Where is BLACK BROADWAY these days?- Page 5

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/20/06 at 6:14pm

Yes, that is my thinking Javero.

Javero, did you get my e-mail?

[javero]

Posted: 12/20/06 at 6:17pm

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.

[LostLeander]

Posted: 12/20/06 at 6:25pm

It is unfortunate, but it's just the reality that there is a very limited black theatre going community.

And even if you do get an African-American to see a show, albeit something that plays to them, like The Color Purple, it does not by any means pull them in to seeing ANY theatre.

It just does not seem to be artistic medium that most African Americans take to, and I wish that was not so.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/20/06 at 6:52pm

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).

[whateverman]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 11:36am

This needs further discussion because its a shame what is happening on the great WHITE way these days. lord have mercy.
and i dont wanna hear mention of the token show "the color purple" where folks are samboin around the stage for THE MAN. Please!

Updated On: 1/30/07 at 11:36 AM

Posted: 1/30/07 at 11:39am

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

[whateverman]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 11:41am

That is BULL CRAP> your source please?

[whateverman]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 11:41am

That is BULL CRAP> your source please?

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 12:27pm

"and i dont wanna hear mention of the token show "the color purple" where folks are samboin around the stage for THE MAN. Please! "

by the man, do you mean Oprah Winfrey, the most successful woman, not just of color, but of all women who is producing this show and oversaw the whole production? is that the man you are referring to?

Stuff it, Whateverman.

[sidjones09]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 12:55pm

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.

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

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 1:19pm

There is also zilch for Asians and Latinos. Color-blind casting is racist at best and fooling no one. Of course I can't count how many Jewish themed plays there are. Or how many white lead roles there are on Broadway. Things are changing, just not fast enough.

[avab802]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 1:50pm

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.

[lildogs]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 2:12pm

"Of course I can't count how many Jewish themed plays there are"

Jewish people go to the theatre in droves, justme, so there is a huge market for shows for that audience--think how often Jackie Mason can trot out his dog and pony act. Same thing for the gays...

There was an Asian play at the Public, albeit a dreadful one, Durango, and another, Emergence-SEE! was a one-person show about the black experience. And that's just two plays at one theatre.

I'm not saying life is fair, but theatre is more fair than life, and that's saying alot.

[tazber]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 4:56pm

It aint called the Great White Way for nothing!!

[lildogs]

Posted: 1/30/07 at 5:23pm

No, it's called supply and demand. If black and latino audiences prefer movies and music to theatre, so be it. Think of the top movies right now: STOMP THE YARD, SMOKIN ACES, DREAMGIRLS, PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS and FREEDOM WRITERS all have "black appeal." Maybe it's just a matter of focus....old Jewish ladies don't go to the movies as much, they go to the theatre, which is why there are so many more options for them. Kinda lame examle, but I hope you get the idea.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 1:38pm

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

[tazber]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 1:54pm

Doesn't Tyler Perry do his character live as well?
Recent high profile black shows:
Hot Feet
Raisin in the Sun
On Golden Pond (Jones/Rashad)
Color Purple
The Wiz @ La Jolla

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 1:56pm

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...

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 1:57pm

My curosity led me to watch a few of these on DVD, and all I can say is: these guys sure know how to cut corners to save a buck. No wonder they're making so much money off these; they're certainly not investing it in the productions.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:06pm

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

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:14pm

Since when did broadway only appeal certain groups. Sure there's a certain audience that likes a certain show, but really? IS Dreamgirls not appealing to old white ladies? If it weren't it wouldn't be a hit. You can't honestly think that the movies you mentioned are all top because black people are supporting them. People of color are called minorities for a reason. White people are seeing these films. I think what makes a show great is it's ability to appeal to many people. I say most of the great shows on Broadway don't have a racial demographic.

I will agree that there are far less roles for asian actors. I'm not sure how I feel about the latino comment. There are plenty of latino actors playing italian, jewish and many other things.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 2:17pm

Well said Jazzy.

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:06pm

Jazzy, if your post was in response to mine, then you totally took it the wrong way.

The thread is about "where's black broadway?"--my point was that though Bway might not have alot of representation with new material, film, music and TV are loaded with stories of "black interest."

Of course non-black people buy tix to DREAMGIRLS--but that's not the issue.

The issue is "where's the new exciting material?" My post was that it's just not in the musical theatre RIGHT NOW.

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:12pm

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.

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:34pm

That's a good point Tom.

You know, I just got to thinking: jazzy was saying how white audiences see black films and musicals, but I wonder how many of the Tyler Perry/Chitlin Circuit shows white folks see....