TV: Roundabout Announces THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD Cast- Page 2

[Kelly2]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 7:48pm

Fabulous. I'm excited already. Give me SJB, Andy Karl's butt, and some crazy accents and I'm in.

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 8:59pm

Oh, forgot I can't have an opposing opinion on here.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 9:00pm

Any news on the design team for this production?

[theatreguy]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 9:02pm

Sets: Anna Louizos
Costumes: William Ivey Long
Lights: Brian Nason
Sound: Tony Meola

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 9:07pm

It's not an opposing opinion, it's a ridiculous and actually racist assertion that caucasions are less deserving to be cast in a show.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 9:36pm

Thanks theatreguy! I love Anna Louizos's work!

[Wynbish]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 10:07pm

While we're at it, let's make Once more diverse. They need some Hispanics in that Irish pub.

I think tokenism in a cast is more offensive. "Oh, we need a person of color! Let's put them here!"

Updated On: 6/28/12 at 10:07 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 10:19pm

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 10:26pm

Lol!

[E.Davis]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 10:30pm

Well since there is no Black or Ethnic people in this I think it goes with out saying...All Black Production of Parade.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 10:38pm

Ooooh! I didn't realize there were going to be William Ivey Long costumes!

[Wynbish]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 10:38pm

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 10:40pm

Helena and Neville are ethnic roles as written by Dickens and adapted by Rupert Holmes. Why take those away from ethnic actors?

If that's okay, then why not cast a black Rosa Bud or Chairman?

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 10:40pm

Yes…William Ivey Long. Who gave us THESE. Blech.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 10:43pm

^ Those are straight from Theoni Aldredge's sketch pad.

Her OBC costumes for "Move" ...

Updated On: 6/28/12 at 10:43 PM

[Kelly2]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 10:53pm

best12bars, maybe because they did auditions and the best actors for the part were not ethnic. Maybe it's not a conspiracy to whitewash Broadway and is, in fact, just casting based on merit over skin color.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 10:57pm

"Yes…William Ivey Long. Who gave us THESE. Blech."

While he might have given you those, he also gave us these



And this



Not to mention these



And these



And of course this duo



And this lady as well

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 10:58pm

If anyone's curious, in Holmes' own words on the matter...

“Regarding the Landless Twins: Helena and Neville hail from Ceylon, and were, in Mr. Dickens’ original novel, colonialists who, save for their tans, were quite similar in dress and character to any English youths. However, the Music Hall Royale has seized upon and misinterpreted this one bit of geographical information and made them into picturesque, exotically-garbed orientals. Keep in mind that the Music Hall’s knowledge of the Eastern world comes largely from ignorance and penny novels, from the labels on crates of spice and teas, from the Arabian Nights, and from decorative screens and prints in Victorian parlors. Therefore, no attempt need or should be made to replicate a true Hindu accent or wardrobe; this is a polyglot East, and Helena’s accent should be a compendium of Oriental cliches, or, as Janet Conover puts it herself, ‘somewhat geographically untraceable.’ Neville is a proud, hot-tempted, well-educated young man, more an exiled prince than a servile Gunga Din.”

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 11:01pm

WHITE POWER!!!

There are not enough white people on Broadway, true, so something clearly must be done.

And the "best people" got these roles regardless of whether or not they're right for them.

After all, what's a little brown paint between friends?

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 11:07pm

So basically Holmes is equating their representation as the equivalent of "black face."

Yes, there is a big difference between his vision and Dickens own, but Holmes is making far too light (no pun intended) of their skin color in the original novel. There is a clear prejudice toward them in the book because they are from Ceylon and because of their skin color, despite the fact that they dress like white people and are educated. They are treated like outcasts.

But in the musical, they're more cartoonishly exotic, especially Helena. So does that mean they should be played by whites in brown makeup? I guess he thinks so.

Updated On: 6/28/12 at 11:07 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 11:09pm

So....it's colorblind casting?

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 11:11pm

IF they skipped the brown makeup it would be.

Otherwise, it's "color corrected" casting.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 11:16pm

Thanks for the fab costume pics, AEA. I can't wait to see what he does with this show!

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 11:25pm

Same here, Joey!

[Wynbish]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 11:33pm

Living for that picture of Adelaide.