Norm Lewis as... "Triton" in Little Mermaid? — Page 2

FOAnatic,

I think you need start embracing theatre for its greatest asset: theatricality. If people wanted complete accuracy and realism, they would stick to Hollywood, but good theatre offers audiences something far more sepecial: A chance to use its imagination. The reason there is a certain magical energy to theatre is the second the audience steps into that sacred space that is the theatre, something primal lets them lower their defences and suspend disbeleif. It allows us to see a couch and a lamp as a full-blown living room set, it allows us to see puppets and costumes as exotic beasts and monsters, and it allows us to see characters who are not restricted or defined by the actors race, age, gender or type. Just because an actor is a certain race, temperment, body type, etc. doesn't necessarily mean the character they are playing is.

And also they haven't even cast Ariel yet...how do you now she's not black? And what if her mother is white?

Akiva

ps...the above wasn't meant to come of as snippy or mean. It was genuine.

I don't know, none of us have seen the production, read the script, or know for sure whose cast. FOA has a good point that its father/daughter, Fen has a good point that its a fairy tail. We'll have to see. I think its a good debate wether or not a black actor could work in this role.

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F*CK off, I know. :-P

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FOAnatic, if it bothers you so much just make up a backstory. King Triton's secret shame over needing sperm donations to carry on his line has made him especially self consciously over protective of the daughters he worked so hard to have.

Although, that's gotta make it especially stinging for blank shooter King Triton to still end up with no sons.

Ariel has been cast and she's not black.

PEOPLE NEED TO CALM DOWN!

Akiva, I've been in the theatre for years so please don't lecture me on theatricality. I have seen some great performances by African American actors playing a part created by a caucasian. Some of which surpassed their predecessor. And vice versa.

I'm not saying they can't handle it. I'm not saying that they shouldn't be doing it. I'm not even saying that their performance won't be wonderful.

What I'm saying is that, when it's not explained, I can't truly believe they're a family.

Not just in this show.

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Thread calls for this guy.

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oh my god

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Ok. You mount a show with a non traditional family and NEVER explain to the audience how they ended up that way.

Oh, yea. That just spells HIT!

Yeah, I mean, Les Miz really went downhill after Fuschia Walker joined the cast...

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I NEVER SAID ARIEL HAS TO BE WHITE!

Stop putting words in my mouth.

All I said was she HAS been cast and she IS white.

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Not when the explanation isn't integral to the story. You're supposed to take it as read that Triton is Ariel's father. It's never called into question, so why should you call it into question?
The producers don't think it's a problem, just a bunch of other small minded people.

This casting is going to tank the show. If it's a problem for you, then you're more than welcome to put on a white sheet and protest in front of the theater, or in frony of Disney's offices.

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If it's a problem for you, then you're more than welcome to put on a white sheet and protest in front of the theater, or in frony of Disney's offices.

That statement has shown this whole board just how low you are. You have no idea who I am or what I'm like as a person.

You are a poor excuse for a human being.

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Updated On: 2/7/07 at 07:16 PM

I'm gonna go lie down now...

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Can we please get back to NORM LEWIS and not a racial arguement?!?!

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