Can someone with a recent Playbill for BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK post the understudies for the show?
It's much appreciated!
For Vera/Lottie--Melle Powers
For Brad/Slasvick/Peter/Maximillian--Peter Rini
For Leroy/Herb--Jordan Mahome
For Gloria/Anne Mae/Afua Assata Ejobo--Natascia Diaz
For Gloria/Anne Mae/Afua Assata Ejobo--Natascia Diaz
That's such an odd combination.
Have you seen the play?
I have. And it seems odd to me too. Would an hispanic Gloria work?
*spoiler*
Natascia Diaz is a light-skinned Hispanic woman (much lighter than Olivo) and she could, in my opinion, easily play a mixed-race woman who is passing for white. In fact, in my personal opinion, I think it's an interesting prospect to have an actress who isn't purely white as Gloria. That said, they probably got to the point in the run where they had to hire understudies and wanted to keep costs down by doubling.
Makes sense. Though, Olivo's characters were black. Would Diaz have passed as a light skinned black woman?
I think so. Anne Mae is a black woman who can credibly pass for Brazilian (which, in the play, is equated for whiteness). Olivo does this well, and I think Diaz would have been able to as well, were she given the chance to perform the role.
I would be very interested in her Gloria, though. Having seen her on stage before, I think it's a nice fit of actress and role.
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