Broadway Goes Disney
March 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment
“Once upon a time” has become synonymous over the years with fairy tales, and no fairy tales are more magical than that of the Disney brand. Since the 1920’s, Walt Disney’s dreams and fantasies have spread throughout the world and slowly developed the brand into a commercial and economic powerhouse. Their products seemingly always are over-night sensations, from toothbrushes to diapers. All their products sell for one simple reason the “Disney magic”. No other brand has been capable of reproducing anything remote to such a selling point. It is the feeling that you can re-capture your childhood for a day and be obsessed with having fun, rather than with the typical hysterias of every day life. This magic’s groundwork will always be their classical VHS movies of the past. From Pinocchio to Hercules the Disney masterpieces were constantly repeated on the beat up television in my living room ever since I was two years old, just like many others of the 20th century. Although most of us have grown out of the Disney stage (just as the Pokémon stage) of our lives, those moments will never be forgotten. These cultural innovations have been drenched in the fountain of youth by Disney Corporation once again and have turned instantly into radiant Broadway gold. The record-breaking premiere of Beauty and the Beast in 1994 served as a premonition of only bigger and better things to come for Disney on Broadway. With early success it was safe to say that Disney was still not a proven Broadway commodity, but that changed following the 1997 restoration of the New AmsterdamTheatre of 42nd street. When a “little” show called The Lion King opened in 1998 it caught everyone by surprise, earning six Tony Awards in 1998 alone. Since the premier there was no looking back for the production, currently possessing two traveling companies in the U.S. and also showings abroad in London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Paris and most recently one in South Africa the birthplace of the creative inspiration for the show. Even with the successful track record by Disney throughout the year it is virtually impossible to always get it right as shown by, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan and the somewhat struggling production of Marry Poppins. As the flops began piling up the company kept following the classical theatre saying, “the show must go on”. So it has, with the new 2007 release of The Little Mermaid Disney has put it’s name on the top of the Broadway world with a show resembling the young-mega hit based in the pride of Africa. It has been the Broadway ticket of the season, filling the seats virtually every performance. Even if the theatre does not interest you the accomplishments of the Disney Company on Broadway deserves the recognition of all, especially the loyal movie-watchers of the past.
Everyone Deserves the Right to Live
March 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment
All of us, whether we realize it or not, have been granted many gifts throughout our lives. We have a roof over our heads, an education, and food, as well as talents and abilities that allow us to reach our greatest goals and aspirations. However, we often take these gifts for granted, and many of us hardly ever think about them. But these gratuities are just the tip of the iceberg; it is much more important to realize that life itself is a gift, and it is one that should be respected and valued in all shapes and forms. Life is the most precious gift of all, and it is a natural right that should be bestowed to every being. Unfortunately, it is not.
War, terrorism, massacre, euthanasia, capital punishment. These are just some of the causes of the bloodshed that exists in our world today. However, there is one word that is not on that list that is the cause for 126,000 deaths every day around the globe– abortion. Abortion is a gruesome process during which a fetus or embryo is forcefully removed from its mother’s womb in order to end an unexpected pregnancy. Abortion is fatal to the baby, and it is potentially dangerous to the mother’s health. Yet it is legal, and many people believe that it is right. These people, who are part of the Pro-Choice Movement, believe that women should maintain their right to have an abortion, a process which was legalized in the United States by the Supreme Court in 1973 through Roe vs. Wade.
But by allowing abortions to exist in the United States, the Supreme Court is allowing women to have the right to take away innocent human lives. Since when have people been given the right to choose who lives and who dies? God alone holds this fundamental right. Abortion is unethical, it is immoral, and it is unjustified in all respects.
However, as serious as this situation may seem, many people are unaware that such a homicide is happening in our society. This was indeed my own case, and I had not realized for quite some time that abortion was endangering the lives of so many innocent people.
My eyes, and the eyes of about 20 McQuaid students, were finally opened during a service trip to Washington D.C. in late January. There we participated in the March for Life, an annual protest against abortion held on January 22nd, the same day on which the Supreme Court legalized abortion 35 years ago. Over 100,000 people participated in the march, as we walked around the National Mall and the Supreme Court.
In addition to the March for Life, we also participated in the Conference on Life held on the beautiful Georgetown campus. Several keynote speakers addressed the crowd. While on the march I realized the true enormity of the whole situation, it was at this conference that I learned the facts about abortion that drove the entire protest. And when reflecting on this information, I personally determined that abortion was immoral and unethical.
By allowing abortion to exist in the United States, the Supreme Court is making murder legal. This is undermining the principles of ethics and morality that our nation is built upon, that all life is granted the most fundamental and indispensable natural rights. Now that science has proven that life truly does start at conception, we must allow every living being, no matter in what form, to relish the most basic right to life that we all share.
However, this right is being stripped away from unborn children all around the world. This blatant violation is especially prominent in our very own country. Every day in America, 3,700 babies become victims of abortion; that means that an infant is murdered every 23 seconds! A rampant genocide is happening right before our eyes, and we must do something to stop it. We must acknowledge that abortion is in fact another holocaust, and we must take action to preserve the future generation of the world.
New Principal Announced
February 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
McQuaid’s President, Mr. Bill Hobbs, announced this morning the appointment of Fr. Jim Coughlin, S.J. as the next Principal of McQuaid Jesuit.
Congratulations are in order for Fr. Coughlin.
Much Anticipated Principal Announcement Impending
February 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I spoke with Mr. Hobbs only moments ago, and he has confirmed that he will make an announcement regarding McQuaid Jesuit’s new Principal before break. Rumors circulating around the school indicate that the remaining three candidates are all currently members of the McQuaid staff in some capacity. Mr. Hobbs declined to comment any further on the issue, but The Lance will have an update for you the moment an announcement has been released.
Knights Rally in the 4th to Beat AQ
February 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The McQuaid Basketball Knights scored a victory against arch-rival Aquinas last night, rallying in the fourth to win 48-42. Although McQ fans were few on Dewey Ave, the underdog prevailed.
Dan Brady scored 19 points, including 4 3’s. His 9 points in the fourth quarter helped overcome a 1-point deficit entering the quarter. McQuaid was 8-for-17 from 3-point territory as a team.
