Ethnic Roles in Rent

[timote316]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:08pm

I know that the ethnic roles in Rent make it what it is, and make the show that much more powerful, but I was thinking. When the rights become available (which will be both a good and bad day lol), is it absolutely necessary for the ethnic roles?

I mean, yes, I know the inter-racial relationship between Maureen and Joanne makes it controversial to Joanne's parents, but is it really necessary storyline-wise? Couldn't Joanne (or Maureen) be played by a member of the opposite race? And does Collins (or Angel) have to be black too? I know Mimi has to be Spanish (or Spanish looking at least).

I'm not saying this to be racist or anything, I'm just sayin that I live in an area that isnt too diverse, but I'd love to see Rent put on around here. Any thoughts?

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:14pm

Aside from Mimi Marquez, Mark Cohen is the only other character in Rent that has a "definitive" specification by being Jewish. And from Scarsdale.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:16pm

It isn't teh interracial thing that is controversial to Joanne's parents.. it is the lesbian thing.....

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:42pm

gee, i didnt know that ethnicity mattered. they hired an african britsh lady to play a spanish chick. Updated On: 8/26/04 at 12:42 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:45pm

How can anyone be African-AMERICAN and British?

I've seen a white Tom Collins. It was a little weird at first, but ok. He just should have been costumed a little differently. He looked a bit like a white guy trying to be black.

[Delphine]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 12:53pm

If you look at photos from RENT in foreign countries, you'll see most of the characters are played by white people. The show seems to work well that way, no matter what your stance on the issue is.

Check it out:
http://www.angelfire.com/in2/everythingisrent/pics.html Updated On: 8/26/04 at 12:53 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 1:13pm

When Rent: Le Opera Rock was performed for the first time in French in Montreal this summer, they had a white JoAnne. Apparently the world did not come to an end as a result of this.

[staticradar]

Posted: 8/26/04 at 1:18pm

not to mention with as many standbys and understudies that go on as the characters things get changed around

Mark's Mom's been African American
Maureen's been Hispanic and African American

It just sometimes happens...Mimi's been just African American
Angel's been African American (When he's supposed to be Hispanic) and even a bit Asian looking...

You never know what you're gonna get at RENT...

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 8/27/04 at 12:58am

I just wish they did MORE ethnic (ie. colour-blind) casting in Rent. For a show that emphasizes diversity, I've always seen it with a white Roger, Mark, Angel, etc., and a black . As an Asian, I don't think it's necessary that they have just that one Asian chorus girl who plays....oh, forgot the name. But it would have been nice to see more racial mixing. An Asian Roger! A black Mark! A white Collins!

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 8/27/04 at 1:39am

I for one would love to see a black Roger. I think and R&B tone would make the part vocally very interesting, espeically "One Song Glory". I agree that I think it is too sterotyped for casting on Broadway and the tour. I wanna see some black Maureens, some Asian Joannes, some latino Collins, some white Bennys.

Akiva

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 8/27/04 at 1:46am

I swear, Jonathan Larson is probably rolling around in his grave, knowing what they've done to his beloved Rent....

[SammyGal]

Posted: 8/27/04 at 2:28am

I agree bluewizard.
It needs to get back on it's feet.

[Che2be]

Posted: 8/27/04 at 3:18am

I do agree that "some" parts in RENT could be interchanged with other ethnicites and it would still be effective. i wouldn't agree on having Angel or Mimi being played by a caucasian person.

Now- don't go getting all mad at me... but

Being a minority actor, I totally know how very FEW roles there are out there in musical theatre for minorities. Leading roles, at that! There are only a handful of "ethnic" roles on Broadway and producers and directors rarely ever "color blind" cast anything!!

RENT is one of the few gems that gives minority actors a chance.

Also- I think alot of the diversity in RENT is that there are all these actors, asian, white, black, hispanic, you name it.. in a community of artists. The more important issue, is that economical one. That we all face as artists. To either work doing something you love for a living.... or working just to make a living.

Robert Updated On: 8/27/04 at 03:18 AM

[StraightToHeaven]

Posted: 8/27/04 at 10:24am

It does say somewhere in the Rent book that they originally auditioned white people for Collins but found none suitable so changed it to black.

Che2be- I think Taye Diggs said something similar to what you said about being a minority actor in the book.

[Coondiggitydogg]

Posted: 8/27/04 at 10:38am

well if it makes anyone feel better i saw the national tour of Miss Saigon and the brother who is head of the Government was puerto rican trying to play asian. The guy was good but the effect wa a bit off

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 8/27/04 at 11:34am

That's funny. It's like they clump all ethnic actors together as one race. "Puerto Rican? That's practically Asian!"

[Coondiggitydogg]

Posted: 8/27/04 at 11:36am

yeah really. a past graduate of my school is korean and he was casted in Mamma Mia for mediterranean and now is in Bombay Dreams to play Indian

[Coondiggitydogg]

Posted: 8/27/04 at 11:37am

ohh yeah and i played othello once. I think i am the best white jewish kid to ever play othello

[Che2be]

Posted: 8/28/04 at 2:33am

Coondiggitydogg - that is actually really really funny, because one of my best friends is in that tour and he says that the producers have a really hard time finding asian actors. My friend is actually Mexican and he is Thuy's understudy- so he understudies the guy you are talking about.

I saw that show too, and that guy totally did not look asian whatsoever, and he had the thickest Mexican accent (because he is MEXICAN and NOT Puerto Rican!) But I give the brotha props- cause he acted very well and really commanded the attention of the audience..

Anyway- yeah... I would love to play a ton of roles, but I would probably never play them professionally because directors are so anal on casting color blind...

a funny story- In RENT I actually have gotten really really far into the audition process... I kepted getting called back for Angel, which if you look at me, I totally type for... But I swear, I think I am more of a Mark type person. But I wasn't even given the option to read for the part!

Robert

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 8/28/04 at 2:35am

I've seen an asian Tevye in Fiddler--anything is possible!