A White Black Guy In Hairspray?

Hi All!

So I saw Hairspray tonight, and when I opened up the Playbill, three understudy notices fell out for Tracy, Prudy and Sketch. Fine, I love watching understudies go on. However, when the show started, I noticed that the character of "Tammy" was strangely missing and replaced by a character named "Tommy" who I had never seen or heard of before and also the black guy who always carries around the radio was replaced by a white guy (who was a fabulous dancer, but ultimately white). It was great to watch, but now I'm so confused.

Can someone tell me why there wouldn't be an understudy/swing available for Tammy and why there wouldn't be a black understudy/swing available for a black role?

Thanks!

A few weeks ago at the 'spray, so many people were out that they actually had to cut some scenes/songs. I think they need a few more swings in that company because this is just sad.

Wow, which scenes and songs did they cut? Are they even allowed to do that?

Wow, a WHITE guy played the role of "the black guy who always carries around the radio"? It has been a while since I have seen the show but that is a pretty major role, isn't it? I can only think of two reasons this may have happened. One is that there just aren't enough talented "black guys" in New York. The second reason, and this is a long shot, but stay with me, is that IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER!!! I am happy the message of the show wasn't lost on you, however. Now would you mind defining "ultimately" white?

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Thanks so much for your thoughts SueleenGay! Somehow, I managed to follow your extemely wordy, complicated post.

In a show that contains a topic such as integration, it usually serves the plot to have the black characters be played by black actors and the white characters played by white actors, however small the role is, otherwise what's the point? If I follow your skewed logic, then a character such as Mrs. Von Tussle could be played by a black actress and Motormouth Maybelle could be played by a white actress, because in the end, "It just doesn't matter." I was actually thinking I may audition for the role of Tracy soon because despite being a black male myself, I feel that the producers will see past all that because "It just doesn't matter." Thanks for your input!

P.S. "Ultimately" white needs no further clarification unless you're dense.

Updated On: 5/3/06 at 12:50 AM

Don't worry Respeck, it's all in fun! Thanks for trying to keep the peace.

Haha! I know!! I'm so glade they kept that rat in the stage play too, and right in the opening number!

I am sure where it matters to the plot the characters would be played by race appropriate actors. My point is that it was "a guy with a radio" NOT Tracy or Mrs. Von Tussle.

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Don't you think when they cast the show, they think about this? I dunno, just seems like whoever did the hiring sorta messed up.


PS
When I read the topic, I thought you meant there was an albino in the show. haha. i was like "cool!" (is that how you spell albino?)

Updated On: 5/3/06 at 01:44 AM

Akiva - at the risk of my blood pressure - possibly even my heart itself - may I ask what you meant by 'wiggerish'?

ha, no need to be P.C. on these boards. "Wigger" would be the noun form of the word.

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exactly. (wouldn't wanna give DG a heart attack)

Akiva

Updated On: 5/3/06 at 01:55 AM

Hah...I think if anyone needed to shut up it should have been me.

Akiva