John Cullum to Play H.C. Curry in Roundabout's 110 in the Shade — Page 2

Ahh, but don't you see? If you don't accept it, people will say you are racist. In the world of the theatre, we must all be politically correct. If you say "How could John Cullum be Audra's father?", people will answer, "Well, how often do people burst out singing in real life?"

Just like in opera, where we are supposed to accept a 250 pound, 50 year old Italian woman as Aida.

The following is not meant as a racist comment at all...just curious: Will Audra's understudy be black or white? (hopefully she won't miss any performances though)

Like I said, it was not meant as a racist comment and I did not mean to offend anyone by the question. I was just curious.

I think B.D. Wong should play Snookie. i mean, he's really, really talented. If he's the best person for the role, why should it matter that he's the wrong gender?

Sueleen Gay you're going to extremes now. To say that race doesn't matter at all is just not realitic. It's like having a blonde Mary Poppins. People simply woudln't like it. Outward appearance matters. Would you cast a 250 lb woman as Glinda, most likely not. It's the same principle. You can't IGNORE someone's features. In color-blind casting you accept them but they are part of what makes an actor who he or she is.

Regardless of the races of the actors,, this show will be incredible and I will definitely post my thoughts after the first preview on April 13th...I already have my ticket!

I have more of a problem w/ the fact that Lizzie is supposed to be plain and unattractive and Audra ain't that. Are they gonna ugly her up?

I'm tired of purty gals taking all the good roles written for us plain janes.

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I think the issue here is that the meaning of the story changes based on the family being all white or all black because of the time period the musical is set in. Having a mixed family is historically inaccurate in that it would be a larger issue in the era of the play and/or it would not exist along biologically lines.

Most people who love August Wilson will recall that he was very against colorblind casting precisely for this reason. Sometimes it's distracting for the audience to have to accept a black person, a white person, an Asian person, and a person of mixed race as being from the same biological family. It is a great barrier to the most important thing, the story.

That said, I am very much looking forward to this revival. It's going to be exciting.

110 with a FULLY integrated cast would be nice -- there wouldn't have to be any biology questions because if done that way, it's just not an issue. I mean, a white HC, a black Lizzie, maybe a Latina or Asian Snookie? An ensemble that looks like a Benneton ad? Why not?

If you're gonna color-blind cast, you can't restrict it to two cast members whose characters are brother and sister. Go further, and ensure race is a non-issue.

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Too bad H.C. doesn't have much to sing.

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Can we still not use our imaginations to suspend our disbelief for two hours?

I'm not saying that race isn't important, because sometimes it is essential, and/or poignant to cast racially specefic, but most other times, it's just color.

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