Where is BLACK BROADWAY these days? — Page 5

Not yet --> caged

It seems to take about 5 minutes for me to receive PMs. Imma hit the head and check back before I leave the office @ 6:30.

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LostLeander.....It was the goal of our organization at the DCTC to get more African Americans into shows other than the ones with all black casts and of specific interest to the black community. We got some to go. But what we did do is to take African American elementary and high school students to the theatre and instead of the black shows, we exposed them to Shakespeare and other shows. We also took them to the shows with the all black casts, but made sure they were exposed to a wide variety of shows. We also incorporated the shows into their classroom education. We had a guide for the teachers and the kids would learn about what they were about to see and then go back to class and have a discussion about it. On way that we got them to enjoy the discussions was to have them discuss how they thought things would play out in the present. (We did that mostly for Shakespeare).

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There would be trouble casting black shows as the good performers are more interested in playing roles written for white people.

That is BULL CRAP> your source please?

Whateverman, you come from a misguided place on this issue. Let me put it this way. There is in no way a lack of work for black actors on Broadway right now musically (dramatically, yes), and most definitely not on tour. Now if you are talking about the lack of NEW specifically 'black' material being produced on Broadway, I need you to show me the good black material being written that Broadway producers are saying NO to. If you don't have any examples then you don't have a case.

Having said that, I do know of some writers black and otherwise who continue to write material for and about minorities, but they are young and the material certainly isn't ready for a Broadway audience. There simply isn't to my knowledge any NEW Broadway caliber material on/about black people to produce. If someone knows of some, please share. It is one of the reasons, as an actor, I am attempting to write some quality material on my own, because I realize unless I am doing something about it then I have no right to complain.

I also think that the recent announcements of productions such as Wilson's last play 'Radio Golf' and Kenny Leon's adaptation of 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' would tell you that there are still 'black' shows being produced on Broadway.

Lastly, if the cast of 'The Color Purple' is "samboin for the man," as you put it. Then everyone on Broadway is "samboin for the man" regardless of race.

It seems to me you were looking for an argument more than answers or a meaningful discussion. I guess you won.

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Updated On: 1/30/07 at 12:55 PM

I personally am hoping that the success of the Dreamgirls movie will lead to a Broadway revival. It's not new material, but it's a damn good show.

It aint called the Great White Way for nothing!!

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Noticed this in the New York Times this morning:

BALTIMORE, Feb. 18 — Urban theater — or what has been called over the years inspirational theater, black Broadway, gospel theater and the chitlin circuit — has been thriving for decades, selling out some of the biggest theaters across the country and grossing millions of dollars a year. The word in the industry is that urban theater is about to go mainstream.
Full article

I saw that article and IMMEDIATELY thought of this thread, Ourtime!

Say what you like, those tours do very well and I'm sure the audiences are great and very appreciative. I think it would be alot of fun to do an inspirational Tyler Perry-esque kinda show...I don't see my getting cast anytime soon...

And there are a lot of black people that won't attend them. I am one.

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Well said Jazzy.

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Unfortunately black performers today are more interested in seeking roles available through blind casting while the plays and musicals that would speak to their issues go unproduced.