"WHY HAS THERE NEVER BEEN AN ALL-BLACK REVIVAL OF "GYPSY"? — Page 3

ChgoTheatreGuy said: "I feel that Sheryl Lee Ralph would be amazing as Rose. My dream Rose would be Patti Labelle, unfortunately from seeing her in concert sooo many times, she isn't always the best at remembering the exact words to the songs that she sings, not to mention all of the dialogue that her character has to remember."

Sheryl. Now that is a take I would like to see (I’m used to her in more upbeat/clean roles, but would love to see her get messy with some Gypsy).

Also, for what it’s worth, BWAYBaby2, “Perhaps instead of appropriating a white people vehicle- vehicles that are more authentic can be explored” is an idiotic and ignorant comment. As are most of the things you care to post. Hope that clears things up!

BWAY Baby2 said: "Gypsy is the story of Gypsy Rose Lee and her sister- June Havoc. They were not black. Why has there never been an all-white Mahalia Jackson story- this is a ridiculous topic."

I wonder, had you avoided calling this discussion ridiculous, if you would have still been attacked and the attack upvoted. I think it would have happened either way, unfortunately. More and more it becomes clear there's no way to have a reasonable, dispassionate conversation around the topic of color conscious casting (unless everyone holds the exact same opinion--then they pat each other on the back for being so clear-headed).

I don't think it much matters what race the woman is who plays Rose--it's more of a great dramatic role than an attempt at historical authenticity, no matter who plays it. And, as a comparison, I don't think anyone would blink at a PoC playing Macbeth or Marc Antony, who are both obviously historical figures. We know Shakespeare's history isn't real history. We know Gypsy is a "musical fable."

But it's worth pointing out the double standard that would arise should a white person be cast in a role whose historical original was a PoC, and I don't think the whole "there haven't been the same opportunities available" argument is a really logical one--especially these days when pretty much every show on Broadway engages in color conscious casting. Maybe it made sense in the 1990's. There are LOTS of opportunities for people of all races on Broadway today, and easily far more on television and the movies than have ever been the case.

Again, though, I don't think a dispassionate approach to this conversation is possible for most people. I'll probably get attacked for this post (or ignored). Your original comment was itself quite passionate--and intensely negative. I wish you'd avoided the name-calling and just made your point. I wish we could have an exchange of ideas without mudslinging.

BWAY Baby2 said: "Yes- I was just trying to make a point- and the point was- authenticity counts for something, too. I am all for casting based on talent- not race. That said, there is something to be said for authenticity- and, to me, a black Florenz Ziegfeld or a Jewish member of the Temptations simply does not seem appropriate. Casting vaudeville striptease- portraying the life of Gypsy- with an All-Black cast simply, to me, feels disingenuous- unnecessary and a bit stunt-y. Hamilton was fabulous and groundbreaking- but not every show has to go that route.

And I know my first post was negative- but I was offended at the ease with which appropriation of white and/or Jewish historical figures by POC is considered just fine- while- if any black figure was portrayed by anyone not black- or not dark enough black- etc.- there is outrage and endless offense taken- vis a vis Nina Simone portrayed by Zoe Saldana, to name one example."

I agree that authenticity has to count for something, but since it does, I have to take issue with your claim (and not just yours) that Gypsy and her family were Jewish. I'd never thought about what religion the family was, so I googled after reading your post, and came up with this. If it's wrong, I'm willing to be corrected:

"Some websites say Rose Thompson was Jewish. She wasn't. Neither was Gypsy Rose Lee's father, Jack Hovick, who was born in Norway. Whether Rose considered herself a member of any church later on, I don't know, but she was raised Catholic, and for several years one of her best friends was a priest." https://major-smolinski.com/NAMES/GYPSYTWO.html


I do agree that representation of one ethnic group should not lead to the marginalization/erasure of any other ethnic group, and I agree about the equal ludicrousness of a Black Florenz Ziegfeld or a Jewish Temptation--but then neither has actually happened, to my knowledge. I doubt there will ever be an all-Black Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof or Funny Girl anymore than I think there will be an All Jewish (or Asian or White) Broadway revival of The Color Purple or The Wiz.

Updated On: 12/21/22 at 02:28 AM

Who the hell knows who June Havoc and Gypsy Rose Lee are anyway? Us, sure. But not most people. Silly reason.

Half the reason The Strip is so difficult to pull of is folks aren't familiar with her act anymore and havent been for decades.

Only if it is an all-black production.