BREAKING: Mandy Patinkin Withdraws from THE GREAT COMET — Page 18

JBC3 said: "Dave28282 said: "Race is NOT relevant in this case."



While race does not seem to have been a factor for why the decision to replace him was made, race certainly has been relevant to how some perceive the way the entire situation was handled. None of us get to make the relevance determination for others."



True, because some people perceive everything through race first.

That is an issue in general, but still has nothing to do with this case.

^It's not showing up for me. What does it say?

In case that gets deleted:

This is my family. I would do anything for them. After five years, two workshops, three off Broadway stints, an out of town tryout, and our arrival on Broadway I was asked to step away from the show. And I did. Because I was told it was the only way to save the show during some bleak months and lagging ticket sales. After the initial sting of feeling disposable, I’m still reconciling with the business end of the situation: this can be a difficult and ****ty business. We want to be a part of something that we feel is important, art that touches people’s lives and changes them. A lens with which we can make sense out of the ridiculous, tedious and occasionally deeply unfair world that we must live in. Something that I feel this show has done, and I hope, continues to do.

Brittain's updated caption after that lengthier one:

"This is my family. I would do anything for them. Looking forward to being back in New York and getting the chance to see the magic from the audience for myself. Returning to Moscow proper August 15."

So...looks like no August 13 closing? Producers need to announce something ASAP.

That lady's original tweet was wonderful and is all what this case is about. Everything else was not necessary.

JBC3 said: "I have been a director of diversity and inclusion on both the college campus and in Fortune 100 companies for 20+ years.

Generally, the only people with the privilege of NOT looking at a situation through race when underrepresented populations are involved are those in the dominant majority.

That group in most cases is still white people, many of whom fail to understand what it means to be of their race if you ask the about being white.

And that is why for some this will always look like a situation in which a black man who prepared long and hard for a limited run in a part and was touted by producers was then removed because a white male happened to see the show and said, "hey I would like to do that." The producers jumped at the chance to give it to him despite his being age inappropriate, known to be difficult to work with, available for a very limited time, and likely to have done little of the preparation of the original actor.

This does not mean those not in the majority are automatically right or that they get a pass when other issues are involved. Nor does it mean that their perspectives can be dismissed by those who do not live their situation on a daily basis.


"

Except it seems like the more likely scenario is Mandy Patinkin is friends with Rachel Chavkin. He saw and liked the show. They asked him to step in because they desperately needed to stay afloat and he is a big enough name to do just that.

Honestly, how bad would it have been if they said right off the bat that they had money problems? I mean, it isn't great, but that sounds a heck of a lot better than their framing of it in the beginning.

Color counting is wrong- on both sides and on any side. Enough already. This constant cry of victimization by the black community- one that is not heard by the gay, Jewish, transgender or really any other minority with long histories of oppression- has actually hurt the black community at this point- the backlash is partly responsible for the rise of Donald Trump and those of his ilk. Did anyone cry out when Hamilton diversified? But the casting of Nina Simone's story was rife with racial undertones- I abhor any type of discrimination- but really- the constant cries of victimization- especially when they are not egregious- and racism is not helping to promote a colorblind society.

Updated On: 7/31/17 at 09:51 AM

JBC3 said: "And that is why for some this will always look like a situation in which a black man who prepared long and hard for a limited run in a part and was touted by producers was then removed because a white male happened to see the show and said, "hey I would like to do that."


This attitude prevents equality.

This is about a human being replaced by another human who is more famous. Happens as long as Broadway exists, to countless actors who prepared long and hard.

Hopefully, someday, these people will see human instead of race.

Updated On: 7/31/17 at 12:10 PM

On that last, it's putting the cart before the horse. If you want folks to see humans, you create equality.

On the rest, there was a way this could have been done that would have prompted only nominal posts. But you cannot fire a major role on Broadway and expect it to go down as if you were canning an underproducing analyst at a hedge fund.

Jaredinsc said: "This was purely a last ditch effort to keep the show going. It wasnt about race. This is one of the most diverse shows thats been on broadway."

I have to admit that all this talk of racism has me struggling to figure out what I'm missing in this story. If I correctly understand the sequence of events, ticket sales plummeted when Mr. Groban left and his replacement was simply not generating sufficient interest to keep the show afloat (the implication that The Great Comet has been merely a star vehicle all along is another matter, but one that also shocks me). I don't see how it was was "racist" to temporarily replace Oak with a bigger name who would arguably be more capable of filling the theatre (while also continuing to pay Oak, no less). Does anyone really believe they wanted Mr. Patinkin because he's white? He was cast because they thought he'd create interest in the show like Mr. Groban did.

Remember how Patti LuPone was replaced by Glenn Close at the last minute when Sunset Boulevard came to Broadway? Obviously there was no potential for a "racism" controversy there, but it nonetheless created a sh*t-storm when the producers concluded that Ms. Close was more likely to generate revenue.

Huss417 said: "BroadwayConcierge said: "This is the biggest mess I've ever seen in my life. Oh my God."

Pick up a newspaper. The...President I think has this beat."

You beat me to it; I was going to suggest that BroadwayConcierge have a look at The White House.