Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks — Page 4

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

#76

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

Robbie2 said: "It was highly improbable and virtually non-existent to have Black nuns within Austrian convents during that period"

It was also highly improbable to have American nuns there too, or nuns born after 1980, but I suspect the next actor who plays Maria will possess both those traits. I think it takes a profound lack of imagination to be distracted by a Black performer in a show like The Sound of Music.

#77

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

Robbie2 said: "iluvtheatertrash said: "Maria Von Trapp wasn't "originated by a white woman", she WAS a white woman. A real living, breathing one."

It was highly improbable and virtually non-existent to have Black nuns within Austrian convents during that period
"

I agree with you...


"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman
#78

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

kdogg36 said: "Robbie2 said: "It was highly improbable and virtually non-existent to have Black nuns within Austrian convents during that period"

It was also highly improbable to have American nuns there too, or nuns born after 1980, but I suspect the next actor who plays Maria will possess both those traits.I think it takes a profound lack of imagination to be distracted by a Black performer in a show likeThe Sound of Music.
"

You would have the exact same argument as Robbie2 if the show was replacing a role for a POC with a white performer. Your standards are nonexistent. But Broadway is dead, and Lear DeBessonet is talentless so it doesn't really matter who they cast, the show will still suck.

#79

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

Lincoln Center's Met Opera has presented Black artists as European characters for years. If we can have a Black Mimi we can have a Black Maria at the Lincoln Center Theater. Musicals are not documentaries.

#80

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

Voter said: "You would have the exact same argument as Robbie2 if the show was replacing a role for a POC with a white performer."

Well, the principle I'm applying is that, if race is not a theme of the show, then it should be cast without regard to race. That applies to most (but not all) of the standard repertory of American musical theater.

Because in our society people who aren't white are "the other," it's highly likely that any role written originally for a Person of Color is in fact a role whose race factors into the theme of the show. There may be exceptions, but I can't think of any off hand.

Updated On: 6/20/26 at 10:12 PM

#81

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

MysteriousLady said: "Lincoln Center's Met Opera has presented Black artists as European characters for years. If we can have a Black Mimiwe can have a Black Maria at the Lincoln Center Theater. Musicals are not documentaries."

Jessye Norman as Sieglinde is in the running for the best operatic performance I've ever seen.

#83

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

I read the thread backwards and assumed the Sound of Music discourse was related to Kondo taking over Evelyn (historical woman who was white with an actor of color playing them as the connecting thread).


I caught her in early May and found her to be a solid, bubbly Evelyn with a great voice. As someone who has been in Ragtime in high school and regionally twice, I have to admit I was a little shocked to see someone so clearly Asian playing Evelyn, even more so when she was dressed with the New Rochellians singing “there were no immigrants”. While her song is a silly departure from the main story, I feel like her storyline was included by Doctrow to contrast what happens to white men who kill (given a trial with a jury and found not guilty despite shooting someone in the face) with Coalhouse’s fate.

I got over my surprise and she really is a great Evelyn. My husband (who is black, fwiw) did not see any issue with colorblind casting there. Was curious if there was anything other discourse on it, but I guess not!


Hunter: Your teeth need whitening./ Heidi: You sound weird./ Jeff: You taste funny.
-Jeff Bowen's worst onstage line flub.
#85

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

kdogg36 said: "Voter said: "You would have the exact same argument as Robbie2 if the show was replacing a role for a POC with a white performer."

Well, the principle I'm applying is that, if race is not a theme of the show, then it should be cast without regard torace. That applies to most (but not all) of the standard repertory of American musical theater.

Because in our society people who aren't white are "the other," it's highly likely that any role written originally for a Person of Color is in fact a role whose race factors into the theme of the show. There may be exceptions, but I can't think of any off hand.
"

Race is literally intrinsic to Sound of Music. It's a show about bigotry! But I actually don't care, Jasmine Amy Rogers is very talented. I'm way more offended we have to sit through another Lear DeBessonet "production" aka people stand on a blank stage and sing pretty with no emotiond.

#88

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

kdogg36 said: "Robbie2 said: "It was highly improbable and virtually non-existent to have Black nuns within Austrian convents during that period"

It was also highly improbable to have American nuns there too, or nuns born after 1980, but I suspect the next actor who plays Maria will possess both those traits.I think it takes a profound lack of imagination to be distracted by a Black performer in a show likeThe Sound of Music.
"

I do wonder though, as a black woman, how we might feel if one of our distinct racially specific or historically black roles were to be cast white - or a show as a whole. (and I enjoy Ms. Rogers - including the recent Oklahoma! concert). Or maybe I'm not ready for an all white Dorothy in The Wiz or Ti Moune - though I do think it will come someday soon in a re-imagining.

Melody Betts was Mother Abbess in the Broadway Sound of Music tour directed by O'Brien for a few years (and Audra McDonald int the 2013 NBC Live production) so, in ways, this is nothing new but I can see how people could be upset by this.

Updated On: 6/21/26 at 01:35 PM

#90

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

TotallyEffed said: "Voter said: "Funny, none of you have anything intelligent to say."



Yeah, girl, you're just tooraci- sorry, intelligent, for the rest of us to keep up with!
"

Oh yea, I'm racist. Once again a very intellectual response.

#91

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

Voter said: "Race is literally intrinsic to Sound of Music. It's a show about bigotry!"

Bigotry isn’t always about race, and I don’t see how Maria’s race affects the show’s themes at all?

#92

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

kdogg36 said: "Robbie2 said: "It was highly improbable and virtually non-existent to have Black nuns within Austrian convents during that period"

It was also highly improbable to have American nuns there too, or nuns born after 1980, but I suspect the next actor who plays Maria will possess both those traits.I think it takes a profound lack of imagination to be distracted by a Black performer in a show likeThe Sound of Music.
"

I get the historic context but also they’re characters in a musical. It is not a documentary. The story did not actually happen as presented. So I think that gives room for plenty of wiggle.

#93

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

I have no issue with Maria and the Mother A being played by Black women.

The Captain and Elsa being played by actors of color might stretch the credulity, given the function of their characters.

#94

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

CoffeeBreak said: "kdogg36 said: "Robbie2 said: "It was highly improbable and virtually non-existent to have Black nuns within Austrian convents during that period"

It was also highly improbable to have American nuns there too, or nuns born after 1980, but I suspect the next actor who plays Maria will possess both those traits.I think it takes a profound lack of imagination to be distracted by a Black performer in a show likeThe Sound of Music.
"

I do wonder though, as a black woman, how we might feel if one of our distinct racially specific or historically black roles were to be cast white - or a show as a whole. (and I enjoy Ms. Rogers - including the recent Oklahoma! concert). Or maybe I'm not ready for an all white Dorothy in The Wiz or Ti Moune - though I do think it will come someday soon in a re-imagining.

Melody Betts was Mother Abbess in the Broadway Sound of Music tour directed by O'Brien for a few years (and Audra McDonald int the 2013 NBC Live production) so, in ways, this is nothing new but I can see how people couldbe upset by this.
"

Jesus you disappoint almost every time you open your mouth. If a role specifically has to do with someone’s race it’s off limits. That works both ways. Taking a Black role and “making it white” for sake of is stupid. What you all can’t seem to comprehend is musical theater is historically white. The casting, the tastes, what’s programmed, what’s “adored” and what’s classic. Opening casting up to POC is literally giving folks opportunities they would otherwise never have. Asian people have it the worst offerings IMO. Most of their roles in the canon are only about their race. Why would white people be upset about this. Literally 75% of theater casting is white historically.

#95

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

Historically yes . That's is not the case anymore. The numbers no longer show this. Historically is not now. I see more of myself and my family on Broadway all the time and in material we were not before. And correct, Asian and primarily Hispanic/Latin populations suffer most from visibility. So it will not come as a surprise when things again expand, grow and we see new revivals with new ideas and ways, including casting, to show these things.

You disappoint more - by enjoying issues with me. once again, stop. it's an opinion. find someone else. open your mind.

Updated On: 6/21/26 at 11:37 PM

#97

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

The LCT new season announcement is coming tomorrow. It is rumored that they will be doing an August Wilson revival. I've heard that it will possibly be Seven Guitars. I'm not sure which theater that will be going into.

#98

RAGTIME closing August 16th; Cast Changes in Final Weeks

I'm waiting for the announcement tomorrow to decide if I'm renewing my membership. I'm not super stoked for either rumored production, and even though I said I don't need to see SOM again, if it is scheduled to run during my recently planned Easter trip I probably would get a member ticket because how can I turn down such a good pricing opportunity for an excellent orchestra seat? The show is a big ball of cheese, but the score has some undeniable bangers.


...

Latest Posts

BroadwayWorld TV


Ticket Central
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $71
Hot Show
Tickets From $71
Hot Show
Tickets From $95