Phylicia Rashad to take over as Violet Weston

[hpeabody930]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 6:12pm

Wow.


Just wow.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/06/theater/06Arts-FOOTNOTE_BRF.html?_r=1&ref=theater Updated On: 3/5/09 at 06:12 PM

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 6:13pm

Wow. Just wow. This is like putting Titus Burgess in that damn fat suit - there are plenty of white actors who could play the part just fine!

Updated On: 3/5/09 at 06:13 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 6:15pm

The show will still be running in May??

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 6:19pm

Holy sh*t. This could either be amazing or a complete failure.

[Dazeto12]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 6:24pm

Um... Could someone explain this to me? Are Barbara and the girls going to be mixed now?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 6:26pm

I have seen Phylicia Rashad give the same performance in five different roles since 2004.

I take it this performance will be no different.

[wonkit]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 6:30pm

She does not have the acting chops for that role. UGH.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 6:35pm

I like Phylicia Rashad.

The problem, as Foster pointed out, is that every one of her performances in recent years has been identical.

I can tell you already exactly how she is going to play this. Lots of raised eyebrows, speaking in a soft, authoritative voice, plenty of glaring, and a definite sense of "Aren't I brilliant?" oozing from the stage.

That's what you get with Rashad. When it works, like in Raisin, it's brilliant. The problem is that since her success in Raisin, she's played EVERY single role she's done onstage just like that one.

[BNN]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 6:52pm

I just saw Estelle in August yesterday, and I'm honestly wondering how Phylicia Rashad can do this part. She looks like someone who takes good care of herself and healthy, whereas Estelle Parsons looked a big worn and frankly, unhealthy. I've never see Phylicia Rashad onstage, so I don't know her acting too well, but I just can't see this working visually.

[jennyish]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 6:54pm

While I support colorblind casting in general, I'm not sure that it's quite appropriate for a play that focuses so heavily on the concept of family AND touches on race issues. Not to mention that the suspension of disbelief required will feel out of place in such a highly naturalistic production.

That said, what do I know? It may very well work, and I hope my post doesn't step on anyone's toes.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 7:01pm

well I guess she will be good for this because according to wikipedia this is a black comedy... LOL

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 7:04pm

well I guess she will be good for this because according to wikipedia this is a black comedy... LOL

Do you read these things before you post them?

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 7:08pm

No. He has die-uh-ree-ah of the mouth... or hand, in this case.

[Sauja]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 7:27pm

I'm with the others who feel that regardless of your take on colorblind casting, this seems like a bad choice. I just think that Rashad has spent a good deal of her recent stage time grandstanding. While I can see her making the insults good and withering, I hesitate to imagine her in the softer moments. I can see the last scene in my mind's eye, and it ain't pretty. That said, I'd be thrilled if she proved me wrong!

[Dazeto12]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 7:30pm

Wow. I can only imagine how contrived the "Indians aren't any more native than me" exchange is going to be.

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 7:42pm

Wow, that's some interesting casting for sure. I can't imagine how this will work, as the material is so sensitive and currently works so well as it is. As I see it Violet is not supposed to be played as anything but damaged, frail, and at times pretty evil. I just don't see Rashad as able to pull it off in this sense. I shudder to imagine Act II with her in it, not to mention the actual ending of the play.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 7:57pm

I'm with WBaF, she has given the exact same performance for years now and I cannot see that performance fitting well into this show.

Lily Tomlin where are you?

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 8:06pm

What???

Yeah, seriously, someone call Lily Tomlin.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 8:23pm

Apparently Beverly Weston has some VERY dominant genes.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 8:31pm

Not sure how I feel. Seems odd. I doubt both the choice of Rashad AS the right actress as well as questioning whether color blind casting will work in this situation.

Hm. IF the show lasts long enough...it will be interesting to hear the reviews.

I'm excited to be seeing this again in two weeks...I doubt I'll make it three though.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 8:33pm

I think it's unfair to her Jenny Craig spokesperson, not everyone gets to run and down stairs at work 3 hours a day! At least she will be "luminous".

[stagescreen]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 8:35pm

I totally thought this was an April Fool's Day joke.

Strangest thing I've read all day. Guess I'll see the show a fourth time now (note my avatar...)

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 8:36pm

This seems...interesting.

But I'll probably go see her in the role. When she's good, she's REALLY good. And when she's bad...well....

[LittleBitRacist]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 8:38pm

worst news in the world. this play is my favorite because its so real and having a black lady who is too young to play an old white woman part kills it. ill have to see it again sometime before she comes.

[logan0215]

Posted: 3/5/09 at 8:50pm

You think that if this woman:



-married a white man and had his children they wouldn't look predominantly white?

They didn't cast Grace Jones:

Updated On: 3/5/09 at 08:50 PM