Posted: 9/23/15 at 11:11pm
Lots of stir on the "other" board about Encores! intention to do 1776 color-blind. Thoughts here? I think it's kind of inevitable -- if they'd done it all white, it would look really fusty and old-fashioned, given what's happened on Broadway lately. But lots of folks don't agree!!
Posted: 9/23/15 at 11:17pm
Here's a link. It's not like they're lepers. http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=2305413
As for the subject at hand, it kind of amuses me. I like that they're not shy that they're inspired by/basically trying to piggy-back off Hamilton. It feels self-conscious, but it could also turn out to be less wonky that it sounds.
And it's a concert, not a full-out production, so it should go over well with at least some of the semi-purists, I'd hope.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 11:19pm
It's clearly trying to capitalize on the buzz from Hamilton, but I think it will work fine. I did pause for a second, given how slavery figures into the plot significantly at the end, but mentions of slavery haven't made Hamilton not work, so I don't see why it would be an issue here. As long as they cast the right people for the roles, especially Adams, I think it'll be a great night.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 11:37pm
They're a little late to the party. I wish they were applying the color blind casting to something other than the "other" show about the founding fathers, which just makes it seem like a rip-off.
Posted: 9/23/15 at 11:52pm
On the other hand, you have to figure their backs were to the wall. Imagine how people might react if the show was all white. I think there would have been lots of complaints about THAT. So they couldn't really win, unless, of course, it's good. Which I expect it will be.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 12:18am
I'd love to see Norm Lewis tackle Rutledge, if for no other reason than to hear his Molasses to Rum.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 12:31am
The first time I saw 1776 was in a gender-swapped concert staging and I loved it. I think there is an unexpected poignancy to the material when more than just white men are represented in this show.
Updated On: 9/24/15 at 12:31 AM
Posted: 9/24/15 at 12:38am
It might be piggybacking off of Hamilton, but really -- who cares? It still gives actors of color a shot at some awesome roles that they'd almost never be considered for in a production of this calibre. I'm all for it.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 5:13am
Guys, really? Colorblind casting has been going on for decades now. This isn't groundbreaking. It *IS*, however, a brilliant move for Encores! The fantasy casting in my head in off the hook! Haha.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 8:57am
The difference is, it's intrinsic to Hamilton; it'll be applied to 1776. Nonetheless, if the performers are good, it should work OK.
Norm Lewis or B Stokes Mitchell, or Quenton Darrington singing "Molasses" would sound gorgeous and be simultaneously (unintentionally) bizarre/hilarious. It would be great to have a live projection of the audiences faces while watching it, and observing the utter confusion on many of those faces.
Also unintentionally comic would be an actress of color as Martha Jefferson, for obvious reasons. Perhaps they could just change that character to Sally Hemings?
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:04am
What's important would to be to see what they do with the casting for 'Do I Hear A Waltz', to see if they just treat color blind casting as a gimmick in order to get more buzz.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:26am
I might be in the minority, but I think Encores! has a relatively good track record with casting actors of color. I don't know if I think they've been the best in promoting color blind casting for leads, but the ensemble is usually diverse regardless of the setting of the show AND they've done quite a few shows that call for an all-black cast. (And shows like Finian's Rainbow that explicitly call for many actors of color.) I'm excited that they're taking LMM's call for diversity to heart (and he did in fact call them out on it when 1776 was announced as one of this season's shows), and am looking forward to seeing who they cast.
Norm Lewis and Brian Stokes Mitchell are a bit long in the tooth for Rutledge, since they actually seem to be calling for someone in their 20s.
What are the chances of seeing John Cullum or, dare I hope, William Daniels as Franklin?
Updated On: 9/24/15 at 09:26 AM
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:28am
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:37am
Ooh, yes, William Daniels as Franklin! Would LOVE to see that. That would make up for whatever gimmicky, rip-off casting decisions are made.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:44am
Norm Lewis and Brian Stokes Mitchell are a bit long in the tooth for Rutledge, since they actually seem to be calling for someone in their 20s.
What are the chances of seeing John Cullum or, dare I hope, William Daniels as Franklin?
Realism has pretty much been thrown out for this production, so age should not be a factor. Any role should be open to any actor. William Daniels could even do Adams again
Updated On: 9/24/15 at 09:44 AM
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:04am
LimelightMike said: "Guys, really? Colorblind casting has been going on for decades now. This isn't groundbreaking."
It is for 1776.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:13am
I love it and I think more shows should do it.
And before someone says, "What about a white Effie?" or whatever - if we got to the point where color-blind casting was the norm and actors of color were as represented as white actors, then fine, knock yourself out with a white Effie or whatever.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:27am
For a 4-day concert version, it doesn't seem like it is that big a deal to do color-blind casting. It might seem more of an odd choice if it were an standing production and it didn't really work well...
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:29am
Have you been to Encores in the last 10 years or so? You really can't call it a "concert presentation" anymore. They always have lots of staging and choreography, and even some costumes and sets.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:33am
And, of course, 'diversity' doesn't mean everybody gonna be black. How about:
Jose Llana for Rutledge
Stephen McKinley Henderson for Franklin
Guillermo Diaz for Adams
If only Renee Elise Goldsberry and Phillipa Soo were available as Abigail and Martha, respectively. So how about Anika Noni Rose and Ashley Park? Or maybe Karen Olivo might make a beautiful Abigail. I'm very interested to see who gets cast!
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:37am
I LOVE the idea of Anika Noni Rose and Ashley Park as Abigail and Martha! Or even Ruthie Ann Miles as Abigail.
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:38am
Phyllis Rogers Stone said: "And before someone says, "What about a white Effie?" or whatever - if we got to the point where color-blind casting was the norm and actors of color were as represented as white actors, then fine, knock yourself out with a white Effie or whatever. "
Bears repeating. Thanks, Phyllis!
