Huffington Post on In the Heights non-Latino Casting - Page 2

[alightinthedark23]

Posted: 12/24/09 at 7:12pm

According to the dictionary, Hispanic can be defined as:

1. Of or relating to Spain or Spanish-speaking Latin America.
2. Of or relating to a Spanish-speaking people or culture.
n.
1. A Spanish-speaking person.
2. A U.S. citizen or resident of Latin-American or Spanish descent

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 12/24/09 at 7:30pm

The article seems much ado about nothing. I mean why isn't anyone writing stories about hardworking triple threats losing parts to Ashley Simpson and Melanie Griffith. That is more disturbing to me.

Personally, ITH is one of my least favorite musicals. You could cast Zac Efron as Usnavi and I wouldnt care. Maybe Doris Roberts as Abeula Claudia-that might bring me back.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 12/24/09 at 7:55pm

alightinthedark23, I think Lizzy meant that Spanish specifically refers to a citizen of Spain. Just because they speak Spanish in Latin America doesn't make them Spanish. You wouldn't call an American, Canadian, or Australian "English," would you?

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 12/24/09 at 7:58pm

So does this mean I can now audition for Benny?!!?

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 12/24/09 at 8:03pm

I just saw a University production of RENT where Joanne, Benny, Mimi and Tom Collins were all Caucasian. It was jarring at first, but I got over it. All the of kids were talented so I forgot about what I previously believed about the race of characters.

[bwayfascination]

Posted: 12/24/09 at 8:18pm

The Huffington Post thing is just silly. It starts with the premise that the show's promotion is based on the cast being Latino. That is not the basis of the show's promotion, and the author knows that. The author is trying to create controversy just to have something to say. Which is why I never read the Huffington Post and the rest of that junk.

[AlfieByrne]

Posted: 12/24/09 at 9:15pm

To the poster who said that Billy Elliot should be played by a white boy:

Why? Yes, there are historic references, but where in the show does it state anything about Billy's ethnicity/cultural background?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/24/09 at 10:45pm

"It was jarring at first, but I got over it"

But it shouldn't be "jarring" at all. It shouldn't take you out of the story and make you sit there and wonder "wait a second, WHAT?!" and not pay attention to what's happening on the stage. I could go and see Lady GaGa, Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken do DREAMGIRLS and I'm sure they would sing the sh*t out of it, but are they right for the roles? No. Why? Duh. This is a ridiculous argument and nobody really seems to have the balls to just say what's too "Un-PC" to say. A Billy who is not white with a brother who is white makes you wonder who else Mama Elliot had been sleeping with and did his father know..? If it's not in the story than don't make the audience wonder about it, this just seems common sense to me!

There are plays and musicals galore where it doesn't matter and it's fine. I quite enjoyed the recent CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. Would I have enjoyed it as much if Anika and Terrance had played opposite John Goodman and Kathy Bates? Not so much. And why? Because it would take you out of the story and not make any sense!

This is a non winning argument though because saying anything against this type of casting will automatically make you look bad but really...I don't care. I think it's a legitimate argument, personally.

[JP2]

Posted: 12/24/09 at 10:58pm

Holy ****, I want to see Kelly and Gaga sing Dreamgirls.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/24/09 at 10:59pm

I know, right?! lol

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 12/24/09 at 11:59pm

The only reason an all-white RENT was initially jarring was because of what I had previously known cast-wise. It had nothing to do with how the characters are written. I don't think Larson needed any certain races to play any of those parts.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 12:03am

"The only reason an all-white RENT was initially jarring was because of what I had previously known cast-wise. It had nothing to do with how the characters are written. I don't think Larson needed any certain races to play any of those parts."

I get what you mean. If I saw a Caucasian Mimi sing "...where the Spanish babies cry," I would be like "wait what?"

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 12:07am

A Caucasian Mimi could have the last name Marquez for many reasons. Why couldn't she live in a neighborhood with Spanish babies?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 12:18am

Sigh. I don't really have the strength to get into another extended debate on this, but if blacks and latinos were not given roles that aren't racial accurate, you'd see a lot fewer - a LOT fewer - blacks and latinos on stage.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 12:19am

Sigh. I don't really have the strength to get into another extended debate on this, but if blacks and latinos were not given roles that aren't racial accurate, you'd see a lot fewer - a LOT fewer - blacks and latinos on stage.

Also, Mimi IS Hispanic, unless her mother just speaks spanish for the hell of it.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 12:35am

The only reason an all-white RENT was initially jarring was because of what I had previously known cast-wise. It had nothing to do with how the characters are written. I don't think Larson needed any certain races to play any of those parts.

Exactly the reason I had that reaction when I saw a white guy play John in a community theatre production of Miss Saigon. (But he was fine.)

As for everything else, everyone just listen to Phyllis! Mele kalikimaka...

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 1:31am

Jordan Catalano - I agree completely. I've had problems with this casting since the minute it was announced. It's stupid! The show is about Latin people! Why cast someone who isn't of that ethnicity as the title character? It makes no sense and will only confuse the audience. And...if you don't have a problem with it then I'm sorry, but I just don't understand you :)

[philly03]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 1:39am

I had a problem with the casting of Janet Dacal as Alice in Wonderland, and people immediately called me a racist for it. The point I have, and the point I'll say again: If you're expecting a blonde, blue-eyed girl and that's the character, how is that true to the source? Same here, if your going to say this show is all about casting good Latinos and then you don't cast a Latino as a lead none-the-less, what's the point in keeping everyone else Latino?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 1:53am

No matter how many times we have a thread like this, I'm constantly amazed at how many people simply don't get it.

[philly03]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 2:11am

I think colorblind casting works in nearly all cases, but there's plenty that it doesn't. Kim in Miss Saigon, Alice in Wonderland, Mother in Ragtime, etc.

Other roles like the leads in White Christmas or Rock of Ages / etc. dont' matter to me at all!

[Craww]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 2:14am

tl;dr
People can't even seem to agree on the reasons why they object to colorblind casting.

Some people seem to object on a political/social level, where they want the Latino roles filled by Latino actors because Latino actors need onstage representation. This I get.

But most people seem to be objecting because of appearance alone. I just can't agree with this reason. In the specific case of Corbin Bleu or Marcy Harriell there's really nothing about their appearance that says "this person is unequivocally not Latino". I wouldn't have to challenge my willing suspension of disbelief to accept them based on looks alone.

In more jarring cases? I'm sorry, but it shouldn't be that challenging to rearrange our preconceived concepts of how someone should look. Whether it's the local community theater without enough minorities to cast a show properly, or Broadway opening up casting on a traditionally white role to the talented minorities that don't get enough roles and opportunities otherwise. You have to keep such an open mind for so much you're seeing onstage, why can't you expand it enough for that?

I think most people agree that it's different when the content is race specific. But people need to stop confusing "historically inaccurate" with "race specific".

The appearance argument is (obviously) shallow and has nothing to do with the more valid social discussions about the need to have a more diverse casting pool. Needing a blond, blue-eyed (so specific!) white girl for Alice (because of an iconic cartoon depiction) sounds like a personal problem to me. That's just as silly as my personal objection to Laura Bell Bundy as Elle Woods because I don't think she's pretty enough. I got over it, you can too.
tl;dr

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 2:14am

PRS - I'm confused...where do your opinions lie?

Updated On: 12/25/09 at 02:14 AM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 2:17am

Phyllis, I immediately thought of you when I read some of the ignorant comments re color bling casting in this thread. People really don't get it. They always resort to the argument: "Well, why can't [insert popular white star] play Effie?" Ugh.

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 2:19am

Ray - I know...I'm sorry, but you're just stupid if you think a black actor can play Usnavi in ITH. I'm sure I'll be attacked for that comment, but I can't help, but say it.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/25/09 at 2:19am

Why "Ugh"? I used it as an example and it's as good of an example as anything else.

Oh and Merry Christmas everyone.