It’s a story of revolutionary fervor, that includes road protesters manning the barricades in opposition to a repressive chief. And watching from the viewers will likely be US President Donald Trump.
Trump’s look on the opening evening of the hit musical “Les Miserables” on the famend Kennedy Center in Washington on Wednesday evening might hardly be extra politically charged.
The Republican lately orchestrated a conservative takeover of the famed arts venue, reportedly prompting some “Les Mis” solid members to boycott the present.
But the efficiency of the present, set in opposition to the backdrop of revolutionary nineteenth century France, additionally comes because the United States itself faces contemporary turbulence.
Trump, who will likely be joined by First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and second girl Usha Vance on the premiere, has lately despatched in troops to take care of protests in opposition to immigration raids in Los Angeles.
California officers accuse him of “dictatorial” conduct and of producing a confrontation by deploying hundreds of National Guard troops and US Marines. Trump says he’ll “liberate” Los Angeles from an “invasion” of migrants.
“I think the irony is probably lost on him,” Peter Loge, director of George Washington University’s School of Media, advised AFP.
The social injustice portrayed in Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel — coupled with songs corresponding to “Do You Hear the People Sing?” and “I Dreamed a Dream” — has lengthy resonated with audiences around the globe.
But billionaire Trump, who had introduced his determination to attend “Les Miserables” earlier than the Los Angeles protests erupted, says he too has lengthy been a fan.
The 78-year-old has performed songs from the present at his rallies and political occasions. “I love the songs, I love the play,” Trump advised Fox News Digital final week.
– Trump takeover –
His attendance is one more present of power after putting in himself as chairman of the middle and changing the complete board with loyalists in February as a part of his administration’s warfare on what it views because the liberal opposition.
Loge stated Trump’s presence there was a part of a broader deal with image-making by the truth TV star-turned-president. “Les Mis is a great spectacle. And it sounds smart. It’s not just a show, it sounds like it stands for something.”
Trump’s takeover of the John F. Kennedy Center confronted opposition in some quarters. A traditionally bipartisan-supported establishment, it has by no means been led by a US president earlier than.
Another hit present, “Hamilton,” canceled its run there in response. Trump responded by saying he had “never liked” the rap musical, which is concerning the start of the United States and its first treasury secretary.
Several key figures, together with TV producer Shonda Rhimes who created the present “Grey’s Anatomy” and musician Ben Folds, resigned from their management positions.
And the Vances — Usha Vance is likely one of the new board members — had been booed by the Kennedy Center viewers at a efficiency of the National Symphony Orchestra in March.
Trump toured the middle days afterwards, notably addressing the media from excessive up in a pink velvet-lined presidential field, and accusing its earlier bosses of letting it fall into debt and disrepair.
The Kennedy Center is a significant performing arts venue within the United States, a residing monument to the late John F. Kennedy that opened in 1971 and that has lengthy loved bipartisan help.
Its various programming features a prestigious annual arts gala. Trump didn’t attend throughout his first time period as president but it surely’s unclear whether or not he’ll accomplish that now.
Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center comes amid a broader assault on what he deems “woke” programming at cultural establishments, together with the famed Smithsonian museums, in addition to universities.
Source: www.anews.com.tr