Roman Banks to become first person of color to play Evan Hansen today!

[natashalost]

According to his Instagram, Roman Banks (u/s Connor, Jared, Evan) will make his debut today at Dear Evan Hansen, becoming the first person of color to play this role.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrSwunFnmO7/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=a85kl7901mtg

[Fosse76]

It's a shame that we have to make a big deal about this, but at least it's a positive step. Let's hope that there is a person of color in the near future in line to be the principal actor in the role.

That said, the show hasn't been around for that long, so it shouldn't be a big deal. Unlike Phantom, which patted itself on the back after 25 years of racist casting of the title role when it cast Norm Lewis.

[RippedMan]

I don't see how it's racist casting? But okay. 

And I still want to see someone blonde play a Jewish character, ha. It's just interesting to me that a black person can play a supposedly Jewish character, but a blonde could never be cast. Or a redhead. 

And I'd still like to a "bigger" person play a role that doesn't deal with weight.... 

[ACL2006]

curious to hear how he does.

[barcelona20]

Fosse76 said: "It's a shame that we have to make a big deal about this, but at least it's a positive step. Let's hope that there is a person of color in the near future in line to bethe principal actor in the role.

Agree 100%.  Shouldn't be a big deal, but the producers made it this way because of their previous casting choices.

 

[lotiloti]

Roman Banks is an actor. Not an actor of color!!

But this is Trump's America, where skin color still defines who you are.

Shocking.

[RippedMan]

How can you blame the producers previous casting choices? lol. It's been around for like 2 years. The original guy was white because his dad is famous. And the subsequent replacements have all been "names." If they'd started with a black Evan Hansen and then replaced him with a white guy people would be going nuts. 

[JSquared2]

Fosse76 said: "It's a shame that we have to make a big deal about this, but at least it's a positive step. Let's hope that there is a person of color in the near future in line to bethe principal actor in the role.

That said, the show hasn't been around for that long, so it shouldn't be a big deal. Unlike Phantom, whichpatted itself on the back after 25 years of racist casting of the title role when itcast Norm Lewis."

 

Damned if you do, damned if you don't...there's always going to be someone to complain about it.

 

 

[JSquared2]

RippedMan said: "I don't see how it's racist casting? But okay.

And I still want to see someone blonde play a Jewish character, ha. It's just interesting to me that a black person can play a supposedly Jewish character, but a blonde could never be cast. Or a redhead.
 

You mean like when Barbra Streisand played various roles with blonde (or red) hair?

 

 

[greensgreens]

Fosse76 said: "That said, the show hasn't been around for that long, so it shouldn't be a big deal. Unlike Phantom, whichpatted itself on the back after 25 years of racist casting of the title role when itcast Norm Lewis."

Maybe this was the case on B'way, but Robert Guillame originated (if my memory isn't mistaken) the role of the Phantom in the original Los Angeles cast (he was later replaced by Michael Crawford). I don't remember them doing anything special when Norm came on, other than acknowledge his major talent finally joining the cast! And, I don't recall there being a big discussion about race when Guillame was cast either. If you have sources for this "patting themselves on the back," I would love to read them and be corrected!

[dramamama611]

Or the redhead that played Chava in the original Fiddler film. 

 

It happens.   Often.

[barcelona20]

RippedMan said: "How can you blame the producers previous casting choices? lol. It's been around for like 2 years. The original guy was white because his dad is famous. And the subsequent replacements have all been "names." If they'd started with a black Evan Hansen and then replaced him with a white guy people would be going nuts."

I believe the entire cast is basically white, not just the actors playing Evan.  They could have easily made the entire cast more diverse.

[JSquared2]

dramamama611 said: "Or the redhead that played Chava in the original Fiddler film.

It happens. Often."

Exactly.  A short list of blonde (or sometimes blonde) actors who happen to be jewish...

Natalie Portman

Scarlett Johansson

Goldie Hawn

Kate Hudson

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Evan Rachel Wood

Elizabeth Banks

Amanda Bynes

Ellen Barkin

Alicia Silverstone

Kyra Sedgwick

and on and on and on...

 

 

[\_(•_•)_/]

Why is this a big deal?

Are you gonna start a thread on every african american who goes on for a white actor or..?

[natashalost]

I think people, myself included, are just excited that a person of color is getting the opportunity to play a role that is typically played by a white actor, especially one that holds a special place in the musical theatre canon like this one.

[HeyMrMusic]

It’s rare that a person of color gets the opportunity to play a character that doesn’t have race as part of their story arc, especially the title character in one of the biggest hits in recent years, so this is absolutely something to celebrate.

[BwayLover5]

greensgreens said: "Fosse76 said: "That said, the show hasn't been around for that long, so it shouldn't be a big deal. Unlike Phantom, whichpatted itself on the back after 25 years of racist casting of the title role when itcast Norm Lewis."

Maybe this was the case on B'way, but Robert Guillame originated(if my memory isn't mistaken) the role of the Phantom in the original Los Angeles cast(he was later replaced by Michael Crawford). I don't remember them doing anything special when Norm came on, other than acknowledge his major talent finally joining the cast! And, I don't recall there being a big discussion about race when Guillame was cast either. If you have sources for this "patting themselves on the back," I would love to read them and be corrected!"

Michael Crawford originated Phantom in Los Angeles. He was replaced by Robert Guillaume. He was followed by the final LA Phantom, Davis Gaines.

Nice article about him taking over the role:
http://articles.latimes.com/1990-04-29/entertainment/ca-535_1_robert-guillaume

[natashalost]

Snagged a ticket for tonight! I hope Roman is on and if he is I will update!

[LesWickedly]

natashalost said: "Snagged a ticket for tonight! I hope Roman is on and if he is I will update!"

It will almost definitely be Michael. Taylor is on vacation this week so Michael is playing the role and Roman seems to be doing the usual alternate performances.

[Fosse76]

greensgreens said: "Maybe this was the case on B'way, but Robert Guillame originated(if my memory isn't mistaken) the role of the Phantom in the original Los Angeles cast(he was later replaced by Michael Crawford). I don't remember them doing anything special when Norm came on, other than acknowledge his major talent finally joining the cast! And, I don't recall there being a big discussion about race when Guillame was cast either. If you have sources for this "patting themselves on the back," I would love to read them and be corrected!"

The original press releases announcing Norm Lewis mentioned it. The media jumped all over it, as it was mentioned in every single article during his run.The show has been running for over 30 years. The title role is technically race-neutral. Only three actors of color have played the title role.  

 

[natashalost]

LesWickedly said: "It will almost definitely be Michael. Taylor is on vacation this week so Michael is playing the role and Roman seems to be doing the usual alternate performances."

Ahh well, at least I'll see a new Evan since I haven't seen Michael yet. Thankfully I didn't spend too much because I had a StubHub gift card lying around. Maybe he'll be on for the Saturday matinee? I'd do anything to see Roman in this part so crossing my finger he'll go on soon

[\_(•_•)_/]

Yay show videos on youtube posted his curtain call!

[AngusN]

Rippedman - A redhead has never been cast as a Jewish character? Most depictions and previous casting of Jesus are of a red-headed Caucasian man.

[everythingtaboo]

HeyMrMusic said: "It’s rare that a person of color gets the opportunity to play a character that doesn’t have race as part of their story arc, especially the title character in one of the biggest hits in recent years, so this is absolutely something to celebrate."

Perfect answer, thank you.

And I'm very excited that the producers have learned and are promising to be race-blind in their DEH West End casting, to take advantage of the full diversity of their actors over there.

[Plannietink08]

I’m incredibly Jewish and I’m very, very Scottish so I have wildly red hair.