(have changed names for this as details of current play are likely to out me.)
it should go the whole hog.
DDs school does a christmas play but it is basically a nativity in drag. It has a token Mary Joseph, Jesus, 3 Kings and Angels. They sit in a prominent positions on a platform whilst the actual play takes place on the floor in front of them. It cuts back to them briefly during the 'main' play for the birth of jesus and giving gifts etc. But it is not a nativity . This year the performace has children dressed and performing as different nationalities hawaiians, chinese, americans (cowboys...), spanish etc
I have been watching these plays for the past few years as different my children progress through to high school (thats a different story). Its always the same. Why cant they do something completely different. They could still still make it seasonal. However, If they are going to stick with token symbolism for once I would like to see a child with disabilities as Mary or Joseph or one of the other key token roles as well as in the main play. How about some Ethnic faces other than the token king. Female innkeepers anyone?, or shock horror queens amongst the three kings? In fact thinking back I dont think I have ever even seen a brunette Mary or Joseph.