What would Obama Think?

August 25, 11:19 AMDenver Theater ExaminerDeb Flomberg

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Matthew Jordan Kyle as President Bush
Mark Shosey as Osama Bin Laden and
Joshua Peter Smith as Saddam Hussein

I walked into the Bug Theatre not knowing what to expect. With all of the talk about politics and the election that is surrounding us here in Denver, I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to go to a show called “Iraq War, The Musical!” However, I went, figuring that either way I was in for an interesting night. Yet, I am not reviewing this show. I feel that it speaks for itself. If your political views don’t swing very far to the left, or you don’t follow politics much at all, then don’t see it. You will be mad. However, if you do consider yourself a liberal and you are informed about the political events of the past eight years, then you’ll probably enjoy it. So, the reason I am choosing not to review this show is because there was something else that really struck me as I watched this show. I was reminded that theatre is about freedom of expression and that one of the most wonderful things about being a writer, director, or actor is the ability to make people think.
 
There were a lot of very controversial topics in this show. From musical numbers staring a singing Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden, to George W. Bush sitting on the floor playing with action figures and signing contracts with crayon, to jokes about September 11th. Yes, you read that correctly – jokes about September 11th. One member of the group I was with was so angry and so hurt by the September 11th jokes that he nearly walked out. And his anger and hurt at those jokes was certainly valid, and it was his right to walk out and choose not to listen. Just as it was Paul Cross’s right as writer, director, and producer to put those jokes on stage. This all raises a question – What is off limits? As artists (and human beings) in this society we have the right to say and think and what we want. It is part of what it means to be an American. However, is anything off limits? Many writers stand by the philosophy of “all or nothing.” Either it is ok to make fun of everything or you can’t make fun of anything.  The thought of censoring anything is scary. It leads to places that artists should not go. The beauty of art – of any kind – is freedom. Cross revels in that freedom with this show. He pushes the limits and he shakes things up, showing just how free expression should be. 
 
Iraq War, The Musical! did provide an interesting evening, just as I figured it would. Sure there were parts of the show that I didn't care for, just as there were parts that I found very funny (Galloway Allbright’s portrayal of Tony Blair was absolutely hilarious.) Yet, in the end if the purpose of any play is to make people think, then this show certainly delivered on that promise.