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Post by Paddy on Mar 16, 2022 22:39:11 GMT
Where did I say that? I said the best people should be given roles regardless of their race, if they are suitable for the part. It shouldn't be the default position to slot in POC in order to balance the books. And there lies the problem... Whenever a person of colour is cast we always have people saying they are there just because of their race. People say they don't care who gets the role so long as they are the best person for the role but this kind of discussion just does not happen if a white person is cast. It is only said when a person of colour is cast. It shows what a long way there is to go, sadly. Exactly! No one has questioned or challenged the casting of Lauren Drew as Brooke, everyone has just assumed it was based purely on merit, why are the rest of the cast any different? |
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Post by sph on Mar 16, 2022 22:39:35 GMT
Well... being a talented performer doesn't make you the most appropriate for a role. I'm sorry. It just... doesn't.
Patti Lupone is a talented performer. I'd see her in a show. But if they revived Beauty and the Beast on Broadway and cast her as Belle it would be inappropriate casting.
If they cast a scrawny 5 foot guy as Gaston that would also be inappropriate casting. Because it requires a certain physical type.
But we all would have to pretend it was wonderful that the 5 foot skinny guy was getting this opportunity when it actually goes against the character and the story?
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Post by Paddy on Mar 16, 2022 22:44:41 GMT
Well... being a talented performer doesn't make you the most appropriate for a role. I'm sorry. It just... doesn't. Patti Lupone is a talented performer. I'd see her in a show. But if they revived Beauty and the Beast on Broadway and cast her as Belle it would be inappropriate casting. If they cast a scrawny 5 foot guy as Gaston that would also be inappropriate casting. Because it requires a certain physical type. But we all would have to pretend it was wonderful that the 5 foot skinny guy was getting this opportunity when it actually goes against the character and the story? I mean Patti LuPone could be cast as the lead in Spider-Man into the dark and I would still see it. But doesn’t seem particularly relevant here, she’s required to be pretty, blonde and vain, all boxes easily ticked |
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Post by FairyGodmother on Mar 16, 2022 22:52:47 GMT
I seem to have missed the memo that says only people with naturally blonde hair and a size 6 figure can play Elle Woods. Oh wait - Reece Witherspoon isn't a natural blonde either. I'm fairly sure Elle Woods isn't a completely natural blonde either.  |
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Post by sph on Mar 16, 2022 22:53:31 GMT
Well... being a talented performer doesn't make you the most appropriate for a role. I'm sorry. It just... doesn't. Patti Lupone is a talented performer. I'd see her in a show. But if they revived Beauty and the Beast on Broadway and cast her as Belle it would be inappropriate casting. If they cast a scrawny 5 foot guy as Gaston that would also be inappropriate casting. Because it requires a certain physical type. But we all would have to pretend it was wonderful that the 5 foot skinny guy was getting this opportunity when it actually goes against the character and the story? I mean Patti LuPone could be cast as the lead in Spider-Man into the dark and I would still see it. But doesn’t seem particularly relevant here, she’s required to be pretty, blonde and vain, all boxes easily ticked You'd see it! Sure! But the story and character wouldn't work unless it was changed, which I hope happens here. |
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Post by Paddy on Mar 16, 2022 22:56:11 GMT
I mean Patti LuPone could be cast as the lead in Spider-Man into the dark and I would still see it. But doesn’t seem particularly relevant here, she’s required to be pretty, blonde and vain, all boxes easily ticked You'd see it! Sure! But the story and character wouldn't work unless it was changed, which I hope happens here. I mean this question in a very genuine way, what aspects of the character won’t work? I personally don’t see anything that needs to be changed or not in a major way |
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Post by stagebyte on Mar 16, 2022 23:11:51 GMT
I mean Patti LuPone could be cast as the lead in Spider-Man into the dark and I would still see it. But doesn’t seem particularly relevant here, she’s required to be pretty, blonde and vain, all boxes easily ticked You'd see it! Sure! But the story and character wouldn't work unless it was changed, which I hope happens here. I assume any changes would have to be run past the writers/license holders. But at what point do changes mean the show is a different one? |
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Post by FairyGodmother on Mar 16, 2022 23:15:04 GMT
You'd see it! Sure! But the story and character wouldn't work unless it was changed, which I hope happens here. I mean this question in a very genuine way, what aspects of the character won’t work? I personally don’t see anything that needs to be changed or not in a major way Well, I'd suspect you'd lose a lot of the stunts — I can't see a woman in her seventies would be quite as flexible or as willing to be swing around in a harness as a man in his twenties. Or the insurance company agreeing to it! (I can't believe I'm trying to write a sensible answer to why we won't see Patti LuPone playing teenage boy superhero Spider-Man any time soon. This thread is bonkers!) |
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Post by Paddy on Mar 16, 2022 23:18:34 GMT
Well, I'd suspect you'd lose a lot of the stunts — I can't see a woman in her seventies would be quite as flexible or as willing to be swing around in a harness as a man in his twenties. Or the insurance company agreeing to it! (I can't believe I'm trying to write a sensible answer to why we won't see Patti LuPone playing teenage boy superhero Spider-Man any time soon. This thread is bonkers!) This has absolutely made my night haha I meant what changes would be needed to role of Elle with Courtney cast but understand the confusion in my question. Love the genuine thought going into the casting of Patti as Spider-Man though, really made me laugh, thank you! |
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Post by princeton on Mar 16, 2022 23:23:56 GMT
I can imagine a few minor script changes - but very little will need to be done given that the key thing is that main character has to move from a seemingly self-obsessed fashionista - to a Harvard law graduate. She proves herself to be smart, personable and talented - all attributes which Courtney Bowman has in abundance. I remember seeing her when she won the Stephen Sondheim Student Performer of the Year and thinking she really did have the 'it factor' so I'm delighted that she's got such a great opportunity.
The production may be brilliant or may be terrible, it may be an honourable failure or an unqualified success - but isn't it great to have an all new production team looking at it though fresh eyes - rather than just doing yet another cookie cutter version? I wasn't that interested in seeing it - I am now.
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Post by sph on Mar 16, 2022 23:52:44 GMT
I mean, a wonderful vehicle that celebrates the talents of an actress who is a Person of Colour and not a typical traditional ingenue is great! But... Legally Blonde is not it.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Mar 17, 2022 0:14:38 GMT
Some posts have been removed.
Fair warning:
This thread WILL be permanently closed if it descends into people being disrespectful to other members, name calling, baiting, suggesting that members are racists (explicitly or implicitly), or generally going round in circles.
Do not make claims or suggestions about other member’s motivations and backgrounds please. .
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Post by southstreet on Mar 17, 2022 10:52:15 GMT
I for one am extremely excited about this. I think every part is pretty well cast, my main objection is actually the fact that I think Callahan might be a tiny bit too young, but other than that I do not see anyone cast that can't portray what is required of the part. Elle is supposed to be seen as a blonde airhead, I personally can't remember anything in the book or songs referencing her figure, just her hair, fashion obsession and (perceived) lack of brain. All can be very easily portrayed by Courtney.
And I have my own biases of what is perceived as 'beautiful' as when a friend told me a few weeks ago that they cast Courtney from Six as Elle, I was confused for a second, as Courtney Stapleton is currently Belle in BatB and I didn't see her leaving that cushy job for a two months run at the Open Air. So my brain automatically went for the slimmer of the two Courtneys as well. But as soon as I realised they were talking about Courtney Bowman I have become really excited about this casting as I think Courtney Bowman is an incredible comedic actress, she has the vocal chops required and damn it, plus size girls are hot, however much society tells us to be hot (or get "attractive female love interest" lead roles) we need to be skinny. So I personally have no worries that her presence as Elle will require any changing of the script or would effectively change the story.
If we cast back our minds to when Sheridan Smith was announced as Elle, there were plenty of people worrying both about her vocals and about her not having the traditional 'West Coast Sorority Girl' look (me being one of them) and she proved us all wrong at that first preview in that it's all about the essence of Elle and not about looking like a clone of Reese Witherspoon.
Anyway, that is my two cents worth. :-)
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Post by pomegranate on Mar 17, 2022 10:58:35 GMT
Must be such a lovely feeling for Courtney after singing “So Much Better” at Roles We’ll Never Play and then booking this job!
I think she nails this song, can’t wait to see the rest of her Elle!
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Post by amp09 on Mar 17, 2022 16:53:57 GMT
Must be such a lovely feeling for Courtney after singing “So Much Better” at Roles We’ll Never Play and then booking this job! I think she nails this song, can’t wait to see the rest of her Elle! I was excited by her casting until I watched this. Perhaps it’s just the poor quality of the recording. Hope she doesn’t include the unnecessary riffing - complete turn off. |
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Post by pomegranate on Mar 17, 2022 17:11:32 GMT
Must be such a lovely feeling for Courtney after singing “So Much Better” at Roles We’ll Never Play and then booking this job! I think she nails this song, can’t wait to see the rest of her Elle! I was excited by her casting until I watched this. Perhaps it’s just the poor quality of the recording. Hope she doesn’t include the unnecessary riffing - complete turn off. The only real riff she does that differs from the obcr is the final note which I feel like is perfectly acceptable and fun for a concert performance, or even a full production! Although saying that she does sound a bit nervous here and maybe did the run to make up for the lines she flubbed at the end, so I wouldn’t discount her yet! |
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Post by inthenose on Mar 17, 2022 17:17:20 GMT
I watched the video. It wasn't very good. But these things never are. I imagine she'll be very polished by curtain up after work with an MD and proper rehearsals.
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Post by oxfordsimon on Mar 17, 2022 17:57:17 GMT
I haven't encountered this particular performer before but she was under the note a lot during that performance.
That could well be a sound issue at that concert. But it doesn't fill me with confidence.
The riffing would have been ok if she had had the vocal strength to support things as she went for the higher notes. Again doesn't fill me with confidence.
Having said that, she will be more thoroughly coached and rehearsed for the full production.
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Post by christya on Mar 17, 2022 18:03:11 GMT
Not impressed by that video, I haven't heard her sing before so I'm assuming she normally does better. But I heard cracking, wobbling and quite a few places where she seemed out of breath. It also all seemed to be on a single level, if that makes any sense. Obviously a one-nighter that's basically for fun is different to a well rehearsed performance, I assume she can fix these things, but I'm not even close to sold.
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Post by Dawnstar on Mar 17, 2022 19:18:19 GMT
If we cast back our minds to when Sheridan Smith was announced as Elle, there were plenty of people worrying both about her vocals and about her not having the traditional 'West Coast Sorority Girl' look (me being one of them) and she proved us all wrong at that first preview in that it's all about the essence of Elle and not about looking like a clone of Reese Witherspoon. Not all. I went to that first preview unsure if I'd like her as Elle & came out knowing that I didn't. For me she didn't convince as a born rich, entitled girl. Fortunately, as she didn't do the entire run, I was able to see the show 3 times later in the run when the Elle casting was more to my taste. I can only be thankful that, scared off by the production style of the last few years, I didn't book for Regent's Park.
Edit: I should have said that my opinion had nothing to do with comparisons to Reece Witherspoon, because I've never seen the film of Legally Blonde.
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Post by amp09 on Mar 17, 2022 20:48:00 GMT
We all know these concerts are notoriously under-rehearsed. There’s plenty of other videos out there that show off her amazing talent but as always I’ll reserve judgement until I see the actual production and not jump to conclusions - just hope she’s not given free reign to do as she wishes and go too off the beaten track with it. It’s a difficult song to get right and I’ve even heard the best Elle’s go flat in parts of it. She’s certainly got the comedy chops for it.
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Post by stagebyte on Mar 17, 2022 21:37:18 GMT
So much better is a notoriously difficult song for a singer to smash. I hope she’s up to the task.
People who are saying concerts like this are notoriously under rehearsed. She’s a professional and should be able to step up? Flubbing lines and singing under the note shouldn’t really be a thing at this level?
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Post by pomegranate on Mar 17, 2022 23:09:38 GMT
So much better is a notoriously difficult song for a singer to smash. I hope she’s up to the task. People who are saying concerts like this are notoriously under rehearsed. She’s a professional and should be able to step up? Flubbing lines and singing under the note shouldn’t really be a thing at this level? I mean I would usually agree, but I do think she did well considering the concert looks really casual and it’s outdoors. It was probably thrown together really quickly and I’d be surprised if she even got to rehearse it with the pianist more than once before going on. She might have even been asked to participate quite last minute we just don’t know. Either way, the concert seems clearly like it’s supposed to be fun and not a fully polished west end presentation. And also I don’t even think she sang it that bad!! Definitely better than Bailey Hanks lol!! |
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Post by mattnyc on Mar 17, 2022 23:16:49 GMT
Fun fact - I moved into Bailey’s apartment when she moved out and it took a month and three plumbers to fully remove her Blonde hair from the drains.
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Post by inthenose on Mar 18, 2022 0:10:45 GMT
I watched the video. It wasn't very good. But these things never are. I imagine she'll be very polished by curtain up after work with an MD and proper rehearsals. Additional: anyone who saw Peter Joback's performance in the concert was very concerned. With six weeks of full days of dedicated work to smashing his 32 minutes of stage time, anyone can do it. |
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