Disney's Beauty and the Beast - a fantastic show at the Mechanic Theater in Baltimore Maryland. The
show had a great cast, singing, choreography, a super set, costumes and music. I was surrounded by kids and more kids, ranging in age from 5 year olds to young teenagers. Many even bringing along their Beauty and the Beast toy figures. Lots of oohs and ah's, cheering and crying. Intermissions were filled with youngsters tugging on their parents to get back into the theater so nothing would be missed. Some parents were
even left at the concession stand with arm loads of drinks and snacks with no kids to be found. Oh yes this was a night for the children and they enjoyed it immensely.
With this in mind, why on earth would
the Mechanic Theater along
with Playbill have a cigarette
ad running in this program! Not just a small ad in a far away corner
of the program, but the largest ad in the center of the program, a two
page spread. It could not be missed. Just by flipping through
the program or dropping it on the seat next to you or on the floor would
almost assure the magazine opening to this advertisement. Shame on
the Mechanic Theater and Playbill for using this advertiser for this particular
show. Here we have a cultural center in Baltimore, most assuredly
and must be anti smoking, once again pushing aside its principles for that
almighty dollar. (This by the way after the state of Maryland won its class
action suit against the tobacco industry for billions!) The Morris
A. Mechanic Theater and Playbill, Culture at its Finest, succinctly defines
the word OXYMORON. I guess maybe the ad was meant for just
us adults...
