BELLE in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST?- Page 2

[whateverman]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 4:54pm

right there.. to ur left. waiting.... yaaaaaaaaawn.

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 4:56pm

Its not racist. Its just a general casting. If the anamation Belle was white, brunette. Then they are going to try to cast a women of that look,(just like they are going to dress her the same as she is in the movie). but this dosent mean they shunn anyone else who dosent fall into this category, it just means this is generally what they are looking for.

You seriously need to chill, not everyone in the world is a bigot, and im sure there are very few on this thread.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 4:57pm

I was just asking if you'd seen it is all. A lot of mixed reviews around here.

Yes, there are fewer roles for African-Americans, but look at the percentages of white actors vying for roles as opposed to African Americans - I know it doesn't match up perfectly, but there is defintely a disparity.

You should call Bernie Telsey and have a chat.

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 5:00pm

Is this guy annyiong anyone else here?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 5:01pm

He used to annoy me, now I find him rather amusing.

[Kalimba]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 5:01pm

Yes, broadwayboy2, he is. He's so predictable, so pathetic.

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 5:02pm

Whateverman, how about you write a show for black actors instead of bitching about Disney.

This same argument could go for Tarzan and Mary Poppins. Big whop.

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 5:02pm

So I shouldnt get upset at this guy, just laugh him off?

[Actinggbugg474]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 5:03pm

I just think it's funny that he cares so much about BEAUTY AND THE BEAST?!! Does anyone care about that show anymore?! At least pick a better show to be upset about!
Updated On: 1/9/07 at 05:03 PM

[Kalimba]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 5:07pm

Good point 474.

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 5:10pm

chill its not racist

[Broadway4Life2]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 5:29pm

Personally, it would feel awkward to me if I were to see any woman who's not a caucasian sing the role of Belle. Not to say that there aren't talented woman of color who are capable of singing the role. It's just how Disney envisioned her.

[mijofly19]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 5:33pm

This is the most amusing thread I've read all day.

Disney is by no means racist. They currently employ a good 30-40 African American actors at the Minskoff Theatre every night. TARZAN, MARY POPPINS, and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST all have/have had African American actors in it as well. You could probably make a point that Disney is employing the majority of African American actors on Broadway.

And if there is a show you're going to attack for being racist, don't pick one that's based on a children's cartoon. Casting agencies are going to cast a role as close to the animated film as possible. This is why Belle is usually played by a white woman with dark hair. It is also why the actors playing Timon and Pumbaa are told to sound like Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella, and so on...

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 5:58pm

and also there is an african american understudy for bert in mary poppins

[AnaGFan]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 6:02pm

chill everyone!

Everyone's a little bit racist
It's true.
But everyone is just about
As racist as you!
If we all could just admit
That we are racist a little bit,
And everyone stopped being
So PC
Maybe we could live in -
Harmony!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 6:02pm

I call shenanigans.

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 6:07pm

Oh my GOD! The Lion King takes place in AFRICA, but there's a WHITE PERSON in it.

[withoutlovewithoutU]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 6:45pm

Listen honey, I totally see what your saying, but you really need to calm down. It annoys me too that things are not diverse enough on broadway (or anywhere for that matter), but instead of yelling and screaming on bords like this I try to take positive steps twards changing things. You are in no way going to get people to join your fight by yelling at them and telling them that they are turnig a blind eye. If you want to see things changed, you have to make people want to help you! organize a patition have people sign it from this board sign it, write to bway stars who have influence in shows, tell them how you feel! ya never know, they might help you!
Also, try to see the glass as half full instead of half empty. Yes, more diversity needs to happen, but look at shows like Hairspray that have stories that rely on fighting for diversity! And we have a hugely sucessful all black show on bway right now! It's a step in the right direction, right. I hope that more shows that get revived on broadway go the route that the hello dolly revival went by really changing things up with casting, and makeing more of a equal job flow.
I hope this help you.:)

[eb412]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 6:59pm

The role isn't exatly race non specific. I would love to see the best people getting roles no matter what their race but remember this show is based on a cartoon. As someone started before, the character was depicted as white and brunette. The broadway show is basically just the movie put on stage...it has almost everything the same with just a few more songs. Also remember that disney is marketing towards families and in particular children. Just as children think the characters at disneyland are real many would like to believe Belle on broadway is real. I would love to see more diversity on broadway I'm just trying to help you see the other side. I'm not sure it is just a blatant racist act. I think it is odd that you would choose this particular show because there are plenty of other shows that do not do blind casting and have no reason not to do blind casting....

[brad3]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 9:18pm

Wow. Just wow.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 9:44pm

There are more white people on broadway because there are more white people AUDITIONING for broadway...



I hate this race thing...if I was african american at my school I would probably have a full ride. But because I'm a white female I get barely anything, even though I'm poor as ****.


So let's not do this...PLEASE.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 9:58pm

So let's not do this...PLEASE.

Do I have to bring out my pot/kettle graphic again?

[broadwayjoe476]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 10:03pm

second to that stephanie, i ran into the same problem at my school except i am a white male. Broadway does employ more caucasian americans than african americans because they are the majority of the ones auditioning and who really cares what the role is supposed to be, the producer of the show (the person putting the money into it) is gonna pick whoever they want reguardless of race, gender, skin color, etc... to them it's all about selling those tickets $$$$

Alright, i stated my case

[augustine73]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 10:19pm

i really want lea salonga to play belle....

[Actinggbugg474]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 10:27pm

Well since Dreamgirls is such a big hit .. I think Jennifer Hudson is the obvious choice!