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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2019 20:26:25 GMT
They wanted Cynthia Erivo for it. I kind of think it’s ironic that there’s uproar when they cast a white actor as Maria in West Side Story and yet when they are casting a real life person (who was white).. they state they want someone black.. There's no way Cynthia would do it. We won't see her over here again for a long time, I guarantee. |
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Post by indis on Jan 17, 2019 20:30:02 GMT
thats what makes me angry the most - somehow its ok to be racist in one direction, but imagine the uproar if they stated that they only want white actresses at the audition, that is so ... (my english word for it fails me)
how about only looking for blonde white women for the next Tina cast change?  |
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Post by beatrice on Jan 17, 2019 20:53:12 GMT
I'm pro-color blind casting. But you don't specifically seek out a certain race when the story does not call for it. If the actress happens to be black - so be it, and by all means. But to shut out other POC's and any other race under the sun when it's completely uncalled for, is just not solving the problem. But....isn't this EXACTLY what Hamilton did?? I know they had a good reason, story-telling-wise, and it adds a whole lot of dimensions to the story, but we don't know that that's not the case now? |
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Post by beatrice on Jan 17, 2019 20:57:30 GMT
Okay so let me elaborate a little.
I think, in some cases, race is an important part of telling the story.
In Hamilton, that means that they're using race to enforce the idea that immigrants built the USA and so on and so forth (there are other people who can explain this better than me).
In West Side Story, the clash of cultures is a big part of what drives the plot line. Therefore, a white Maria makes no sense.
In Wicked, the only person who's color matters is Elphaba's, so go ahead and cast whoever (as long as they can sing the part).
Now, I don't KNOW which of these categories Evita falls in, because I haven't actually listened to most of the score (I know, I know...). But before I know, I'm not throwing any rocks. If it's part of their storytelling vision, by all means. If it's "just because" - cast whoever sings the part the best.
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Post by LaLuPone on Jan 17, 2019 21:02:29 GMT
I'm pro-color blind casting. But you don't specifically seek out a certain race when the story does not call for it. If the actress happens to be black - so be it, and by all means. But to shut out other POC's and any other race under the sun when it's completely uncalled for, is just not solving the problem. But....isn't this EXACTLY what Hamilton did?? I know they had a good reason, story-telling-wise, and it adds a whole lot of dimensions to the story, but we don't know that that's not the case now? As far as I know any ethnicity (besides white) can play the leads in Hamilton. Angelica could be black or asian or hispanic or so on for example. Just not white. So it’s not the same as just saying “we are looking for a black actress”. |
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Post by beatrice on Jan 17, 2019 21:04:57 GMT
That's very true, LaLuPone! That's my bad for reading super fast on my phone. |
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Post by No. on Jan 17, 2019 21:23:00 GMT
I can understand looking for a poc specifically. That’s exactly what Hamilton does and it increases diversity. But it seems that some people associate the term ‘people of colour’ with black people only when there’s much more to it than that.
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Post by jgblunners on Jan 17, 2019 23:10:22 GMT
It would seem that lazy reporting is the culprit here:
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2019 23:16:58 GMT
Not a comment on this exact issue, but it's reminded me that when I was watching Sylvia at the Old Vic, I had a sudden moment when something in my head clicked and I thought Beverley Knight would make an EPIC Eva Peron. She'd sing and act the hell out of it. Spent most of the rest of the show trying to recall if any non white people have played Eva (and if so what colour was the iconic bun wig)?
Anyway, cast her I say.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2019 23:20:27 GMT
It would seem that lazy reporting is the culprit here: Jamie Lloyd might be interested in auditioning a wide range of actresses, but the original casting call wasn't exactly worded that way^^ |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 17, 2019 23:22:57 GMT
Couldn’t read the Stage article. Can someone tell us what it said please?
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Post by theatrelover123 on Jan 17, 2019 23:25:44 GMT
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is searching for a black actor to play Eva Peron, in what would be an historic first for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita.
A casting breakdown for the lead role, seen by The Stage, says the production is looking for a black performer to play the part.
The production is directed by Jamie Lloyd, and it is believed the casting would make it the first professional production to cast a black actor in the role.
Previous actors to have played the part include Elaine Paige, Patti LuPone, Madalena Alberto and Elena Roger, who played the role in the West End in 2006.
The musical will run at the Open Air Theatre from August 2 to September 21.
A spokesman for the show said: “Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is committed to championing diversity across all of our work. As with all of our productions, we are considering actors from a wide range of backgrounds for all roles in Evita. The process is still underway and, as yet, no roles have been cast.”
Lloyd Webber’s score includes songs such as Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, and Another Suitcase in Another Hall.
In 2017, Paapa Essiedu became the first black actor to play Hamlet at the RSC.
Last week, Broadway actor Brittney Johnson became the first black actor to play Glinda in the musical Wicked.
“I am so humbled to be the first black Glinda and honoured to fulfil the dreams and hopes of so many,” she wrote on Twitter.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jan 17, 2019 23:53:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2019 9:12:42 GMT
For the record, -isms are based in historical power imbalances so although it's possible to be prejudiced against white people, it's not possible to be racist against white people, in the UK and US and similar at least (obviously things get a bit more complicated when you head out to places like Finland). "Reverse racism" just ain't a thing.
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 18, 2019 11:26:07 GMT
I can understand looking for a poc specifically. That’s exactly what Hamilton does and it increases diversity. But it seems that some people associate the term ‘people of colour’ with black people only when there’s much more to it than that. "People of Colour" is such an grating Yank term. Let's not start using it in the UK too. |
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 18, 2019 11:26:27 GMT
Surely for Evita, if they wish to be totally PC about the entire thing, then the entire cast including Eva herself has to be South American? There really isn't any other option.
Exactly.
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 18, 2019 11:27:34 GMT
Not a comment on this exact issue, but it's reminded me that when I was watching Sylvia at the Old Vic, I had a sudden moment when something in my head clicked and I thought Beverley Knight would make an EPIC Eva Peron. She'd sing and act the hell out of it. Spent most of the rest of the show trying to recall if any non white people have played Eva (and if so what colour was the iconic bun wig)? Anyway, cast her I say.
Bit too old for the role, but I guess that hasn't stopped other actresses.
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Post by No. on Jan 18, 2019 13:38:02 GMT
I can understand looking for a poc specifically. That’s exactly what Hamilton does and it increases diversity. But it seems that some people associate the term ‘people of colour’ with black people only when there’s much more to it than that. "People of Colour" is such an grating Yank term. Let's not start using it in the UK too. I’m mixed race, I think I’m entitled to use the term all I want. I’m comfortable with it and the other people of colour I know refer to themselves in that way. Just because it’s a ‘yank term’ doesn’t make it bad? |
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Post by Dawnstar on Jan 18, 2019 14:14:59 GMT
The thing I find odd about "people of colour" is that it technically applies to everyone - white is a colour too - so I don't find it a useful term for telling races apart.
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Post by indis on Jan 18, 2019 14:19:53 GMT
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is searching for a black actor to play Eva Peron, in what would be an historic first for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita. A casting breakdown for the lead role, seen by The Stage, says the production is looking for a black performer to play the part. The production is directed by Jamie Lloyd, and it is believed the casting would make it the first professional production to cast a black actor in the role. Previous actors to have played the part include Elaine Paige, Patti LuPone, Madalena Alberto and Elena Roger, who played the role in the West End in 2006. The musical will run at the Open Air Theatre from August 2 to September 21. A spokesman for the show said: “Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is committed to championing diversity across all of our work. As with all of our productions, we are considering actors from a wide range of backgrounds for all roles in Evita. The process is still underway and, as yet, no roles have been cast.” Lloyd Webber’s score includes songs such as Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, and Another Suitcase in Another Hall. In 2017, Paapa Essiedu became the first black actor to play Hamlet at the RSC. Last week, Broadway actor Brittney Johnson became the first black actor to play Glinda in the musical Wicked. “I am so humbled to be the first black Glinda and honoured to fulfil the dreams and hopes of so many,” she wrote on Twitter. diversity? haha good one 🙈 when no asian or white gets a chance on the lead role even if they sing it 10 times better. Lets get a black one , don’t care how she sings 🤣 |
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Post by distantcousin on Jan 18, 2019 14:26:58 GMT
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is searching for a black actor to play Eva Peron, in what would be an historic first for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita. A casting breakdown for the lead role, seen by The Stage, says the production is looking for a black performer to play the part. The production is directed by Jamie Lloyd, and it is believed the casting would make it the first professional production to cast a black actor in the role. Previous actors to have played the part include Elaine Paige, Patti LuPone, Madalena Alberto and Elena Roger, who played the role in the West End in 2006. The musical will run at the Open Air Theatre from August 2 to September 21. A spokesman for the show said: “Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is committed to championing diversity across all of our work. As with all of our productions, we are considering actors from a wide range of backgrounds for all roles in Evita. The process is still underway and, as yet, no roles have been cast.” Lloyd Webber’s score includes songs such as Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, and Another Suitcase in Another Hall. In 2017, Paapa Essiedu became the first black actor to play Hamlet at the RSC. Last week, Broadway actor Brittney Johnson became the first black actor to play Glinda in the musical Wicked. “I am so humbled to be the first black Glinda and honoured to fulfil the dreams and hopes of so many,” she wrote on Twitter. diversity? haha good one 🙈 when no asian or white gets a chance on the lead role even if they sing it 10 times better. Lets get a black one , don’t care how she sings 🤣
True, and I would argue that in terms of inclusivity, British Asian actors have found far less openings and opportunities compared to African-Caribbean actors.
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Post by mrmushnik on Jan 18, 2019 15:07:33 GMT
Surely inclusivity means casting the best person, irrespective of their ethnicity.
Basically, they want a non-white actress to play Eva Peron.
But can you imagine the furore if a casting breakdown went out for King, for example, asking for submissions for Martin Luther King from non-black actors only.
Until that happens we not truly diverse.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 19, 2019 9:09:59 GMT
It won’t be Beverly Knight- she’s doing Blues in the night at the Kiln with Sharon D Clarke
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jan 19, 2019 9:33:06 GMT
Sheila Atim?
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jan 19, 2019 10:34:15 GMT
Oh god help us. Her acting range is a bit limited. |
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