"Black actors in white roles"
"Black actors in white roles"
dompayne98
Swing Joined: 10/20/15
#1"Black actors in white roles"
Posted: 5/17/16 at 4:56pm
In my recent video, I discussed an "article" which discusses how black people shouldn't play "white" roles on Broadway. I am wondering if anyone else agrees with this is some ways. I personally disagree with this but would like to know other peoples thoughts and opinions. I do think though that there are black and white roles wit Pilar from Legally Blonde and Elder price in Book of Mormon.
Updated On: 5/17/16 at 04:56 PM
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#2Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/17/16 at 5:01pm
2 roles to play Abraham Lincoln & Martin Luther King.
Doubt it would work for either role with actors of the opposite race playing them.
Thoughts?
Poster Emeritus
KnewItWhenIWasInFron
Leading Actor Joined: 6/23/14
#3Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/17/16 at 5:03pm
That's not an "article." It's a trolling post. You probably wrote it. And pretty much everyone with a brain can agree it's ridiculous.
dompayne98
Swing Joined: 10/20/15
#4Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/17/16 at 5:07pm
I certainly didn't write that myself.
In cases like that, I totally agree with you there. I couldn't imagine a white martin. There are exceptions!
#5Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/17/16 at 5:14pm
It's still not an article. You really think blocks of text ON DATALOUNGE, OF ALL PLACES, are articles?
Also, googling your username brings up a link to "dirty snapchat friends," so good luck to you.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Dave19
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/11
#6Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/17/16 at 6:43pm
Unfortunately some people do not have the character to admit it, but yes, there are many roles that can not be played by a black or white actor. It works both ways.
We should celebrate and accept the difference between black and white. Because it is not the same. Just like old and young and tall and short are not the same.
#7Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/17/16 at 6:50pm
oh look who shows up every time racism is discussed, big shocker
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
#8Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/17/16 at 7:57pm
I was wondering if a black elder price or Cunningham could work.
My father (AIDS)
My sister (AIDS)
My uncle and my cousin and her best friend (AIDS, AIDS, AIDS)
The gays and the straights
And the white and the spades
¿Macavity?
Broadway Star Joined: 1/29/16
#9Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/17/16 at 8:05pm
Call_me_jorge said: "I was wondering if a black elder price or Cunningham could work.
"
I don't think it would be as funny, and that's kind of the point of the show, to be funny I mean. Part of the humor, I thought, was that they stood out so much by being Mormon, and being white. That may just be how I interpreted it though.
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#10Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/17/16 at 8:38pm
When Pearl Bailey played Dolly Gallagher Levi the audiences accepted the fact that she was black and sat back to enjoy one of the most remarkable makeovers in a musical.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
BroadMagTech
Broadway Star Joined: 5/9/15
#11Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/17/16 at 8:57pm
Black Sweeney Todd? Norm Lewis?
Sondheim_Disney1595
Understudy Joined: 1/18/15
#12Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/17/16 at 9:03pm
BroadMagTech said: Black Sweeney Todd? Norm Lewis?
Yes please! And it could be a Porgy reunion with Audra as Lovett!
#13Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/17/16 at 9:08pm
Renée Elise Goldsberry as Mrs. Lovett!
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
Wilmingtom
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
#14Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/17/16 at 10:07pm
Unless race is a plot point, it shouldn't matter what color the actors are.
#15Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/18/16 at 1:31am
LizzieCurry said: "It's still not an article. You really think blocks of text ON DATALOUNGE, OF ALL PLACES, are articles?
Also, googling your username brings up a link to "dirty snapchat friends," so good luck to you.
"
He's a teenage boy, I'd be more surprised if you didn't find porn linked to him.
#16Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/18/16 at 1:35am
KnewItWhenIWasInFron said: "That's not an "article." It's a trolling post. You probably wrote it. And pretty much everyone with a brain can agree it's ridiculous.
"
He's a 17-18 year old kid FFS. At least he's trying to discuss something, you don't have to tell him he's stupid. That's seriously messed up.
jiff
Chorus Member Joined: 1/29/12
#17Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/18/16 at 9:12am
If a person can capture the essence of a character, I don't care what color she is, let her do it. I've always wanted to see a black male play the governess role in a version of Henry James The Turn of The Screw. Maybe John Legend?
Updated On: 5/18/16 at 09:12 AM
TrChSpHa
Understudy Joined: 7/15/09
#18Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/18/16 at 9:35am
¿Macavity? said: "Call_me_jorge said: "I was wondering if a black elder price or Cunningham could work.
"
I don't think it would be as funny, and that's kind of the point of the show, to be funny I mean. Part of the humor, I thought, was that they stood out so much by being Mormon, and being white. That may just be how I interpreted it though."
I think a black Elder Price could absolutely work and would be an interesting spin on an already flawed character. Imagine the impact of him singing a lyric like, "And I believe that in 1978, God changed his mind about black people."
As far as white people playing "black roles," and vice-versa, I don't think it's a two-way street, first and foremost being that black actors and actresses aren't afforded the same opportunities -- and even fewer for Latino, Asian, and Arab actors.
henrikegerman
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/29/05
#19Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/18/16 at 9:50am
What does it say that some of us can accept the most outlandish things on stage, as well we should - verse, song, orchestral accompaniment, synchronized choreography, magic, the supernatural, science fiction, intended anachronism - but skin color jarring with our sense of who a character is? That's a challenge?
(And, no, I'm not talking about those cases where skin color might be a thematic concern; one which, in any case, might be honored either in the observance or the breach)
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#20Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/18/16 at 10:05am
When Pearl Bailey played Dolly Gallagher Levi the audiences accepted the fact that she was black and sat back to enjoy one of the most remarkable makeovers in a musical.
Um, the ENTIRE cast was also black so a black Dolly Levi didn't stand out with Pearl Bailey. Now, if Bailey played Dolly opposite a white Horace, then this would be grounds of discussion especially in the 1960s. Same scenario with the all-black casts of GUYS & DOLLS, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, etc. Things would be different if the cast was racially mixed but they weren't in these productions.
Then there's Toni Braxton as Belle in Disney's BEAUTY & THE BEAST where she was a black Belle with a white father, a white Gaston and a white Beast/Prince. At least she had a black Lumiere with Meshach Taylor.
#21Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/18/16 at 10:22am
Mr Roxy said: "2 roles to play Abraham Lincoln & Martin Luther King.
Doubt it would work for either role with actors of the opposite race playing them.
Thoughts?
"
Read about Kent State University's production of The Mountaintop.
#22Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/18/16 at 10:39am
In the words of Conan O'Brian, "Kent State just cast a white Martin Luther King. And they rewrote his speech to say, 'I have a dream... to one day see Coldplay live.'"
#23Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/18/16 at 11:38am
I've seen excellent productions of:
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? with an actor of color as Nick,
Hedda Gabler with an actor of color as Judge Brack,
The Beggar's Opera with an actor of color as Polly,
The Caine Mutiny Court Marshall with actors of color as Maryk, Southard, and Lundeen,
Lysystata with actors of color as Lysystrata and several others,
Anything Goes with actors of color as Reno Sweeney and others,
The Taming of the Shrew with actors of color as Petruchio and others,
And these productions were all at least 30 years ago. There have been many more since. Just get out there, folks - you'll see it happen. It's not cutting edge.
#24Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/18/16 at 12:10pm
Wilmingtom said: "Unless race is a plot point, it shouldn't matter what color the actors are.
Absolutely agree with this.
KnewItWhenIWasInFron
Leading Actor Joined: 6/23/14
#25Black Actors In WHite Roles & Vice Versa
Posted: 5/18/16 at 12:48pm
Hellob said: "KnewItWhenIWasInFron said: "That's not an "article." It's a trolling post. You probably wrote it. And pretty much everyone with a brain can agree it's ridiculous.
"
He's a 17-18 year old kid FFS. At least he's trying to discuss something, you don't have to tell him he's stupid. That's seriously messed up.
"
I have no idea how old he is and, in any case, that has no effect on the fact that color-conscious casting is widely accepted and the notion of "white roles" is offensive (even if the thread title has been altered to try to make it less so).
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