An African American Claude?

[g4rat]

Posted: 4/21/09 at 9:16pm

A theatre down where I live is holding auditions for Hair. Out of curiosity would it work if Claude is played by an African American? I'm sure he could be, but I would like to hear some of your opinions on it. Also, if any of you know of any African American Claudes please share. I'm black and I plan on going for Claude, we'll see how it all works out.

Funny I really didn't think of my race being an issue for the character until a friend pointed out the role is usually played by caucasian guys.
I love the race in theatre conversations, they really do open one's mind.

[teka21]

Posted: 4/21/09 at 9:22pm

Why not an African-American Claude? Go for it!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 4/21/09 at 9:23pm

Didn't an African American play Claude when they did "Hair" on "Head of the Class"?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/21/09 at 9:25pm

Well, he's Polish but hey, maybe his mom was black,
Go for it!

[viola13]

Posted: 4/21/09 at 9:25pm

Well, there is the line "Face it, you're a Polack," suggesting he's of Polish descent. Although I don't know if that line is in all productions, since the book's been changed so much.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 4/21/09 at 9:26pm

I say go for it! If you really are the best actor and singer there, they won't even think about your race.

The only time a race of a performer has distracted me is when a black actress plays a character who is referred to as having pale skin in the lyrics-- like any member of the Sweeney Todd family (though I didn't even think about it when Brian Stokes Mitchell played Sweeney, just because his skin DID look pale), or Cinderella (Really, "Her neck is no whiter than a swan's-- can't that be changed to "her neck is no longer than a swan's?")

[Eris0303]

Posted: 4/21/09 at 9:28pm

Schmerg, I just watched Cinderella with Brandi and I believe they said "her neck is no wider than a swan's"