I think it's important to point out the theme of escape. As lovers of theatre we always invite an audience to "escape" with us into a different world. "The Man" does exactly that. He invites us to escape with him into the 1920's musical. The 1920's alone are a time of fun and frivolity, but add the spectacle of a musical and you know we're in for a ride. It's interesting that most productions bring the musical "to life" in "The Man's" apartment. Usually the apartment is gray and dreary, making the bright and flashy musical stand as an escape from the boring normal everyday-ness of his life. When it comes to the character's in the musical, we see Mr. Feldzieg attempt to escape being captured by gangsters. We also see Kitty trying to escape normalcy, very much like "The Man", and achieve stardom. The largest example of "escape" is shown by Janet, specifically in the song "Show Off". Janet is attempting to escape the world of show business, and showing off, in favor of settling down and getting married like women her age should be doing.
I agree with you that as theatre lovers, we are reminded why we go to the theatre. Escape through entertainment is something the man explores as he navigates the audience through his beloved favorite musical. Janet's song is an excellent example if escape because i think it is the breaking point where she is toying with the idea of being single verses tied down. I think you are right that the theme of escape is prevelent throughout the musical and then the reader/viewer steps back and realizes that by attending the show he is participating in this escape via entertainment.
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