Update: BANDSTAND will officially open at the Jacobs! — Page 5

Right because war veterans dealing with PTSD is such a boring middle class problem.

perfectliar said: "LesWickedly said: "I'd say having a diverse cast is important. "

Doesn't this take place during segregation?"

And The Great Comet takes place in 1812 Russia. If the plot doesn't revolve around racial issues, I don't see any reason not to utilize race-blind casting. With so few roles written specifically for POC, casting non-white actors in traditionally (or supposed) white roles is necessary to maintain racial diversity. The only shows I can think of that would require race conscious casting would be where it is vital to the plot or structure of the show-- Hairspray, for example, or Hamilton.



It's 2017. There's no excuse for this.

I do not care what race she is I would see Laura sing the Dictionary

Sondheimite said: "That's the whitest cast I've ever seen. "

Hey, someone had to take the Bright Star slot.

canadian fan said: "Sondheimite said: "That's the whitest cast I've ever seen. Who cares about this show? What's the point of it existing? What new things does it bring to the table? More white people having middle class white people problems? Thanks, but I think we're all kinda bored with that.

Wow, you do realize if you take out the word white and substitute any other race, it instantly becomes very offensive right? Which is another way of saying this is offensive. Saying a story is not important or relevant because there are no other ethnicities represented is wrong. IMO anyways....don't like to comment on topics like this, but couldn't help it this time."



If non-white actors were traditionally the only actors who had appeared on stage since the inception of the Broadway musical, if they performed in 'white face' to play caricatures of white people, if they were the only people who were represented both within the plot of the shows and as a physical presence on stage, then to demand non-white actors in an all-white show would be offensive. But that's not the case.

It's not offensive to ask for representation. It is offensive to suggest that wanting a multi-ethnic cast is in some way discriminatory.

Damn whitey, ruins everything!!! cant they just go away??

Updated On: 3/8/17 at 11:34 AM

AKarp2013 said: "I was never discussing the show's mostly white cast. I absolutely wish it were more diverse. I'm talking about war veterans dealing with PTSD which I find to be a very important and timely subject. I have many family members that are army/marine veterans so that's one of the top reasons I connected to this show when I saw it at Paper Mill.

Is it a shame that much of the cast is white? Yes. Do I wish it were more diverse? Absolutely. But when someone says "Who cares?" or "What's the point?" or says that war veterans dealing with these issues is just another boring middle class problem, that's what aggravates me."

Ok, fair enough. But the point is, is that you can tell the same story and hit the same emotional notes with a multi-ethnic cast.

All-white casts are, imo, both unnecessary and boring. No one was that I saw was commenting on PTSD being boring; it's boring when the story is told by a 100% white cast.

Updated On: 3/8/17 at 11:39 AM

I agree 100% that the show should have more representation of other ethnicities. I think it would add to the show for sure in so many ways. But saying a show isn't relevant and who would want to see it because its only represented by one race, regardless of the race in question, is just wrong. Again my opinion only.

Sondheimite said: "That's the whitest cast I've ever seen. Who cares about this show? What's the point of it existing? What new things does it bring to the table? More white people having middle class white people problems? Thanks, but I think we're all kinda bored with that.



That's just a vague generalization that can pertain to most theater. Yes, even Sondheim. Why pick on Bandstand? 2 all white Glass Menageries back to back probably aren't necessary either.

I think that there should be room on Broadway for an original musical from the swing era. It was a short but exciting time for American music. You had musical geniuses Duke Ellington and Fats Waller. Dueling clarinetists Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. Three of the greats of the century: Billie Holliday, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

I don't know if the original score for this musical will fall embarrassingly short of the representative music of the time, and a swing era musical will probably be presented with a large spoonful of sentimentality, but I'm looking forward to seeing what it has to offer.

Even with a diverse cast this show would still sound as hideously boring and dull as it does now. Osnes and Cott have the most bland, generic, unexciting musical theatre voices in the business. I'm not sure if it's the average material or their generic sound but that video preview almost sent me into a coma.

Petralicious said: "Damn whitey, ruins everything!!! cant they just go away??



"

With "intelligent" commentary like this, I can't imagine why these boards don't attract more new blood.