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

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.

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.

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

Did Betsy Wolfe have a boy or a girl?

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.

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.

Ana Villafañe defending Sierra and then deleting her tweets:

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

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.

"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.

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 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.