CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF coming back to Broadway with all-black cast- Page 6

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 8:00pm

Tripping over his teeth to play Brick...not in general terms. And Denzel is 52. He's closing in Big Daddy territory.

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 8:36pm

So now that I've read the entire thread, I'll put in my .02.
Great idea. I think the show could work as an all black cast, if they're good enough actors.
I think that's why I didn't like Brandy and Whitney's Cinderella. I kept on thinking, "He's white and she's black and he's asian." But that's for another thread...

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 8:54pm

Dear God, please don't let Halle Berry near this production. Beyonce Knowles is Sarah Bernhardt compared to her.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 9:09pm

I would not like to see Audra in this. I would love for it to have James Earl Jones if he is not busy, along with a cast of fresh faces!

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 9:19pm

It's a role she was

BORNNNNNN

to play!

[C is for Company]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 9:39pm

Oh please, around here Audra is born to play everything. Can't another brilliant talent have a chance at the role she probably will win her 5th or 6th tony for?

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 9:43pm

My reply was supposed to go after Bennett's.

[kyle.]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 10:30pm

I hope Audra is signing on the dotted line as we speak!

[D2]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 11:10pm

Blair Underwood is another one of those actors who would be tripping over his long teeth as Brick. "LA Law" was 20 years ago.

And as for Audra, I've already... oh never mind.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 11:11pm

Yeah, but is Audra McDonald even black?

[TonyaFanatic]

Posted: 1/4/07 at 11:22pm

^^^^That **** is funny.


Alright first of all, this would not be a "concept" show. It would be a legitimate , regular, piece of theater that happens to feature black actors.

Contrary to the consensus on this thread, black people were rich and well-off in the 1950s. They were rich before then. Why is it assumed that Brick has to be on an integrated football team? (i forgot the asshole's screenname that put this as a point of historical inaccuracy) Why couldn't he have just played for his black high school's team?

And yes, it would be DEAD WRONG to have a black Mama Rose because Gypsy Rose Lee was not black. This particular play could be done very well with white or black actors and make just as much sense.
Maybe the question isn't historical inaccuracy, maybe it's can a white audience accept seeing well-to-do blacks in the 1950s.

Things that make you go, "hmmmmm...."

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 12:44am

Audra McDonald might be appropriate yet way too predictable. She is not the only talented African-American actress in her age range. The idea of Anika Noni Rose is much more inspired and could make for a less-predictable yet inspiring casting.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 1:12am

Who will play the servants in the house?

[C is for Company]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 1:27am

The gays Or the white folk, who the hell knows? What it WILL be is interesting!

[theatahguy]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 1:37pm

I like the idea of Ruby Dee for Big Mama, but not so much the idea of Phylicia Rashad, who I absolutely adore. Perhaps it's just the productions I've seen, but Big Mama always comes off sort of silly (until her big scene near the end) and Ms. Rashad is anything but silly. She could eat Maggie & Brick & the rest of them for brunch. Altho, the idea of her screaming "A spastic colon!" repeatedly into a telephone is my idea of heaven!!

And if there is a God above, She needs to tell Chandra Wilson to get on this NOW!!!!!!! I'll personally buy out her contract on Grey's Anatomy. Dr. Bailey as Sister Woman...I think Imma black out *does*

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 1:43pm

I don't think Audra is enough of a sexual "siren" to play Maggie.


Sorry, but I don't.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 1:45pm

She might be able to get there with the right coaching/direction, Twelvy.

As far as Underwood, he still reads pretty young, unlike Washington.

[theatahguy]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 1:49pm

Maybe not, but I'd be first in line to watch her try.

I like someone else's suggestion of Sanaa Lathan. Sharon Leal is certainly siren-y enough--can she act? Anika Noni Rose is indeed brilliant, but I agree with whoever said she reads too young. Aw hell, bring Jennifer Holliday in to do it.

What about Lillias White as Big Mama, if she can be aged a bit.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 1:58pm

Thandie Newton and Taye Diggs. End o' story.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 1:59pm

Taye Diggs CANNOT ACT.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 2:03pm

Rath, Taye Diggs is a fantastic actor. Have you even seen his impersonation of a wooden table? Let's see Meryl Streep do that.

They should just use the cast from the recent RAISIN revival. And they can form the "Token All-Black Broadway Cast Troupe."

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 2:04pm

Rath, you are the one who suggested...Halle Berry?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 2:06pm

Halle Berry is no Meryl Streep, but she can act rings around Taye Diggs.

Hell, my goldfish can act rings around Taye Diggs.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 2:07pm

Rath, I know you are old and have been extremely out of the loop. Let me educate you. Wooden acting is the new method acting.

And the TABBCT can occasionally team up with other black actors like Tonya Pinkins and Shoshana Bean.

[robbiej]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 2:15pm

I saw Taye Diggs and Vera Farmiga in DUTCHMAN.

Taye Diggs can act.