Phylicia Rashad begins performances tonight...- Page 2

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 9:16am

How can she be prejudiced against people of color if she is of color herself?

Obviously you never saw Dave Chappelle's Blind Black Racist sketch.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 9:28am

For me, I suspect it would pull me too far out of the story,

Well, obviously the playwright, the director and the producers didn't think so, because they all have veto power over casting.

Clearly they thought she would be excellent in the part. And clearly they knew there would be knee-jerk responses like those in this thread.

So perhaps you all should SEE the damn show before deciding it doesn't work.

Updated On: 5/27/09 at 09:28 AM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 9:42am

I find myself thinking about the late, great Diana Sands, who transcended stereotypical casting in various genres, OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT and WE BOMBED IN NEW HAVEN two examples.

But let's continue to look at the wonders of moving past race-specific casting. NEXT TO NORMAL could offer stunning opportunities for black musical theater performers. Think of the black women out there who'd kill for a shot at the Riple role? And who could take the roof off. And what about mixing up GOD OF CARNAGE? Imagine one couple African-American, another white. Or both black? Or two bi-racial couples? Just two examples of current season fare. Plays are literature, but they are blueprints, and we learn from them by seeing -- and learning new things about our humanity -- through the range of those who interpret the roles.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 9:56am

Obviously you never saw Dave Chappelle's Blind Black Racist sketch.

Ah, but he thought he was white the whole time.

[yeah]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 9:59am

Ah, color blind casting gone crazy.

[Morgaine885]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 10:05am

Did anybody actually SEE her in the show and can comment on the performance?

[Pippin]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 11:41am

"Obviously you never saw Dave Chappelle's Blind Black Racist sketch."

"Ah, but he thought he was white the whole time."

obviously, no one has seen Chris Rock's stand up routine where he asks the audience "who is more racist? blacks or whites?" His Answer: Blacks, because white people hate black people, but black people hate white people....and black people.

there is a lot of racism within the African American community. traditionally, the darker ones being racist against the lighter ones, and vice versa. And don't get me started about how African Americans can sometimes be about ACTUAL Africans.

Trust, there are plenty of ways Ms. Rashad can use the racist lines about black people to her advantage.

[logan0215]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 11:48am

I saw the show last night.

These comments are making Vi look more politically correct than a presidential memo! If you've seen the show, you know that we are introduced to Beverly the patriarch first, then Violet and then the girls. This allows the entrance of Ms. Rashad as Violet to be soft and un-alarming. With the slightest stretch of the imagination one could imagine the ever-light-skinned Phylicia Rashad and John Collum producing fairly anglo-looking children. If that doesn't work, one can always remember that they are seeing THEATER and not reality TV.

Now, I had known going in the familial structure and about Rashad's presence, but my mother with whom I saw this for Mother's Day (ha!, right?) did not. She turned to me just before the dinner confrontation and said "We're just supposed to ignore the fact that she's black and the remainder of the cast is not, right?" It did not derail her enjoyment of the performance at all and none of the jokes or awkwardness of the Native American jokes fell flat as a result of it. I can't believe people on this board don't think it's possible for a Black American to be racist against a Native American. Just because people have been racist towards them, does not mean that they do not have the right to be racist right back!

Phylicia Rashad was an absolute revelation. It's as if she read all the threads nay-saying her presence in the production and came out to give a big "F-U!" to all of them. It's hard to pin-point what was so great about a performance like this, especially with a character like Violet who is so complex and is offered so many shades of crazy to purvey.

I had originally seen Estelle Parsons in the role and was afraid that Ms. Rashad's performance would be much like others we have seen from her: cool cat, smooth voice and sexy. I attempted to prepare myself for a Violet that is less manic and more silently cutting but Ms. Rashad was crazier than a ****house rat and then some. She had perfect chemistry with the rest of the cast and made a equal opponent to Barb's bitchiness. Amy Morton in her return to the role was of course amazing as well and has an opportunity to really shine against a fabulous actor like Phylicia.

The entire show Amy and Phylicia built against each other with such amazing fervor that the audience was audibly aghast with each new revelation in the 2nd and 3rd acts. Although the 4th wall was entirely present, the audience was completely engulfed and involved in the performance. This shocked me as this was a primarily elder audience on a 7pm Tuesday performance.

Elizabeth Ashley was great as Mattie Fae, she plays the role quite large and tends to chew the scenery, but I feel that is justified with this character. Her confrontation with Charles created a stark change in her character and she really impressed me in the role. Sally Murphy seemed as though she has been playing the role for so long that she was now shm-acting much of it and I really did not enjoy her performance this time around. Anne Berkowitz as Jean was also less than a highlite and paled to Madeleine Martin.
Updated On: 5/27/09 at 11:48 AM

[Sauja]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 12:17pm

Great to hear, Logan. I admit that I was worried about her casting. Not because of race, but because I couldn't picture her breaking out of that "cool cat, smooth voice" thing you mention. I don't know that I've ever seen her give a performance where I felt like she really just let go. Maybe it's just that she never had to before. Thrilled to hear she rises to the material. I only saw Deanna Dunagan (sp?) in the part, so I'm wary of going back to see a new take, but Phylicia just may tempt me...

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 12:35pm

These positive comments make me want to see her sooner rather than later.

::goes to check for tickets to tonight's performance...::

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 12:49pm

Phylicia let go?!!! I didn't see anything "held" about her in Raisin in the sun...ESP during the scene in which Walter tells her he lost the money. That's hardly held. And she was a completely different person in Gem of the Ocean. Actually I can't say I know what you mean by "cool cat, smooth voice". The only thing I can think of is the Witch in Into the Woods... In every play I've seen her in she's played a woman older than herself who's from a lower socio-economic class. No one questioned it.

At any rate I've never seen THIS play. I wanted to sooo badly with Estelle Parsons. But I had no idea the racism was against Native Americans. Is it against the color of her skin or is it against the native American culture? I mean really as long as the actresses look different from one another, there's bigotry to be had (ESP if they're of different races). Racism comes in all hues. Just ask any feuding Dominican and Puerto Rican. Actually there's been long standing feuds between some Asian groups and African American groups. Those 2 examples are JUST in NYC. BOTH examples are people of color. It happens all the time. Those saying it's such a leap are really just telling everyone how unaware they might be. Well this is a reason to go see it then.
Updated On: 5/27/09 at 12:49 PM

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 12:57pm

Thank you logan for that review. I was reticent about her performance, not because of her race, but more because I was fearful she would deliver her stock "ice queen" persona that I've seen from her the past few shows.

Now that Amy Morton is back in, maybe I'll check in on the show for a third time over the summer.

It seems that the show will be re-reviewed by the papers, hopefully that will give it a boost attendance-wise.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 1:30pm

I just got a ticket to see her this evening. I'm looking forward to it and will post thoughts when I return much later this evening.

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 1:46pm

I am not a huge fan of Rashad's but I would give my left arm to see this. I saw the original cast and will most likely be at opening night for the tour here in Denver. I would love to be able to see all three women's take on this character.

[logan0215]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 3:47pm

But I had no idea the racism was against Native Americans.

The racist lines in the show are very, very, very few. It is by no means a central theme and has only become such a hot topic because of Rashad's taking over the role of the matriarch. There is a little bit of angst in Violet toward the Native American house-woman that Beverly hires which she attempts to mask as just not liking her for being Native American when it truly is her discomfort with losing a grip on her own household. As I said above, that tension and humor was still completely intact.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 4:02pm

Yeah, I saw the show and I honestly didn't even get the "racism" until I was reading a review of the show later. I mean, it's very slight and off-hand remarks. I just took her character to be "truth-telling." I didn't really consider her to be some big bigot, but I guess she is. (I'm referring to the time I saw it with Parsons).

[yeah]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 10:23pm

I'm surprised they didn't re-cast the children; that way it looks a little more realistic to have Rashad as the matriarch.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 10:34pm

^ The children are played by first-rate actors who are under contract.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 10:35pm

Well, the actors HAVE contracts so they can't just fire them to re-cast an african american cast.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 10:41pm

Let it be noted that Rashad has previously played wife to John Cullum (in CYMBELINE) and mother to Sally Murphy (in BERNARDA ALBA,) both of whom again play her husband and daughter in AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY.

Updated On: 5/27/09 at 10:41 PM

[heo1128]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 11:10pm

"I agree bjh2114. I have no problem with color-blind casting IF it doesn't add subtext or change an entire aspect of a character as this does. For me, I suspect it would pull me too far out of the story, even if I made up a story in my head to make it make sense as this has happened before with another show."

Exactly jordangirl! That's what I was trying to say.

[logan0215]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 11:21pm

I'm sorry, but if you went and sat in the Music Box and were immersed in the awesome Ms. Rashad is exuding from that stage and still had issues "buying it" because of the color of her skin, I have trouble believing you to be a fan of the theater. Being a witness to true talent transcends and that is exactly what is happening in this production.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 11:30pm

Wow.

I'm debating rushing it tomorrow...how crowded has the rush been lately? If I get there an hour before curtain, could I still snag a ticket?

[logan0215]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 11:33pm

Tuesday night was not full. The ends of the rows in the orchestra were not filled and I didn't get a chance to eye the mezzanine.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 11:41pm

"I agree bjh2114. I have no problem with color-blind casting IF it doesn't add subtext or change an entire aspect of a character as this does.

And why are you the arbiter of what adds "subtext or changes an entire aspect of a character" if the playwright, the director and the producers think it works.

Perhaps they are right and you are wrong.

Perhaps your need to examine your own racial assumptions and prejudices. Ask yourself these questions:

Could you enjoy the play with an Asian actress playing the part?

Could you enjoy the play with an olive-skinned Caucasian actress playing the part? Perhaps an Italian or Greek or Spanish actress?

Could enjoy the play with a dark-haired, dark complected actress or only with a fair-haired, light complected actress?

At precisely which shade of skin and with which physiognomic features would an actress be disqualified for playing this part?

Is it possible that such physical characteristics are irrelevant?

Updated On: 5/27/09 at 11:41 PM