Ethan Slater in "Significant Other"

[ahhrealmonsters]

Shameless promo: Ethan Slater (Spongebob Squarepants) is starring in a one-night only staged reading of Significant Other on 1/31, which will be the first time the play will be performed in NYC since the Broadway run closed. Press release. Tickets here. See you there!

[EthelMae]

Thank you so much ahhrealmonsters! I love this play-saw it many times Off and on Broadway. And with Ethan Slater & Issac Powell! So cool. And reasonable price and a good cause. Im there.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Are you involved with the show, ahhrealmonsters? I'd love to know, for networking purposes!

[nasty_khakis]

I think Ethan is a phenomenal talent and very funny, but I wish the great (and rare) gay male role was being played by an out gay male.

[teatime2]

Upsetting. He shouldnt of taken the role from a gay man.

[EthelMae]

Wait. I hate to talk about this type of stuff, BUT, Mr. Ethan Slater isnt gay? I must behind in my headlines!

[nasty_khakis]

"Wait. I hate to talk about this type of stuff, BUT, Mr. Ethan Slater isnt gay? I must behind in my headlines!"

I'm not trying to gossip or out, but he's openly married to a woman on instagram. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsGR6STHJ_8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

[EthelMae]

OK. Ill bite. Didnt know that. Not on Instagram. Well. I dont have a problem with that casting. There must be many gay actors playing straight parts, I would think. No statistics. Interesting to see if any gay actors make their voice heard on this matter.

Anyway, I would think Mr. Slater would be great in this part, after his performance in SpongeBob. That part was on stage almost the whole time of the show and so is Gideon, the lead role in Significant Other.

[bdn223]

I was going to repeat what has already been said on this board. Jordan is such a complex and tragic role that is rarely written as a gay man, and its a shame that Slater didn't realize this would be akin to agreeing to play Othello.

[EthelMae]

Again, I dont have a problem with this casting. Mr. Slater is donating, I would think, his time to raise money for an important organization and its a great part. Again, if gay actors in the business voice concern over this 1 night event, Ill be surprised as a gay man.

[nasty_khakis]

A gay man playing a straight role is, in fact, not the same currently in the world. Gay actors to this day are still told by agents to not come out or if they're out to "tone the gay down" in their social media and interviews. They are still very much not allowed to play mainstream straight parts for many reasons. Even the bigger name out actors (the few there are) are told bigger movies won't see them because it's "not believable." All while living in a world where Andrew Garfield, Jared Leto, etc all are called "brave" for playing gay. 

In a perfect world it wouldn't matter and all actors should be able to play a multitude of roles, I agree, but we aren't quite there yet.

Not trying to shut a production down or even get him fired as I'm sure he indeed will be great. I'm simply saying there are a multitude of gay actors who would love to play the complex and interesting role of Jordan.

[LuPita2]

I was going to repeat what has already been said on this board. Jordan is such a complex and tragic role that is rarely written as a gay man, and its a shame that Slater didn't realize this would be akin to agreeing to play Othello.

Nope. Not the same thing or even close to it. 

[EthelMae]

Nice post, nasty. Noted. Makes sense. Thank you for making look at this topic in a different way. I still want to see it!

[Kad]

I'd have more issue with the role not being played by an openly gay actor if this were an actual production, but it's a one-night benefit reading. 

[EthelMae]

, Kad.

[uncageg]

My God, is it not enough that a gay man played the part both off and on Broadway?

[LuPita2]

It's so ridiculous.  It's a benefit reading.  People are offended by everything now.  

[uncageg]

LuPita2 said: "It's so ridiculous. It's a benefit reading. People are offended by everything now."

 

Exactly. And it is getting old and tired.

 

[thealtoslament]

I agreed with the "don't cast 'straight' actors as gay characters" mantra until Lee Pace was essentially forced to out himself in response to criticisms of his casting as Joe in Angels in America. Would your (global your, not anyone here specifically) opinion change if tomorrow, Slater posted on Instagram that, despite being married to a woman, he's bisexual or pansexual?

[haterobics]

thealtoslament said: "Would your (global your, not anyone here specifically) opinion change if tomorrow, Slater posted on Instagram that, despite being married to a woman,he's bisexual or pansexual?"

I'd feel better about the accuracy of my gaydar...

[thealtoslament]

haterobics said: "thealtoslament said: "Would your (global your, not anyone here specifically) opinion change if tomorrow, Slater posted on Instagram that, despite being married to a woman,he's bisexual or pansexual?"

I'd feel better about the accuracy of my gaydar..."

...You know what, that's totally fair. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Interesting thread.

HOWEVER, gay male actors play straight guys all the time. If a gay male can convincingly play a straight male, then the reverse is also true.

If you are a male, you can ACT that you are in love with or attracted to another male. You CANNOT ACT that you are a POC if you are white. The two cannot be compared.

Also, the major issue with POC is one of representation. I dare say that gay men are pretty well represented in the theater.

Lastly, to those saying the lead in Significant Other is such a rare opportunity in terms of great gay roles, may I suggest reading Angels in America, Kiss of the Spider Woman (the play and the musical), Fun Home, Bent, Breaking the Code, Love! Valour! Compassion!. The Normal Heart, Torch Song, M. Butterfly, Take Me Out, Next Fall, Cloud Nine...need I go on?

The theater industry is COMPLETELY DOMINATED both on and offstage by gay men. Give us straight guys a break and let us take whatever great roles we can get our hands on. Truly great roles are scarce as it is for everyone. If a gay man is allowed to play Romeo, then I should be allowed to play Prior Walter.

[LuPita2]

If you are a male, you can ACT that you are in love with or attracted to another male. You CANNOT ACT that you are a POC if you are white. The two cannot be compared. 

[EthelMae]

Nice post, Baritone. I agree with your thoughts. I believe the role of Jordan in Significant Other is being touted here as such a great role- gay or straight- gay in this instance, is because- and tell me if I'm wrong, none of the great plays/musicals you list have a lead male role who is never off the stage for the entire play, not counting the intermission. That's rare. That's one of the reasons I always felt Gideon Glick was robbed of a Tony nomination.

[nasty_khakis]

Baritone, sure you listed ten or so plays, but need I go on and list all the plays and musicals without a single gay role? I feel that list will be miles longer.