Sierra Boggess to play Maria in West Side Story in London- Page 4

[wssinsider]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 11:14am

She’s dropping out of the concert. Statement coming soon

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 11:27am

I'm probably wading into shark infested waters here, but here goes anyway.

In my opinion, diversity and/or color-blind/color-conscious casting is not a one-size-fits-all argument. There are some cases, like Hairspray or Miss Saigon, where specific racial casting is literally part of the story and it would be inappropriate and miss the point of the story. A Latino Seaweed or a black Kim wouldn't work because the stories are specifically written to be about characters of specific backgrounds.

Then there are shows where they were originally cast as white characters but it doesn't matter to the story. She Loves Me, for instance, could support any races in any of the roles. Some of these shows don't necessarily specify race, but casting non-white actors in the roles may create additional context that may or may not change the thematic focus.

And then there's shows like Hamilton, where the casting is deliberately against the "expectations" in order to make a thematic point that is crucial to the show and its aesthetic and themes. It's literally about reflecting modern American diversity and immigrant heritage in the personas of the Founding Fathers. They're race-specific for thematic reasons.

West Side Story, I think, falls into the first category. It's supposed to tell the story of Puerto Rican immigrants and white Americans (vaguely hinted to be of Polish heritage, if I remember correctly?) clashing. Even in a concert version, a white Maria (and, for that matter, a non-white Tony) would seem a little off. I can't imagine they couldn't find a single Latina who could sing the role. 

My point being that each show is its own individual thing and something that works for one show might be inappropriate for another. just my two cents.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 11:29am

wssinsider said: "She’s dropping out of the concert. Statement coming soon"

Good to hear, it's the right move. Shame her people couldn't have seen this coming. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 11:29am

I do agree to a sense that it has work both ways. Just because Kristoff is currently played by a black man doesn't mean it always has to be played by a black man, and that goes for most every role. Olaf, etc. So I see your point there. 

[SomeOtherMe]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 11:33am

1:28 Mark

Sierra herself says in this video that she is wrong for the role of Maria...

[Elegance101]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 11:41am

RippedMan said: "I do agree to a sense that it has work both ways. Just because Kristoff is currently played by a black man doesn't mean it always has to be played by a black man, and that goes for most every role. Olaf, etc. So I see your point there."

I agree.

The problem with a lot of these comments is you’re saying that it’s racist for white people to be denied opportunities that POC have. The role of Maria is a role expressing a Puerto Rican experience. That’s not racist that a white person isn’t given that opportunity to tell that story. And especially given the history of white people posing as other races in a malicious, stereotypical way, it’s even more wrong for a white person to do this. Dave28282 is saying he doesn’t see color, which I think any PoC would say is incredibly offensive.

But I want to end my part there, as I don’t love speaking for POC on these matters. White people should be part of the conversation to be educated, but I’d never want to put words in their mouths or speak for them, as I might get something wrong.

Updated On: 4/20/18 at 11:41 AM

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 11:44am

bwayrose7- I agree with you- sometimes it is appropriate and sometimes not- and sometimes the only way to determine is to put it out there- if Sierra feels she is not right for the role- she should drop out, I think- and she probably will or has already- but the point  might now be made that color blind casting can and should go both ways- otherwise it is racist and unjust. A white MLK would be ridiculous- though I would love to see a Hispanic or POC as Trump in an upcoming farce. 

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 1:04pm

Did Betsy Wolfe have a boy or a girl?

[Elegance101]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 1:07pm

CurtainPullDowner said: "Did Betsy Wolfe have a boy or a girl?"

This made me laugh.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 1:40pm

As expected, social media is in a frenzy over this, and there are also some of her more hardcore fans rushing to her defense like, "SHE'S JUST SINGING IN A CONCERT, GUYS! LEAVE HER ALONE!" Again, how is that supposed to justify this decision? What difference does it make whether it's a concert or a full production? It's not as if there aren't plenty of Latinas out there who would gladly participate in this kind of thing.

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 2:33pm

The characters in Hamilton too. Most of them are white actually. Did you complain about that too? There is a very important difference between painting with the real life accuracy in the illusion of arts orthe fact that certain people of the color of your liking get work. The first is often used falsely as cover up for the second.


The story of Hamilton is not a story about race. If the race isn't relevant to the story, it shouldn't matter in the casting. Someone else cited the example of Lea Salonga as Mother in Ragtime a few years ago, a casting decision I thought was very bizarre and distracting despite how much I enjoy her as a performer. The same applies to Sierra. 

 

Posted: 4/20/18 at 2:52pm

I think the context missing when discussing Lea Salonga in the Ragtime concert is that the role of Mother had no history of being cast with a non-white actress, while West Side Story has had many productions (and a film adaptation) where Maria and other roles have been played by white actors. Salonga would never have been cast in a full production, so it was the only chance for her to do the show. Sierra has not only already played Maria, she's admitted she was wrong for it! Not really sure why she and her agent thought this was a good move.

[natashalost]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 8:56pm

So disappointing. I love Sierra but this was just flat out stupid.

Couldn't they have gotten Solea Pfeiffer? I've seen her do it four times now, twice at the Hollywood Bowl and the Kennedy Center. Both times she was spectacular. She's truly a star in the making.

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 9:16pm

People actually says ''reverse racism'' as a real thing? LOL

And it's wrong for white people, and I'm white even though I'm white latin, to play roles written specific to POC.

Many people here seems to believe there's a lot of opportunities to POC people and for that matter, all people should play all roles. Well, this is not true and its unfair to an already opressed community of people.

Posted: 4/20/18 at 11:47pm

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but Sierra has deleted her Instagram post announcing this production. Seems likely that there will be an announcement soon?

[wssinsider]

Posted: 4/20/18 at 11:50pm

 

Ana Villafañe defending Sierra and then deleting her tweets:





 

 

 

 

Updated On: 4/21/18 at 11:50 PM

[LaneBryant]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 12:38am

natashalost said: "So disappointing. I love Sierra but this was just flat out stupid.

Couldn't they have gotten Solea Pfeiffer? I've seen her do it four times now, twice at the Hollywood Bowl and theKennedy Center. Both times she was spectacular. She's truly a star in the making."

 

But Solea.......isn't.......Puerto Rican....................... Lord Jesus. 

If you're unaware, her mother is Black and her father is White. 

 

[bk]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 12:40am

NOWaWarning said: "This is a concert presentation... would people complain if they cast an East Asian as Tony, a black actor as Riff or a south Asian as Anita?

Yes, probably. The characters in West Side Story are specific races. It's important to the story. Casting someone Latinx in a Latinx role is not asking too much.If you can't cast it appropriately (which they easily could), then do a different show. Concert presentation or not.

"

Funny, on the studio album of Bernstein conducting WSS, no one seemed to take issue that Jose Carreras played Tony, that Kiri Te Kanawa played Maria, that Tatiana Troyos played Anita.  Funny, no one seems to have an issue with Audra McDonald playing Lizzie  or Carrie or Joshua Henry playing Billy B - each of those roles  are Caucasian characters and of course we could go on and on.   A concert is a concert - she's SINGING the songs, not playing the role.  Alexandra Silber played Maria in the San Francisco concert with Cheyenne Jackson.  

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 12:45am

Maybe it’s just me, but I would not want to see or hear a concert version of Porgy & Bess with white people just because they can sing the songs well.

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 12:49am

"Funny, on the studio album of Bernstein conducting WSS, no one seemed to take issue that Jose Carreras played Tony, that Kiri Te Kanawa played Maria, that Tatiana Troyos played Anita. Funny, no one seems to have an issue with Audra McDonald playing Lizzie or Carrie or Joshua Henry playing Billy B - each of thoseroles are Caucasian characters and of course we could go on and on. A concert is a concert - she's SINGING the songs, not playing the role. Alexandra Silber played Maria in the San Francisco concert with Cheyenne Jackson."

Alexandra Silber is Hispanic.

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 12:49am

HeyMrMusic said: "Maybe it’s just me, but I would not want to see or hear a concert version of Porgy & Bess with white people just because they can sing the songs well."

Someone in the All Things Broadway Facebook group today (who defended the casting of Sierra) was asked whether he would be okay with Jessie Mueller being cast as Bess. He said no, because she's not "sensuous enough." No other reason given, just that one.

[bk]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 12:55am

Synecdoche2 said: ""Funny, on the studio album of Bernstein conducting WSS, no one seemed to take issue that Jose Carreras played Tony, that Kiri Te Kanawa played Maria, that Tatiana Troyos played Anita. Funny, no one seems to have an issue with Audra McDonald playing Lizzie or Carrie or Joshua Henry playing Billy B - each of thoseroles are Caucasian characters and of course we could go on and on. A concert is a concert - she's SINGING the songs, not playing the role. Alexandra Silber played Maria in the San Francisco concert with Cheyenne Jackson."

Alexandra Silber is Hispanic."

 

Her father is Jewish and her mother, is of Hispanic and Irish descent.  So, yes, she can play Hodel and Maria, perhaps at the same time.  

 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 12:56am

Well, that person must have missed On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.

[bk]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 12:58am

HeyMrMusic said: "Maybe it’s just me, but I would not want to see or hear a concert version of Porgy & Bess with white people just because they can sing the songs well."

And yet: Mel Torme and Francis Faye did just that.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 1:02am

I wonder how these conversations go in operas. I guess opera is such a highly demanding art form that there’s much less of a pool to choose from. Also, a lot of the classic operas don’t really try to depict cultures or have dialogue with the same realism that American musicals do.

Updated On: 4/21/18 at 01:02 AM