Rosie in the Bye Bye Birdie revival? — Page 4

"Well they do find out in the Bring Back Birdie that Mae is in fact Spanish."

"While I am sure Olga can play white roles. Mae makes it known how much she dislikes Rosie for being Spanish. I don't know, it would just be weird to me."
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I have no opinion on the suggestion of Olga Merediz for the role of Mae and I have to learn more about the show, but from what I understand it could still make sense to cast a Latina as Mae. There is a long history in the US of using or claiming Spanish ancestry to "pass" for White if one's appearance allows it. Her behavior towards Rosie could be seen as a product of internalized racism. If her ethnicity is not disclosed in the show then it might not matter anyway.

I would be very glad if Rosie was played by someone who identifies as a Latina of any ethnic background because there are so few representations of Latinos in media/entertainment. However,the distinction and history between Spanish, Hispanic and Latin@ is also long and complex, so that may be too simple a view of Rosie- but it makes casting an interesting critical exercise if you make it so.

Sorry to get all long and sociological/psychological/critical race theoretical. =P

On another note, I would love to hear how SJB sounded in the workshops (I heard she was fierce).

Did you mean that in agreement or sarcastically? Because if those are the only examples you can come up with, it reinforces my point. The lack of representation of Latina/os in proportion to their percentage of the population is a well supported fact in media studies. And this is representation of any kind, so positive representation is even smaller. They are also limited in their representation of the "Latino/a type" often excluding Afro-latinos, etc. The most common representations associate Latinos with violence (as gang members or cops) and comedy.

I also was speaking of media generally, not just Broadway or theatre. But I don't mean to threadjack, so please continue everyone with the subject at hand. =)

Ok please don't hate me but I could really see Bailey Hanks playing Kim. I also think that Ashley Spencer from Grease could also do a really great job.

For Rose it might be really interesting to see what Eden Espinosa could do with the role.

Updated On: 2/16/09 at 12:23 PM

Eden is a bit too young for the role. And what are her dance credentials? I cannot see her in a classic golden age role at all.

If Robert Longbottom's workshop proved anything, it was that he wants to cast the kids as close to age appropriate as possible.

Meredith Hagner (who was 19 at the time) played Kim, Matt Doyle (who was 19 at the time) played Hugo, Sarah Hyland (who was 17 at the time) played Ursula, Harrison Chad (who was 15 at the time) played Harvey, etc.

I imagine he'll follow suit once the full production is mounted, so names like Bailey Hanks and Ashley Spencer are out of the realm of possibility.

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Updated On: 2/16/09 at 12:59 PM

Well, I don't know if anyone is really right for Rosie. Andrea Burns is an all around great choice (dancing might be a question), but I don't know how special she would really be. And while Natascia Diaz is my favorite Dancer/Singer/Actress out of the actresses mentioned, i don't know if she has the ol' musical comedy chops.

However, I'm listening to the new Allegro album and I think Patrick Wilson can make a very good Albert (David Hyde Pierce might be my first choice thought). Is Matthew Broderick too old?

Ew. Sara couldn't be more wrong for the role. I'm sorry. I cannot picture her dancing the Shriner's Ballet.

I just wish they wouldn't go for a name for Rosie.
Rosie needs to be a real triple threat. Albert can be a name actor.

Natalie Cortez

It's going to be a shame if they pass up a Broadway Latina for some name. I am not going to be happy.

Updated On: 2/17/09 at 12:10 AM