CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF coming back to Broadway with all-black cast- Page 4

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 3:55pm

If it's an all-black cast for this show, then it's a "concept show," and you don't to worry about historical accuracy or appropriateness. There is an understood, known "theatrical perspective" before you even walk through the door.

Personally, I think it's a GREAT idea, and some of the names mentioned in this thread get me really excited about the possibilities.

I would LOVE to see James Earl Jones as Big Daddy, Mary Alice as Big Mama (reuniting the Tony-winning "Fences" stars) and Halle Berry as Maggie... hot! Or how about Phylicia Rashad as Big Mama? Or Charles S. Dutton as Big Daddy?

I have no doubt that a glittering "box office friendly" cast could be assembled for this... and it would probably be a big highlight of the season.

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 3:59pm

"There is not difference between a black person and a white person except in the color of their skin"


I know what you mean by this Fenchurch, but really, there are many major differences when you take cultural backrounds into account.

being a racist free world is a wonderful, however quixotic view. there will always be different races of people, therefore there will always be racism. It will always exist, but the problem is not racism. the problem is ignorant people making ignorant statements like "the blacks have thier plays and we have ours." (I don't know what race tobesureof is, so who knows who that pronoun is including)

Updated On: 1/4/07 at 03:59 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:00pm

Will Bernie Telsey be casting this?

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:01pm

Telsey hates blacks.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:03pm

I thought he only hated black singers.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:04pm

LOL brilliant

[AC126748]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:05pm

I love the idea of Charles S. Dutton as Big Daddy. While I'm sure James Earl Jones would be amazing, it just seems too predictable.

Tonya Pinkins would've been one hot bag of crazy as Maggie, and she probably would've been brilliant. I'd like to see Sanaa Lathan or Roslyn Ruff in the role.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:06pm

I was on a show Dutton was in. He's not fun. And loves to show up at about 7:58, with understudy in costume. I don't know how many producers would hire him.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:07pm

How 'bout Jasmine Guy?

[AC126748]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:08pm

Will the doorman be frisking her nightly?

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:09pm

Just to create some more discussion:

If it's an all-black cast for this show, then it's a "concept show," and you don't to worry about historical accuracy or appropriateness. There is an understood, known "theatrical perspective" before you even walk through the door.

What if they did RAISIN with an all white cast as a "concept show."

I don't feel one way or the other about this (CAT), as long as the actors do their job.

Oh, and can we PLEASE all agree that it is spelled ridiculous. NOT rediculous.
Updated On: 1/4/07 at 04:09 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:12pm

"I was on a show Dutton was in."

The visual this calls up is marvelous.

[little_sally]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:13pm

I LOVE the idea of Mos Def as Brick. I've been really impressed by his acting in the past.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:15pm

BSoBW2, come now... let's not be radiculous.

And I'm still waiting for an all-white "I Am Not Misbehaving."


tobeveryafraidof---You did NOT just say "normal."

Updated On: 1/4/07 at 04:15 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:19pm

BSoBW2 is right! They have their shows and we have our shows.

Don't make me a "we." I haven't been a "we" since my Bar Mitzvah. Surprise.

That's not even what I said. Man, you can't even twist words the right way. Please, don't get involved with politics.


b12 - sorry. But I think that is the most commonly misspelled word around here.

The new MOZILLA has a spell check as you go. Please consider it!

And I'm still waiting for an all-white "I Am Not Misbehaving."

As long as Andre de Shields can do it, I'm there. (Oh, and Little Nell could take over for the other Nell.) Updated On: 1/4/07 at 04:19 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:19pm

And I'm still waiting for an all-white "I Am Not Misbehaving."

That can play in rep with "Mother Rainey's Heavily Tanned Buttocks".

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:20pm

Who's singing MEMORY?

[Kringas]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:23pm

Why is it that the notion of all-black productions drives some people so nuts? Do the people who find this appalling really think we live in a world where the playing ground is equal for white and blacks? Is it really that difficult to grasp why there might be a call for an all-black Cat and not a call for an all white Raisin? And yes, I realize Raisin was a facetious example, but a lot of the responses on this thread are not.

[WalkOn]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:25pm

I didn't know CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF was about race realtions?

I thought it was about latent homosexuality, bedroom politics and monetary avarice - Clearly topics african-american actors can't convey on stage! (for those of you too thick - I'm being facetious.)

Man, have I been reading it wrong!!!

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:28pm

Just to clarify - my response to b12b was about the concept of "concept shows."

I know that it is still jarring for people to accept Norm Lewis in Les Mis. But, really...

I'm more against the idea of "all-white" or "all-black" for the sake of ownership. If the purpose is to find the underlaying themes in all of us - imagine a white Caroline (I'm being somewhat facetious here) - then I think it's acceptable. But if someone wants to reverse the races as a gimmick - I think it is extremely demeaning to the original work.
Updated On: 1/4/07 at 04:28 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:36pm

tobesureof,

I just got off the phone with God and She wanted me to tell you that She will smite you if you continue to invoke Her name.

Updated On: 1/4/07 at 04:36 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:38pm

Yes, tobesure. I got your wonderful PMs.

There is no "we." There is no "them." It's just people.

[gustof777]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:51pm

lol i love you Margo

[AC126748]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 4:55pm

Anybody else think this could be the next tenant at the Cort?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 6:14pm

Denzel Washington - Brick
James Earl Jones - Big Daddy