Posted on 11/19/2016 9:57:39 PM PST by aquila48
Open auditions are being held for the hottest show on Broadway — but whites need not apply.
Already the hottest ticket in town, rap-based musical “Hamilton” put out a casting call, seeking “NON-WHITE men and women” to audition for its Broadway run and touring companies.
Producers are also looking for actors “ages 20s to 30s” who can sing and rap — but “no prior theater experience necessary,” the ad says.
The seemingly prejudicial race and age poster flies in the face of the culturally diverse cast that has helped “Hamilton” surge to success and garner stellar reviews.
The modern musical chronicles America’s founding fathers like Aaron Burr and George Washington — played by actors who are black and Latino. The show’s writer Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is Puerto Rican, plays the title role of Alexander Hamilton.
In a statement, “Hamilton” said its producers “regret the confusion that’s arisen from the recent posting” but defended the verbiage.
“It is essential to the storytelling of ‘Hamilton’ that the principal roles — which were written for non-white characters (excepting King George) — be performed by non-white actors,” the statement said.
“This adheres to the accepted practice that certain characteristics in certain roles constitute a ‘bona fide occupational qualification’ that is legal.”
It also noted other shows like “The Color Purple,” “Porgy & Bess” and “Matilda” that call for “race, ethnicity or age specific casting” — but agreed to tweak the ad.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
So historical white people being played by non-whites is essential?? They defend this by saying...
"It also noted other shows like “The Color Purple,” “Porgy & Bess” and “Matilda” that call for “race, ethnicity or age specific casting”"
How moronic is that defense. Imagine the uproar if they had an all white cast for those black characters!!
Take it from a lifetime NYer, besides Phantom of the Opera, I have never seen a play I really enjoyed.
I saw Phantom four times. It’s incredible.
Les Mis kinda sucked. Along with a slew of others.
The regular opera once or twice a year is nice.
Broadway is overrated.
Missed Yul in The King and I. Would have liked to see that.
Who are the REAL “racists” here?
Imagine a show about Obama played by a white guy.
What if I identify as black, but I don’t look really black? Can I audition?
Also, the casts of Porgy & Bess, The Emperor Jones, a Raisin In The Sun, etc. be ALL WHITE!
The music from Phantom stinks on ice and is plagiarized to boot. The "song" THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT is just the old Rock& Roll hit...HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT played at a much slower speed. The rest is stolen Verdi and Pucini.
Broadway hasn't had a show worth seeing in decades!
Fine, but when does Whiteness become ESSENTIAL to a performer playing Santa?
It supposedly has gotten rave reviews. I wonder if any freepers has seen it and could give us their take.
I got a feeling the reviews are “great” because it’s a dig at the founders, the “old white men”, by portraying them as blacks and browns.
It’s the lefty’s idea of “edgy”.
I’m looking forward to a future call for casting of “Porgy and Bess” proclaiming that “no blacks need to apply”. I’m sure it will be very edgy.
We finally found something we will disagree upon forever.
I LOVE Phantom soundtrack and own it three times over.
lol
It would only be half wrong.
At the risk of being snarky, it would be half right.
I have a friend with a older teen daughter who is 1/4 ethnic Japanese, which she hopes is enough to make her eligible for a minor role in a summer stock version of the musical. I don’t yet know if all this feulleton has changed that.
I fear that the lyrics to an aria such as “Bess, You Is My Woman Now” would be considered much too white for today’s audience. But playing Porgy in blackface would be even more offensive, so it’s a catch-22.
The ONLY thing that Phantom had going for it, were the special effects and the original story!;^)
“But playing Porgy in blackface would be even more offensive, so it’s a catch-22.”
Who says they have to put on a blackface? The guys playing Hamilton don’t put on a whiteface.
I refuse to pay that kind of money for a misappropriation and misrepresentation of factual history ! Bedsides which, it's NOT a "musical" because "RAP" isn't MUSIC!
The storyline broke my heart, poor guy.
But I ALWAYS knew it sounded TOO rock n rolly and suspected something.
I am saddened by your plagiarism news :(
And actually, the story is what i really liked.
Think of Me, Music of the Night and the main theme song, as well as Say You’ll Love Me are the four songs I liked. :)
Let me know when there is an opera in NYC that you think is worthy of seeing as I trust your opinion far more than mine :)
Saw one German one and didn’t like it. Will stick with the Italians :)
Did someone say MUSIC OF THE NIGHT? From the 2008 election cycle — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1FmcUZlXAk
Not only that, imagine if the casting call said that blacks need not even apply.
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