Quick Take: "The Producers" in Germany

"The Producers" the popular comedy musical created by Mel Brooks, finally made its debut in Germany, at the Admiralspalast theatre in Berlin. The significance is that the show's biggest number "Springtime for Hitler", ridicules the dictator and parodies the Nazi campaign.

The main article of reference can be found in the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/theater/19abroad.html?_r=1&8dpc

I believe this is a great step for Germany to move on from without a doubt the darkest moments of its history.

Western Europe as a whole has been quite enigmatic when it comes to moving on from the past; on the one hand, that part of the continent as a whole can be seen as the most progressive in the world: abortion and same-sex marriage are no longer considered an issue as both are allowed; most Western European states are welfare states whereby the government is not only responsible to uphold the rights of citizens, but also their well being.

But there are issues where it seems Western Europeans are reluctant, even arrogant, to confront. Perhaps it is the fact that these people led the way for the biggest social and scientific progression, in the Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution, that instilled them with a certain level of pomp, a quality that often leads to ethnocentrism. For example, Geert Wilders of the Dutch parliament has made it no secret that he believes the Muslims are out to get them.

What is disturbing is that unlike most of the anti-Muslim advocacy groups in the United States, Western Europeans should be more aware of the teachings and history of Islam to know that branding the entire religion as anti-Christian is a gross stereotype.

The point I am trying to make is that for Germans to laugh along with the rest of the world when they watch "Springtime for Hitler" is a giant step towards turning a page on history.

For all the marketing the theater director in Berlin made to galvanize a sagging business, showing "The Producers" to attract younger viewers would not only help the economical hardship of musicals, engage people with a unique way to look at history, but also popularize musicals, a type of literary culture that's been lost in our generation.