Sierra Boggess to play Maria in West Side Story in London- Page 6

[starcatchers]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 1:09pm

Dave28282 said: "qolbinau said: "Would you really want to see a white person play Celie or Effie though? I know I wouldn’t."

That's not a good example because the lyrics are literally about her being black. Just like Snow White must be white and Penny in Hairspray must be white.

But that is not the case for 99% of the roles out there. A black Christine or Carlotta in Phantom, an Asian Aladdin or a white/mixed Maria don't fall into that category to me. Theatre should paint with illusion and equality. Both ways of course.

You can't complain about Sierra as Maria and then not complain about a black Christine, the daughter of a 19th century Swedish violinist in Paris. It's either both ways or not."

 

Did we see a different WSS? It’s very much about María being Puerto Rican...

[asoftplacetoland]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 1:13pm

Who in the world thought a 35 year old ginger white woman would be a good fit to play a 15 year old Latina girl? Come on people..use your heads...

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 1:17pm

Dave28282 said: "qolbinau said: "Would you really want to see a white person play Celie or Effie though? I know I wouldn’t."

That's not a good example because the lyrics are literally about her being black."

 

And West Side Story is literally about the racial tensions between white people and Puerto Ricans, one of who is Maria. You’re just being purposefully ignorant at this point.

Updated On: 4/21/18 at 01:17 PM

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 3:48pm

WSS is not really a great example of colorblind casting- because the story is a story of racial intolerance and conflict- maybe not so obvious in a concert setting- but for the play- it would seem odd and maybe even a bit ridiculous to have black Jets and Chinese sharks. Or a black Tevye or Latina Fanny Brice. Yet, there are so many roles- and I would say the majority- where either black or white or any minority could do it. I saw Glass Menagerie and the casting of a severely disabled daughter kinda ruined the play because the disability really needed to be more about insecurity of the character- not a reaction to a major disability. Evan Hanson and so many other characters could be played by a person of any race. We need to be careful not to exclude white people from the mix- the exclusion of white people is as toxic as the exclusion of any other race- we need to get beyond all this and cast the best person for each role- period. Then we will make progress. At some point, all this color counting and the resentment and anger that seems to accompany it- needs to be dropped- and keep working, individually and as a society, toward racial equality and opportunity.

[Dave28282]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 3:51pm

We can argue about historical accuracy (Hamilton) and look completely past race and justify cases (Telly Leung in Aladdin, etc), we can try to pick out the exceptions of the rule to defend the opposite (Effie or Maria), but you can't change agenda's in all these cases and choose one side and then run ot the other side when that happens to suit the position of poc better. The fact that people do this tells me it's not about historical accuracy or accuracy story-wise, whatsoever. People don't even care when they cast the role of 2 siblings from different races, just as long as they are not white.

So all these excuses and inconstancy tells me the focus lies on something else. It lies on the amount of roles/work opportunity for the race of choice, as long as it's not white. Like I said, returning this exclusion behaviour to get "even" is not the solution. It's doing the same evil thing in return.

This mindset needs change in order to achieve true equality.

Updated On: 4/21/18 at 03:51 PM

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 4:13pm

[Dave28282]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 4:15pm

^ Yes but in a racist way. Without realizing it. Creating a bigger gap. This picture is an example of that.

[linnamonrole]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 4:24pm

okay I've never heard about West Side Story or Sirrea Bogges but I googled her and she isn't a POC. Like that is so wrong if this is a part for a POC and they casted someone who is not a POC. There are so many POC actresses that probably could have played this part well like Phillipa Soo or Jasmine Cephias Jones or Renee Elise Goldsberry or like Emmy Raver Lampman. And if they did that they could cast Lin as the guy (Tony? I'm guessing from the thread) because he would already have chemistry with all those actresses and he's more famous than the guy they have currently casted! 

I'm going to go and listen to West Side Story now! 

[Dave28282]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 4:26pm

In the true history of Hamilton, the great thing was that a white man, with blond hair and blue eyes did so much against slavery. So basically the musical does not pay much attention to whites or historical accuracy. People like you throw that overboard very easily, which is fine, clearly the casting process of the musical gives you enough satisfaction by it being a work opportunity for poc to suddenly shift your agenda, but don't go on a message board the next day, complaining about historical and racial accuracy of another show. Don't be a 2 faced jackal. Be true. No matter how much you enjoy excluding whites to get even. 

Because in the end, out of the 2 of us, I'm the one who is open for diverse casting both ways and equality, and you are a 1 way street which prevents equality per definition.

Updated On: 4/21/18 at 04:26 PM

[linnamonrole]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 4:31pm

Yeah but it's like that now because of someone named LIN MANUEL MIRANDA. Lin is letting us pave the way to equality in theatre! And honestly I've never heard about this show West Side Story so maybe it can take points from Hamilton in casting more POC because that's what Hamilton did and they are obviously more successful because of it and maybe more people would know about it and it would be more successful. 

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 4:33pm

Delete

Updated On: 4/21/18 at 04:33 PM

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 4:35pm

I'm not gonna try to get through to Dave anymore (waste of my energy), but I definitely encourage you to listen to West Side Story since you haven't already! It's a wonderful musical.

[Dave28282]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 4:40pm

I think more people know West Side Story than Hamilton.

Also, since when is excluding certain races for roles the way to equality? It's just a form of racism to get even. But as we can see, it creates more separation. Just like it did when it was the other way around, back in the day.

So, try again.
 

Updated On: 4/21/18 at 04:40 PM

[wssinsider]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 4:47pm

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 4:48pm

LOL!

[XWW]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 4:53pm

Dave28282 said: "...since when is excluding certain races for roles the way to equality?It's just a formof racism to get even. But as we can see, it creates more separation. Just like it did when it was the other way around, back in the day.

So, try again.

"

Your philosophy is understandable for any industry except this one. I understand where you’re coming from, but you’re wrong. I’ve already stated my opinions in this thread, so I won’t rehash them, but let’s just say that in a show as racially driven as WSS, color blind casting is not route that should be taken. I love color blind casting. I was one of the people that actually really wanted to see Mandy Patinkin play Pierre in The Great Comet. But this is different. 

[jacksonpotter]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 4:53pm

This is just a crappy thing to do. All things put aside it it is just wrong 
 

Updated On: 4/21/18 at 04:53 PM

[Dave28282]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 4:56pm

@wssinsider

Oh so now we shifted to the mode of importance of historical accuracy again? Forgive me, I was still in Hamilton mode. It goes fast.

Updated On: 4/21/18 at 04:56 PM

[The Josh]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 5:05pm

Dave-

Maria is Puerto Rican because the script says so.

The founding fathers in Hamilton are POC because the script says so.

Tracy Turnblad is white because the script says so.

If race is not specified, a person of any race can be cast.

All of that has nothing to do with morals or history; I t’s just the job of actors and directors to do what the author said to do. Surely you can agree with that.

But if you’re trying to argue that white folks are a marginalized group... I don’t know what to tell you.

[linnamonrole]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 5:10pm

I'm just going to say one more thing and then stop participating in this and be the bigger person: Hamilton is the most successful musical of all time and it has a cast of POC so maybe all these other shows should cast more POC because look at how successful Hamilton can be. Also, its racist for you to say that Tarcy Turnblade can't be played by a POC, like race does not say who a person is 

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 5:12pm

Hamilton is not the most successfull musical of all time. And if race doesnt matter then why are you commenting on Sierra playing Maria? If it doesnt matter to you, you should be fine with the casting decision.

[linnamonrole]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 5:17pm

if Hamilton isn't the most successful musical of all time then what is? Wicked? DEH? 

[Loopin’theloop]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 5:18pm

Dave28282 as I type this, I feel I’m wasting my time but none the less - ‘Hamilton’ is specifically written for the actors to POC. It’s a specific artist choice to cast these white characters with none white actors in order that the history be examined in a certain way. It’s integral to the piece. When anyone uses it as an example ‘why is it ok for Hamilton to cast black people in real life white roles?’ it shows a lack of understanding of the that particular show or its artistic angle, more than anything else.

Yes, we live in a world of people being outraged at a headline and jumping knee deep into an argument about which they have limited understanding. This is absolutely true. That isn’t true of everyone though. But in this case, the argument against this casting, is solid. In this instance your argument is as based as much on a knee jerk, click baited type reaction as much of what you are attempting to argue against. It would take you all of five minutes to be more informed about ‘Hamilton’ for example.

It is out responsibility as citizens to be informed. Nobody can do that for us, we must go out and seek knowledge. Yes you must absolutely bring your view to the table. Please share your thoughts and feelings and engage in discussion, it’s what we as a worldwide community need but we owe it to each other to have taken the time to have some basic understanding of the opposite side. Otherwise what are we doing?

[TexanAddams18]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 5:23pm

linnamonrole said: "if Hamilton isn't the most successful musical of all time then what is? Wicked? DEH?"

The Lion King

[KayGlass2]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 6:09pm

"And honestly I've never heard about this show West Side Story so maybe it can take points from Hamilton in casting more POC because that's what Hamilton did and they are obviously more successful because of it and maybe more people would know about it and it would be more successful."

If you seriously think that Hamilton is "more successful" than West Side Story, take a seat and learn a bit about theatre history.