Tag Archives: ‘Texas’ musical

Six Flags to become Five Flags? Please, no

Here’s a thought that will could drive us all just a bit crazy.

The momentum against the Confederate flag in this country could force one of the nation’s most well-known theme parks to change its name from “Six Flags” to “Five Flags.”

To which I say, “Please, please, no! Don’t do that!”

We have the Six Flags Over Texas theme park in Arlington. The name of the park is meant to pay some tribute to the flags that have flown over the Lone Star State. One of them, of course, was the Confederate flag back when Texas seceded from the Union and fought on the losing side in the American Civil War.

The flags aren’t necessarily a part of the park, although if memory serves they fly atop flag poles at the main entrance of the park.

Oh, and think about this one. The acclaimed musical “Texas,” the one at Palo Duro Canyon, also features riders carrying flags that have flown over the state. Yep, one of ’em is the rebel flag. Do we want to get rid of that flag as well at the end of the musical? A part of me understands why it’s offensive.

But let’s leave the musical alone.

‘The show must go on’

You’ve heard the cliché, I’m sure, that “The show must go on.”

I’m not an entertainer. I don’t understand fully the entertainer’s mindset about whether to go on with the show in the wake of tragedy. The cast of the acclaimed outdoor musical “Texas” is wrestling with whether to go on with their own show at the Pioneer Amphitheater in Palo Duro Canyon in the wake of a horrific tragedy that befell it early today.

Five cast members were killed in a car crash north of Amarillo.

My friend Jon Mark Beilue wrote eloquently about his own son’s friendship with one of those who perished. It’s worth a look here.

http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2013-08-13/beilue-when-their-world-was-smaller-one#.UgpZvZ-Cwkw.facebook

I do not know as of this moment what the cast will decide. They’ll need to get over their shock. The grief will linger.

I’d be inclined to counsel them to go on with the show, as their friends would want them to be true to the creed of their craft.

If they decide they can’t, well, I understand that, too.

My prayers are with you all.