Question

21 chump street: the musical
completely and thoughtfully answer the following questions. if you need more space for an answer, you may slightly lower the font size in the text box.

1. host ira glass states that the script is about 70 to 80 percent actual quotes from the podcast interviews and “the rest is artistic invention.” what’s the difference between journalism and art inspired by true events? why is it important for an audience to know this difference?
2. in the musical, writer lin - manuel miranda adds a bit of dialogue not in the original podcast where naomi says that “drugs hit really close to home for me. i saw the effects growing up of cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy...i’ve seen what it can do to a family.” why, do you suppose, he added this element to his version of the story?
3. what’s another change or addition to the story that you noticed? how does this alter the impact of the story for you?
4. ira glass says that musicals are an especially satisfying form of entertainment because “they’re funny at the beginning and then there’s something really emotional and they’re about some bigger idea.” what’s the “bigger idea” being explored in this musical?

Explanation:

1. Journalism aims for factual - reporting, presenting events as they occurred with minimal personal interpretation. Art inspired by true events takes real - life elements and uses artistic license for creative expression, such as changing details, adding fictional elements for emotional impact or thematic exploration. It's important for the audience to know this difference to understand the nature of the work they are consuming. They can approach journalism with an expectation of truth and art with an understanding of its creative nature.
2. Lin - Manuel Miranda may have added the drug - related dialogue to highlight the real - life social issues and the impact of drugs on families. It could also serve to make the story more relatable and add a layer of depth to the characters and their experiences.
3. Answers may vary. For example, a change in character relationships could alter the impact by changing the emotional core of the story. If two characters who were distant in the original become close in the musical, it can add a new dimension of warmth or conflict.
4. The musical may be exploring themes such as coming - of - age, the complexity of human relationships, and the impact of real - life events on individuals and communities. These are "bigger ideas" that can resonate with a wide audience and provide emotional depth to the story.

Answer:

1. Journalism is factual reporting; art inspired by true events uses artistic license. Audience should know to understand work nature.
2. To highlight social issues and add depth.
3. Varies, e.g., change in character relationships can change emotional core.
4. Themes like coming - of - age, human relationships, and impact of real - life events.