Posted: 4/2/15 at 11:58pm
I am directing a production of Gyspy and I am about to cast an African American women as Mama Rose. I know she is based on a real person who is white, but no one who was white was good enough for the role. Is it ok to cast her and make her African American or should I cast a white actress? Thank you
Posted: 4/3/15 at 12:04am
Leslie Uggams recently played Rose in Connecticut.
Posted: 4/3/15 at 12:17am
If no white actress was truly qualified, what exactly is there to decide? Are you looking for us to give you permission? If we said, no it's not OK, would you cast an unqualified white actress and doom your production just because of what a bunch of strangers on some theater board said? You're the director... take ownership of your production and do what you feel is necessary to ensure it is the most successful production possible.
Posted: 4/3/15 at 12:25am
oh my goodness Fisherman, maybe she just wants another opinion. Nothing wrong with that. But I guess it really depends on a lot. Mama Rose also has 2 daughters which is something to think about. It is hard to cast families, and make everybody look like a real family, but who cares I say cast her! Its theatre!
Posted: 4/3/15 at 12:31am
Who cares? It's theatre?
Putting the original question aside, that has to be the STUPIDEST answer to any question ever given on this message board. Saying "who cares, it's just theater" is offensive on so many levels. I've avoided taking any shots at this Pinto child but I can't anymore. You say "Who cares! It's just theatre! No need to for any sense of realism or continuity! Just have fun!" It's no wonder there's not one person on here who thinks you have any sense at all.
Posted: 4/3/15 at 12:35am
I'm black and I'm ok with it, even if she is the only black person in the cast. I'm an opera lover as well and this isn't even a question that is raised, people of all races are cast everywhere.
Posted: 4/3/15 at 12:35am
Of course you'll cast the best actor in the role regardless of her color. She's not playing "a black woman," she's playing Rose. It may take some in your audience a couple minutes to adjust to the fact that she's a different color than her daughters may be, but it's much more rewarding than spending the entire show with a Rose who isn't effective in the role.
Posted: 4/3/15 at 12:41am
wtf are you talking about Jordan?? I am all for the best actor getting the role regardless of their color. I don't really give a crap what anyone looks like on the stage. Its theatre for crying out loud-when you go see The lion king, do you actually see real lions? Its called PRETEND. Get some imagination for god sake. That honestly has to be one of the most ridiculous comments anyone has ever said to me on here seriously.
Posted: 4/3/15 at 1:05am
Black Mama Rose is my new band name. Thanks, original poster.
Posted: 4/3/15 at 1:11am
Every time the Pinto types--the hole just keeps getting deeper.
Posted: 4/3/15 at 1:22am
Sweetlips, what is your deal? You seem to come on this board just to bother me instead of wanting to talk about theatre. I did absolutely NOTHING to dig any hole deeper
Posted: 4/3/15 at 1:38am
I did end up casting the black actress. She is best for the role. Also, Phillypinto I'm a man.
Updated On: 4/3/15 at 01:38 AM
Posted: 4/3/15 at 1:56am
Pinto, how rude, automatically assuming gender. We are in 2015.
Posted: 4/3/15 at 2:56am
There is talking about theatre and just talking to hear you own voice--you figure out which is you and to who[m?] I am speaking.
