Black versions of Musicals- Page 3

[DiamondGirl]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 9:26pm

I really like your thoughts, best12bars; I remember an earlier thread where I was jumped on for similar suggestions regarding racial lines, so it's cool to see someone else with similar ideas. Especially bringing white actors into the picture - is it so wrong that I adore Pacific Overtures?

Also, I think it's possible to use nontraditional casting in race-specific shows like Hairspray. Separation between races could be shown through costuming or something. No need to mess with appearance-altering makeup or anything - just a beautiful black Tracy, a lovely Latin Link, and a soulful white Seaweed.

[GhettoBway]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 9:40pm

Race reversal maybe for Hairspray

[iliketheater]

Posted: 12/10/05 at 1:36am

*THANK YOU Unmasked05*

... and on the record, i've seen an all-white production of 'The Wiz'; it was ok.

The thought of Dreamgirls being color blind baffles my mind. Just thought I'd put that out there.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 12/10/05 at 2:44am

With race and Wicked, n the book Wicked, Fiyero was dark skinned but I always pictured him more as Native American like his tribe, rather than black. Avaric I believe calls him the color of s**T. Seeing him as white on stage works though. Hes a very universal role that could be played by any race. Ditto for Elphaba. A black Glinda though would be interesting to say the least. But hey, with Derrick Williams doing the tour for almost a year and now coming to Broadway, its all good. I never undertood why Fiyero was cast as white. I really think they disneyfied Fiyero in a way because I am sure they decided on this before Norbert was cast.

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 12/10/05 at 10:36am

I don't care what color you are...if your right for the part then you'll get it..if your not then..your not...then there are shows where race does play a huge part and just shouldn't be messed with.

Haispray...is Historical Fiction..and if you change it, it wouldn't be the same.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/10/05 at 10:40am

iliketheater -- I agree.

When a major point of the show has to do with racial issues, non-traditional casting doesn't work. (Like "Dreamgirls," "Ragtime," "Show Boat," "Big River," "Hairspray," etc.)

The Wiz is a fantasy and the major point of the story is about a little girl trying find her way home. While I don't necessarily see white actors in these roles "comfortably," it wouldn't KILL the point of the show to have them there, any more than having a black actress play Ado Annie in Oklahoma!... or even better... have a black actress play Carrie in Carousel (aka, Audra McDonald in a Tony-winning performance in the last revival).

I'm for exploring non-traditional casting whenever possible though. But directors and producers need to look at the story and the point of their shows carefully and make a decision. There are human issues to consider, not blanket policies that can just be applied to every play or musical without thought. But if the story doesn't make a point about racial issues, I see no reason why non-traditional practices couldn't be employed.

Updated On: 12/10/05 at 10:40 AM

[Jon]

Posted: 12/10/05 at 10:57am

I agree - THE WIZ is a fantasy. Saying you CAN'T use white actors in THE WIZ is the same as saying you can't use black actors in THE WIZARD OF OZ.

The Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre (near Chicago) did a multi-racial production of THE WIZ about 15 years ago. Susan Moniz (who is Hispanic) was Dorothy. The Scarecrow was white, the Tinman and Lion were black, the ensemble featured every race.

[Broadway_Baby]

Posted: 12/10/05 at 11:29am

I once was in Grease with a black Sandy. She had a much better voice and was a better actress than anyone else that auditioned, so she got the part. It worked fine.