Raggedy Rants

Dumping my thoughts here where the kids in the Raggedy Ann fandom can't find me.

It's Okay to be Uncomfortable

I've heard people say that the music stands against everything people love Raggedy Ann for. One, I don't think that's true. There are stories in the original books, Through the Door is one where the dolls comfort a dog whose owner has died, and there are stories where the dolls are carried away, covered in paint and have to be re-stuffed, lost, or threatened with death by fantasy creatures. They are things that can be distressing for young kids, of course it always turns out okay in the end.

But the idea that nothing bad or upsetting ever happens, that is from the corporate franchising of the character. That's what you see in the endless smiles on toy store shelves, the TV specials, the world of Raggedy Ann that has been built over the last 100 years because smiles and nostalgia have always sold in times of distress.

The musical asks us "does living in the clouds, filling your life with only fluffy, happy, nostalgic things to ignore your fears, actually help or hurt?" and if that question makes you uncomfortable, I say "good!"

I do think everyone deserves media that makes them simply happy. That is nostalgic and fluffy and light and provides a break from things that hurt us. I have plenty of things like that, Raggedy Ann has moments like that for me, too, and many of my friends who love the musical would agree. But if Raggedy Ann is that comfort for you, and the musical upsets you, I respect that, and the musical might not be your cup of tea, and that's okay.

Gibson made it completely clear: this musical was not for little kids and it was not for Raggedy Ann fans. It's for the people who connect to it and to him through it. Just like it wasn't for the parents of little kids, or the Broadway critics, but it was for the kids and families who still perform and enjoy the show in Russia. Just because something uses a charcater you like, doesn't mean you are obligated to like it, or it is obligated to change for you. He used Raggedy Ann for this question because he knew it would be uncomfortable for people.