Posted: 7/1/20 at 8:50am
Posted: 7/1/20 at 9:10am
It's as if Scott Rudin challenged himself to come up with the most tone-deaf idea he could, and he really swung for the fences here. 90 year old play starring a white actor with a well-known history of being difficult AND credible accusations of sexual harassment against him. What could go wrong?
Can't wait for the announcement of an all-white cast with like one token POC playing Mrs. Soames or Howie Newsome or some other insignificant part.
Posted: 7/1/20 at 9:23am
Posted: 7/1/20 at 9:26am
Jordan Catalano said: "I have a feeling that (for a little while at least), some producers are going to care a little bit more about making the absolute most money they can for as little money as possible, over making sure the casting is as diverse as possible.
After reading the stuff about Hoffman last night, this casting does confuse me - but it’s also possible that he’s the biggest name that said “yes” to returning and wanting to do a show/that show right now. I do think there will be some actors who don’t want to commit to anything until it’s 100% sure they’ll be safe to return to the stage."
I think Rudin just doesn't care, pure and simple. He cast Amar Ramasar in WSS and was openly defiant of anyone who raised the point that it maybe wasn't a great decision. And the announced principal cast for THE MUSIC MAN is all white. There are plenty of Black and POC actors who would get butts in seats.
Posted: 7/1/20 at 9:34am
An opportunity to make Our Town truly be an Our Town and reflective of America today is missed here. The leading role of the stage manager affords the possibility of casting a black actor and a female actor. What about an Oprah Winfrey; a Queen Latifah; a Hallie Berry; a Whoopi Goldberg...or might the producer just be considering them as "stunt" replacements. Why not start with one of those artists and then replace with a Dustin Hoffman! If you announced that in advance, it could possibly deflect criticism (a la Great Comet).
Posted: 7/1/20 at 9:35am
Posted: 7/1/20 at 9:37am
Posted: 7/1/20 at 9:51am
Posted: 7/1/20 at 9:53am
Posted: 7/1/20 at 10:04am
George Street Playhouse did a beautiful production with Body Gaines in the spring of 2014. Two River Theater in Red Bank, did a version a few years before that with puppets (interesting). On top of that I saw a brilliant production as teenager at Arena Stage with Robert Prosky. My biggest fear is that this version (as is the new standard) will be done in two acts, which is NOT how it was written; it a clearly a three act play--that is most effective when done in three acts. I am taking a pass on this one and I am a big Bart Sherr fan..
Posted: 7/1/20 at 10:29am
I adore Joan Allen, but she would be wasted as Mrs. Webb. Mrs. Gibbs is the much more interesting role.
Posted: 7/1/20 at 10:34am
Honestly I don’t care who she plays S long as she’s in it.
Updated On: 7/1/20 at 10:34 AM
Posted: 7/1/20 at 10:50am
Posted: 7/1/20 at 10:51am
Posted: 7/1/20 at 10:58am
Hell yes, Kad.
Posted: 7/1/20 at 11:28am
Kad said: "Honestly? Drop Hoffman, make Joan Allen the Stage Manager."
Would get me in the seats. I also think Morgan Freeman would be an interesting choice if he's up to returning to stage.
Posted: 7/1/20 at 11:43am
Posted: 7/1/20 at 11:43am
Posted: 7/1/20 at 11:56am
Posted: 7/1/20 at 12:17pm
The vast majority of people who will actually pay top dollar to see a revival of Our Town are also the folks who will pay top dollar to see Dustin Hoffman back on Broadway. So from a business perspective, this makes 100% sense. Would I love to see different, preferably more diverse casting? Absolutely. But tweets and posts on Broadway World don't sell tickets. Until people stop paying premium prices to see shows like this with casting like this, there's absolutely no reason for Scott Rudin or any other producer not to do this.
Posted: 7/1/20 at 12:28pm
Posted: 7/1/20 at 12:34pm
Broadway61004 said: "The vast majority of people who will actually pay top dollar to see a revival of Our Town are also the folks who will pay top dollar to see Dustin Hoffman back on Broadway. So from a business perspective, this makes 100% sense. Would I love to see different, preferably more diverse casting? Absolutely. But tweets and posts on Broadway World don't sell tickets. Until people stop paying premium prices to see shows like this with casting like this, there's absolutely no reason for Scott Rudin or any other producer not to do this."
In a pre-covid19 world, yes. However, we really don't know if that target audience will still pay top dollar to see Dustin Hoffman perform live in this new environment.
Posted: 7/1/20 at 12:38pm
Wick3 said: "Broadway61004 said: "The vast majority of people who will actually pay top dollar to see a revival of Our Town are also the folks who will pay top dollar to see Dustin Hoffman back on Broadway. So from a business perspective, this makes 100% sense. Would I love to see different, preferably more diverse casting? Absolutely. But tweets and posts on Broadway World don't sell tickets. Until people stop paying premium prices to see shows like this with casting like this, there's absolutely no reason for Scott Rudin or any other producer not to do this."
In a pre-covid19 world, yes. However, we really don't know if that target audience will still pay top dollar to see Dustin Hoffman perform live in this new environment."
Of course we don't know how any shows are going to perform post-covid, but I think right now the safer more traditional shows are likely going to be the best way to bring folks back, presuming tourism at least starts to pick up next year. Obviously it won't have picked up to anywhere near pre-covid levels, but by next summer we could easily be seeing random Midwesterner say "ooh Dustin Hoffman in Our Town, when we head to New York we should definitely check that one out". But yes, will be interesting to see how things go. But right now, this certainly seems like a much more safer bet than, say, A Strange Loop, which brilliant as it is, doesn't have near the name recognition outside of NY to sell.
Updated On: 7/1/20 at 12:38 PM
Posted: 7/1/20 at 12:56pm
AC126748 said: "It's as if Scott Rudin challenged himself to come up with the most tone-deaf idea he could, and he really swung for the fences here. 90 year old play starring a white actor with a well-known history of being difficult AND credible accusations of sexual harassment against him. What could go wrong?
Can't wait for the announcement of an all-white cast with like one token POC playing Mrs. Soames or Howie Newsome or some other insignificant part."
I played Howie Newsome in high school; how dare you call me insignificant.
Posted: 7/1/20 at 1:01pm
