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1776 Casting

yfs
#11776 Casting
Posted: 9/23/15 at 11:11pm

Lots of stir on the "other" board about Encores! intention to do 1776 color-blind. Thoughts here? I think it's kind of inevitable -- if they'd done it all white, it would look really fusty and old-fashioned, given what's happened on Broadway lately. But lots of folks don't agree!! 

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LizzieCurry
#21776 Casting
Posted: 9/23/15 at 11:17pm

Here's a link. It's not like they're lepers. http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=2305413

As for the subject at hand, it kind of amuses me. I like that they're not shy that they're inspired by/basically trying to piggy-back off Hamilton. It feels self-conscious, but it could also turn out to be less wonky that it sounds.

And it's a concert, not a full-out production, so it should go over well with at least some of the semi-purists, I'd hope.


"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

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wonderfulwizard11
#31776 Casting
Posted: 9/23/15 at 11:19pm

It's clearly trying to capitalize on the buzz from Hamilton, but I think it will work fine. I did pause for a second, given how slavery figures into the plot significantly at the end, but mentions of slavery haven't made Hamilton not work, so I don't see why it would be an issue here. As long as they cast the right people for the roles, especially Adams, I think it'll be a great night. 


I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.

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JoseLee_
#41776 Casting
Posted: 9/23/15 at 11:26pm

I just hope Norm Lewis is in this!

Wilmingtom
#51776 Casting
Posted: 9/23/15 at 11:37pm

They're a little late to the party.  I wish they were applying the color blind casting to something other than the "other" show about the founding fathers, which just makes it seem like a rip-off.

LightsOut90
#61776 Casting
Posted: 9/23/15 at 11:48pm

yeah this screams GIMMICK over being progressive

yfs
#71776 Casting
Posted: 9/23/15 at 11:52pm

On the other hand, you have to figure their backs were to the wall. Imagine how people might react if the show was all white. I think there would have been lots of complaints about THAT. So they couldn't really win, unless, of course, it's good. Which I expect it will be. 

 

 

Phyllis Rogers Stone
#81776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 12:07am

I think it's great.  

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wonderfulwizard11
#91776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 12:18am

I'd love to see Norm Lewis tackle Rutledge, if for no other reason than to hear his Molasses to Rum.


I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.

Phyllis Rogers Stone
#101776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 12:31am

The first time I saw 1776 was in a gender-swapped concert staging and I loved it. I think there is an unexpected poignancy to the material when more than just white men are represented in this show. 

Updated On: 9/24/15 at 12:31 AM

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Taryn
#111776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 12:38am

It might be piggybacking off of Hamilton, but really -- who cares?  It still gives actors of color a shot at some awesome roles that they'd almost never be considered for in a production of this calibre.  I'm all for it.

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LimelightMike
#121776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 5:13am

Guys, really? Colorblind casting has been going on for decades now. This isn't groundbreaking. It *IS*, however, a brilliant move for Encores! The fantasy casting in my head in off the hook! Haha.

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newintown
#131776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 8:57am

The difference is, it's intrinsic to Hamilton; it'll be applied to 1776. Nonetheless, if the performers are good, it should work OK.

 

Norm Lewis or B Stokes Mitchell, or Quenton Darrington singing "Molasses" would sound gorgeous and be simultaneously (unintentionally) bizarre/hilarious. It would be great to have a live projection of the audiences faces while watching it, and observing the utter confusion on many of those faces.

 

Also unintentionally comic would be an actress of color as Martha Jefferson, for obvious reasons. Perhaps they could just change that character to Sally Hemings?

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somechrysanthemumtea
#141776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:04am

What's important would to be to see what they do with the casting for 'Do I Hear A Waltz', to see if they just treat color blind casting as a gimmick in order to get more buzz. 

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givesmevoice
#151776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:26am

I might be in the minority, but I think Encores! has a relatively good track record with casting actors of color. I don't know if I think they've been the best in promoting color blind casting for leads, but the ensemble is usually diverse regardless of the setting of the show AND they've done quite a few shows that call for an all-black cast. (And shows like Finian's Rainbow that explicitly call for many actors of color.) I'm excited that they're taking LMM's call for diversity to heart (and he did in fact call them out on it when 1776 was announced as one of this season's shows), and am looking forward to seeing who they cast.
 

Norm Lewis and Brian Stokes Mitchell are a bit long in the tooth for Rutledge, since they actually seem to be calling for someone in their 20s. 

What are the chances of seeing John Cullum or, dare I hope, William Daniels as Franklin?


When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad
Updated On: 9/24/15 at 09:26 AM

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Kad
#161776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:28am

I love John Cullum, but I do not think he would be able to handle such a prominent role anymore.


"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

mamaleh
#171776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:37am

Ooh, yes, William Daniels as Franklin!   Would LOVE to see that.   That would make up for whatever gimmicky, rip-off casting decisions are made.

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South Fl Marc
#181776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 9:44am

Norm Lewis and Brian Stokes Mitchell are a bit long in the tooth for Rutledge, since they actually seem to be calling for someone in their 20s. 

What are the chances of seeing John Cullum or, dare I hope, William Daniels as Franklin?

 

Realism has pretty much been thrown out for this production, so age should not be a factor. Any role should be open to any actor. William Daniels could even do Adams again

 

 

 

Updated On: 9/24/15 at 09:44 AM

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LizzieCurry
#191776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:04am

LimelightMike said: "Guys, really? Colorblind casting has been going on for decades now. This isn't groundbreaking."

It is for 1776.


"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

Phyllis Rogers Stone
#201776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:13am

I love it and I think more shows should do it.

And before someone says, "What about a white Effie?" or whatever - if we got to the point where color-blind casting was the norm and actors of color were as represented as white actors, then fine, knock yourself out with a white Effie or whatever. 

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haterobics
#211776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:27am

For a 4-day concert version, it doesn't seem like it is that big a deal to do color-blind casting. It might seem more of an odd choice if it were an standing production and it didn't really work well...

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newintown
#221776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:29am

Have you been to Encores in the last 10 years or so? You really can't call it a "concert presentation" anymore. They always have lots of staging and choreography, and even some costumes and sets.

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SonofRobbieJ
#231776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:33am

And, of course, 'diversity' doesn't mean everybody gonna be black.  How about:

Jose Llana for Rutledge
Stephen McKinley Henderson for Franklin
Guillermo Diaz for Adams

If only Renee Elise Goldsberry and Phillipa Soo were available as Abigail and Martha, respectively.  So how about Anika Noni Rose and Ashley Park?  Or maybe Karen Olivo might make a beautiful Abigail.  I'm very interested to see who gets cast!

 

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givesmevoice
#241776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:37am

I LOVE the idea of Anika Noni Rose and Ashley Park as Abigail and Martha! Or even Ruthie Ann Miles as Abigail.


When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

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LizzieCurry
#251776 Casting
Posted: 9/24/15 at 10:38am

Phyllis Rogers Stone said: "And before someone says, "What about a white Effie?" or whatever - if we got to the point where color-blind casting was the norm and actors of color were as represented as white actors, then fine, knock yourself out with a white Effie or whatever. "

 

Bears repeating. Thanks, Phyllis!


"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt