If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
The thing is, besides being an utter toad of a human being, Riedel usually has the least knowledge of the topic in the room. He doesn't usually understand the content or approach of a show, and is always completely and unfailingly socially ignorant, which makes it really infuriating when Susan can't get a word in edgewise. A definitive mansplainer; it's always painful when he has female guests. I watch the show sporadically when I really want to see a guest, because it's the only theatre talkshow we have, but it would be so much better without this hateful clown in a dadcoat. (thanks ScaryWarhol)
We've been seeing more recently, but in general Broadway often ignores the topic of over-weight people, and rarely casts overweight people in general. I was happy to see Bring it On, It Shoulda Been You and Gigantic tackle the topic (though I haven't seen Gigantic yet, I obviously know what it's about)
That's always a discussion I've been interested to bring up, Heavier people are rarely cast in lead roles that aren't specified as heavier characters, even when it wouldn't be a problem.
But that's not really a problem to be addressed ON Broadway, rather amongst the community.
That's what was wonderful about casting James Corden as the Baker in the Into the Woods. He's a bigger guy but that element is never made fun of, nor is it ever commented on. He's just this normal person.
I remember seeing kinky boots and there being many non typical sized actors, although it was somewhat built inot the script?
I appoligise for any spelling mistakes. I may be on my mobile. Clumsy fingers and small little touchscreen keys don't mixx. I try to spellcheck, but I may miss something.
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Just opened this thread for the first time since I posted in it (I sometimes lose track of these things!)
mc1227 said "Welcome to the real world. Overweight people have been shut out of jobs in many areas, not just Broadway."
I totally agree with you 100%. But the thread was about Broadway, so that's why I mentioned it specifically. Not sure the if your "welcome to the thread world" comment was necessary, but whatever.
I've seen very few examples of size-blind casting. The only one that comes to mind off the top of my head is Alysha Umphress in On The Town, which was great to see. I'm sure I've seen others, but that's one of the only ones I can think of where it directly fought against the notion that only skinny people can play sexy, desirable characters, and where it wasn't written into the script as a theme of the show.
I admit I totally forgot about Hairspray in my original post - it probably would have been a better example than the ones that I gave.
My friend and I saw a picture of Minnie Faye in a production of HELLO, DOLLY! where she was a kinda larger. I didn't think anything of it, but it annoyed him to no end. This still annoys him to this day. I can text Fat Minnie Faye to him just to get him going.