Posted: 6/25/19 at 5:07pm
Posted: 6/25/19 at 5:11pm
Posted: 6/25/19 at 5:20pm
I mean...I like James Corden...but I don't really want to watch another straight guy nelly it up to great acclaim."
I think he will just play himself... he's already naturally a bit effeminate or "nelly"
Updated On: 6/25/19 at 05:20 PM
Posted: 6/25/19 at 5:21pm
But that's the point. WE'RE gay a f. And watching straight people try to do that* makes my skin crawl.
*Other than Jeffrey Wright in Angels in America. That may be the one and only time I've ever bought the argument 'best actor for the role.'
Posted: 6/25/19 at 5:25pm
Pose2 said: "The theater community has always accepted LGBTQIA people. There is no shortage in theater, nor has there ever been. This is about making money, it's not really difficult to understand. It's a movie on Netflix based on a musical, not the end of the world.
Shows you really how far gay rights are in this country
They have come remarkably far, actually. Perhaps you should read a little bit of history before saying such ignorant, ridiculous things. Read up on the last fifty years of LGBT history in this country. Then perhaps you can make another statement. Jesus."
Ya, with Trump as President America has come just so far as a country. Please. Yes, it’s better. Is the fight over then? Absolutely not, and this thread is proof of that. There’s still strong discrimination out there. Nothing about my comment was ignorant.
Posted: 6/25/19 at 5:30pm
And let's not pretend that the world of the theater bestowed their beneficence on the poor, downtrodden homos and such. Our homo forebears made that world.
Posted: 6/25/19 at 5:32pm
Posted: 6/25/19 at 6:30pm
JSquared2 said: "VotePeron said: "For what it's worth, the original Deadline article states that Murphywillrelease it in movie theaters, to ensure it's eligible for all major awards. That's why he cast it like this - because he knows there will be awards buzz as we thank these straight icons for their bravery in telling a queer story."
Meryl Streep, Ariana Grande, Nicole Kidman are --- gasp ----straight icons??? Boy, you sure don't get out much, do you? The gays (myself included) LOVE these people!"
so weird this spread so far bc outlets even reported her producing the movie album with scooter? but ariana is NOT part of the project https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Meryl-Streep-James-Corden-Nicole-Kidman-Ariana-Grande-to-Star-in-THE-PROM-on-Netflix-20190625
Posted: 6/25/19 at 6:36pm
Also worth noting that Ryan Murphy picked all of these actors as his first choice for each role. As one of the leading gay producers out there, it was certainly his prerogative if he had wanted to cast gay actors in these roles. I don't think this is something you can blame on "Hollywood" and their lack of acceptance or whatever. He clearly just wanted big flashy names.
All of this. Money, money money. Business. Business. Business. Sometimes (TRIGGER WARNING) it's not about who a person sleeps with in this world. And the decision has already been made, so there is little you can do besides complain I guess.
Posted: 6/25/19 at 6:43pm
Very transparent that they waited almost the entire working day before issuing a correction that Ariana isn't apart of this project.
Posted: 6/25/19 at 6:56pm
Fetus said: "Very transparent that they waited almost the entire workingday before issuing a correction that Ariana isn't apart of this project."
Most likely they jumped the gun announcing her and the deal fell through last minute (or her team is playing hardball).
Posted: 6/25/19 at 7:11pm
GeorgeandDot said: "I think straight people can play gay roles if they approach it with nuance and humanity. I thought that Timothee Chalamet and Cate Blanchett both played gay roles gorgeously with a ton of depth and nuance. However, straight actors can easily fall into the trap of playing stereotypes without humanity and nuance. They go for the camp, but none of the humanity. However, when gay actors play roles like that, it comes across as human and a form of self-expression. An example of this is Brandon Uranowitz in Burn This, Harvey Fierstein and Michael Urie in Torch Song, and Titus Burgess in Kimmy Schmidt. These actors are playing roles that are over the top and campy, but yet they find a level of humanity and genuineness that most straight actors aren't able to bring.
The difference between a straight actor playing a gay role and a gay actor playing a gay role? The gay actor can bring their own personal truth to a role and provide a voice to a community that has been silenced for so long. The gay community is an oppressed minority that deserves to have their voices be heard.
Anyway, I love the casting. Contrary to popular belief, Meryl is and always has been a tremendous singer. I'm also not totally thrilled about Corden, he'll be wonderful, but I really think Titus Burgess would've been a phenomenal choice for Barry."
This is right on target, GeorgeandDot. I don't have a unilateral opinion on straight actors playing gay people, because I have seen brilliant performances that don't traffic in stereotypes (like the two you mentioned). But specifically with this role and with James Corden...Corden already plays up and performs stereotypical "gayness," and you can see this clearly in the way he behaves on his talk show. I think it's done in an effort to be more charming, perhaps, but after some time it's become more and more obvious to me, at least, that it's performative. Barry Glickman is very stereotypically gay in a lot of ways as a character, but the thing about Brooks Ashmanskas's performance that makes it so affecting is that yes, he's hilarious and outrageous and gay, but Brooks plays this in a very honest and authentic way because that's part of who he is as a human and he's able to bring it to the character. Handing that role not only to a straight person, but a straight person who performs stereotypical gayness in order to benefit himself and enhance his persona (which is a safe thing for him to do precisely because he is straight), seems a bit like a slap in the face to me. I wasn't necessarily expecting Brooks himself to be cast but it would have been nice to see this go to...literally anyone else tbh.
Posted: 6/25/19 at 8:51pm
Have no desire to see either Streep or Corden in this. And it has nothing to do with their sexual orientation.
Posted: 6/25/19 at 10:07pm
Jordan Catalano said: "No I’m sorry, Streep did not sound great in “Into the Woods” and it will forever remain a mystery to me why this brilliant actress who can, at best, carry a tune is regarded as a good singer.
FACTS
Also, I do see the argument that it's bad either way to cast someone who doesn't fit the role but particularly bad when an actor who does not belong to a particularly minority group is cast to play a potentially offensive stereotype of that minority group. Like, whitewashing? Bad. Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's? JESUS CHRIST.
It's not that I don't see that this cast will draw in people who like these actors and don't know the OBC of The Prom. But I don't know if they'll draw in enough people to offset the cost of their salaries. It feels like a weird move. Also, because I never expected them to take it this seriously. As others have said, I was imagining something more like a live TV musical.
Posted: 6/25/19 at 11:17pm
Posted: 6/26/19 at 1:00am
Posted: 6/26/19 at 1:37am
BroadwayMarley said: "If straight actors can't play gay roles, wouldn't that mean that gay actors shouldn't play straight roles. That would be a net loss for the gay community."
no it would not mean that. straight people have not faced oppression like gay people have. definitely not the same thing in any way.
also many people flabbergasted at the original cast not being included... do y’all know how movies work?
Posted: 6/26/19 at 2:08am
gleek4114 said: "From stage musicals yes, but I’m sure a nice check from Netflix could’ve made him appear in one on screen."
the fact that he never appeared in a movie musical... is so sad
blm2323 said: “I’m just tired of Streep being in EVERY musical adaption. Is it purely to green light these projects?”
this is her 3rd musical adaptation. Mamma Mia, Into the Woods and now The Prom. that’s not every single one.
Updated On: 6/26/19 at 02:08 AM
Posted: 6/26/19 at 2:50am
I don't know what I was expecting, but a full-fledged movie musical wasn't it.
I don't have strong feelings about The Prom - I saw it, thought it was flawed but enjoyable enough, largely because of the performances - so I don't have a passionate attachment, nor do I dislike the musical.
First, Meryl Streep. Her involvement raises the stakes. She's seemingly ageless and can manage just about everything except for the belting that Beth Leavel pulls off with ease. This is one time where the old practice of bringing in Broadway folks to do the actual singing might be a good idea, but I'm sure they won't do that.
Is James Corden any sort of box office draw? I know he won a Tony and can sing, but to most Americans, he's just a late-night chat show host. He seems like an odd co-lead with Streep. As a straight guy, it's not my place to be offended or not. But I do wonder if Corden can manage the tricky task Brooks Ashmanskas pulled off with Barry. He was an extreme gay stereotype but was able to both make the role funny and, when it mattered, make me feel like he was a genuine person. (There's a moment near the end of the show when Barry talks with Alyssa's mother, just a glance, that was wonderfully handled by Ashmanskas.) I wonder if Corden can do all that, and hold his own with Streep.
Aside from Moulin Rouge!, I can't recall Nicole Kidman being in other musicals. At first, I thought it was a horrible idea. But then I remembered that her part is small. She only has one song, really, unless they try to beef up her part.
Andrew Rannells seems like he will have no trouble as Trent. It's a good opportunity for him.
Awkwafina's casting doesn't faze me. It's a small part, and she was the best part of Crazy Rich Asians anyway. Keegan-Michael Key ought to be OK as the principal, depending on his on-screen chemistry with Streep.
Unlike the film versions (or remakes) of In the Heights and West Side Story, my expectations for The Prom won't be especially high. Perhaps that will work in its favor.
Posted: 6/26/19 at 3:23am
GeorgeandDot said: "The difference between a straight actor playing a gay role and a gay actor playing a gay role? The gay actor can bring their own personal truth to a role and provide a voice to a community that has been silenced for so long. The gay community is an oppressed minority that deserves to have their voices be heard."
But the opposite could also be said for a gay person playing a straight role. The gay actor cannot bring their personal truth to the character
Posted: 6/26/19 at 3:38am
Posted: 6/26/19 at 5:20am
The fact that this little property is being turned into a film musical so quickly is probably a good thing. No one would have thought 'The Prom' was a candidate for a film, and certainly not one with a cast so star-studded. The authors must be thrilled, the property will have a longer life in regional and school productions and everybody wins. Who knows ... maybe the cast will have lots of fun with this and it will make for a very entertaining film.
Posted: 6/26/19 at 8:17am
Hollywood's been giving the middle finger to the Broadway stars who originated roles for years. Just ask Ethel Merman.
Posted: 6/26/19 at 9:13am
Im here for Andrew Rannells singing Love Thy Neighbor though.
Posted: 6/26/19 at 9:28am
NOWaWarning said: "I’m surprised artists of this caliber said yes to this material. Ryan Murphy must have some dirt on them."
Hah! You are precious!
