Color Blind casting??
Color Blind casting??
newyorkuniq
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/03
#0Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:31pmWalking 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?
#1re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:32pmIt used to be very difficult to find enough CATS who could sing in English..... let alone stand on two feet for so long...
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#2re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:37pmI 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.
#3re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:38pmI'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.
etoile
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/2/03
#4re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:47pmSo does this black woman look any less like Marilyn than others who have historically played the role?
#5re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 4:56pmMatt, I'm guessing because they're portraying real people.
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#6re: 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.
magruder
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#7re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:04pmTonya Pinkins or Lillias White as Mama Rose! Hey, if Pearl Bailey can play Dolly Gallagher Levi, why not Tonya or Lillias as Rose?
newyorkuniq
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/03
#8re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:04pmOn Saturday Night Live for instance they don't have a white person playing Oprah..
mamamia sammy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/19/03
#9re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:05pmThe woman playing Marilyn at Planet Hollywood is NOT black!! Are you color blind??!
newyorkuniq
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/03
#10re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:06pmIt depends on the day you go. There are two .
mamamia sammy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/19/03
#11re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:14pm
I've seen both of them. Neither is black.
broadwaystar2b
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/28/04
#12re: 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?
#13re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:14pmThat'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.
newyorkuniq
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/03
#14re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:15pmSammy what are you some kind of Planet Hollywood Marilyn stalker?
magruder
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#15re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:18pmYes, 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...
newyorkuniq
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/03
#16re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:19pmIt would be interesting to see Mama Rose played by a black actress. I'm sure it has been done somewhere before.
#17re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:19pmI'm sure June wouldn't mind at all - I imagine it's money in her pocket.
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#18re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:20pmThe funny thing would be if someone DID come out and say they took offense to it, they would come off as a complete racist.
broadwaystar2b
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/28/04
#20re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:22pmYes, Matt, and yes, broadwaystar2b.
newyorkuniq
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/03
#21re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:23pmBroadwaystar2b- Cute icon.I just noticed it and had to do a double take lol
magruder
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#22re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:26pmJune 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.
JeffG
Leading Actor Joined: 12/28/03
#23re: 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.
Matt_G
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/1/04
#24re: Color Blind casting??
Posted: 8/21/04 at 5:40pmI 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.
Videos