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 ...
The GU&S "bits" aren't difficult at all to learn ( except for the "broken toe" one ) and I had them all down pat, before I turned the tender age of 6! I still can't help myself ( especially when I hear/see THE MIKADO ), I do them all for real, or in my head still. The fan twirlings I do just with my hand, since I was only ever to use the fan that was "lent" to my mother, ONCE ( okay, okay, I was all of 5 and 3/4 at the time and she carefully explained that NOTHING could be done, by me, to harm it! ), by the costume department of NBC. But I did get the hand motions down pat! ;^)
How can they cut WHEN I WAS A LAD? That's an OUTRAGE! :-( It isn't even one of the fastest nor complicated ones. What kind of an idiot kid couldn't handle it? YIKES!
My prompting "whisper" can be heard in the third row of seats, sadly....but that'll give you some idea of how much "projection" my voice has. LOL
No, singers of "patter songs" don't grow on trees; it just takes a LOT of practice. :-)
The NIGHTMARE SONG from IOLANTHE is one of THE most difficult to pull off, IMO.
Have you ever seen or heard the score from the Broadway play BARNUM?
There are a couple of patter songs in it and one even is SO Gilbertian, it's shocking. Oh hell...it might even be MORE difficult to sing/do than anything G&S turned out. :-)
It is also the ONLY G&S project that leaves you guessing as to what REALLY happens at the end. I,for one, say that Jack Point dies, which always makes me cry.
IIRC, I have seen that version and enjoyed it. But then, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all versions, but one, of that opera, that I’ve ever seen or just heard.
One wonders what VP elect Pence would think of the negro actor calling him out in public and lecturing him on inclusiveness, fairness and other rot after the actors past tweets show a racist sexual predator with an unhealthy desire for ‘white wimmin’ ?
just a lil excerpt..
“St. Patty’s day weekend is like Christmas for black dudes who like white chicks. Happy holidays boys.”
h
The one he wrote on his own STINKS ON ICE and nobody ever does it, nor even remembers it. :-)
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