West Side Story revival? — Page 10

I am sure there were plenty of men that auditioned that can actually act and sing that were NEVER problematic, despicable, and never participated in degrading rape/bro/frat boy culture. He does not get a free pass and his behavior will not be forgotten. He only regretted getting caught.

And lost in all this: no one, NO ONE, has ever suggested that the accusations are false. So a group of dudes were swapping nude images OF THEIR COWORKERS and texting about how they are "sluts"- this is simply disgusting behavior that should not be rewarded with more high profile roles (that, based on my seeing him in Carousel, he is thoroughly unqualified for). 

No one ever suggested it. They got caught, it was all on their phones and computers. A huge reason both men were fired was because no female felt comfortable partnering with them. He got his job back but that does not mean women who work with him want him anywhere near them. The only thing he learned was to be more discreet with his misogyny.

Well, it certainly got people talking about it at the very least.

It might help if he acknowledged his wrong-doing and expressed any form of regret.

devonian.t said: "It might help if he acknowledged his wrong-doing and expressed any form of regret."

This. As far as I know, he hasn’t made a statement or ANYTHING of the sort. Multiple people are calling for his removal before the production even starts. 

 

devonian.t said: "Oh lord when will someone tell this emperor he has no clothes? If this ill-conceived, mis-cast production becomes a trendy hit I will be very disappointed.

"

Outside of a controversial casting choice and a few people who are known only to people really into Broadway, a cast of mostly newcomers makes calling this "mis-cast" is a tad premature, don't you think? And since no one - not even the cast that hasn't started rehearsing - has seen a second of the concept, "ill-conceived" also seems more than a little alarmist. How about we wait and see what it looks like before we declare this Emperor naked?

Valentina3 said: "ctorres23 said: "FlyHigh523 said: "As far as I know, he hasn’t made a statement or ANYTHING of the sort.Multiplepeople are calling for his removal before the production even starts."

This won't be an emotionally satisfying answer, but because Alexandra Waterbury's lawsuit is still ongoing, any apology or admission of guilt could open him up to some level of liability. His silence is almost certainly at the advice of counsel and he likely won't publicly address it until the suit is settled."

Which makes sense. What I don't get from a production standpoint is why touch this ticking time bomb? You already have a controversial director for this material, seems like you're trying to give a big f*** you to the very people you should be catering to, to generate and maintain goodwill, for show's word of mouth to build."

Yeah this makes sense. Pardon my ignorance on these matters, but are you even allowed to be cast in a show if you’re a part of an ongoing lawsuit? And even then... why would this director or any of the creatives involved want someone like that? It’s baffling. 

Updated On: 7/11/19 at 09:26 AM

Natalie Walker (@nwalks) on twitter:

“So inspiring how a 37-year-old man suspended from a minor supporting role in a show over sexual misconduct involving a woman over a decade his junior can bravely persevere and be rewarded with a major supporting role in a show alongside many women over a decade his junior. Sexual harassment is despicable regardless of age, of course, but Ramasar and his cohorts in their exchanges specifically fetishized and degraded 19/20-year-old women — so now when I see that over 20 of the West Side cast members are making their Broadway debuts, it concerns me. When you cast someone with a history of sexual misconduct in a principal role with a cast of unknowns, you are sending a message. I worry about the power dynamic of an environment that makes clear from day one how much the gatekeepers love making sure predators have a spare key.”

https://twitter.com/nwalks/status/1149023982294884356?s=21

If you look in the likes, many Broadway actors/creatives have liked these tweets. She seems to be one of the few brave enough to outright say anything, but clearly many people agree with her.

The Distinctive Baritone said: "On another subject...Does anyone else find it odd that some of the Latino characters seem to be played by POC who are not Latino? Given the recent controversy around “passing” and authenticity, this seems odd.

Speaking of “passing,” Isaac Powell could easily play one of the Sharks. This casting is so confusing."

Isaac Powell is not Latino. He is half Black and half White, so by your reasoning, he would be ‘passing’ for a character that is not his ethnicity. I agree that some of the casting is odd (especially messy on the Sharks side of things) however; I really don’t know what inspired some of these decisions. 

Itonlytakesajourney said: "The Distinctive Baritone said: "On another subject...Does anyone else find it odd that some of the Latino characters seem to be played by POC who are not Latino? Given the recent controversy around “passing” and authenticity, this seems odd.

Speaking of “passing,” Isaac Powell could easily play one of the Sharks. This casting is so confusing."

Isaac Powell is not Latino. He is half Black and half White, so by yourreasoning, he would be ?passing’ for a character that is not his ethnicity. I agree that some of the casting is odd (especially messy on the Sharks side of things) however; I really don’t know what inspired some of these decisions."

 

I think Isaac will be perfect in the part.

I am really excited to see what Van Hove does with it. Whatever else, it certainly won't be boring. I found the last Broadway revival, which used the Robbins choreography,  extremely dull - Especially compared with Signature Theatre's perfect production (which also used the Robbins choreography) which was the best production I have ever seen. I can't wait to see what a different choreographer does with the music

rg7759 said: "and this isn't to dismiss amar, but there is an actual rapist as our 45th president. we have bigger problems."

You know you can hate both right? It's not like hating the man in office means you can't ask for this ***hole to be recast. All sexual violence is disgusting and should have their repercussions. Stop with these what-about-isms.

Updated On: 7/11/19 at 01:35 PM

This happened less than a year ago. It's not like this was 10 years ago and it's following him. He doesn't deserve this part, perhaps in a few years when he has apologized and he has learned from this (all he has done is deny, get defensive, and deletes/blocks comments on his Ig that don't praise him). So, let's the cut the "this should not follow him the rest of his life!!!".  Ridiculous. He should learn and grow from this experience, handing him a plum part on Broadway is not the answer.  Many, many people in the Broadway community (and people involved in the WSS film) have an issue with his casting as evident across all social media. 

LuPita2 said: "This happened less than a year ago. It's not like this was 10 years ago and it's following him. He doesn't deserve this part, perhaps in a few years when he has apologized and he has learned from this (all he has done is deny, get defensive, and deletes/blocks comments on his Ig that don't praise him). So, let's the cut the "this should not follow him the rest of his life!!!". Ridiculous. He should learn and grow from this experience, handing him a plum part on Broadway is not the answer. Many, many people in the Broadway community (and people involved in the WSS film) have an issue with his casting as evident across all social media."

Plus the lawsuit is still ongoing making his casting untimely and a potential liability. I believe in rehabilitation and allowing people to move on from past mistakes if they've apologized and grown from it, but in no way has Amar earned that at this time.

And I also feel it needs to be mentioned that even if you excuse his behavior there's still the problem of his God-awful performance in Carousel. It's not like they can reduce his lines in West Side Story the same way they did in Carousel.

LuPita2 said: "This happened less than a year ago. It's not like this was 10 years ago and it's following him. He doesn't deserve this part, perhaps in a few years when he has apologized and he has learned from this (all he has done is deny, get defensive, and deletes/blocks comments on his Ig that don't praise him). So, let's the cut the "this should not follow him the rest of his life!!!". Ridiculous. He should learn and grow from this experience, handing him a plum part on Broadway is not the answer. Many, many people in the Broadway community (and people involved in the WSS film) have an issue with his casting as evident across all social media."

 

Oh would you give it a rest already, dear.  You've said the exact same thing in dozens of posts.  Your outrage is duly noted.  Guess we won't be seeing you at Opening Night!