Asians in the theatre- Page 3

[Madame X]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 5:18pm

"But aren't people who see the Opera expected to suspend belief more so than musical theater? A very over weight tenor playing a Matador in Carmen would be more accepted than say a very over weight tenor playing the Phantom."

It is that way, but I don't know how it came to be that way. Why are people who see opera expected to suspend belief anymore than someone who is going to see a Bway show? I don't see the difference. But somehow it came to be so.

btw - how did you italicize like that?

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 3/31/05 at 5:22pm

As for the idea of playing Audrey, I really don't think it matters as much for her being white. I mean its the stereotype we all have in our minds of her being white and blonde because the character is very ditzy and is something of a sexpot etc but I think any ethnicity could probably play her if they could convincingly pull off that character. And if they were to insist on her being blonde its nothing a wig can't fix. I understand casting directors demanding one certain ethnicity for certain shows that do require a certain look for it to be historically correct or something like that but for a role like Audrey, I wouldn't think it would be that big of a problem. I think it's more the fact that we have gotten so used to seeing one type of Audrey (or any other character) and we can't wrap our minds aroudn the idea of seeing a different take (look-wise) on the character.