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

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...

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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.

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

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

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

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

Delete

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

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

LOL!

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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

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.

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.

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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?

"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.