ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (2017) Previews — Page 8

LizzieCurry said: "Bumping for Brandon Victor Dixon's thoughtful take:

https://www.facebook.com/brandonvdixon/posts/10214279190431767"

I can never understand the arguments that this show shouldn't run because it's "problematic." Frankly, that's exactly why it should run, imo. No one leaves the theater thinking "Wow, one day I want to be like Ti Moune and sacrifice myself for a man who doesn't really love me!" No—they leave thinking very similar thoughts to Mr. Dixon: "That was really messed up," and it sparks a dialogue.

I mean, I saw it a few weeks ago with a group from my school. All high school-aged kids, including three black girls all almost the same age as Kilgore. None of us took away the idea that Daniel/Ti Moune had some sort of great, Romeo and Juliet-esque love story. We saw the story of an overly optimistic girl who fell in love with a guy who took advantage of her. And maybe—maybe—they could have been together for real if it weren't for the race/class barriers that forced them into their roles. But they weren't. And sometimes that's just the horrible reality of things.

We didn't need it spelt out for us, nor did we think the show needed to go just because there's no great message at the end. It is what it is, and as long as people walk away from it knowing that it is extremely problematic, then I really do have trouble seeing the issue.

(Of course, these are just my opinions. I would be happy to hear other sides of this discussion as I'm genuinely having some trouble seeing why people take such issue with this.)

GeorgeandDot said: "Just self destructive SJW talk that makes all of us liberals who can think for ourselves look bad."


ew

Updated On: 1/2/18 at 06:41 PM

GeorgeandDot said: "SJWs are not good. I agree with about 95% of their beliefs, but they're bandwagon jumping, lynch mobs who have no real opinion outside of their social media accounts because all it is, is an act to get likes and retweets. They hardly ever take any real action aside from posting about how the way a musical or film didn't seem to align 100% with their fake beliefs."



Quadruple ew.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/this-google-chrome-extension-replaces-political-correctness-with-something-more-accurate_us_55c82605e4b0923c12bd4a91

Daniel isn't white. The actor playing Daniel in the current Broadway production (Isaac Powell) isn't white, nor is the actor who originated the role (Jerry Dixon). Yet BVD and several people on Twitter have referred to both the character and the actor as white, with no pushback. I also saw one Twitter user refer to Powell as "white passing," an extremely questionable term when used in reference to how one perceives another person's racial/ethnic heritage. I am all for genuine reactions to art and thoughtful examinations of what some find problematic, but it disturbs me when people twist the narrative to support their reading of something.

There are some further interesting comments on both sides of the question on Instagram, Twitter and the aforementioned Facebook, including some additional responses from BVD on Instagram at least (my access level won't let me thoroughly check for any additional responses on the other platforms). Agree with him or not, to his credit he does seem to be trying to keep the discussion respectful, as originally claimed. He's also encouraging people to see the show for themselves and make up their own minds. A refreshing contrast in this age of "somebody said X is offensive and so I am never ever going to read/watch it for myself and anyone who does is horrible OMG".

https://www.instagram.com/p/BddfeNplYCQ/?taken-by=brandonvdixon

https://twitter.com/BrandonVDixon/status/948294066080534533

https://www.facebook.com/brandonvdixon/posts/10214279190431767

Bwayfan292 said: "I may be in the minority when i saw this but, i always ask myself why does everything have to be a race thing? "

oh boy

I have been in OOTI before and while it wasn't an ideal situation (mostly white cast) I think the humanity of the show is what makes it special. Yes absolutely it's horrible what happens to Ti Moune and basically she is reduced to potentially being a mistress, but it's her death that brings about the eventual equality on the island. The storytellers are putting on the story of Ti Moune to show that. If you should take away anything from OOTI it should be the humanity and spirit of the morals and story. Just my opinion...

leighmiserables said: ""in the context of the show he visually appears white..The visual is what carries the message. Not the true substance of his person. That's what racism and colorism are about. Surface." - from BVD's instagram in the comments of his post...does anyone else find that kinda....icky?

Also should point out that I think news of this post got around to Isaac Powell, as he posted in his instagram story yesterday an image that had the phrase "but he looks white" written multiple times around a statement that said "people of color come in all shades," or something of that sort. I didn't think to get a screenshot of it, but clearly something hadupset him. BVD is essentially saying "but he looks white," is the entire issue with the show, and that's terrible, imo. Treating "white-passing" members of the black community as if they don't belong has been a major issue for a long time, but BVD seems incredibly uninterested in that."

Yes! It is literally the **point of the entire show**

Yep, they were. They also swore and ate. She stopped the show because the ushers couldnt get the person out.

they had a show last night?

Whoa! Now I'm curious --- how come stage management couldn't remove those patrons on the front row?!? Wouldn't this be a security issue for the actors?!?

blaxx said: "The Latinos ate and talked through the Evita revival and no one removed them either "



What kind of reaction do you expect from this comment? Because it’s very ignorant in many ways