First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
#1First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/7/17 at 9:48pm
Shoba Narayan is also the only South Asian actor currently on Broadway. Congrats to her and for making history. Did anyone see her, by any chance? http://www.playbill.com/article/a-dream-come-true-for-shoba-narayan-tonights-natasha-in-the-great-comet
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
Updated On: 3/7/17 at 09:48 PM
Tag
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/19/05
#2First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/7/17 at 9:53pm
Wow, how sad is that?!
#3First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/7/17 at 9:55pm
People talk a lot about "diversity" but oftentimes they're only concerned with African American representation when in fact there are other minorities like Hispanic or Asian performers (and South Asians in particular) that have literally NO representation in the industry at any given moment.
Keeping BroadwayWorld Illustrated
#4First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/7/17 at 9:56pm
Tag said: "Wow, how sad is that?!
"
I was thinking that too! I was happy and alarmed all at the same time while reading the article.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
Tag
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/19/05
#5First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/7/17 at 10:02pm
I've never understood how Broadway can claim to be so diverse, when the diversity is segregated into separate/solitary shows. i.e. a Latino cast (On Your Feet), an African American cast (Color Purple, Lion King), etc.
That isn't diversity.
#6First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/7/17 at 10:10pm
Tag said: "I've never understood how Broadway can claim to be so diverse, when the diversity is segregated into separate/solitary shows. i.e. a Latino cast (On Your Feet), an African American cast (Color Purple, Lion King), etc.
That isn't diversity. "
That's another reason why I think I enjoyed watching Sunday in the Park with George. Comparing that production to the original back in 1984, the cast is certainly a lot more diverse!
aimeric
Stand-by Joined: 8/7/15
#7First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/7/17 at 10:13pm
I'll be seeing her tomorrow night when she goes on again. I'm excited to see what she brings to the role!
#8First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/7/17 at 10:19pm
A few of my friends are Indian and when I went to see shows with them they asked me "Where are the Indians on Broadway?" So when I saw this article I sent it to them and they were super excited.
Wish I could see her as Natasha, but I'm sure she will be great!
#9First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/7/17 at 10:25pm
I do hope we see more Indian people on Broadway sooner rather than later!
Updated On: 3/7/17 at 10:25 PM
sorano916
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/6/08
#10First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/8/17 at 1:08am
Congrats to her!
Side note: what ethnicity is Nick Choksi? I thought he was also South Asian.
aimeric
Stand-by Joined: 8/7/15
#11First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/8/17 at 9:27am
sorano916 said: "
Side note: what ethnicity is Nick Choksi? I thought he was also South Asian.
"
I think (think) that he is of South Asian descent--someone correct me if you know better. Shoba Narayan is the only female South Asian on Broadway at the moment.
#12First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/8/17 at 7:46pm
Shoba is fantastic, and a joy to work with. She played Tiger Lily in my NYMF show "Tink!" this past summer.
aimeric
Stand-by Joined: 8/7/15
#13First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/9/17 at 12:33am
So, yeah, just saw her as Natasha tonight, and man, was she good! Many acting choices similar to Denee's, but a beautiful voice and stage presence that are all her own. She has an even stronger belt than Denee; I would say her "No One Else" was closer in sound to Pippa Soo's.
Lots of friends/family/supporters in the audience tonight; she got a big cheer for her first entrance, and well-deserved huge applause after "No One Else" and at curtain call. Hope to see her get a chance to do this role (and others!) in the future as well.
aimeric
Stand-by Joined: 8/7/15
Jish
Stand-by Joined: 8/13/07
#16First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/10/17 at 9:50am
Nice story and a good message but I am not sure how they figure this is the first since Bombay Dreams.
I saw Singapore's Elena Wang go on as Kei in Allegiance - so I would think that would qualify?
http://www.playbill.com/playbillpagegallery/inside-playbill?asset=00000150-aea8-d936-a7fd-eefc72ea0009&type=InsidePlaybill&slide=7
And for pedantic people - there are a lot of dead links out there about her, but the bottom of this page does confirm she was born in Singapore (and worked there extensively):
http://radaris.asia/p/Elena/Wang/
#17First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/10/17 at 11:21am
I don't think Singapore is technically in South Asia. South Asia includes India, Nepal, Buhtan and Bangladesh. There's a couple more, but Singapore isn't one of them.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
Jish
Stand-by Joined: 8/13/07
#18First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/10/17 at 11:24am
Call_me_jorge said: "I don't think Singapore is technically in South Asia. South Asia includes India, Nepal, Buhtan and Bangladesh. There's a couple more, but Singapore isn't one of them."
Ahh - interesting, didn't know that definition!
#19First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/10/17 at 11:28am
What about Angel Desai in Company? That was post-Bombay Dreams. Or does Marta not count as a "lead?"
(Update: The World Bank identifies "South Asia" as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.)
#20First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/10/17 at 11:30am
I wouldn't think so, especially comparing the role Marta to Natasha. Natasha is THE lead.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
#21First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/10/17 at 11:31am
Seems a bit like splitting hairs to me, but OK.
#22First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/14/17 at 1:33pm
Wick3 said: "That's another reason why I think I enjoyed watching Sunday in the Park with George. Comparing that production to the original back in 1984, the cast is certainly a lot more diverse!"
Ashley Park (Celeste #1) - wow, what a voice! She carries the chorus.
Also, Ali Ewoldt is currently a very lovely Christine in Phantom.
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene"
- Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
#23First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/14/17 at 2:07pm
Tag said: "I've never understood how Broadway can claim to be so diverse, when the diversity is segregated into separate/solitary shows. i.e. a Latino cast (On Your Feet), an African American cast (Color Purple, Lion King), etc.
That isn't diversity.
"
Who claims Broadway is diverse? Looking at most of the shows being released this season, Broadway is whitebread as it has always been.
#24First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/14/17 at 6:39pm
Yup, Singapore is in South-East Asia, not South Asia.
PThespian - I'm delighted that SOR is making casting choices that are diverse but they still have a long way to go before diversity in leading roles can be fully achieved.
Skimbleshanks2
Broadway Star Joined: 2/11/15
#25First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/14/17 at 7:34pm
Cool but what happened to LAUREN ZAKARIAN?
"See that poster on the wall? Rocky Marciano." - Andy Karl as Rocky in 'ROCKY'
#26First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams
Posted: 3/14/17 at 7:41pm
Nothing. Shoba and Lauren both cover a Natasha. Shoba did a few of the performances while Denee Benton was on vacation and Lauren did the rest.
