can study on an empty stomach? I know I can't.

All in all, I think Newsies is an inspirational story. And it is applicable today. For even if perhaps child labor is diminishing in the USA, it is still growing, flourishing even, in many developing countries. Perhaps, Newsies can be an inspiration to these countries too.

Srujana

Thoughts About a Play

 

My sister is doing a great job performing in a play, "Robin Hood".  So many people come and congratulate her! I'm stage crew with some other kids. It's pretty awesome, but I haven't acted in a play in about a year, and I'm excited to get back onstage. In the fall my school is putting on "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe". I don't really care what part I get, though I would like to be Susan or Lucy.

 I'm wondering what version of LWW my school is doing. I've looked at some. I really like when there is good historical background in plays, and one thing that bothers me about all the play versions is that very few include the whole bit about the blitz. Anyone who's read the Narnia series or watched the movies knows that the blitz plays a rather important part in the character development of all the Pevensies, particularly Edmund, since he goes without his father during the war and experiences trauma he tries to hide. This makes him irritable and annoying, but there is a reason why. Without the blitz, there isn't a whole lot of reason for the kids to be at the professor's house, and Edmund just seems like a jerk.

 One version, I think by Robinette, said that the children were "taking a trip to the countryside for a while" or something along the lines of that. What kind of parents would send their kids to a random professor's house in the country for just a weekend? Another version talked about the professor doing country visit trips for city children. This seemed a bit more feasible, but I feel like the blitz is the true background and is better for the story.

Just some musings,

Srujana

Absolutely American Girl Changes It's Meaning

OK, so I haven't posted here in a while...a long while...but it doesn't mean I can't come back! I started another blog called Srujana's Musings, but it didn't seem to get a lot of views...this blog was originally about American Girl Dolls, but I'm kind of over that. Now, this blog is about an absolute American girl--me! Srujana!

 Anyone and everyone with any thoughts on what I have to say or anything are welcome to post them on comments, with some rules of course. If you have any ideas for topics or posts for this blog, please share too!

1. We're all nice people here, I hope. Please be kind and do not put insulting remarks. Anything with swear words would be considered insulting and will be deleted immediately.

2. Please read the post before you comment.

Here are some things I thought I might tell you about myself:

•  I have played violin for eight years, and I'm good, but not great. I'm no expert, but I know a lot about music. I like it a whole lot!
• I'm Telugu, but I don't speak it.
•   I love drama/theater a lot!! 
• I like to write (that's why I'm writing this blog...???)

I hope lots of people may read this blog and be inspired to write something back. 

Thanks for reading!
Srujana

Sevick

Today, I practiced some Sevick violin exercises, and went to school. We are illustrating children's books. It's pretty fun. But Beckie was absent today. I wonder why.
Ruthie

Things You Should Know About Me-Sonali

Name-Sonali Mythri Matthews

Favorite Subject-English

State-Oregon, but I'm a Minnesota girl through and through!

School-Currently attending Daisy Harris Doll Academy for the Arts.

Hobby-Swimming and making leis.

This will be AAG's last post for a while, since we are very busy these days. I hope you don't mind and keep checking back every once in a while!
Sonali

Busy-A Haiku

These long days.
These ongoing days.
Seitz Concertos and homework.
By Ruthie

I'm Bored by Rebecca

We were going to have a beginning of spring ball with CAKE (plus we were going to have it because our student teacher is leaving), but it was canceled for some stupid reason. So now I'm bored. And Sravana is supposed to be saving up for Kaya, and she has enough money, but she doesn't keep her room clean enough so she can't buy Sonali. Apparently we dolls clutter up her room. So why should she get another one? She says. But she promised herself she would get Kaya. So she'll get her sometime. Hey, I use "so" a lot, don't I? And after Sravana get's Kaya, she'll have to get her own camera, because her doll pictures clutter up the camera. Any ideas on how not to be bored and ideas on cleaning rooms that have a ton of dolls in them? Well, I have to go. I have to practice Moment Musical on the piano.
Rebecca