Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET- Page 7
Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#150Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/11/17 at 11:12pm
Pretty sure that Comet makes his 3rd or 4th B'way credit, and he was in the Nat'l tour of American Idiot.
Hard to imagine you not knowing him from Hamilton as he played Mulligan/Madison. And he was pretty wonderful. And I'm not sure anyone said you or anyone else has to care. If you don't care, you don't care....some of us do. My kids begged to go back to see Comet just to see him. We'll be going next month.
Why is it interesting? First time two African American leads in a musical that was not an African American Story/cast, taking the role over from someone that is not of color... both things are pretty significant.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
leighmiserables
Broadway Star Joined: 4/26/17
#151Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/11/17 at 11:14pm
RippedMan said: "Now offense to him, but I feel like I'm on these boards a lot and I know Hamiltion, etc, but I don't know who the hell he is or why anyone should care? or why this casting is even interesting?"
I mean, you could use that argument for anything. "I don't know/care about X therefore no one cares about X."
Personally, I find his casting interesting for a number of reasons. One, him joining the roster makes Great Comet one of the few shows ever to have two non-white leads in a show that isn't explicitly about non-white people (ie. The Color Purple, Miss Saigon, etc). It's even more intriguing when you acknowledge the fact that the characters are two beloved Russian protagonists who are pretty much the archetype of white aristocracy.
Two, I think his poppy, youthful vibe will bring something very different to the character than Dave Malloy or Josh Groban's interpretations. Whether that will be a good or bad something is still anyone's guess, but it'll be exciting to get something different from the character.
Three, I mean. He's a replacement for the lead in a popular Broadway show. Even without points one or two people would still be talking about it.
RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#152Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/11/17 at 11:42pm
No that is, but I mean why I should care that it's him. Like why is he better than someone else? But i guess it's just a Hamilton thing.
VotePeron
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/2/13
#153Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/11/17 at 11:46pm
dramamama611 said: "Why is it interesting? First time two African American leads in a musical that was not an African American Story/cast, taking the role over from someone that is not of color... both things are pretty significant."
Are we just being technical and not counting Hedwig and the Angry Inch because Ytizhak is a "featured" role (that's on stage the whole time)? I feel the fact that Rebecca Naomi Jones and Taye Diggs also did this 2 years ago shouldn't go unnoticed...
#154Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/11/17 at 11:50pm
RippedMan said: "Now offense to him, but I feel like I'm on these boards a lot and I know Hamiltion, etc, but I don't know who the hell he is or why anyone should care? or why this casting is even interesting?
"
I don't know who is either. Wonder if he was a little overshadowed by other OBC members. Nothing wrong with that - I doubt he was hired based on any name recognition?
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
froote
Broadway Star Joined: 2/14/17
#155Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 3:09am
I'm confused about how those that saw Hamilton with the original cast don't know who he is. Unless you only saw it once and don't ever listen to the cast recording? He turns up every 3-4 songs or so. He has little name recognition himself but they are using Hamilton to sell his involvement:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DEgTlyEXUAEesOI?format=jpg&name=large
Admittedly, it did little to save Amélie but it should at least help for the three months or so that he is in the show. Then we're probably looking at a bigger name coming in. As for why people care that it's him, I think Comet fans would be excited to hear about whoever the replacement was, especially if they've seen them perform before and enjoyed them. Oak's part in Hamilton is one of the more minor ones but his performance was pretty underrated I think.
VotePeron, that's definitely a notable occurence too. I guess the difference is that Hedwig is named after one character whilst Comet is named after two, so the impact of both title characters being black is a little more obvious.
Anyway, I've listened to an audio of Oak in the role and he sounds great. Kind of inbetween Dave's gruffness and Josh's smoothness, with some soulfulness in there too.
Also Phillipa Soo sat with Dave Malloy and watched the show last night which is sweet.
kofler22
Featured Actor Joined: 9/1/14
#156Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 6:54am
froote said: "I'm confused about how those that saw Hamilton with the original cast don't know who he is. Unless you only saw it once and don't ever listen to the cast recording? He turns up every 3-4 songs or so. He has little name recognition himself but they are using Hamilton to sell his involvement:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DEgTlyEXUAEesOI?format=jpg&name=large
Admittedly, it did little to save Amélie but it should at least help for the three months or so that he is in the show. Then we're probably looking at a bigger name coming in. As for why people care that it's him, I think Comet fans would be excited to hear about whoever the replacement was, especially if they've seen them perform before and enjoyed them. Oak's part in Hamilton is one of the more minor ones but his performance was pretty underrated I think.
VotePeron, that's definitely a notable occurence too. I guess the difference is that Hedwig is named after one character whilst Comet is named after two, so the impact of both title characters being black is a little more obvious.
Anyway, I've listened to an audio of Oak in the role and he sounds great. Kind of inbetween Dave's gruffness and Josh's smoothness, with some soulfulness in there too.
Also Phillipa Soo sat with Dave Malloy and watched the show last night which is sweet.
Does that means that Phillipa will be returning to the role at some point?
froote
Broadway Star Joined: 2/14/17
#157Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 7:00am
Not necessarily, she could just have been supporting her friends. There was a rumor about that a few months ago though so who knows.
#158Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 7:10am
dramamama611 said: "
Why is it interesting? First time two African American leads in a musical that was not an African American Story/cast, taking the role over from someone that is not of color... both things are pretty significant.
"
Actually, that might be significant for a certain group of people on a personal level, but these issues should stay out of the casting room, because they need to hire the best person for the role. We would not want someone to get a role just because he is black whatsoever, would we?
He got the role. So I will believe he was the best of all the people auditioning. So that is why I support the casting. Not because his color is right up my alley. I see him as a person.
froote
Broadway Star Joined: 2/14/17
#159Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 7:19am
You say you believe he was the best person for the role and you acknowledge that it would be significant for some people, so what exactly are you objecting to in dramamama's post?
willrolandsframes
Stand-by Joined: 2/26/17
#160Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 7:43am
Can we please not argue about this, and instead ask the more important question: Was anybody at the Imperial last night to see Oak?
#161Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 8:22am
froote said: "You say you believe he was the best person for the role and you acknowledge that it would be significant for some people, so what exactly are you objecting to in dramamama's post?
"
That the interesting part of (this) casting is what are his character traits, nuances in his voice, details in his portrayal, his acting, his character arc, his talent, his intonation, his poise, his changing from softer to louder notes, basically anything but color.
froote
Broadway Star Joined: 2/14/17
#162Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 8:35am
To you...may be different for others as you acknowledged.
#163Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 8:50am
froote said: "To you...may be different for others as you acknowledged.
"
To everyone I think. The things mentioned above are the essence of casting. If anyone prefers a lesser quality portrayal of the role, but dismisses all that because the color of the actor is right up their alley, we have a problem.
So to say a casting of a neutral role is "well done" just because of the color of the actor, is quite disturbing. Especially when not mentioning anything else. Because then the focus lies on opportunities for certain people instead of casting of a role. So it's not about the casting of a role for these people. This race-focused thought process is disturbing and matches the thought process of racists.
froote
Broadway Star Joined: 2/14/17
#164Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 8:57am
Just gonna put you on my ignore list I think. Bored of you popping up every single time the word race is even mentioned.
#165Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 9:04am
froote said: "Just gonna put you on my ignore list I think. Bored of you popping up every single time the word race is even mentioned."
We actually agree then. I'm also tired of race being mentioned in all inappropriate situations.
We need to make people aware of this, that many situations are actually about something else.
So we need to pop up whenever this happens.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#166Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 9:26am
Hey, Dave, blow it out your ass.
Nobody was discussing what happened In the casting room. No one said or cares whether his race had anything to do with him being cast.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Updated On: 7/12/17 at 09:26 AM
#167Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 9:31am
dramamama611 said: "
First time two African American leads in a musical that was not an African American Story/cast, taking the role over from someone that is not of color... both things are pretty significant."
You did. You bring in race, while everything else is much more relevant for any casting.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#168Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 9:34am
None of those are the reasons he WAS cast, as far as we know.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
adagio
Understudy Joined: 5/13/16
#169Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 9:40am
Did anyone see the show last night? Would love to hear about his take on the role!
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#170Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 10:08am
^at least 3 others have asked this...it seems not.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
VintageSnarker
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
#171Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 10:32am
Side note: I noticed in the photos from his bows that Denee is back in. Does anyone know if she has any more scheduled absences coming up? I'm going to busy for a while so I won't be able to see the show until August. I want to catch Ingrid and it would be nice to see Oak but I mainly want to make sure Denee is in that night. I found her notably superior to her two understudies.
#172Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 10:37am
There's an audio of "Dust and Ashes" floating around. It's definitely not a powerhouse performance, but he has the chops and I love his look as Pierre from the promo photos. I'm seeing it again the second week of August, so I'll be looking forward to seeing how he and Ingrid sink into the roles.
#173Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 10:45am
VintageSnarker said: "Side note: I noticed in the photos from his bows that Denee is back in. Does anyone know if she has any more scheduled absences coming up?"
Telecharge shows no scheduled absences for anyone in Comet. And they did have her last vacation posted.
#174Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET
Posted: 7/12/17 at 11:07am
Am I missing when Oak is supposed to wrap up his run in Comet? Also, would that end date also be pushed out a week now?
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