As TheaterWorks' production of THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT comes to a close, the controversy surrounding the casting process does not.
The Hartford-based theatre company, presenting the regional premiere of the show, attracted attention when the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) and playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis questioned the casting decisions made by the company.
"The two romantic leads in my play were written very specifically as Latinos in their late 30's...I saw Theaterworks' character breakdowns for the roles that went out for the auditions, and there was no mention of the ethnicity of the two characters in question," Guirgis said (read the breakdowns here). "It became clear to me that perhaps Theaterworks had no intention of casting Latinos in the first place since they weren't asking agents to submit Latino actors for these Latino roles."
TheaterWorks' artistic director responded, stating in an email: "It is a tribute to his skill that Stephen Adly Guirgis, though not Hispanic, is able to so credibly depict a culture not his own, as he does in The Motherf[------] With the Hat. How gracious it would be of him to allow that actors of whatever heritage might succeed in acting, much as he has in writing."
Today, HOLA released a statement from casting director Pat McCorkle, who stated: "The entire casting breakdown was written by Tazewell Thompson along with Theaterworks Hartford without our involvement. I was in no way involved in writing the breakdown for The Motherf**ker with the
Hat, and no actors were seen for the roles of ‘Veronica’ or ‘Jackie’ in our New York auditions. Offers had been made by the theatre prior to our appointment auditions...This situation has disappointed me greatly, because in my thirty plus years of casting, I have built my name and prided myself on my integrity and my belief that the playwright’s vision comes first."
THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT, nominated for a 2011 Tony Award for Best Play, opened on Monday, April 11, 2011 on Broadway. It closed July 17, starring Bobby Cannavale as Jackie, Chris Rock as Ralph D, Elizabeth Rodriguez as Veronica, Annabella Sciorra as Victoria and Yul Vázquez as Cousin Julio.
TheaterWorks' production, which began in October, finishes performances today.
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