Sierra Boggess to play Maria in West Side Story in London- Page 7

[asoftplacetoland]

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

If you have no knowledge of West Side Story or Sierra Boggess in a thread about these two things, maybe.. just..uh.. lurk and learn.

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 6:24pm

linnamonrole said: "I'm just going to say one more thing and then stop participating in this and be the bigger person: Hamilton is the most successfulmusical 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"

Hamilton, while an amazing musical, has not been around long enough to be considered the most successful musical of all-time. Maybe it'll reach that place at some point, but it isn't there yet.

[linnamonrole]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 6:34pm

I don't know why people are making such a big deal out of me not knowing who Sirera Boggs or what West Side Story is. Like, they're clearly not successful because otherwise I would know who they are the way I know Lin, Hamilton, or DEH, Ben Platt. I have never heard anyone talking about them meanwhile other shows like Be More Chill are way more popular and not getting this kind of attention. 

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 6:37pm

I can't beliebe you're all taking linnamonrole seriously

[Bwayfan292]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 6:37pm

linnamonrole said: "I don't know why people are making such a big deal out of me not knowing who Sirera Boggs or what West Side Story is. Like, they're clearly not successful because otherwise I would know who they are the way I know Lin, Hamilton, or DEH, Ben Platt. I have never heard anyone talking about them meanwhile other shows like Be More Chill are way more popular and not getting this kind of attention."

I just did a spit take. I hope your joking. 

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 6:38pm

I don't think they're joking. I think they're just very young.

Edit: Okay, I just looked at another thread, and am starting to wonder LOL

Updated On: 4/21/18 at 06:38 PM

[XWW]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 6:42pm

linnamonrole said: "I don't know why people are making such a big deal out of me not knowing who Sirera Boggs or what West Side Story is. Like, they're clearly not successful because otherwise I would know who they are the way I know Lin, Hamilton, or DEH, Ben Platt. I have never heard anyone talking about them meanwhile other shows like Be More Chill are way more popular and not getting this kind of attention."

...I’m done

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 6:43pm

BroadwayRox3588 said: "Prediction: This thread will get WAY out of hand."

Looks like I was right! 

[emmettjordan]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 6:46pm

BroadwayRox3588 said: "I don't think they're joking. I think they're justvery young.

Edit: Okay, I just looked at another thread, and am starting to wonder LOL"

Sirera BOGGS is all I have to say. 

 

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 6:52pm

With all due credit to the genius that Lin is- Hamilton is the right musical for this time in history- Lin is a genius- no doubt- and I love the soundtrack- and have listened to it a million times- but Lin himself is not responsible for the POC inclusion movement- that has grown out of the civil rights era- and is what is happening in this current time- though he undoubtedly is a huge success and has influenced theater casting in a very positive way. The casting of diverse races to portray historical figures who founded America- well, that was genius- and the rap- hip hop influenced music is very right for a diverse cast. That said, not every show MUST be diverse- there can be back shows- white shows- gay shows- whatever. The constant calling out of any project that does not follow a PC agenda is not a good thing. I do agree that in a full reading of WSS- the cast should be racially accurate for the story- though for a concert version- I do not think that is essential. What is essential is a voice and ability and talent to express the characters innermost feelings- and if Sierra can do it justice- I say, why not? Though in this time and place, it creates a huge uproar - as this thread attests. so be it. This is the time we are living in and maybe it will lead to greater sensitivity and equality- one can only hope.

Updated On: 4/21/18 at 06:52 PM

[santeFEEE]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 7:17pm

I feel like although Sierra has massive talent, Maria should be played by a Puerto Rican. Westside story is literally all about Race. There are many other actresses that could have played the role. She herself said that her playing Maria was "wrong" so why do it again? In order to tell the story of West Side Story properly, Maria needs to be of the proper descent. It doesn't matter if it's a concert. That's even more of a reason to cast proper race because many people will know the story, but those who do not will be confused. Imagine Motor Mouth Maybelle being played by a white actress. In shows like "Waitress", "Frozen", "Beauty and the Beast" and just about any other show out there nobody would complain about race because it is all race-neutral. But shows like "Ragtime", "Dreamgirls", "Hairspray", and "West Side Story" the performers must be cast according to their proper race. That's really all thats to it.

Updated On: 4/21/18 at 07:17 PM

[BWAY Baby2]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 7:38pm

I agree.

[Gizmo6]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 7:43pm

ScottyDoesn'tKnow2 said: "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."

I just recently say a black opera star as Madama Butterfly, it didn’t matter. I loved her and she gave an honest and heartbreakingly truthful performance: 

https://video.kglteater.dk/madame-butterfly-genopsaetning

 

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 8:16pm

WOW...

So many people over-reacting over a misconception and gross misrepresentation of the truth: "Sierra Boggess to play Maria in West Side Story in London"

Sierra Boggess is NOT cast as Maria in any London production of West Side Story. There is no such production that I am aware of. All the claims of "Latinx/Latino/Latina roles should go to Latinx/Latino/Latina actors" do not apply.

These are THE PROMS. DO YOUR HOMEWORK before immaturely jumping on the mob-mentality bandwagon. >sheesh<

[wssinsider]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 9:08pm

John Adams said: "WOW...

So many people over-reacting over a misconception and gross misrepresentation of the truth: "Sierra Boggess to play Maria in West Side Story in London"

Sierra Boggess is NOT cast as Maria in any London production of West Side Story. There is no such production that I am aware of. All the claims of "Latinx/Latino/Latina roles should go to Latinx/Latino/Latina actors" do not apply.

These are THE PROMS. DO YOUR HOMEWORK before immaturely jumping on the mob-mentality bandwagon. >sheesh<"

 

Fact the Proms get recorded and played everywhere. There goes another generation of brown little girls seeing a white old lady play Maria . See OUR point? So are you ok with Sierra playing Sarah in a Ragtime Concert?

 

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 9:35pm

Again, what difference does it make whether it's a concert or a full production? People keep screaming this "BUT IT'S JUST A CONCERT, GUYS!!!" excuse with no explanation, as if it's supposed to somehow solve the problem.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 9:37pm

Thanks, Gizmo6. Have we hit the false-equivalency bingo yet?

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 10:00pm

wssinsider said: "Fact the Proms get recorded and played everywhere. There goes another generation of brown little girls seeing a white old lady play Maria . See OUR point? So are you ok with Sierra playing Sarah in a Ragtime Concert?"

No, I don't see any point being made at all. Sierra playing Sarah in Ragtime? Yup, I'd agree that would be goofy. Sierra singing any selection from Ragtime in concert (including any of the selections written for the men like, 'Wheels of a Dream'? I'm absolutely fine with that.

This is a concert, not a production. Should "another generation of brown little girls" be disappointed that the oboist is not Puerto Rican?

If you insist on thinking of this concert as a "show", then you need to recognize that the star of The Prom is the John Wilson Orchestra (with guest soloists), and has been for quite some time. Since that is the case, and per your 'rules', the orchestra has to be be Puerto Rican - right?

This concert is meant to celebrate Bernstein's 100th birthday by performing his score (and later, 'On the Town', also) - NOT to convey the plot or characters of West Side Story.

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 10:04pm

Elfuhbuh said: "Again, what difference does it make whether it's a concert or a full production? People keep screaming this "BUT IT'S JUST A CONCERT, GUYS!!!" excuse with no explanation, as if it's supposed to somehow solve the problem."

I'm starting to wonder if concert versions of musicals like Chicago and Sweeney Todd have eclipsed the definition of "concert" to a point where folks don't know or remember what an actual concert is...

[wssinsider]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 10:14pm

John Adams said: "wssinsider said: "Fact the Proms get recorded and played everywhere. There goes another generation of brown little girls seeing a white old lady play Maria . See OUR point? So are you ok with Sierra playing Sarah in a Ragtime Concert?"

No, I don't see any point being made at all. Sierra playing Sarah in Ragtime? Yup, I'd agree that would be goofy. Sierra singing any selection from Ragtime in concert (including any of the selections written for the men like, 'Wheels of a Dream'? I'm absolutely fine with that.

This is a concert, not a production. Should "another generation of brown little girls" be disappointed that the oboist is not Puerto Rican?

If you insist on thinking of this concert as a "show", then you need to recognize that the star of The Prom is the John Wilson Orchestra (with guest soloists), and has been for quite some time. Since that is the case, and per your 'rules', the orchestra has to be be Puerto Rican - right?

This concert is meant to celebrate Bernstein's 100th birthday by performing his score (and later, 'On the Town', also) - NOT to convey the plot or characters of West Side Story."

 

you must be a white male  #Privilege . God bless you. I hope you enjoy your privilege  

 

[Odie2]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 10:31pm

wssinsider said: "John Adams said: "wssinsider said: "Fact the Proms get recorded and played everywhere. There goes another generation of brown little girls seeing a white old lady play Maria . See OUR point? So are you ok with Sierra playing Sarah in a Ragtime Concert?"

No, I don't see any point being made at all. Sierra playing Sarah in Ragtime? Yup, I'd agree that would be goofy. Sierra singing any selection from Ragtime in concert (including any of the selections written for the men like, 'Wheels of a Dream'? I'm absolutely fine with that.

This is a concert, not a production. Should "another generation of brown little girls" be disappointed that the oboist is not Puerto Rican?

If you insist on thinking of this concer
This concert is meant to celebrate Bernstein's 100th birthday by performing his score (and later, 'On the Town', also) - NOT to convey the plot or characters of West Side Story."



you must be a white male #Privilege . God bless you. I hope you enjoy your privilege

"

This is ALW and Cmack privilege and nothing more. She is a name because of them and draws people to buy tickets and it all equals to $$$. Look at the two most cast stars for concert production and they are Ramin and Sierra. They are bankable and very easy to market and easy to work with thus they fit all the check boxes.  

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 4/21/18 at 10:54pm

John Adams said: "Elfuhbuh said: "Again, what difference does it make whether it's a concert or a full production? People keep screaming this "BUT IT'S JUST A CONCERT, GUYS!!!" excuse with no explanation, as if it's supposed to somehow solve the problem."

I'm starting to wonder if concert versions of musicals like Chicago and Sweeney Todd have eclipsed the definition of "concert" to a point where folks don't know or remember what an actual concert is..."

I'm well aware of what a concert is, thanks. It's just extremely ridiculous to act like there aren't plenty of Latinas out there who would've jumped at the opportunity to sing Maria's parts.

[bk]

Posted: 4/22/18 at 2:08am

Elfuhbuh said: "John Adams said: "Elfuhbuh said: "Again, what difference does it make whether it's a concert or a full production? People keep screaming this "BUT IT'S JUST A CONCERT, GUYS!!!" excuse with no explanation, as if it's supposed to somehow solve the problem."

I'm starting to wonder if concert versions of musicals like Chicago and Sweeney Todd have eclipsed the definition of "concert" to a point where folks don't know or remember what an actual concert is..."

I'm well aware of what a concert is, thanks. It's just extremely ridiculous to act like there aren't plenty of Latinas out there who would've jumped at the opportunity to sing Maria's parts."

 

They might jump at the opportunity, but the Proms likes names for their concerts.  And Sierra Bogess is a name over there.

 

[kp]

Posted: 4/22/18 at 4:12am

Actually, The Proms don't necessarily go for names in their presentations of musicals. I doubt whether most Proms goers will have hear of Sierra Boggess. She really is not a name over here. The names of the performers are pretty low key in the brochure. Proms tend to sell on the composer and the music being played. 

A comment by linnamonrole about Hairspray caught my attention. Having a black Tracy would ruin the story (just as having a white Motormouth would do so). Maybe linnamonrole was being ironic but on this board you just never know.

[Dave28282]

Posted: 4/22/18 at 4:16am

wssinsider said: "Fact the Proms get recorded and played everywhere. There goes another generation of brown little girls seeing a white old lady play Maria . See OUR point? "

No. It's a classical concert and people can sing whatever song they want. 

If it was for you, there would be another generation of brown girls that feel they are not equal, because you create issues and separation.

Updated On: 4/22/18 at 04:16 AM