Black Glinda? — Page 6

I, personally, would be a little bit taken aback, because it's not as if there isn't already an enormous abundance of roles for white people. And even when it comes to roles with an unspecified race, nine times out of ten, it will be cast with a white actor. So it would seem a little unnecessary to have an "all-white show", but I wouldn't be in an uproar. I would just sigh and go audition for THE WIZ for the thirteenth time.

I'm white and personally would be upset if I went to the Wiz (or when I go to see The Wiz) and saw a white person in the cast....

Get on with it Des, dammit (who, coincidentally, is white)

Okay...I've seen plenty of black women with blond hair. Sure it may not be their real hair color. Who cares? If she can play the part, let her have it.

If Glinda were a historical person, we would have to keep it to a certain race. If she obviously were of a certain nationality, we would have to stick to that. But c'mon, what diference does it make?

But you do see what I mean? I'm not saying YOU necessarily, but I often encounter this situation with friends, at school, work, etc. I, for one, consider myself to be open minded and not racist at all. I am very passionate about racial issues because it is such a controversial thing and many people consider themselves open minded when really, they are racist themselves. There's no doubt that many people today still are racist - denying that would be ridiculous. But this is something about racism that really really does annoy me. And don't take this the wrong way, TRUST me, it's not meant maliciously. Often times when dicsussing racial inequalities, African-Americans are the first to call foul in a situation, whether there may really be an issue or not isn't up for me to decide - but often when AA's call out others for being racist, they absolutely refuse to admit that they, themselves are racist towards white people. I have encountered this many times and will never understand the logic behind it. I didn't explain that very well, I know, but do you get the jist of what I'm saying?

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What if it were verbally said that Glinda be white - even though it isn't in the script.....get me?

Just to clear the air, let me say: I ADMIT IT! I'm slightly racist towards white people! ("Everyone's a little bit racist...") I'm even racist towards black people! A lot of black people frighten me! I have, like, two black friends because... let's just say that the majority of black people in my area are not people that I would want to associate with. I try not to, but I sometimes approach a white person and immediately think that they are prejudiced against me. I only do this because too often have I approached a white person and thought that they looked at me equally and was proven wrong later.

But I love everyone here! I am not against any of you!

Oh God, please don't kill me.

And if in the script, Elphaba (or someone) explicitly said that Glinda is white, then that's fine. For example, if she said, "Glinda is the whitest girl I've ever met" or if she compared her green skin to Glinda's white skin, then I can understand. But I don't think that happens anywhere in the show.

Updated On: 2/2/05 at 12:19 AM

And if in the script, Elphaba (or someone) explicitly said that Glinda is white, then that's fine. For example, if she said, "Glinda is the whitest girl I've ever met" or if she compared her green skin to Glinda's white skin, then I can understand. But I don't think that happens anywhere in the show.

no, it doesn't. which means that glinda can be played by ANYONE. but in the script, it does say that glinda is blonde. so no matter what color she is, she still must be blonde.

Updated On: 2/2/05 at 12:23 AM

Well, Pink is the new black...and a black person wouldn't say it.....bronxexpress moment lol

Hold on... one more idea.

I would love to see Audrey of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS played by a black actress. One that could make a really definitive difference (vocally) between meek, quiet Audrey in the first act and liberated, soulful Audrey during/after "Suddenly, Seymour". Just something I've thought about for a while.

GOOD NIGHT!

I see where you are going with that Josh....

but there is actually a point to the racial casting of LSOH - an OBVIOUS point...

but they could be ethnocentric.

This is actually a reall interesting question.

Honestly, at first I was like "No way! That could never work!!!" But the more I think about it, the more I think it could work. If she has the right vocals and the acting chops why not.

Theres no blonde black women? Hello! Can someone say BEYONCE! Ha. Yes, yes I know, not naturally blonde but it works for her. (I am NOT suggesting Beyonce should play G(a)linda!!!)

I actually think it might add some humor to the "Blonde..." line. It reminds me of when I saw Adam and a very pregnant Daphne singing "Light my Candle" at Kean. Adam sang "You look like your...16?"

I don't want to get to deep into this debate because no matter what people will disagree. But I will say this. If the role specifies a certain race, then thats how they should be cast. If nothing is certain about it, as far as I am concerned, everything is far game.

Also, casting is done not only by skill but appereances. If they aren't a certain height, weight, age, or just doesn't "look right." Not saying its right or wrong just pointing it out.

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let me begin by stateing that this is ridiculous. ok, i feel better.

Alright, now I think that a black Glinda would NEVER be acceptable* in Wicked. In Wizard of Oz, it would be nontraditional, but acceptable, but in Wicked, never:

As a black woman, Glinda would stand out as different or exceptional- which she is not. She is not supposed to be outstanding in any way. She is rich, bubbly (pun) and popular, but we all went to high school with the same girl who turned into the trailer park princess. That's Glinda.

She does, however, change in the end, but if performed by a black woman, it would almost appear that Glinda was predisposed to change, as if it were easier for her to change than others because she was already different. This is entirely missing the point as well. Glinda's change needs to seem extraordinary, you know? Like this rich untalented mediocre girl really decided to make something of herself? To go against her own (white, rich, powerful) people?

Now, Elphaba is a different story. Black is so powerful for her. To endure the hardship of green is much like it was being black in our world of days gone by (and some still today). This would make Glinda's change even better, actually, that she would befriend a defend a green (black) girl against the mass public?

See, I'm not racist, but it just wouldn't work. It's really important. It's kind of the point.

*For those that noticed this "*", I did say that it would NEVER work for Glinda to be black, but there is ONE case and that is if all cast members were black except Elphaba as the only white character. That's all I can think of.