Waitress Casting - Page 9

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/6/21 at 12:27am

LarryD2 said: "There are poor and working class people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, but Waitress is a story that has traditionally been told from a white perspective. I said that I thought Sparks acted the role beautifully and that she seemed believably working class in a way that Mueller and especially Bareilles did not. It's a comment on heracting.Furthermore, "working class" is not a slur or something to be ashamed of. You extrapolated a coded messagefrom my use of the term "working class" in relation to a mixed-race actor in a role that's been played predominantly by white actors. If my use of that term didn't "sit right" with you, explore that with your therapist. Peace."

Some people will see coded/derogatory language wherever they look. I read what you wrote and thought "that is how i felt about Shoshana Bean's portrayal, more authentically struggling/impoverished than the other Jennas I have seen."  Its a perfectly reasonable comment, and if people read "she read more working class to me" to mean something about race, that's on THEM not you, and they're gonna have to deal with living in a world where they are constantly policing others' language all around them, hunting for hostility and malice where there ain't none. Pay it no mind.

 

[RainyAgwe]

Posted: 10/6/21 at 12:34am

JDonaghy4 said: "LarryD2 said: "There are poor and working class people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, but Waitress is a story that has traditionally been told from a white perspective. I said that I thought Sparks acted the role beautifully and that she seemed believably working class in a way that Mueller and especially Bareilles did not. It's a comment on heracting.Furthermore, "working class" is not a slur or something to be ashamed of. You extrapolated a coded messagefrom my use of the term "working class" in relation to a mixed-race actor in a role that's been played predominantly by white actors. If my use of that term didn't "sit right" with you, explore that with your therapist. Peace."

Some people will see coded/derogatory language wherever they look. I read what you wrote and thought "that is how i felt about Shoshana Bean's portrayal, more authentically struggling/impoverished than the other Jennas I have seen." Its a perfectly reasonable comment, and if people read "she read more working class to me" to mean something about race, that's on THEM not you, and they're gonna have to deal with living in a world where they are constantly policing others' language all around them, hunting for hostility and malice where there ain't none. Pay it no mind."

I worded my response better below, so I’ll stick with that! We love board saying something didn’t post when it did, HA.

Updated On: 10/6/21 at 12:34 AM

[RainyAgwe]

Posted: 10/6/21 at 8:50am

JDonaghy4 said: "LarryD2 said: "There are poor and working class people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, but Waitress is a story that has traditionally been told from a white perspective. I said that I thought Sparks acted the role beautifully and that she seemed believably working class in a way that Mueller and especially Bareilles did not. It's a comment on heracting.Furthermore, "working class" is not a slur or something to be ashamed of. You extrapolated a coded messagefrom my use of the term "working class" in relation to a mixed-race actor in a role that's been played predominantly by white actors. If my use of that term didn't "sit right" with you, explore that with your therapist. Peace."

Some people will see coded/derogatory language wherever they look. I read what you wrote and thought "that is how i felt about Shoshana Bean's portrayal, more authentically struggling/impoverished than the other Jennas I have seen." Its a perfectly reasonable comment, and if people read "she read more working class to me" to mean something about race, that's on THEM not you, and they're gonna have to deal with living in a world where they are constantly policing others' language all around them, hunting for hostility and malice where there ain't none. Pay it no mind.

"

I would completely understand this sentiment if I had said that this is in fact what they had done, however that’s not how I approached the situation. Looking at the literal wording of what was said there is room for interpretation (as noted by more than one interpretation has been presented), and the response was that I was making some grand accusation of racism along with claiming that working class is a slur… which isn’t what I was implying. There is no point during what I have said where I had said this was the intent.

It’s funny because as someone who is upset because someone is supposedly twisting their words, y’all are quite literally doing the same. I actually went out of my way to word my original thought as stating that I’m sure this is NOT what you mean, but this is how it COULD be read. 

I’ll again stand by my original point - I have seen wording like this used in an odd/coded way previously and this is how it could have been read (as I was not the only one to read it this way). I am sure this is not their intent but this is how it could be interpreted. That’s it. No claims of them being racist or working class being a slur, along with basically any of the rest of the points made.

More than happy agree to disagree and leave it at that, have a great rest of your day!


 


 

 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 10/6/21 at 9:48am

i appreciate this response/distinction. i'm not sure i agree that because something could be interpreted as offensive, it should be policed/called out. im POC and i'm not as fragile as all that. but thats a broader conversation, and your point is well received below. 

[RainyAgwe]

Posted: 10/6/21 at 10:32am

JDonaghy4 said: "i appreciate this response/distinction. i'm not sure i agree that because somethingcould be interpreted as offensive, it should be policed/called out. im POC and i'm not as fragile as all that. but thats a broader conversation, and your point is well received below."

I guess in my mind I wasn't attempting to call out/police them, but more say "hey I'm sure you didn't mean this like that, but this is how it could be viewed" and ask for some general clarification (while also identifying what I believed their intent was, which was to comment on authenticity). I think personally as a black theatre artist I have seen similar sentiments used to inappropriately cast/box in folks I know in the industry in a way that is problematic, and was more so hoping for a conversation as to how wording can be important. That's why I attempted (and maybe not clearly enough) attempted to put at the forefront that I believed that this wasn't what they were doing, but wanted to generally check-in based on my experience with comments of the like. 

I guess in the spirit of enjoying conversations like that, would it be better to take it to PM in the future? I honestly feel like that would have been a bit more like a personal affront than my general opening question, but I'm open to figuring out a better way to communicate that in the future! I seriously in no way/shape/form was attempting to claim they were being racist or problematic, but it's really similar to the language I have heard/seen in masterclasses/casting rooms/etc. that do teeter closer to the end of that spectrum. 

 

[Lunalaaaaaaaa]

Posted: 10/6/21 at 12:53pm

I wonder who's more likely to end the Waitress run - Nicolette or Jessie? I'd honestly be happy with either of them.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 10/6/21 at 1:56pm

I’m curious too because sometimes actors say they’re done with a role, but Jessie never said that. I’m thinking maybe-just maybe-she could be considered to close out this return.

[BwayStarlette]

Posted: 10/6/21 at 2:03pm

I actually heard a rumor they were / are trying to get Katy Perry!

[dadaguza]

Posted: 10/6/21 at 2:11pm

BwayStarlette said: "I actually heard a rumor they were / are trying to get Katy Perry!"

Where did you hear that? Do you have a link?

 

[WestEndGal]

Posted: 10/6/21 at 2:12pm

BwayStarlette said: "I actually heard a rumor they were / are trying to get Katy Perry!"

Oh wow, that would def be some star casting! I’m not sure I can realistically see it happening but who knows. Would she have the vocal chops for Jenna though, although I do think she’s a better singer than people give her credit for?! 

[Lunalaaaaaaaa]

Posted: 10/6/21 at 4:24pm

BwayStarlette said: "I actually heard a rumor they were / are trying to get Katy Perry!"

 

Whatttttttttt this would be really cool actually

 

[ShowBro]

Posted: 10/7/21 at 8:42am

WestEndGal said: "BwayStarlette said: "I actually heard a rumor they were / are trying to get Katy Perry!"

Oh wow, that would def be some star casting! I’m not sure I can realistically see it happening but who knows. Would she have the vocal chops for Jenna though, although I dothink she’s a better singer than people give her credit for?!"

Yes, Katheryn could definitely sing the hell out of Jenna! I’m here for this stunt casting rumor, although logistically, I feel like it would interfere with her American Idol filming schedule.

[CPannullo]

Posted: 10/7/21 at 9:46am

ShowBro said: "WestEndGal said: "BwayStarlette said: "I actually heard a rumor they were / are trying to get Katy Perry!"

Oh wow, that would def be some star casting! I’m not sure I can realistically see it happening but who knows. Would she have the vocal chops for Jenna though, although I dothink she’s a better singer than people give her credit for?!"

Yes, Katheryn could definitely sing the hell out of Jenna! I’m here for this stunt casting rumor, although logistically, I feel like it would interfere with her American Idol filming schedule."

She’s also has her Las Vegas residency at the end of December, so I think it’s highly unlikely. 

[Lunalaaaaaaaa]

Posted: 10/7/21 at 12:52pm

Unless she takes a break from American Idol?

I'm still down for Kacey Musgraves or Kelsea Ballerini as Jenna though for potential stunt casting.

[ShowBro]

Posted: 10/7/21 at 2:17pm

Lunalaaaaaaaa said: "Unless she takes a break from American Idol?

I'm still down for Kacey Musgraves or Kelsea Ballerini as Jenna though for potential stunt casting."

Spacey Kacey would be EVERYTHINGG!!!

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 10/7/21 at 2:23pm

ShowBro said: "

Spacey Kacey would be EVERYTHINGG!!!"

I read that as Kevin Spacey...I was like, "he didn't stay away long".

[alex814]

Posted: 10/7/21 at 2:32pm

Lunalaaaaaaaa said: "Unless she takes a break from American Idol?

I'm still down for Kacey Musgraves or Kelsea Ballerini as Jenna though for potential stunt casting."

I’d also love to see someone like Maren Morris in terms of stunt casting. Jessica Simpson is my Jenna “wildcard.”

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/7/21 at 3:07pm

Nik Dodani and Ben Thompson will join the cast on October 19th, as Ogie and Earl, respectively.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 10/7/21 at 3:52pm

RainyAgwe said: "If you took my comment as some sort of personal attack, that'son you. Honestly of all the times I've seen someone point stuff like this out dare I say this is the mostcalm/general point out I've witness, especially that I literally absolved you of intent.You've now interpreted this as me accusing you as some racist who used coded language, which is a bit absurd."

Agreed. If only all the discussions here could be this measured and reasonable. I also found the initial wording weird but did not imagine it as maligning anyone, just poorly worded. Also, of the four Jenna's I've seen (Jessie, Sara, Shoshana, Alison), I found Sara and Alison the most authentic. But we're all going to receive the performances differently. 

Also, Nik Dodani? Surprised at how young they're casting Ogie. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 10/7/21 at 3:53pm

Love Musgraves but she def doesn’t have the vocals for this show.

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 10/7/21 at 4:09pm

VintageSnarker said: "Also, Nik Dodani? Surprised at how young they're casting Ogie."

Me too, then again Alex Wyse and Noah Galvin both did it at similar ages so I guess it’s not unprecedented.  I do feel like Nik Dodani reads much younger than both of them so idk how well it will work (it was already a stretch for Noah Galvin).

[RainyAgwe]

Posted: 10/7/21 at 9:06pm

VintageSnarker said: "RainyAgwe said: "If you took my comment as some sort of personal attack, that'son you. Honestly of all the times I've seen someone point stuff like this out dare I say this is the mostcalm/general point out I've witness, especially that I literally absolved you of intent.You've now interpreted this as me accusing you as some racist who used coded language, which is a bit absurd."

Agreed. If only all the discussions here could be this measured and reasonable. I also found the initial wording weird but did not imagine it as maligning anyone, just poorly worded. Also, of the four Jenna's I've seen (Jessie, Sara, Shoshana, Alison),I found Sara and Alison the most authentic. But we're all going to receive the performances differently.

Also, Nik Dodani? Surprised at how young they're casting Ogie."

Appreciate the confirmation there - I really had been looking at how I brought it up thinking that somehow I didn't do what I had aimed to do, but I really didn't think I approached it aggressively at all.

I've only seen Desi Oakley (who was as sick as it gets that night) on the tour and Shoshana (with Jeremy) - I thought that Shoshana was plenty authentic but that could have also been in comparison to seeing Desi Oakley (who is talented for sure) drag herself around stage. I actually HATED Waitress when I first saw it because of Desi as Jenna (though I've seen videos where she was great), so I'm excited to be able to see Sara and compare the three. I wonder if my association of Sara and status will be an obstacle for me, but regardless I'm SO excited!

Nik Dodani feels like he's young enough to play a TV/Movie teenager, but I'm sure he is better suited than the cover I saw the day I went!

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 10/8/21 at 1:45pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Erich-Bergen-Will-Rejoin-Cast-of-WAITRESS-On-Broadway-This-Fall-20211008

[WestEndGal]

Posted: 10/9/21 at 6:56am

TaffyDavenport said: "https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Erich-Bergen-Will-Rejoin-Cast-of-WAITRESS-On-Broadway-This-Fall-20211008"

Only doing 2 weeks as Dr P!  

If both he and Drew Gehlhing are only playing Dr P up until the 24 Nov (same last date as Jennifer Nettles) I wonder if they’re planning a new celeb Jenna and Dr P pairing from that date …. or maybe Nicolette and Leslie Odom Jr could be a possibility? Crazy that there’s never been a POC Dr P! 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 10/9/21 at 4:32pm

WestEndGal said: "Crazy that there’s never been a POC Dr P!"

Why? Unless I'm forgetting someone, Cal, Pomatter, and Earl are the only named roles in the show that have only cast white actors.