pixeltracker

LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival- Page 3

LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival

smartpenguin78 Profile Photo
smartpenguin78
#50re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/15/06 at 5:21pm

I am not saying I agree with the casting, but Stokes would not be a "black Frenchman" he could easily still just be a Frenchman and Nellie's racism would still be played in the same manner.
The character would still be "white."


I stand corrected, you are as vapid as they say.

Ourtime992 Profile Photo
Ourtime992
#51re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/15/06 at 5:23pm

I believe this is the first revival of South Pacific to play a theatre that is considered on-Broadway.

best12bars Profile Photo
best12bars
#52re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/15/06 at 5:36pm

Yes, this would be the first "on Broadway" revival. LCT didn't have a Broadway house back then.

And smartpenguin78, it would be nice if Stokes could be perceived as a white man, but I don't see that happening with the masses, despite his multiracial appearance. I think this is more a comment about modern audiences' perception of race and "racial labeling" in general than anything else. And I also agree that his work in "Ragtime" might have solidified this, more than anything. Prior to that, he had played "Latin" on Broadway in "Spider Woman." That's fine, since there are many "black" Latins, and we certainly weren't meant to perceive him as "white" in that show in order to make the plot work. And when race is NOT an issue, I can't think of a better modern, mature, leading man than Stokes (as with Kiss Me Kate or La Mancha). But race is THE issue of South Pacific... and I don't think you'll find a willing suspension of disbelief. He is perceived as black... and that kills this story, unfortunately.

EDIT: There ARE artists out there who have managed to escape "racial labeling" which is quite a feat. I'm thinking of Mariah Carey, Vin Diesel and Ben Kinsley, off the top of my head. Stokes, sadly isn't one of them.


"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Updated On: 1/16/06 at 05:36 PM

smartpenguin78 Profile Photo
smartpenguin78
#53re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/15/06 at 5:42pm

I think you are right about the perceptions most people would have, at least those who have ever heard of Stokes-Mitchell before. Which makes it two comments on the ignorance of people in general.


I stand corrected, you are as vapid as they say.

The Distinctive Baritone Profile Photo
The Distinctive Baritone
#54re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/15/06 at 8:46pm

Funny...when I made the comment at the beginning of the thread about Brian Stokes Mitchell being a "given" for Emile, I didn't even think about him being black, because he's such an "everyman" to me...according to an interview he did way back when, he's only like, 60% African American (both of his parents were of mixed race, I believe), and the "rest of him" is of various white European heritages.

I agree that Emile cannot be black...BUT...Brian Stokes Mitchell may be the only actor on Broadway who defies all definitions of race. Give him Emile!

jam_man
#55re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/15/06 at 10:49pm

I think I read he's also some part Native American.


"Who is Stephen Sondheim?" -roninjoey
"The man who wishes he had written Phantom of the Opera!" - SueleenGay

GO CARDINALS!!!

CurtainPullDowner Profile Photo
CurtainPullDowner
#56re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/15/06 at 11:39pm

Unfortunately this show was written in a time when color blind casting did not exist and as many of u have stated it is simply about that fact!
I feel that a big problem with the Revival of Flower Drum Song was trying to make it Politically corrrect and in the end it appeared just the opposite, dancing Chinese Take out Containers and a Dragon Lady Madamn Chiang???
Rogers and Hammerstein wrote beautiful shows in their time and good directors and creative people will understand that.
The original script of South Pacific is great and will work.
Emille has to be a white Man.
Read the script and let's discuss Nellies possible age?
After PIAZZA I trust the Director and Creative team (ok I didn't agree with Matt Morrison's casting)
But this has a great chance.
I saw Sutton Foster as Nellie, great spunk but a little young, I'm thinkin Julia Murney (great depth) and maye Alice Ripley....
Updated On: 1/15/06 at 11:39 PM

Roninjoey Profile Photo
Roninjoey
#57re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 1:10am

re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival

It's Brian Stokes Mitchell as Conrad Birdie re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival

Anyway, Brian Stokes Mitchell (who has similiar racial heritage to me, although I'm lighter skinned) is fairly ambiguous looking. He's so light skinned that I don't think it would really be that big a problem and I'd love to go see him do the part whether or not it was concurrent with the book. Maybe they get very nice tans! But I'm very familiar with the story so I suspose I could suspend my disbelief.

But why has nobody suggested the incredibly hunky Nathan Gunn?! Opera singer doing a crossover ala the original actor who's name I can't think of right now, lyric baritone, very hot name in the opera community, and definitely a leading man. I think he'd be great.


yr ronin,
joey

Mo3
#58re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 1:20am

I love the idea of Reba doing, but I'm wondering if LCT will go for a new, fresh face.

I've seen several Nellies in the past 5 years both here and in Europe, and in my opinion, Kate Baldwin was the best. She would be fabulous in the role, as she was in D.C.

jam_man
#59re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 1:21am

I remember seeing that picture somewhere before, and it's quite funny!


"Who is Stephen Sondheim?" -roninjoey
"The man who wishes he had written Phantom of the Opera!" - SueleenGay

GO CARDINALS!!!

IssaMe
#60re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 7:57am

...and would Nathan Gunn take his shirt off in the heat of a South Pacific day.

Barihunk Profile Photo
Barihunk
#61re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 8:07am

While I am a huge Nathan Gunn fan (see avatar) - Nathan is too young (36) for Emile. Also, his opera engagments have him booked well into 2009. Plus with his wife and 4 kids living in the midwest, I doubt he would take that much time away from them. Nathan as Emile would make for some pleasant visuals (and aurals) though...


"When you're a gay man, you have to feel good about yourself when a urologist says, "Yeah. I pick you". - Happy Endings

melissa errico fan Profile Photo
melissa errico fan
#62re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 8:23am

All of you suggesting Stokes need to remember one major thing: in the beginning of the play, Nellie Forbush is a RACIST. She would NEVER form a romantic entanglement with a dark-skinned man, and she initially leaves Emile BECAUSE of his mixed children. So, having a black man playing Emile would totally void 75% of the story-line.

Here's my ideal cast:

Nellie-Lauren Kennedy (Emily Skinner or Julia Murney could also work)
Emile-Jonathan Pryce (Brent Carver is my second choice)
Lt. Joseph Cable-Brian d'Arcy James
Bloody Mary-Lillias White (Tonya Pinkins could also work)
Luther Billis-Brad Oscar

bwaysinger Profile Photo
bwaysinger
#63re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 8:40am

I'm about 20% native American but I totally don't look it. Given society and physical characteristics we expect of certain races, I'd never be fully expected to play a Cherokee Indian in a show. No one would buy it (but they'd buy my dad playing one).
The 80% of the rest of me is all white. That I can play. And I do. And I can play various nationalities within that whiteness but that's it.

Stokes really does have a general appearance that makes him VERY appealing in all sorts of casting where race is unimportant or a particular factor. In the case of South Pacific, it's just too important that there be no ambiguity about what Emile is. I can't see it flying with Stokes, no matter how light-skinned.

And, Roninjoey, it's interesting that your background is similar to his. Were I pressed to it, I'd have said you were just very Italian. So you're much more right for emile. Hurry up and age. re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival

Princeton78 Profile Photo
Princeton78
#64re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 8:47am

I'd love to see Marc Kudisch and Laura Benanti in the leading roles.


"Y'all have a GRAND day now"

melissa errico fan Profile Photo
melissa errico fan
#65re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 9:13am

Laura Benanti would be great.

Michael Bennett Profile Photo
Michael Bennett
#66re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 9:27am

Emily Skinner, Julia Murney and Reba are all too old for Nellie in an actual stage production, IMO - unless Jack Palance is playing Emile. The age difference and Nellie's youth are as important to the story as Emile being white with mixed race children.

I'd love to see the director do something like he did with PIAZZA replacement casting - and go for a girl fresh out of college. The character is supposed to be 22 - regardless of how old Mary Martin was when she did it.

TheHawke
#67re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 9:30am

Nellie - Sutton Foster

Emile - Brian Stokes Mitchell

Lt. Cable - Mark Kudisch

Bloody Mary - Roz Ryan

Billis - Rob Bartlett

Liat - Jen Cody

children&art Profile Photo
children&art
#68re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 9:46am

it's about freaking time!!!!!

all the other R&H stuff gets churned out over and over again, i can't understand why this is the 1st revival in 50 years??? if you think about it, this is probably the most socially relevant R&H show - maybe thats why it won the Pulitzer.

not only does it put a new face on war, speficially WW2, but it's treatment of racism and stereotypes is especially poignant in today's culture. just replace WW2 with the Iraqi war and Tonkinese with Arabs. powerful!

and hell, there's no better love song than a R&H lovesong - "Some Enchanted Evening" (ah!)

Nellie: Erin Dilly or Sutton Foster
Emile: Mandy Patinkin (i dont really know, just naming names)
Cable: Matt Cavenaugh
Billis: Norbert Leo Butz or Hunter Foster
Bloody Mary: Eartha Kitt

OR A NON-TRADITIONAL CAST
Nellie: Rosie O'Donnell
Emile: Harvey Fierstein
Cable: Jim J. Bullock
Billis: Cheno
Bloody Mary: Chita Rivera


Don't f*ck with me fellas. This ain't my first time at the rodeo.

best12bars Profile Photo
best12bars
#69re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 9:55am

"I've seen several Nellies in the past 5 years both here and in Europe..." - Mo3

...Thanks for the laugh! I would venture to say this is a safe bet, actually.


"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

sanda Profile Photo
sanda
#70re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 10:23am

How about James Barbour?

Or Anthony Warlow. Ah, I am dreaming.

jam_man
#71re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 1:02pm

Bloody Mary is supposed to be Asian - but is almost ALWAYS played by a black woman. Anyone upset about THAT one?


"Who is Stephen Sondheim?" -roninjoey
"The man who wishes he had written Phantom of the Opera!" - SueleenGay

GO CARDINALS!!!

Roninjoey Profile Photo
Roninjoey
#72re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 1:11pm

Mandy Patinkin? Heh...

Voice is too high anyway.

BWSinger, I'll wait for the next revival of South Pacific another 50 years down the road :P

Yeah, perhaps Nathan Gunn is too young, oh well. Tears. I could really see Vicki Clark doing Nellie, as someone suggested earlier. I mean, she's actually pretty young, and she has a homey vivacity.


And the penny for greatest love song doesn't go to "Some Enchanted Evening" but definitely "This Nearly Was Mine", which is apparently Brian Stokes Mitchell's favorite as well!


yr ronin,
joey

jam_man
#73re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 1:16pm

Personally, I'm a "Younger Than Springtime"-kind of guy. But it's all good!

Hopfully it opens in the summer of '07, as that'll likely be the only time I'll have to go see it. (Any chance Doubt and Sweeney will still be running?)


"Who is Stephen Sondheim?" -roninjoey
"The man who wishes he had written Phantom of the Opera!" - SueleenGay

GO CARDINALS!!!
Updated On: 1/16/06 at 01:16 PM

CurtainPullDowner Profile Photo
CurtainPullDowner
#74re: LCT to Produce 1st Ever South Pacific Revival
Posted: 1/16/06 at 3:02pm

Gotta get out my old script, Nellie 22 really?
well that really opens it up.
I love whoever mentioned Jen Cody as Liat.
I did a spit take!
I actually think D'Arcy James would make a great Emile if Nellie is only 22 than there is an difference and He is a wonderful actor/singer!
Bloody Mary should have a Polynesian feel, the woman who played it with Glenn Close was great, I don't know if she was really singing though.
Cable has to be young and Vibrant, making his death even more tragic.
Updated On: 1/16/06 at 03:02 PM