OUR TOWN revival starring Dustin Hoffman; Bartlett Sher directs- Page 3

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 8:50am

I would do anything in this earth if it meant we could get Viola f*cking Davis.

[AC126748]

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.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 9:23am

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.

[AC126748]

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.

 

[Wallman2]

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).

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 9:35am

I’m not debating any of that. I was just saying in this case at least, I think the main goal will be to make money with the biggest names possible, over anything else

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 9:37am

And also as far as this production of “Our Town” goes - one role, out like a hundred has been announced. I don’t think it’s fair to say that opportunities are being missed until a full cast is announced.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 9:51am

I’m sure the cast will not end up being all white, since as you note the play has loads and loads of characters. Will we see something a unsurprising or tone deaf as a black Simon Stimson? Or will George or Emily be a mixed race coupling?

For what it’s worth, I have heard a rumor that Joan Allen is being sought as Mrs. Webb. Not sure how substantiated that is, though.

But casting the central figure of the play with Hoffman does not really get things off to a great start at all.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 9:53am

OMG Kad, you made my day. Joan Allen back on Broadway so soon after her last show would just make my whole year.

[NJGUY]

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..

[LarryD2]

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.

[Jordan Catalano]

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

[Kad]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 10:50am

Honestly? Drop Hoffman, make Joan Allen the Stage Manager.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 10:51am

^!!!!!!!!!!

[LarryD2]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 10:58am

Hell yes, Kad.

[Valentina3]

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.

[Stephen75]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 11:43am

The Joan Allen rumor is divine. The thing is, we all know the rest of this cast will be stunning. I have full faith that Rudin/Sher will get the best of the best, great theatrical talent of the past era’s and current, and maybe a few actors like Allen who are both theatre famous and film famous. I’m sure they will look for diverse casting too, unfortunately not in the lead role.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 11:43am

Morgan Freeman was actually my first thought because I’ve always dreamed of hearing him say those lines. Makes me tear up a bit just even imagining it.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 11:56am

Freeman is ideal, of course, but I have no idea if he has any desire to return to the stage after so long. He seems to largely limit the work he does these days, in general.

[Broadway61004]

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.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 12:28pm

I’d agree with that.

But I’m at a loss as to how Sher will make this exciting.

[Wick3]

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. 

[Broadway61004]

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

[thatdarnzach]

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.

 

[Georgeanddot2]

Posted: 7/1/20 at 1:01pm

I do cheer on diverse casting, but I would rather see black artists sharing their own stories instead of being token cast in old white works.