Rap Master Ronnie
Rap Master Ronnie is the name of several
Background
Garry Trudeau was a vocal critic of Reagan throughout his presidency, and devoted considerable space in his comic strip
A
In 1985, the play was revived in Los Angeles.[3]
Four years later, as Reagan's presidency drew to a close, Swados and Trudeau updated the show as a
Plot summary
The play is presented as sixteen interlinking musical numbers, each attacking some political position of Reagan's or examining the effects
Casts
Off-Broadway cast
- Reathel Bean as Ronald Reagan
- Catherine Cox
- Ernestine Jackson as Nancy Reagan/various
- Mel Johnson Jr.
- Richard Ryder
- "The Doonesbury Break Crew"
Music video
- Robert H. Schmidt as Ronald Reagan
- "The Doonesbury Break Crew"
Film cast
- Jim Morris as Ronald Reagan
- Carol Kane
- Jon Cryer
- The Smothers Brothers
Reception
The play received generally mixed to positive reviews. The New York Times praised the more overtly satirical numbers, particularly those related to Reagan's job policies and views on women's rights, but criticized Trudeau's efforts to be more serious, calling them "more sincere than compelling". The Times also criticized the play's portrayal of minorities, calling them "abstractions, not characters."[1] Conversely, the television movie was negatively reviewed, with the Los Angeles Times calling it "incessantly unfunny" and criticizing the show for reusing the same jokes that several other comedians had been using about Reagan for years, without enough original material or insights.[4]
In popular culture
The Simpsons 1994 episode "Homer Loves Flanders" parodies the show as "Rappin' Ronnie Reagan," a novelty song that Homer owns on cassette tape. The show is referenced again in the episode "Lisa on Ice", with Kent Brockman delivering a sensationalized news headline: "President Reagan dyes... his hair, says Garry Trudeau in his new musical comedy revue!"
References
- ^ a b c Rich, Frank (Oct 4, 1984). "Stage: Partisan Revue, 'Rap Master Ronnie'". The New York Times. Retrieved Oct 4, 2019 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Bredemeier, Kenneth. 'Rap Master Ronnie.' The Washington Post. 12 July 1984
- ^ "RAP MASTER RONNIE". Library of Congress. Retrieved Oct 4, 2019.
- ^ a b "Television Reviews : Cinemax's Grades Slump With 'Rap Master Ronnie'". Los Angeles Times. Feb 12, 1988. Retrieved Oct 4, 2019.