First South Asian Female Lead on Broadway since Bombay Dreams

[Call_me_jorge]

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

[Tag]

Wow, how sad is that?!

[Mr. Nowack]

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.

[Call_me_jorge]

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.

[Tag]

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. 

[Wick3]

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]

I'll be seeing her tomorrow night when she goes on again.  I'm excited to see what she brings to the role!

 

[wish i were here2]

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! 

[wish i were here2]

I do hope we see more Indian people on Broadway sooner rather than later!

[sorano916]

Congrats to her!

 

Side note: what ethnicity is Nick Choksi? I thought he was also South Asian.

[aimeric]

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.

[darquegk]

Shoba is fantastic, and a joy to work with. She played Tiger Lily in my NYMF show "Tink!" this past summer.

[aimeric]

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]

[PThespian]

wish i were here2 said: "I do hope we see more Indian people on Broadway sooner rather than later!

 

"

Raghav, the kid who plays Freddy the drummer in SOR, is Indian as is Nahal (one of the adults). 

Some other kids are Asian, Latino, Black, White and mixed. There is true diversity. 

There is also color blind casting. 

For example Raghav's father is played by Merritt who is white. 

Freddy (who plays Billy) is Latino. His father is played by Nahal. 

Josh Tower is a member of the Adult Ensemble is black. 

Another one of the Adult Ensemble is Asian. 

There truly is a lot of diversity in the shoe which is great!

[Jish]

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/

[Call_me_jorge]

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.

[Jish]

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!

[newintown]

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.)

[Call_me_jorge]

I wouldn't think so, especially comparing the role Marta to Natasha. Natasha is THE lead.

[newintown]

Seems a bit like splitting hairs to me, but OK.