Caroline, or Change at the Court Theater

I could not help but jump out of my seat and join everyone last night in a standing ovation for Caroline, or Change. There was a cascade of applause that moved through the audience with the lasting impact of Caroline’s last song. The musical is fantastic, one that is centered on loving and forgiving—two of life’s most important principles. The story begins with an older Black maid named Caroline who serves the family of young but not innocent 8 year old Jewish boy named Noah who is infatuated with her.

The Jewish /Black relationship is a rich one, step in history because they are both persecuted. In my experience a lot of Jewish people have a thing for Black or African people some I know have a black fetish.

The Black / Jewish dynamic is played out in Caroline. The young Jewish boy Noah is obsessed with Caroline, he is in love with her and he is only 8.
The issues surrounding money bring out the most dynamic relationship. In stereotype, black people spend money and Jewish people save it.
Around money Caroline and Noah come together—both are steep in heritage and change. With money comes pride and around money they part ways—leaving both broken hearted.

The moment Caroline leaves by condemning young Noah it is the pinnacle of pride and judgment.

The story is OK, and it takes on important social issues—but what hits you in the gut is Kushner’s way of telling a story. Down south in the 1960’s social issues are hotter than hell and they are all in the family. In Caroline, or Change we see the family life as the force behind politics.

There is an interesting juxtaposition between the two families, Noah’s family and Caroline’s. Especially in their attitude towards violence at home and violence in the public sphere. Where at times the Jews promote public violence and condemn private violence towards family and visa versa.

Interesting contrast between the personal and the political , Caroline depicts the violence

Kushner doesn’t let the musical ever climax into a catharsis—like life the high drama seems never ending.