I am a regionally-based theatre professional who has been in the business for ten years. I have been a member of BWW since I was in college, and still enjoy discussing theatre on the message boards when people are nice to each other.
I would like to point out that when I joined this board in its infancy many years ago, people were WAY nicer to each other. It was just a bunch of theater nerds having a good time together. Now we have some truly vitriolic posters and trolls, and it's just not the same.
This also includes some truly self-righteous jerks who are clearly looking for an outlet to express their moral outrage at anything that can be even slightly construed as "unwoke" or "racist"
Believe me, being "P.C." is not my thing. I'm not offended by the casting choice, but I know others will be.
And yes, I know it's musical theatre, but if you're going to have Archibald played by a black actor, make Neville black as well. They're supposed to be brothers for chrissakes.
Black people may make up only 12% percent of the U.S. population, and Latinos make up about 17%. Asians make up less than 6%. So yes, American is still mostly white.
That said, inclusion is important for the future of the theatre. Forgot actors - part of being an actor is not getting roles for whatever reason - you're too tall, you're too short, you can't hit the high notes, whatever. Rejection is part of the business a
disneybroadwayfan22 said: "The Distinctive Baritone said: "Still bummed about Daisy Eagan not being in it, but obviously they decided to go in a rather different direction with Martha. Several surprising choices here."
Maybe she wasn’t available. Isn’t she on a tour? If they have a 30-something for Anna, they could do one for Martha."
You're right - I just checked the tour of The Humans ??
O'Brien's Reason for Cutting the Final Scene of Act 1 in May 10
2018, 03:22:11 PM
In all fairness, I also feel that Act I should end with Soliloquy. When I directed the show myself, I tried to have the final moment of the act be on Julie and her concern and feeling of isolation, but really, why not just end on one of the greatest musical theater solos ever written?
THE SECRET GARDEN Revival Set for 2018-2019 Season May 10
2018, 01:24:45 AM
In this kind of lab, you can expect that they cast all the actors with the intent for them to go with it to Broadway. Some may get replaced, but I imagine this is pretty much the Broadway cast.
Still bummed about Daisy Eagan not being in it, but obviously they decided to go in a rather different direction with Martha. Several surprising choices here.
NYT: Tony Awards Who Will/Should Win 2018 May 9
2018, 10:40:32 AM
I agree. She has like ten minutes of stage time and doesn’t sing. It would be like Mr. Lundie winning for Brigadoon.
I would argue that if the "ensemble" is no so much a group of people who play multiple featured roles (i.e. The Producers) but is more of a "chorus" (i.e. 42nd Street), if you are standing out, you are doing something wrong. In a "chorus," no one should stand out. Maybe a chorus member is particularly attractive, or has particularly good dance technique, but if an audience member is focusing
Schumer and Cera were nominated because they need TV/film people nominated so non-theatre people might actually watch the awards.
Are we sure we aren’t upset about Alex Newell not getting nominated because of the quality of his performance, or more because we really like him as an actor/personality/groundbreaker?
Having six actress in a musical nominees when only nine were eligible is ridiculous. There should never be more people nomin
Gender Based Awards? Apr 26
2018, 04:38:38 PM
The Jeff Awards in Chicago just went gender neutral.
I understand the reasoning behind eliminating gender-based categories - trying to avoid “forcing” someone into a gender identity, the needlessness of separating men and women in the first place - but the way I feel about “best actor” and “best actress” is the same way I feel about the men’s bathroom and the women’s bathroom: I don’t care which one you use, but just pick one.
King Kong Casting Apr 24
2018, 05:33:10 PM
I am thrilled that an African-American actress will be a Broadway leading lady this season, but they have set themselves up for some ugly racism in regards to the climax of the story. In what was clearly a color-conscious choice...maybe they should have made the leading man black instead?
Not that this ridiculous thread needs my input, but here we go:
First of all, there is no such thing as "the best person for the part" except in the director's mind (or the producers'. Casting is subjective. Period.
When I did WSS fifteen years ago in college, almost all of the Puerto Ricans were played by white people who could "pass" as Latino. It was Indiana. Not a lot of Latino
CAROUSEL (2018) Reviews Apr 13
2018, 02:47:12 AM
What’s cut again? Geraniums and Stonecutters?
Non singing roles in musicals Apr 9
2018, 05:00:48 PM
I consider myself a pretty good singer, but have played THREE:
Roy Johnson in The Light in the Piazza Schrank in West Side Story Jeff in Brigadoon
2018 Olivier Awards Apr 8
2018, 04:16:31 PM
I think this confirms that Burr is most definitely a more compelling character - and a better role - than the title role.
. Casting is subjective. Period.