'Crazy Rich Asians' as a musical?- Page 2

[jawjuhh]

Posted: 9/1/18 at 9:59am

Yes! There was a big issue within the Asian community about some of the actors being mixed race, so I could only imagine the hate in regards to not casting Chinese actors.

Honestly, had Henry Golding been "full" Asian of any kind, there would not have been the same complaints from those people. It's not about being not Chinese enough, it's about being not Asian enough, especially through the lens that Hollywood will only take its Asian with some white mixed in. Either way it's bull****.

That being said, I don't think Asian people would care if a hypothetical CRA musical cast non-Chinese people. I (chinese) sure as hell wouldn't! The only issue I take with it is when casting Southeast Asian roles with East Asian actors, given how underrepresented Southeast Asians are as a whole.

Anyways, I would really hope that a CRA adaptation have an Asian creative team! Maybe Helen Park (from KPOP) for music!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/2/18 at 8:13pm

Elegance101, I am Chinese American and yes, this is a prickly topic. Personally, I'm more flexible, but with the pool to choose from in the musical theatre world, I wouldn't have a huge problem with Asian, non-Chinese actors playing Chinese Singaporean/Chinese American roles. But I'd understand those who would.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/2/18 at 8:41pm

I have a Japanese friend who goes on and on about how ludicrous it has been to cast "Miss Saigon" with interchangeable Asians.  This idea that Vietnamese women and men can be played by anyone from any Asian country irritates a lot of Asians, in and out of the entertainment industry. (Neither of the Kims opoening the show and its revival were Vietnamese.) "Flower Drum Song" was infamously cast in the 1950s with Japanese actors playing Chinese and Chinese-Americans. (And one great Africa-American playing a Chinese woman, but that's another topic.) And then Ms. Salonga did the revival, a Filipino playing a Chinese woman this time. As my friend opines, it's all to serve the Western concept of "Asian" as a blanket term for race, and it's a perverse new Orientalism.  If this film becomes a musical, it might cease.  

 

Updated On: 9/2/18 at 08:41 PM

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 9/4/18 at 10:34am

It's such a complicated issue. I think when it comes to musical theatre and opera, people are more willing to give some leeway as those mediums require specific talents so long as nobody is doing black face or some sort of similar practice. I think the issue is complicated because "Asia" is such a Western-created construct to begin with. The people there before the advent and mass-marketing of maps and such did not consider themselves only one continent and are really incredibly diverse in culture, language, custom, color, etc. However, in the U.S., since Asian-Americans are all grouped into one large group, we have to deal with the competing interests but also feel a big sense of solidarity with one another since we are all grouped as the same and we look similarly enough for outsiders and thus are treated similarly. This puts Asian-Americans in a unique position where we don't want to be seen as the same or interchangeable, but at the same time people really care about it because there have been so little opportunities for Asian-Americans in the performing arts like this so every project has to get it completely right, an impossible task.

I do think having these discussions and talks should INSPIRE CRA to be made into a musical rather than have people shy away from it. I think the community needs to have this discussion more openly and individuals need to fully think about where they truly stand. Right now, there's a lot of barking but not a lot of thinking and reflection. Plus, the whole Henry Golding being a half-Asian opened up a discussion people need to talk about with regard to racial purity among many Asians that needs to be confronted. Also, a lot of it come from some Asian men who are the type (not all Asian men) who complain about being seen as inferior and inadequate compared to "white" men and them seeing a half-Asian/half-white man makes them angry. A lot of those attitudes are tied into misogyny, and treating Asian women as objects that they are entitled.

[Fan123]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 8:02am

Jon M Chu has said he would be interested doing a Broadway musical adaptation. It might be just talk, but still!

"Maybe we combine a Chinese singer with an Asian-American composer to put it together. We have a big band - the band is on the stage itself so you can experience it like you’re at a party. We would have the best fashion. Jason Wu comes in and designs everything. You make an experience for the audience. It would be ridiculous."

https://variety.com/2018/film/news/jon-m-chu-on-directing-crazy-rich-asians-sequel-we-still-have-to-close-my-deal-1202954136/

(BTW, since my previous post I've seen the film, and as hoped I think it does improve upon the book's plot in several ways, eg making Rachel a more active player.)

[theaterwiz414]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 8:07am

dramamama611 said: "but we're complaining about every movie musical that IS coming in?"

I agree. While it's fun to imagine a movie or book adapted for the stage, not everything you read or see can be translated to the stage, nor should it! 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 9:41am

Jonathan Pryce as the boyfriend?


But actually, I think this material would make a WONDERFUL musical. As long as it has an original score!

[Dave28282]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 10:07am

Auggie27 said: "I have a Japanese friend who goes on and on about how ludicrous it has been to cast "Miss Saigon" with interchangeable Asians. This idea that Vietnamese womenand men can be played by anyone from any Asian country irritates a lot of Asians, in and out of the entertainment industry. (Neither of the Kims opoening the show and its revival were Vietnamese.) "Flower Drum Song" was infamously cast in the 1950s with Japanese actors playing Chinese and Chinese-Americans. "

First of all, all people are interchangeable because we are all equal. Then you have continents such as Europe, America and Asia. Each of these continents consists of different parts. In America these parts (lines in the sand) are called states, in other continents, such as Europe and Asia they are called countries. If you have the desire to divide, you could say there are some races, such as caucasian and asian. But that is as far as you can go. If an Asian actor plays a role from a different country (meaning, having the same race, just from the other side of a made-up imaginary line) that is fine, The actor is Asian, just as the role. Japanese, Vietnamese, or Philippino are not races. Just as French, Italian, Dutch or German are not races. That is why Dutch people can play Germans too and why British people can play Americans too.

Your friend needs a reality check and learn about the world before making such ludicrous comments. It is very discriminating to demand people can not play roles outside of their country or state.

 

Updated On: 9/28/18 at 10:07 AM

[theaterwiz414]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 10:20am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Jonathan Pryce as the boyfriend?


But actually, I think this material would make a WONDERFUL musical. As long as it has an original score!"

 

Not every single thing has to Ben made into a musical. I disagree but you are entitled to your opinion. 

[Valentina3]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 10:28am

theaterwiz414 said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Jonathan Pryce as the boyfriend?
 

But actually, I think this material would make a WONDERFUL musical. As long as it has an original score!"

Not every single thing has to Ben made into a musical. I disagree but you are entitled to your opinion."

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 10:37am

You know that floating the idea of one film/movie franchise being made into a musical doesn't mean "everything" is being proposed as being made into a musical, right? How is hyperbole getting your point across?

[theaterwiz414]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 10:39am

LizzieCurry said: "You know that floating the idea of one film/movie franchise being made into a musical doesn't mean "everything" is being proposed as being made into a musical, right? How is hyperbole getting your point across?"

Okay, can you please name some original musicals on Broadway that weren’t based on anything, or that have been announced that are original works? 

 

Just take a look at the upcoming productions on playbill.com. The majority of them are adaptations of something else. I’m allowed to think things won’t work on stage. Why put me down for having a different opinion? 

Updated On: 9/28/18 at 10:39 AM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 10:47am

You didn't say currently, so off the top of my head...

Urinetown
13
The Book of Mormon
Be More Chill
[title of show]
Allegiance
Brooklyn
It Shoulda Been You

How "original" do you mean? I could include Head Over Heels since the source material isn't super well-known. And hell, even Oklahoma.

Do you count musicals based on stories of well-known people? What about people who aren't well known in the country where the musical is playing?

[theaterwiz414]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 10:47am

People do know not everyone will agree on everything, right? Just making sure....

 

(and please spare me the comments about my tone) 

[Kad]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 10:50am

Why is an "original" show preferable to a show that has been adapted? How many "original" musicals are top-tier musical theatre?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 10:51am

I don't think you're making sure, but just in case, yes, I can reassure you that I know people have brains and those brains have opinions. My objection is to the use of "we can't do everything!" as a reaction, which is useless and a cliche at this point.

[theaterwiz414]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 10:55am

LizzieCurry said: "I don't think you're making sure, but just in case, yes, I can reassure you that I know people have brains and those brains have opinions. My objection is to the use of "we can't do everything!" as a reaction, which is useless and a cliche at this point."

Do you truly, honestly believe that everything can be turned into a stage adaptation? Okay yes it’s could, but also think, “would it be successful?” Is it necessary? 

 

Am am I really not allowed to disagree on this? 

[theaterwiz414]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 10:57am

LizzieCurry said: "You didn't say currently, so off the top of my head...

Urinetown
13
The Book of Mormon
Be More Chill
[title of show]
Allegiance
Brooklyn
It Shoulda Been You

How "original" do you mean? I could include Head Over Heels since the source material isn't super well-known. And hell, even Oklahoma.

Do you count musicals based on stories of well-known people? What about people who aren't well known in the country where the musical is playing?"

I’m 90% sure BMC was based on a book? 

[theaterwiz414]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 10:58am

LizzieCurry said: "I don't think you're making sure, but just in case, yes, I can reassure you that I know people have brains and those brains have opinions. My objection is to the use of "we can't do everything!" as a reaction, which is useless and a cliche at this point."

Um, you don’t know now me? I was absolutely making sure. Thanks. 

[theaterwiz414]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 11:01am

The title of this post was Crazy Rich Asians as a musical with a question mark. I don’t think the material would work as a musical. As I’ve said. I’m allowed to have my opinion. 

[Valentina3]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 11:05am

theaterwiz414 said: "Am am I really not allowed to disagree on this?"

You totally are. What you're not allowed to do (or rather, get away with) is insulting what other people want. You don't want to watch this particular adaptation, don't watch it. I feel the same way about a great many things which other folks love, I don't go ahead and tell them the art they love wasn't "needed". I tell them it's not my thing if I'm asked my opinion, and let them enjoy it regardless. I expect the same from them.

 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 11:13am

No, theaterwiz414 I don't truly believe everything can be turned into a stage adaptation. What I do believe is that proposing one doesn't mean proposing the vast swaths of fiction out there.

What you did, when you came into this thread, was non-specifically and hyperbolically equate a musical adaptation of CRA with a musical adaptation of "everything."

Thank you for the BMC source material clarification. You are correct.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 11:39am

Nobody's saying it has to be a paint-by-numbers musical adaptation. The film script could have used some work in the last third. But I thought the story had a FIDDLER ON THE ROOF level of universality -- something that many shows want but few possess. Other things it has going for it:   1) opportunities for heightened emotions to be conveyed through song/dance;   2) the possibility of glamorous production values;   3) film/book has done extremely well in the US and internationally, and there are two more sequels coming out so this is gonna be in the cultural conversation for another 4-5 years;   4) BIG potential for international touring, foreign investment, and life beyond NYC.

Maybe it would bomb, who knows? But on paper, it seems like something that's very worth exploring, especially because Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures seems to have money to spend (Charlie/Chocolate, Dave, Beetlejuice, Misery).

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 12:05pm

Fan123 said: "Jon M Chu has said he would be interested doing a Broadway musical adaptation. It might be just talk, but still!

"Maybe we combine a Chinese singer with an Asian-American composer to put it together. We have a big band - the band is on the stage itself so you can experience it like you’re at a party. We would have the best fashion. Jason Wu comes in and designs everything. You make an experience for the audience. It would be ridiculous."

https://variety.com/2018/film/news/jon-m-chu-on-directing-crazy-rich-asians-sequel-we-still-have-to-close-my-deal-1202954136/

(BTW, since my previous post I've seen the film, and as hoped I think it does improve upon the book's plot in several ways, eg making Rachel a more active player.)"

I think that would be a great idea and would actually offer Broadway a different sound with regard to the score.

[Niles Silvers]

Posted: 9/28/18 at 3:39pm

Great idea, but it quickly became "complicated", didn't it?  I would prefer to see it as a film adaptation, as opposed to Broadway.  Maybe it will start a trend like Bollywood (pls don't flame me for anything today, thnx).