Audra McDonald in Light in the Piazza- Page 2

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 1:59pm

Marin Mazzie would be fine in voice, but she's just not matronly enough. She'd be more like MILF Margaret.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:25pm

Oh God.... I just listened to the NPR recording. **fans self** Oh my, oh my...

That woman is a goddess.

[lvpblues]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:27pm

I'm sure there are many actresses out there who could (and probably will) play Margaret. But the one choice I have is Judy Kaye (keeping it with the Ragtime meets Piazza streak we have going on in this thread ). I just think she has the voice, the presence and the pathos for the part (and I can see her in those glorious costumes).

Audra sings the song divinely, but she's not appropriate for Clara. Age-wise, I think she is best suited for Franca. But it is quite lovely to hear her interpret the score (and perhaps she will one day entice us with "Dividing Day" or "The Joy You Feel" and the inevitable "Fable").

~K
Updated On: 3/1/06 at 02:27 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:35pm

Judy Kaye would probably be wonderful.

[children&art]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:40pm

ok, dont hate me for this but - audra is talented and could the **** out of either role in concert, but aren't those roles pretty much written to be caucasian so she couldnt do it onstage?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:49pm

I agree - age aside, having a black woman play Margaret would add an aspect to the peice that really isn't necessary - and isn't what the show is about.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:51pm

It's called color blind casting. Audra's done it before as Carrie Pippenridge in Carousel. And won her first Tony for it.

[children&art]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:55pm

but see Carrie in Carousel can be played by a black woman, the show is not as dependant on her being white or black as Piazza is.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 2:58pm

Yes. Exactly. There are roles in which race is not an issue - and there are others that are.

Someone of any race can play The Witch in INTO THE WOODS.
The same is not true of something like CAROLINE OR CHANGE, or even THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:07pm

Who makes that determination?

[children&art]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:12pm

um, let's see the playwright when they create the character.

[Doogie]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:15pm

MUNK- Vicki Clark is not particularly matronly. Marin could be matronly onstage, I'm sure.

Kissmycookie- Carrie Pipperidge and Margaret, Clara Johnson are totally TOTALLY different. first off, there are no class, race, or reservation issues in Carousel. I don't think many people under the age of 40 who saw Carousel with Audra said "wow. Colorblind casting." I think they just said "this girl playing Carrie is fantastic!" Wouldn't really work with Margaret or Clara.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:16pm

If you can't see why it would not work for a black woman to play Margaret, then nothing I can say can make you see it. It's obvious.

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA takes play in 1950's. Americans in Italy. Now, the play will suddenly be about a black family in Italy? I'm all for colorblind casting, but it's not appropriate here. It would never work.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:22pm

I have to agree with Munk. Mazzie is not matronly at all. She wasn't even matronly when she was playing Mother in RAGTIME. She's more playful and coquettish, no matter what role she's doing.

I'd love to see Judy Kuhn take on Margaret.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:26pm

c&a: Rodgers and Hammerstein said it's okay for Carrie Pippenridge to be black? Adam Guettel said only white people can play Margaret or Clara Johnson?

Munk: I think we've tussled over this issue before, and I can only agree to disagree with you.


I don't quite understand why it's okay to suspend disbelief for one piece of work and not in another.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:29pm

So how about an all-white production of A RAISIN IN THE SUN?

An all-black FLOWER DRUM SONG?

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:34pm

I'm pretty sure they've done an all-white Raisin. Seriously, can you name me three people whiter than Combs, Rashad and McDonald?

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:35pm

"Adam Guettel said only white people can play Margaret or Clara Johnson?"

No, but Craig Lucas did in his lyrics.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:39pm

If that's the case, BSoBW3, I stand corrected for the Piazza comment.

Munk: I'd have no problem with that. That's the beauty of acting.

Edited for misspelling a name.
Updated On: 3/1/06 at 03:39 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:39pm

Yes, thank you.

"Your skin is like milk."

"Your milk is like snow."

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:42pm

Yeah...ummmm...he could've been talking about chocolate milk. Ever think of that???

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:42pm

MEF - I actually did when I was writing my comment.

Then how do you explain the "snow" - dirty snow...that would bring a whole new meaning to the comment.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:43pm

Or maybe her skin is freezing cold.

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:44pm

Cold skin like chocolate milk?

Updated On: 3/1/06 at 03:44 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 3:45pm

Or maybe her skin can be really dry and flakey...like snow...