how long do you think TMM will run?- Page 2

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:41am

i see TMM as more like this generations NO NO NANNETTE. The period and the dancing may prove to sell in some markets and not in others. SOME LIKE IT HOT had some of the same results on the road. i do like Darcie, and i haven't done enough research to really know, but i doubt the majority of her reviews are calling her "bland." She hasn't landed leads in many pre-Broadway tours (admittedly, most of which didn't make it into NYC) and numerous features in NYC (admittedly, as a replacement) because she's "bland." She has lungs of steel to support a great legit theatre belt voice, she's an excellent overall dancer and a phenomenonal tapper, and her comic timing is just fine. i do not find TMM to be the end-all and be-all, but for a certain audience it really seems to work and i enjoyed it personally. i'm not sure the "Manhattan-only" premise works since it's pretty well-documented that Broadway shows of longer runs depend on tourists and not natives to keep selling. As for racism, i think you have to kind of look to be offended by what's in MILLIE. Calling someone else's vision of diversity racist might point to your own doubts about your own tolerance. As AVENUE Q so aptly puts it "everyone's a little bit racist." Just not everyone has a sense of perspective, or humor, about it. If the Asian American community was truly offended, why did they choose to protest MISS SAIGON's casting and not this purported example? just food for thought.

[etoile]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 3:49am

Maybe my memory is fuzzy, but wasn't it US Equity members that were protesting the casting of UK members for MISS SAIGON?

How does anyone equate that perceived casting "racism" with the unfunny depiction of oriental white slave stooges?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 8:41am

TX, point well taken, I know everybody's at least a little bit racist. And I'm not one of those white guys who wants extra credit for being the first to call something racist. However, I don't get the absolute refusal of the fans of Millie to even want to engage with the possibility that of the racist construct of the entire garbled Chinese white slavery subplot.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 9:14am

Maybe its because that the people believed to be MILLIES intended audience (the middle American whites from the 'Heartland') has far more friends and business colleagues of Asian descent than anyone imagined?

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 9:31am

I think the 'Saigon' flap was more a powerplay with Cameron Mackintosh (who was feared to be 'taking over Broadway' at the time) more than any sort of moral crusade. As "Millie" is the sort of dull, lifeless dance comedy that most US producers dream a Broadway entirely populated with, I'm not surprised there hasn't been any controversy.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 5:54pm

i hope i didn't "equate" anything. But some of these points are very equitable. Satisfied?

[actorgaedu]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 11:31pm

I would love to see Susan Egan take over for Sutton in Millie. She might be a little old for the role, but she is a fierce performer and could really rival Sutton in performing that role. I heard she was in some early readings of the show years ago. She is closing Cabaret in January, let's keep her around a while longer!