Saturday, September 22, 2007

Gwyneth Paltrow is my homegirl [MBT]

I was shocked to discover yesterday that Gwyneth Paltrow, the woman who named her child Apple for pete's sake, and I have something in common. We both love and were inspired by the same show, Free to Be...You and Me.

Aw c'mon..if you are a child of the 70's as I (ahem) am, then surely you know this little gem. It's been described as "a sorely needed counterbalance to the casual sexism of American life...it was fired with high ambitions and aggressive optimism. "Free to Be You and Me" was the gentler side of feminism, a funny and sly discussion of sexism, racism, gay rights and other issues disguised as a sort of cabaret show for children.

I must confess, I never got into the whole politics of the thing. I just loved the songs and the stories, and the feeling that everyone - no matter what you looked like, or how you acted - was normal and accepted. As I got older, it also fueled my passion for children's theatre.


Read more at MBT

3 comments:

N. said...

I've heard of Free to Be You and Me, but have never heard even one of the songs. So I only know it for the political content. And for Margo Thomas. That Girl. I loved That Girl!

Now if you'll excuse me I'm gonna go annoy my husband my calling him Donald in my most whiny Margo Thomas Voice.

And please, don't get me started on Apple Martini.

Beck said...

I've never heard it either, aside from "Really Rosie" which I only heard from the first time recently.
I didn't like it, but it was likely because it was removed from its appropriate societal context and all.

LoryKC said...

Never saw the show but we had the album (remember LPs)?!
The album had the songs and stories. I also am a child of the 70s but had forgotten this gem until your post--thanks!