Okieriete Onaodowan to Replace Josh Groban in THE GREAT COMET — Page 7

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.

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...

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.

Not necessarily, she could just have been supporting her friends. There was a rumor about that a few months ago though so who knows.

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?

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 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.

Updated On: 7/12/17 at 08:50 AM

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 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.

Did anyone see the show last night? Would love to hear about his take on the role!

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.

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.