Rent Race Question — Page 3

Caren Lyn Manuel is Latina.

Also, Sharon Leal and Saskia Garel are both part black/part Asian.

---

Race isn't a credential.

---

I wouldn't be against putting on productions of different shows that actively go against "realism" in the casting, ie a Hispanic Sweeney Todd, a white Pacific Overtures, an Asian Hairspray using a new method to distinguish between white and black characters, a reversed West Side Story. Why not? Theatre doesn't have to be about looking perfect in the role.

In terms of Rent, I wish they wouldn't be so rigid in their casting. It seems a little unfair that Maureen is the only part I'd be allowed to play in that show.

Yeah, no offense but there are a ton of things in life that aren't fair and this really isn't one of them.

Perhaps it's the wishes of the creator of the show. The Larson's still have ties in this and maybe Jonathan specifically wanted race types?

Quite a few shows have had mixed race casting, so it isn't as if this is a broad conspiracy.

I must admit, it's interesting to hear a white actress talking about how unfair it is that she can't play a non-white role. For years on Broadway, and in society for that matter, it's been the polar opposite.

Well, if its unfair not to allow a nonwhite person to play a "white" role, wouldn't it be unfair the other way around as well? I see both sides of the situation. Personally, I think it'd be interesting to see a production of Hairspray where the black characters were played by white actors and vice versa. No black/white-face or anything like that. Just black actors playing white characters and white actors playing black characters. I understand that it maybe seems selfish, since actors of color haven't received equal treatment in terms of roles, but I think all methods of nontraditional casting have the potential to make for interesting theatre. I'm not saying I'm a "poor" white girl, and I'm not saying every production of every show should be cast in such a way, but I don't think it's wrong or "selfish."

The chances of anyone on these forums ever being cast in Rent, regardless of the color of their skin, are so very remote that it shouldn't be a concern to anyone. :)

p.s. Diamondgirl, if you'd be able to play Maureen based simply on your race, then you would also be able to play Mark's mom.

I was looking at the principles, since the ensemble roles vary more - I think someone upthread mentioned Yaz playing Gordon?

Sorry to have strayed away from Rent so much. I've been known to tangent, and I guess this thread really doesn't relate to how much I'd like to see Audra McDonald play Lucille in Parade. Feel free to return to your regularly scheduled thread.

I know it ended a while ago, sorry if that was misleading. and that's too bad about your preference. but don't worry. I won't let her know that.

---