Profile for DivaProf

A Raisin in the Sun original cast, with Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier

Dreamgirls, original cast

A Chorus Line, original cast

I also noticed that there weren't any dark-skinned women in the Broadway Hamilton cast on my most recent visit (11/07/16).  It was shortly after I'd read an interview with Viola Davis where she commented on how difficult it was for her to receive roles as a darker-skinned African-American woman.  The relatively lighter hue of the women (compared to the men and the OBC) in the current cast was noticeable (to me at least), and noteworthy.  

I also don't know that non-whites in the Netherlands would agree with some of these characterizations.  Race relations there differ from those in the US, but are by no means perfect.  There is an entire movement against "Zwarte Pete" ("Black Pete" in the Netherlands.  Just to present another perspective on these issues .

I agree with what MyLife wrote 100%.  I was at the matinee yesterday as well thanks to a post on this board a few moths ago .  I LOVED Michael Luwoye, but have only seen Lin (twice) and Joh Rua (once), in the role.  Michael Luwoye's Hamilton was phenomenal.  I thought Brandon Victor Dixon's Burr showed more complexity--arrogant at times, but also vulnerable--at least from my perspective.  Vocally he was amazing.  

I missed Daveed's Lafayette.  A lot, but that for me was the only weak link among the men.

For me, Christopher Jackson just brought **more** to Jefferson than I'd noticed in prior performances.  He moved me to tears and I actually gave him a quick standing ovation during the extended applause following his number (I sat down before it ended).

I never noticed how small the women's roles were before.  Very little about them stood out to me.  I thought Lexi was fine, but really missed the "snap, crackle and pop" that Renee brought to Angelica.  Also, visually they all looked fairly similar in coloring to me, which blurred some of the individuality that was so obvious when Renee and Phillipa were in the cast.  But just this week I've been reflecting on some of Viola Davis' comments about the lack of roles for darker skinned African-American women, so that may be why I noticed it.

Overall though, it was thrilling.  I left wanting to see it again!

 

CarlosAlberto said: "Let me make myself clear. I am a big Brian Stokes Mitchell fan ever since his days on TRAPPER JOHN, MD, which most of you probably don't even know about or remember.

Stokes vocal chops not to mention his age are a mismatch for what any of the male roles in HAMILTON require.

Some shows/roles are not for all performers no matter how phenomenally talented they are. This is the case with Stokes and Hamilton. They are not going to cast a 60 year old man to play a role whose contemporaries are between the ages of 25-40. 

Stokes looks great for his age but let's be realistic he could not pass for 40. 

 

 

 

"

First post on this thread .  I love Brian Stokes Mitchell as well, but have to agree with this.  He just doesn't fit the "young, scrappy and hungry" mold of the other characters.  Even given the fact that Washington is meant to be a bit older and more polished than the others.  Also, and most importantly in my opinion, can Brian Stokes Mitchell rap???  

I've called with Telecharge open in my browser and requested specific seats.  Both times I used the 10,000 points option.

Thank you!  I just bought a ticket to see it for the 4th time!

I was there, in the front row!!  It was absolutely AMAZING.  

I was thrilled to see Audra on the cover of Essence!!  I bought it in the grocery store the other day!  

I used 10,000 points to obtain a ticket to Fiddler, Center Orchestra row D.  I checked Telecharge first and then called Audience Rewards and requested that seat (they offered me another seat initially).

CarlosAlberto said: "They should have started a trend and used a racially diverse cast. Can you imagine a latino George Washington?!?!? How cool would that be?

Oh wait . . . . "

broadwaybelter said: "It's amazing how not a single person sided with the playwright. Then again, this board and thread is comprised of almost entirely white people..."

HogansHero said: "DivaProf-I think you are missing half of what's going on here. This is not about casting opportunities, it is about story.These roles are written to be non-white for dramatic purpose, and what Miranda did was create roles that are these ethnicities. The same story is not being told when they are played by whites. As someone else said, if the audience is color blind they are not seeing the show intended."

SFFrontRow said: "DivaProf said: "Lilly7 said: "Why do white people always complain when they're excluded from something? Can't you just be happy with the other 99.9% of things available to you?"

Exactly!

To Lily and DivaProf...

I find both of your responses kind of insulting.

Lilly7 said: "Why do white people always complain when they're excluded from something? Can't you just be happy with the other 99.9% of things available to you?"

Exactly!