Rent Race Question- Page 3

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/23/05 at 10:53pm

Caren Lyn Manuel is Latina.

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

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 1:21am

Talent instead of crudentials? I would think a bit of both might be in order. You can be very talented and inexperienced.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 1:28am

Race isn't a credential.

[zzannahk]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 1:33am

i think if an audience can suspend it's disbelief for setting, then they should be able to do the same for characters, i dont really see the difference.

[DiamondGirl]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 11:26am

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.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 11:41am

Aw, poor white girl. Not like 95% of the females roles on Broadway aren't already "rigidly" white- but Rent is the one that's being unfair.

Updated On: 10/24/05 at 11:41 AM

[Patronus]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 11:46am

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

[DiamondGirl]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 12:09pm

I'm just saying, why couldn't anyone play a part he/she could do well? Why not have a black Jane Eyre and a Hispanic Mrs. Lovett and a white Maria? Is it really necessary to be so rigid?

[Patronus]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 12:16pm

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.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 12:16pm

I never said there was a problem with colorblind casting, because I'm all for that. But when it's used just for the sake of allowing white people to take on minority roles (as you said in your above post), it's selfish.

[DiamondGirl]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 12:29pm

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."

[Patronus]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 12:32pm

When the regional rights to Rent are released I am sure we'll see all sorts of "non-typical" casting.

When that happens you might even be able to be cast as Collins or Angel. :)

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 12:42pm

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.

[Pippin]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 12:44pm

I am all for non traditional casting exept for when one of the show's main topics focuses on race, e.g ragtime and west side. or when the character makes references to his race, e.g ritchie in a chorus line finishes off his introduction monologue by saying "and oh, yeah... I'm black." it would definately throw me off if anyone other than an african american was cast in that role.

speaking of Mimi, my good friend Talia just finished her leg of the non-eq rent tour as mimi. she is not hispanic, she is african american, and she pretty dark skinned. here is a link to her picture. and by the way, she is amazing.

talia brinson

Updated On: 10/24/05 at 12:44 PM

[DiamondGirl]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 12:48pm

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.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 3:37pm

Pippin, I saw Tallia a couple of times on tour but I'm afraid I preferred her u/s, Genny Padilla who was one of the best Mimis I've seen (and I've seen probably 15 different actors as Mimi). Oh, and the non-eq tour ended seven months ago! I guess you haven't been keeping in close touch with your friend. :)

diamondgirl, yes Yaz went on a few times in non-traditional roles. This isn't all that unusual for swings. Anika Larsen who was a fantastic swing, and a great Maureen cover, with the Benny tour went on as Mrs. Jefferson a couple of times.

[Pippin]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 3:52pm

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.