Diversity on Broadway- Page 3

[c0113g3b0y]

Posted: 10/11/15 at 11:14am

Showface said: "RaiseYouUp said: "I'm still waiting for there to be a black Glinda. That hasn't ever happened in any production of Wicked as far as I know. 

 

 

 

"

 

And you know what? This could have happened...I feel like they haven't had one due to the writing...aren't there some lines/lyrics that make it clear she is a white, blonde girl??? If that's the case, then that's the prime example of why we need writing that can be inclusive of all different people. 

if it doesn't affect the rhyme / beat, can't they just modify the lyrics? just like how in the 1997 Brandy cinderella they changed Norwegian princess to Egyptian princess and slave to thief.

"

 

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 10/11/15 at 3:05pm

"One of the frustrating things of being an actor of color is that traditionally, there is an unwritten rule that if the casting doesn't specifically state the ethnicity, the role is automatically someone Caucasian. I loved the casting in If/Then because the character that LaChanze played could be played by a woman from any race and it didn't automatically have to be someone white. In shows like that where race is not specific, I don't see why there can't be a Hispanic police officer or an Asian teacher.
 

That is an excellent  point and very true. Good luck in getting roles !!!

[rcwr]

Posted: 10/11/15 at 3:22pm

HeyMrMusic said: In the 2006 revival of Les Miz, Cosette was played by Ali Ewoldt. Her Marius was Adam Jacobs. Lea Salonga was Fantine during the run. Three Filipino principals at once in Les Miz! 

 

Thank you!

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 10/11/15 at 3:51pm

"Wow!  ON THE TOWN is 71 years old.  What has happened on Broadway from 1944 to 2015?  What long, proud tradition?  Broadway has taken five steps forward and in my book there is sooooooooooooooooooooo much further to gooooooooooooooooooo!"

I agree with you. I said I agreed with you.  I said the tradition was long and proud.  I didn't say it was thorough, complete or sufficient.

But, to your point, Osato's Ivy is not the only example of relative diversity on Broadway versus Hollywood in the last 70 years.   Far too little, yes - but still relative to Hollywood, impressive.

Diahann Carroll and Richard Kiley and Diana Sands and Alan Alda played opposite each other in the 60s in shows (No Strings and The Owl and the Pussycat) which were not about interracial relationships.  How often - IF EVER - do we see that from Hollywood - even today?

 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 1:31pm

I believe Glinda is referred to as blonde. A black, Asian, or Hispanic woman can be blonde. Can easily be done without changing any lyrics.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 4:39pm

Galinda's blondness is the first punchline in the song LOATHING; having an unnaturally blonde-wigged Galinda that doesn't match her ethnic type would surely ruin the joke:
 

[Both:]

There's been some confusion
Over rooming here at Shiz.

[Elphaba:]
But, of course, I'll care for Nessa.

[Galinda:]
But, of course, I'll rise above it.

[Both:]
For I know that's how you'd want me to respond.
Yes, there's been some confusion
For you see, my roommate is...

[Galinda:]
Unusually and exceedingly peculiar
And altogether quite impossible to describe...

[Spoken - Elphaba:]
Blonde.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 4:50pm

In that scene, "blonde" basically plays into the stereotype of a vapid young blonde woman. It doesn't need to be a wig. It could be highlights or dye. I went to school with a girl who was Asian American but fit into the stereotype of a "dumb blonde" and people did call her that (unironically) behind her back. She did have blonde highlights for part of the year, but that was just kind of an extra bonus...

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 7:30pm

LizzieCurry said: "In that scene, "blonde" basically plays into the stereotype of a vapid young blonde woman. It doesn't need to be a wig. It could be highlights or dye."

Most Glindas typically wear blonde wigs anyways. I think for someone with a darker skin tone they could darken the blonde a little to make it blend better.

Updated On: 10/12/15 at 07:30 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 8:55pm

Well, Wicked is a terrible example. They've done plenty of non-traditional casting in their main roles and their ensemble. Glinda is based on a character from a story and a famous movie. So... yeah I'm sure she'll stay white. It's nothing to do about race and more to do with what the audience is expecting and not taking them out of the story. 

I think there's a ton of diversity on Broadway/theater. As an actor, I see so many various people at auditions and getting casting in shows. And let's not forget the amount of gay/lesbian actors working today who are playing "straight" roles. That's diversity. Diversity isn't just the color of the skin. 

Theatre/Musical Theatre is a VERY talent based thing. Movies/tv are different. But I think in theater at least that talent will prevail. I don't think it's really diversity if it's just 'Hey, we haven't had a black Spiderman. Let's have one." Much like Matt Damon said on Project Greenlight, talent should be the focus. Maybe that's another argument, but that's how I feel. 

We had a Tupac musical. C'mon. 

Also, how would you all feel about having a white Aladdin? Would people freak out? Or a white Hamilton? 

Updated On: 10/12/15 at 08:55 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 9:11pm

We had a Tupac musical.

[Showface]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 9:35pm

" So... yeah I'm sure she'll stay white. "

 

Well, that sucks. 

 

 

"Much like Matt Damon said on Project Greenlight, talent should be the focus."

 

And because of the nature of his statement, he caused great controversy and issued an apology.

 

 

"Also, how would you all feel about having a white Aladdin? Would people freak out? Or a white Hamilton?"

 

People can and will be rightfully upset--there is no double standard when it comes to this

 

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 9:36pm

WHITE EFFIE 

[Showface]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 9:39pm

 

WHITE MARTIN LUTHER KING!!!! Much like Hamilton, there can be King

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 9:40pm

I'm just playing devil's advocate. I'm all for diversity. Actually surprised we never had a black Donna in Mamma Mia? I actually think that'd be kind of awesome. 

 

"And because of the nature of his statement, he caused great controversy and issued an apology."

Only because a bunch of people freaked out. I don't see what was wrong with his statement? It's a show about finding the best director? You shouldn't hire someone based on "oh we should hire a gay person" "Oh, we haven't a black girl yet" I think that's stupid. Pick the best one for the job. Makes sense to me. 

[Showface]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 9:42pm

The problem with the "talent argument" is it automatically defaults that white people are the more talented. The thing is, if it were all about talent, then there wouldn't even need to be a discussion on diversity right now.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 9:44pm

 I don't think you were playing devil's advocate, tho.  

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 10:34pm

RippedMan said: "I'm just playing devil's advocate. "

 

You know who never needs an advocate?

Updated On: 10/12/15 at 10:34 PM

[rcwr]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 10:37pm

Well said, LizzieCurry.

Devil's advocate is pretty much just trolling.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 11:47pm

Well not really. But as a white male, it does get frustrating. Sorry, it does. 

"The problem with the "talent argument" is it automatically defaults that white people are the more talented. The thing is, if it were all about talent, then there wouldn't even need to be a discussion on diversity right now."

And no that's not at all what I'm saying. But I think making something entirely about race is just stupid. If it's between a white girl and an asian girl and to say "Well, let's go with the Asian so we don't upset people" seems silly, no? Go with who you think is the best fit for the role. 

I have no casting authority so I can't say what is what, but I think there is a good deal of diversity on Broadway. What are some shows that are ALL white? I feel like most shows are mixed, which is awesome. 

[rcwr]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 11:50pm

But as a white male, it does get frustrating. Sorry, it does. 

 

Nowhere near as frustrating as it does for people who aren't white and/or male.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 11:54pm

RippedMan said: "But I think making something entirely about race is just stupid. "

 

Indeed.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/12/15 at 11:58pm

Kad said: "You don't need to do a lot of "picking" shows based on your racial background because the default racial assumption in this country is white. White people have and will continue to have an extremely diverse set of media representing them, while other races take supporting roles or become niche markets (i.e. Tyler Perry films, for which African American audiences turn out in droves). 

 

Representation in media matters for people in miniority groups- be it race, gender, sexuality, body type, disability. Hell, it took the Emmys until this year- their 67th ceremony-  to award an woman of color Best Actress in a Drama Series. "

 

You know, I'd stayed away from this thread because as expected, it generally went the way such threads go on BWW, but I decided to skim through it tonight. Thanks for saying this, Kad, and I feel like you need to be quoted again.

 

Sincerely, an Asian American who grew up not wanting to see Asian American representation in media because it was often so awful that I'd rather see nothing

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 10/13/15 at 12:00am

Even if most shows, are "mixed" in terms of race, how many shows have people of color in leading roles? Yeah, it's nice to have a diverse ensemble, but it means considerably more in terms of visible representation if the people in leading roles are non-white. 

And as far as this hypothetical about evenly matched white and Asian actors, what is so wrong with purposefully giving a minority actor a part? Statically, the white actor has cosiderably more chances to get cast in leading roles, so it's a good thing to purposefully provide those opportunities. It's very easy to say there are few viable leading actors of color if no one bothers to give them the opportunity in the first place. 

 

And and as a white gay man, as nice as it is to see gay actors not being forced to play stereotypes and nothing else, it's not really comparable to racial diversity. It's not that the industry doesn't still have bigoted people, but it's fairly ridiculous to talk about diversity of gay male representation in an industry that is heavily dominated by white gay men. While sexual minorities share some struggle with racial minorities, to look at them as the same thing is to be ignorant of the unique struggles faced by people of color. 

Updated On: 10/13/15 at 12:00 AM

[Showface]

Posted: 10/13/15 at 12:03am

rcwr said: "But as a white male, it does get frustrating. Sorry, it does. 

 

 

 

Nowhere near as frustrating as it does for people who aren't white and/or male.

 

"

THIS 

 

[leefowler]

Posted: 10/13/15 at 12:16am

You're correct when you say there are hardly any non-white people in leading roles on Broadway.

 

Well, except for Aladdin, Allegiance, Amazing Grace, The Book Of Mormon, Hamilton, The King And I, Kinky Boots, The Lion King, and On Your Feet. Oh, and Shuffle along which is opening soon.

 

Except for those, there's hardly any.