First African American Annie on Broadway- Page 2
First African American Annie on Broadway
#25re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 11:56am
It would definitely add a weight to the show that usually doesn't exist. Miss Hannigan would be the slave owner, etc. Could actually be quite a, no pun intended, dark Annie.
Updated On: 6/21/05 at 11:56 AM
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
#26re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 11:56amHow about Eartha Kitt as Hannigan?
#27re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 11:57amSkinner would be a great Hannigan. You know, if she actually showed up.
#28re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 12:00pm
Bobby, if that weren't true, I'd slap you. 
Actually, her attendance has gotten much better these past few years.
magruder
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#29re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 12:03pm
The original was an incredible production - I agree, Morosco. And it gets a bum rap here, but it was a complete joy. The show's reputation has been damaged by the terrible 20th anniversary production, the terrible John Huston film, the slightly less terrible, but still terrible TV movie, and terrible amateur productions. Hoping that the show gets a first-class revival one of these days.
As far as a black Annie - why not? Annie only wore the trademark dress and the red fright wig in the last scene, for those who are getting hung up on that image. For that matter, the Annie in the original comic strip didn't have eyeballs, so that doesn't mean you need an eye-less young actress to play the part.
#30re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 12:03pmEmily is too young for that role. I'm not sure that anyone would want to play that role since the original, Dorothy Loudon and the revival, Nell Carter both died recently. Ahhhh... they will be missed!
#31re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 12:06pm
So cute. Being an avid Annie fan I must say that hopefully Annie will be back in New York after the tour. The show has a bad rep because of the publicity following the 20th Anniversary Revival.
Actually one of the orphans from that original revival was actually up for the title role. Lyndsey Watkins was picked, along with Joanna Pacitti, from Philly to go to New York for the final auditions. Lyndsey didn't get the title role, nor never covered it. She grew out of the show shortly into the run.
I personally don't think there would nor should be any problems with the idea of a black orphan. If I can remember correctly Cassiady Ladden who played Pepper in the revival wore glasses, Martin actually liked the idea, and had braces.
I can't say that I am opposed, either, to an all black cast of Annie. Then again I'd love to play Effie but that is never going to happen.
Dreams DO come true....
Dan
Updated On: 6/21/05 at 12:06 PM
#32re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 12:07pmEmily is 35. Dorothy was 44 when she played the role. If the hypothetical 2007 revival happened, Emily would be 37. It's not a really big difference. Plus, Emily can look and sound older than she is.
#33re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 12:10pmDidn't a recent Annie tour also feature a man in drag playing Hannigan?
#34re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 12:18pmCharles Busch would make a great Hannigan.
#35re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 12:19pmNo that was just Sally Struthers.
Broadway_freak
Broadway Star Joined: 11/4/04
#36re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 12:30pmI would love to see a black Annie! She may not be the first one on broadway, but he could always settle for the tour!
#37re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 1:21pmI hope her dream comes true!
Chevstriss
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/30/03
#38re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 1:32pm
Even if the entire rest of the cast was Whitey McWhitester, I dont think audiences in this millenium would bat an eyelash at an African-American Annie.
There are shades of red that can look natural on black people. And as for as the "no black orphans in a white orphanage", well, the show is based on a comic strip, not a historical biography.
I don' believe even the dumbest tourist would give this situation more than a "hmmmm".
broadwaystar2b
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/28/04
#39re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 1:45pm
That might be the only production of Annie I'd ever want to see
Keep dreaming Ms.Jackson!!! 
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#40re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 1:49pm
No, it wasn't Sally Struthers, it was ME!
"EASY STREET
THAT'S WHERE I'M GONNA
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
magruder
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#41re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 1:56pmCheyenne Jackson mentioned at the Theatre World Awards that as a child, he told his mom he was going to be the first boy to play Annie. Perhaps it's time for a 6'3" male Annie.
#42re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 1:58pm
aww that's so cute.
I remember watching a behind the scenes on Destiny's Child and Beyonce played someone like that. I can't remember what part it was..may be it was Annie, no I don't think so. Darn, I can't remember her part.
Mimi Imfurst
Broadway Star Joined: 10/9/04
#43re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 2:25pmwe're going to see an annie revival within 3 years.
Millie42
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/19/04
#44re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 6/21/05 at 2:33pm
I think its certainly a possibility.... I dont think anyone would have a problem with it nowadays!
I must admit I am a big fan of the TV version (MmmVictor Garber) and it was good to see Audra McDonald in that!
I think I read about this little girl last year in an NC paper. Her family essentially did everything they could for her. Her mom moved up to NYC to a tiny apt. If I was that young and wanted to do this I would have been met with stares and laughter!
#45re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 10/6/05 at 3:15pm
My name is Daryl and my daughter Janae truly appreciates many of your responses. In response to JimmyoJimmy, Janae can truly Sing!
#46re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 10/6/05 at 4:04pmThe tour opens here in Denver in about a week for a one week run at the Buell.
Fosse76
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
#47re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 10/6/05 at 4:26pm
"A black girl's mother sued the producers of "Annie" because she was the best in the room and they didn't hire due to her race. "
This is why I can't stand that show (Boston Legal). I don't oppose a black Annie at all (though why ANYONE would want to be in that show is beyond me), but there is an exception in the anti-discrimination laws to prevent such lawsuits (it's the authenticity exception). On that note, I don't see why her hair has to be red anyway.
Updated On: 10/6/05 at 04:26 PM
BwayTheatre11
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/03
#48re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 10/6/05 at 5:05pm
Deemanster, welcome!
Jon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
#49re: First African American Annie on Broadway
Posted: 10/6/05 at 5:49pm
Right now, August Wilson is spinning in his grave (or in the funeral home - has he been buried yet?)
Wilson was famously AGAINST so-called "non-traditional casting". He felt the idea of a black Bob Cratchit in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, for example, was ridiculous.
Wilson believed that the best way to have more African Americans represented on stage was to encourage African-American playwrights to create more plays that truly depict the African-American experience, and to encourage more theatres to present these plays.
Instead of black actors complaining about the roles they can't have, white actors should feel bad that THEY can't be in plays like FENCES and THE PIANO LESSON.
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