Color Blind casting??

#1

Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:31pm

Walking by Planet Hollywood the other day I noticed that they had hired a black woman to play Marilyn Monroe. Interesting. Made me think about this issue with Broadway etc. Sometimes casting cannot be color blind esp for shows like Ragtime,Aida,Gypsy,and Evita. What is your opinion on the issue?

#2

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:32pm

It used to be very difficult to find enough CATS who could sing in English..... let alone stand on two feet for so long...

---

" ...the happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid."

#3

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:37pm

I never really understood why GYPSY had to only be with a white cast. I just said in another thread how much I would love to see Queen Latifah as Mama Rose.

---

"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."

#4

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:38pm

I'm sure the black Marilyn is to catch the eye of passersby. I'm also sure they wouldn't dare to hire a white Josephine Baker.

---

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

Updated On: 8/21/04 at 04:38 PM

#5

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:47pm

So does this black woman look any less like Marilyn than others who have historically played the role?

---

Rest in peace, Iflitifloat.

#6

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:56pm

Matt, I'm guessing because they're portraying real people.

---

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#7

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:59pm

and there were no real black performers back than?

Edit - I just got what you meant to say. But I still think the casting would work.

---

"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."

Updated On: 8/21/04 at 04:59 PM

#8

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:04pm

Tonya Pinkins or Lillias White as Mama Rose! Hey, if Pearl Bailey can play Dolly Gallagher Levi, why not Tonya or Lillias as Rose?

---

"Gif me the cobra jool!"

#9

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:04pm

On Saturday Night Live for instance they don't have a white person playing Oprah..

#10

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:05pm

The woman playing Marilyn at Planet Hollywood is NOT black!! Are you color blind??!

---

BroadwayWorld: A home for the dangerously unhinged

#11

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:06pm

It depends on the day you go. There are two .

#12

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:14pm

I've seen both of them. Neither is black.

---

BroadwayWorld: A home for the dangerously unhinged

#13

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:14pm

Well, Patti LuPone's not Latina to my knowledge.

And I'd love to see Jennifer Holliday as Mama Rose. Anyone up for Anika Noni Rose as Louise?

#14

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:14pm

That's funny - I almost put a sentence in my post mentioning Pearl playing Dolly because I KNEW that would come up. Yes, it has happened, but it's less likely than with a show with all fictional characters.

---

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#15

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:15pm

Sammy what are you some kind of Planet Hollywood Marilyn stalker?

#16

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:18pm

Yes, Gypsy relates real characters and real events... I know it's different from a black actress playing a fictional character like Dolly, and I'd have to imagine that June Havoc would have issues. But still, it would be something to see...

---

"Gif me the cobra jool!"

#17

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:19pm

It would be interesting to see Mama Rose played by a black actress. I'm sure it has been done somewhere before.

#18

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:19pm

I'm sure June wouldn't mind at all - I imagine it's money in her pocket.

---

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#19

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:20pm

The funny thing would be if someone DID come out and say they took offense to it, they would come off as a complete racist.

---

"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."

#20

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:20pm

Is June Havoc still alive?

#21

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:22pm

Yes, Matt, and yes, broadwaystar2b.

---

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#22

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:23pm

Broadwaystar2b- Cute icon.I just noticed it and had to do a double take lol

#23

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:26pm

June has major issues with Gypsy as it is, because she feels it trivializes and ridicules her life and career as a child star on the Orpheum Circuit. But she sold the rights to her part of the story for I believe $1.00, because she felt that the show would be a good thing for her sister. Gypsy Rose Lee reportedly really didn't care what the authors of the show came up with, as long as the show beared the title, Gypsy.

---

"Gif me the cobra jool!"

#24

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:38pm

Been lurking for weeks because the board has been going through a wierd phase.

NewYorkUnique, what I find more disturbing that Planet Hollywoods casting decision is that in this day and age you are using the phrase black woman. I believe the appropriate phrase you are looking for is African American. Nitpicky I know, but since you are often snitty, I figured what the heck.

#25

re: Color Blind casting??

Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:40pm

I work with a bunch of women "of color" and talk about themselves as being "black women" so I don't think it's rude at all.

---

"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."