The kids of Les Mis AKA Broadway ignores biology

[Greatwhiteway3]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 7:55pm

So I get that the producers want color blind casting and people to disregard history, but now they want to us ignore biology? Which of these little girls grows up to change races and become Nikki M James?

http://www.playbillvault.com/Person/Detail/122454/McKayla-Twiggs

Even the hispanic girl they cast doesn't make sense as a young Eponine when the adult is a black woman, even a light skinned black woman.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 7:59pm

Pretty sure most of us will get over it. It's not like the audience doesn't really believe she grows up in front of our eyes.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 8:07pm

I would send a letter of complaint to the producers. Maybe organize a rally, too. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with this.

[mybigsplash]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 8:33pm

This is the reason Billy Elliot closed.

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 8:37pm

having seen the tour, this is the least of their issues.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 8:40pm

This happened in the original production when Shanice was Eponine. Young Eponine was white. No big deal.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 9:36pm

OP, your username doesn't refer to Broadway, does it?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 9:39pm

Someone better get fired over this.

[MadAboutTheBoy]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 9:45pm

"So I get that the producers want color blind casting and people to disregard history, but now they want to us ignore biology?"

You do know there were 19th century black revolutionaries in France, don't you?

Updated On: 1/27/14 at 09:45 PM

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 9:46pm

Even the hispanic girl they cast doesn't make sense

Why would it? Because they're both different from you, and therefore somehow the same? They're both "other"?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 10:01pm

They have let biology down.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 10:28pm

OMG! I know! It's almost like this has NO PRECEDENT AT ALL! Not with Olivia Oguma growing up to be Caren Lyn Manuel, or Daphne Rubin-Vega giving birth to Kylie Goldstein, Netousha Harris growing up to be Sarah Uriarte Berry or or or or!

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 10:29pm

I want to be black when I grow up.

If I ever do.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 10:31pm

You're a race traitor. Just like Broadway.

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 10:35pm

If you really look closely, you can see how they make Elphaba fly, too. This is only as complicated as you make it on yourself...

[followspot]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 10:54pm

For perspective, here are a few more of greatWHITEway3’s greatest hits:

“Audra??? Was that serious or is this turning into a color blind casting post? Lets check the stats…
#1 - She's about 43
#2 - She's built like a linebacker
#3 - She's black. I am VERY certain there were no black cockney women in Edwardian London.”

“Kate Baldwin was glaringly miscast as an Italian woman. She needs to be back in Gloccamorra like places where she belongs."

“What the hell is a Dan'Yelle? Did they mean Danielle but not know how to spell it?”

“Sorry. Maybe I'm a bit to anal but I'd sit there the whole time saying, really, they want me to believe at some point this white kid turned black?”

“Lea's weight she would have been better as Madame Thénardier. But then it's a concert right? We have to suspend disbelief, like the ability in 1815 France of a Filipino mother with a blonde English daughter, among other things LOL. Have to love casting which disregards history or reality.”

“I am really passionate about this issue. It gets my blood boiling. Short and sweet...My opinion, if you don't agree so be it.”



I guess it's good to have a passion.

Updated On: 1/27/14 at 10:54 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 10:58pm

The only barricade should be the one dividing the races!

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 11:06pm

When you see them all stacked up like that, it definitely seems more like the word "casting" being used to distract from "racism."

[Wynbish]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 11:45pm

Great trollstigating, followspot!

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 11:47pm

Color blind casting works fine on stage. It isn't close up or in your face. It is at a distance and easy to suspend disbelief. If the plot does not focus on racial matters, then why does it matter? I support color blind casting.

I am a little confused by what historical objections are at play here, even though it doesn't really matter. Are you saying that there was no mixing of races in 19th century France, or what? Keep Alexander Dumas in mind before replying.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 1/27/14 at 11:47pm

Thank heavens you're back, Wyn. I nearly forgot about trollstigating. So much love for it.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 1/28/14 at 12:38am

He's not a racist, he's a biologist.

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 1/28/14 at 1:00am

Wow...there are some stupid people on these boards...but I think Greatwhiteway3 takes the cake.

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 1/28/14 at 1:22am

"Color blind casting works fine on stage. It isn't close up or in your face. It is at a distance and easy to suspend disbelief. If the plot does not focus on racial matters, then why does it matter? I support color blind casting."

I think the specific objection isn't that a black actress is in the role, but that a white actress is playing her as a young child. I don't think color-blind casting is typically taken that far... although it does seem the OP's issue is that Nikki is in the role, not that the young actress is white.

Updated On: 1/28/14 at 01:22 AM

[Stevie72]

Posted: 1/28/14 at 4:02am

You care about the colour of the kids??? get a life