Ridiculous casting sheet for the RENT film — Page 2

I disagree Plum. Race isn't a central issue but it is underlying one with a simple message -- one not need allow race to be a factor in choosing friends! Jonathan Larson made this clear when he opted to describe the characters (to producers insisting on greater depth to the libretto) according to race. This message will NOT come through clear if the cast is predominantly of one race. In fact, it could be offensive if two out of three people of color are a drug addict S&M dancer and a capitalist schmuck who despises the homeless. (I love these characters regardless of their habits and trades, but there's something slightly disgusting about people of color being presented as offending public morale more than others)

That's what I was trying to say Evelyn - though im out of it so im not too coherrent.

By the way:
Is Rent doing that bad that Drew Lachey is in the show? he didnt sound to good on bway on bway.
Matt Caplan rocks

Even though Rent is being performed all over - and it is a very int'l topic - in AMERICA the race factor plays a large role in the development of the characters.

Besides, I dont know a white Angel

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Taye also wants more of these "race-neutral" roles open to people of color. It sounds contradictory, but it isn't. I assure you that he would be dissatisfied if, let's say, this project were to be filmed with Mimi as the only person of color. The cold reality is that African-American, Asian and Latino actors and actresses aren't being afforded enough major roles in Hollywood. I assure you that the people supporting a "race-neutral" casting effort that deliberately pursues Caucasians for most of the roles (??? Now that's contradictory!)would be dissatisfied if that FAKE CASTING SHEET had insisted that the ratio be five African-Americans to three Caucasians.

I'm French and Jewish - not the best of combinations.

My aunt said that theatre is about action and performance. Aida doesn't have to be black. She id because it makes it easier for ppl to accept. Near the end, some of the nubians were white.

I think that American culture is heavily race-orriented.

But to really end this:

Larson himself expressed the races of the characters.

It shows the diversity in Rent

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paulie: Jonathan's "original script" also called for Maureen to leave Joanne and go back to Mark, after they sing a song that essentially reduces their lesbian identities to phases that are based strictly on sexual desire. If Columbus were to stick to the first draft of Larson's libretto, then this film WOULD be awful. In any case, Raul Esparza and Jai Rodriguez have both auditioned for principal roles in the film, so that casting sheet is definitely bull.

Plum: I agree that race is a social construct. However, skin color is not a social construct. You must accept that skin color (and by association, race) is an issue in the U.S. -- especially when it comes to jobs. It is fun to not have to discuss the issue of race, and even more fun to be in a room where people don't all have the same skin color but still enjoy being around each other. But, it is more practical to not discuss race unless you have to discuss it than to join a discussion about race by saying that race isn't an issue. I'm speaking in general terms and not suggesting that you don't think race is an issue, of course...

*edited for spelling*

Updated On: 10/15/04 at 12:31 AM

Exactly, Plum.

the guy that was the orginal angel was black. he was just light skinned!!

When I saw Rent on the US tour years back we had an asian Angel. And he was very good in the role.

I don't know if anyone else has posted this already since I haven't read them all, but Jonathan Larson originally envisioned Collins as caucasian. It wasn't until Jesse L. Martin auditioned for the role that he realized Collins could also be African-American.

timote,

You said "For the movie, Mimi must be Hispanic (or else the line in OT would make no sense) and parents must be the same color/ethnicity as their children."

FTR, quite a few Mimi's have been non-Hispanic, and I've seen many shows where parents were different colors as the kids.

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I don't know what I think about this. I DO think that it SEEMS like replacing the normal casting of African-Americans in two main roles for Caucasions is a cop-out, but if there's a specific reason with the director's concept, then so be it. As long as it makes sense. Wouldn't it make sense just to leave ethnicity completely out of the description of a few of the parts? I don't know, I think everyone's getting really worked up about a false casting notice.

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AbsolutKnight, you saw an Asian angel? Now that would've been something I'd have loved to see...Mayumi writes on her website how she doesn't like being the "token Asian" in Rent, but sees it as a necessary evil.

On Broadway, you have to take what you get, which sometimes leads to black parents for a white kid. Hollywood is different, as the pool of actors is larger.

And yes, I know there have been non-hispanic Mimis. Scary Spice is black and British, and Krystal Washington isn't exactly a hispanic name (although I don't know for sure she isn't hispanic). I'm just saying for the movie to be somewhat credible, Mimi has to be hispanic. The other roles, although traditionally ethnically-set, can be cast otherwise.

However, it may be most wise for the movie to cast African American actors as Joanne, Collins and Benny, a Latino actor for Angel, a Hispanic actress for Mimi and Caucasian actors as Roger and Mark, to make the show as "true" as possible.

And I did not know Mr. Larson wanted a white Collins. See what a good audition can do? Change the race of a character!