West Side Story Revival?- Page 3

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 8:11pm

Ciaron McCarthy- First of all I never said the song was racist. I indeed believe the lyrics are poignant and down right smart.

Ciaron McCarthy & Walk On -

You may think these roles you mention for Audra and Lea are commonplace, but they are far from it. These are usually conscious casting decisions based on box office and exploiting talent. Which are fine and good, but don't confuse this with so-called colorblind casting. I love that we can name the handful of these happenings, but could never possibly name all the white roles given to white people in the last 10 years.

I understand completely the importance of casting by race and ethnicity as it brings authenticity to roles or even full productions. So the problem is not always casting, it’s choice in mounting productions like say Legally Blonde, year after year.

What I am saying is that color-blind casting is WRONG and I will tell you why. Broadway producers somehow think by allowing minorities to appear in a mixed cast they are providing some great service. Unfortunately what they are doing plays as contrived and overtly PC. We always know there are two dancing roles for the blacks, and if we’re lucky two for the “Asians.” Now for white people, this is fine. The producers are happy, the white audience gets “it” and everyone is happy. That is except for me, and the rest of the non-whites. What we see is something so carefully planned, and it is a joke. Saying “color-blind” one might infer these choices to be random, and they are clearly not. These things hurt more than I can tell you. Not on a broken heart level, but more like a punch in the back kinda way.

“Broadway has been much more advanced in color-blind casting than any other performance medium.”

- Yes, because it is the only medium ignorant enough to keep on doing it. At least with television, music, books and films we can find our niche. It’s not easy, but our stuff is getting out there. Broadway no way no how….not yet.

Minorities are underrepresented on Broadway. Don’t come back to me and say things like, “oh well Wicked is a diverse show.” It is not. Elphaba is obviously white, her parents and sister sure are. My biggest disappoint was the casting of Fiyero. He was purple in the book, who was in the OBC? A white guy. A terrible one at that. That was a perfect role for a Latin guy. (like me? )

Are you a minority? Please don’t speak for us. There are finally enough of “us” to speak out. And though I appreciate your help thus far, I think we can take it from here. You can ask any non-white actor about this issue. Ask them how it feels to finish college and not see anyone like them on stage.

[WalkOn]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 8:12pm

Ciaron McCarthy, Sondheim didn't write the music to WSS.

"ethnic" is your word, not mine.

I stand by everything I've written.

[WalkOn]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 8:18pm

mejusthavingfun, we will disagree on whether color-blind casting is "right" or "wrong." To me it is one of things that makes going to the theatre exciting.

Updated On: 10/19/06 at 08:18 PM

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 8:19pm

Ciaron McCarthy, Sondheim didn't write the music to WSS.

I know that. You know what I meant. However, this has more to do than Sondheim. If anything Sondheims lyrics were a lot more "ethnic" or closer to that of puerto ricans than Bernsteins score.

Mejusthavinfun: I am not saying I agree with all colorblind casting. I don't. I just don't see why WSS can't be updated. Most people think WSS is one of the finest scores (with lyrics) to ever be written. It's only NOW that people are arguing about every Maria that has ever been cast? White Marias have certainly not hurt the show. If there was a great Latin woman that came up and got the role I would be thrilled, but not because she's latin.....but because she can sing and hopefully act.

I just loved Kelli's version of "Tonight". I want this score to be sung as beautifully as it can be. Especially since, in my opinion, there has yet to be a recording that meets the standards of this classic piece.

If I offended I am sorry. I didn't mean to. I have had this convo many many times and it usually involces Audra's casting in "Carousel". While race is not a central issue in the show many people argue that Julie would never have been friends with a black girl during that time. It is a period piece. I also remember when Audra was cast it was talked about. Many people thought Hytner was very brave. Why would they think that?

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 8:42pm

If it really was colorblind I would be happy with it.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 10/19/06 at 11:20pm

>> Does the script actually give a time period for when the action takes place?

No, but the street language Laurents developed for the characters has a distinctly 50s feeling about itself.

Insofar as rewriting it to put in some profanity -- would that make it any more "real" or "relevant"?

[americanboy99]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 2:44pm

bump

[soapguy17]

Posted: 10/21/06 at 3:33pm

I agree with mejusthavingfun almost completly in the sense that there aren't alot of high profile shows written for minorities. I don't think the random spouts of color showing up in chours and in small roles insulting but, I would never refer to that as color-blind casting though.

[dutch46mill2]

Posted: 10/22/06 at 6:57pm

Diana Degarmo (Hairspray), that's a latin name and she played Maria a year ago and can easily handle the songs and acting.
Search Diana Degarmo

[Marie2]

Posted: 10/23/06 at 6:50pm

Wrong. Degarmo is a French name,original spelling something along the lines of Degarmeux which is/was an old town in France. Being a french name would preclude it from being latin.

Regardless she'd be good in the role so I don't know why anyone needs to try to pass her off as latino when she's not.