JLP Controversy

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 4/9/21 at 7:20pm

Recently saw a bunch of my Twitter feed angry over JLP and trans representation in the show. Anybody else seeing this? Think the show will change anything.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/9/21 at 7:35pm

This has been going on ever since the show began B'way performances in late 2019- when the character of Jo was changed from transgender (which was the case during the ART run) to cisgender- and Diablo Cody has not made any major changes to the book since opening night. This comes despite the casting of several people who identify as nonbinary (including the Jo understudy). 

I doubt the show will change anything. 

[FosseTharp]

Posted: 4/9/21 at 7:37pm

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Broadway’s Jagged Little Journey Toward Nonbinary Inclusion

 

This is the article that people are talking about regarding the JLP controversy.

 

 

[FosseTharp]

Posted: 4/9/21 at 7:42pm

I haven’t seen the show yet, but I was under the impression they changed it because Lauren Patten identifies as cisgendered. However, when her understudy, ezra menas , goes on the role is non binary because they identify as a non binary trans person? But correct me if I’m wrong.
 


I need to reread the article while not buzzed off a few manhattan’s before I can give a better response,  as I just skimmed through it the other day..., but they were never going to replace Lauren when the show moved to Broadway. She was the breakout star.  So if they had the character be non-binary people would be up in arms about the them casting a cis person for the role.  This way when Lauren goes on the role is A cis lesbian, but when Ezra goes on the role becomes non-binary. Right?  So it’s really a lose-lose situation,   

Updated On: 4/9/21 at 07:42 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/9/21 at 10:04pm

Obviously the shutdown derailed my thoughts on this, but I wondered in the long-run if: 

1.) they'd add a second non-binary or cisgendered u/s and 

2.) who could replace Patten if and when she'd leave the show

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/9/21 at 10:27pm

The controversy should be over why the book is still such a mess.

[Dolly80]

Posted: 4/9/21 at 11:19pm

Jordan Catalano said: "The controversy should be over why the book is still such a mess. "

And why the whole show is so shockingly bad, and clearly a shopping list of every possible box they can tick. 
 

this show annoyed me more than any I’ve ever seen. Just call it Woke The Musical and be done with it.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 4/9/21 at 11:24pm

It's a jukebox musical. Has there ever been a jukebox musical that's had a good book?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/10/21 at 12:15am

poisonivy2 said: "It's a jukebox musical. Has there ever been a jukebox musical that's had a good book?"

How was Girl from the North Country?

[Tag]

Posted: 4/10/21 at 12:18am

poisonivy2 said: "It's a jukebox musical. Has there ever been a jukebox musical that's had a good book?"

Crazy for You
Mamma Mia
Jersey Boys

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/10/21 at 1:21am

But Jersey Boys is a bio- musical...not trying to use songs into a forced context.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 4/10/21 at 1:37am

Say what you what but mamma Mia is a great show. A very compelling and fun story.

I’ve never wanted to leave a show more than JLP. I just felt gross watching it. It felt desperate and trying to be woke written and directed my a bunch of out of touch people. I don’t think the issue at hand however is that big of a deal? They changed the pronouns to suit the actor? Cool.

[joevitus]

Posted: 4/10/21 at 4:34am

SouthernCakes said: "It felt desperate and trying to be woke written and directed my a bunch of out of touch people."

So, in line with Diablo Cody's cinematic output?

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/10/21 at 6:20am

Jordan Catalano said: "The controversy should be over why the book is still such a mess."

My thoughts exactly. The show attempts to tackle every single social issue under the sun. The end result is a half baked mess.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 4/10/21 at 11:39am

poisonivy2 said: "It's a jukebox musical. Has there ever been a jukebox musical that's had a good book?"

I thought that Jersey Boys had a very good book.  Leaving the theatre, I commented that I like some of the book scenes better than the musical numbers (the latter because those songs were cornerstones of my youth, and I did not like some of the staging decisions made on some of them).  There was a sameness, which I will admit was true of the Four Seasons as well (and I was never a fan of Can't Take My Eyes Off of You, which was practically deified in the show).  

Updated On: 4/10/21 at 11:39 AM

[BroadwayBen]

Posted: 4/10/21 at 12:54pm

How is this a "controversy"?   It's an article with one person's opinion.  

[LarryD2]

Posted: 4/10/21 at 2:03pm

I literally laughed out loud when the author said "the producers of the show don't want me to write this article," as if they're breaking Watergate. The entire piece reeks of bloated self-importance.

Updated On: 4/10/21 at 02:03 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/10/21 at 2:55pm

BroadwayBen said: "How is this a "controversy"? It's an article with one person's opinion. "

100%. The article is so pedestrian, it's hilarious. 

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 4/10/21 at 3:08pm

It just seems a bit delusional to me that they expect the producers to replace arguably one of the best parts of the show. I agree that its lose-lose. Uproar if they kept role as it was, uproar if they changed it.

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 4/10/21 at 3:20pm

It's also worth noting that the article linked in this thread is written by the same person who wrote an article in 2019 arguing that Tootsie was transphobic, which generated a similar "controversy" over on Twitter.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 4/11/21 at 6:09pm

BroadwayGuy12 said: "It's also worth noting that the article linked in this thread is written by the same person who wrote an article in 2019 arguing that Tootsie was transphobic, whichgenerated a similar "controversy"over on Twitter."

BroadwayGuy12, your profile picture is ironically perfect for this thread.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 4/13/21 at 11:21am

No one needed yet another social issue weighing down that book. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/13/21 at 2:16pm

Jordan Levinson said: "poisonivy2 said: "It's a jukebox musical. Has there ever been a jukebox musical that's had a good book?"

How was Girl from the North Country?"

I really enjoyed it. I was only familiar with a few of the songs so it didn't really feel like a jukebox musical to me. I plan to see it again. I enjoyed it that much.

 

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 4/13/21 at 4:13pm

I honestly feel for the trans an nonbinary kids who are hurting over this "controversy" because the story referenced in the article is some trudged up thing compiled on Twitter by a teenager that plays on queer trauma, and all of the folks taking this personally seem to have no knowledge of the process of creating a show from scratch. They needed someone very specific to create this role--of whatever level of queerness--and they found that in Patten. She was never not going to play the role--as others have mentioned, she's more or less the reason to see the show. Concepts and qualities of characters change to fit the person cast all the time. It's part of the process. 

Fortunately for the people who feel like something is being stolen from trans and nonbinary people, once Patten leaves the show on her own accord, I'm certain the role will be played by trans and/or nonbinary folks...as the script allows for a variety of gender nonconforming queer identities to take on the role. Which...is a good thing we've managed to make into a crisis in the quoted article. 

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 4/13/21 at 4:28pm

Jordan Levinson said: "poisonivy2 said: "It's a jukebox musical. Has there ever been a jukebox musical that's had a good book?"

How wasGirl from the North Country?"

I loved Girl from the North Country - I saw it at both the Public and on Broadway. The book is pretty strong in my opinion.