If Deidre can be Sheila, Can Stokes Be Emile? — Page 2

I think Luther should be played by a transgendered actor. It would make "Honey Bun" really click.

And it's your incompetance and ill-informed posts that make me want to scream.

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There's nothing here about being ill-informed.

Its about a PERSON playing a role, if you can't get past an actor who happens to have dark skin playing the part of a white man, then I feel sorry for you.

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Taylormade's post is ill-informed. As is yours.

And for the record, Audra isn't the first to take part in color blind casting. Let us not forget Pearl Bailey, Cab Calloway, and the completely black cast of HELLO, DOLLY! in 1968.

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I want to see a white Porgy, then.

A white Effie White in Dreamgirls.

A white Joe in Show Boat.

A white mother in Raisin in the Sun.

A white Sarah in Ragtime.

It has to cut both ways, and do you think for a minute these shows would work with casting like that?

I posted this earlier on the difference between being "color blind" in our society vs. "non-traditional casting." I guess it merits digging up again now...


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"Color-blindness" (aka, not seeing or ignoring another person's color) is a naive, childish and downright DANGEROUS concept. I wouldn't want you to be "blind" to the color of my skin any more than you should ignore my religion, my sexual orientation, or any other part of who I am. If you "turn a blind eye" to my race and racial background, you are not seeing me for who I am.

If you chose to ignore someone's race, you aren't learning anything about them. You remain ignorant, and ignorance breeds misunderstanding, fear and hostility. It an easy, fast answer and solution for so many people who honestly think they are doing the right thing, but it's the wrong answer. It's the lazy answer.

It can actually ADD to the "great divide" between races, just as much as overt bigotry can.

The solution is to OPEN YOUR EYES to another person's color. See them for who they are. Actively get to know them and their differences, and educate yourself. Learn about their backgrounds and their cultures. Of course, that takes a lot more work than just ignoring it.

Diedre Goodwin as Sheila is an example of "non-traditional" casting, not color-blind casting. We can all see that she is a black woman on stage. It cannot and should not be "ignored."

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You're right. Age, gender, and race should no longer matter.

Jack Klugman as Nellie
Marlon Brando's hologram face as Bloody Mary
Dakota Fanning as Emille

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Munk, I think you're onto something!

You're the new DOYLE!!!

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That still doesn't explain how Stokes would work in the role. You want the whole point of the show lost just so he can play a role he already played?

I'm only okay with color blind casting in period shows in one case: Norm Lewis as Javert. Because he OWNS.

Honestly, the lights were so bright on BSM that he looked more like a tan white guy in South Pacific. I have a problem with him in Sweeney because his skin is supposed to be "pale."

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Updated On: 12/18/06 at 02:53 PM

Thank you Munk! Well said.

Also, since Sher is directing, I imagine this to be a darker South Pacific with the race issues played up. No way Stokes will be in this.

And no, it doesn't work the other way, because White actors aren't held up from getting the kind of roles they want, the way black actors are, so when parts are written for black actors, that is sacrosanct.

It doesn't work both ways because the society doesn't work that way.

Open your eyes, racism isn't over, the struggle isn't over and it never will be.

Those who cry foul over things like this as well as things like affirmative action are racists until they realize that they are and start doing something about it.

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Fenchurch --- You're a racist.




And doodle? You're funny.

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