2015-2016: The Season of Diversity on Broadway

While Broadway is nowhere near perfect as I have stated in previous posts, I do need to give time to cheer. 2015 could be called one of the most diverse years on Broadway in a very long time.

Shows like The Color Purple, On Your Feet, and Allegiance have opened audience's eyes up to different cultures all while uniting people through song and dance. I think that it is great that so much diversity, in its different shapes and forms, is on Broadway now.

The Color Purple tells the story of a battered African-American woman who finds independence. This musical features many African-American actresses as well as the hardships African-Americans faced in the 1930s. Audiences can see a story that many are not familiar with, told by strong African-American women.

On Your Feet is the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. The show is about how the Estefans met and how they combined their Cuban culture with American music and dance to become worldwide sensations. On Your Feet, like The Color Purple, introduces audiences to the struggles different cultures had to face in America, only, this time, it is about Hispanic-Americans.

Allegiance was inspired by George Takei's childhood during the Japanese-American internment during World War II. It follows a family who is relocated from California to Wyoming following Pearl Harbor. Once again, audiences can watch the hardships from the perspective of Japanese-Americans as they go through this horrible segregation. This production stars Takei as well as beloved Broadway actress Lea Salonga.

"Whether it's providential, coincidence, or meant to be, the fact is what's happening on Broadway is so diverse it is almost utopian," Salonga said in an interview with The New York Times.

The president of Broadway League, Charlotte St. Martin, also told The New York Times that this was the most diverse Broadway season in the last ten years.

As someone who believes that the theater can and should be used to educate and inform, the diversity on Broadway during the 2015-2016 season is doing just that. Audiences are exposed to different cultures and the varying hardships and struggles that will make them think and hopefully leave the theater wanting to know more.

I believe that Broadway definitely took a step in the right direction with the current season.

To read the full New York Times article featuring the stars of The Color Purple, On Your Feet and Allegiance, click here.






 

The Secret Wage Gap on Broadway

Sienna Miller starred as Sally Bowles
in Cabaret on Broadway in 2015.
Photo Credit: People Magazine

The Broadway community was shocked when actress Sienna Miller, who had just starred in Cabaret, announced that she quit a show aimed for Broadway because she learned that she would be paid less than her male co-star. As a big Broadway supporter, I was shocked and angered. How could a community that preaches acceptance and inclusion support something awful like the wage gap?

Miller was going to be in a two-person play that included her and just one male actor. They would have done the same exact work and have the same size role. As someone who once dreamed of a career on the stage and is now minoring in women and gender studies, I am very irritated.

It seems as if the wage gap is nothing shocking to anyone anymore although it is still a very big and current issue. I think it is ridiculous that I, a woman, have to worry about not getting paid the same a as man in my future career. How can anyone think that this is fair? The fact that this has most likely been occurring on Broadway for a while now is also heartbreaking.

In an interview with Playbill, Miller said that she "was offered less than half of what [her male costar] was going to paid."

Miller went on to say that it would have been a completely different situation had two men been in the show, rather than one man and one woman.

I have to agree with Miller. If the show starred two men, they would most likely be paid the same amount. For some reason, a woman is not allowed to share the stage with a man and be paid as equals.

When I was in high school, I was planning on making a career onstage and hopefully land on Broadway one day. I never for once thought that I could be paid less than a man onstage for doing the same amount of work. It makes me fear that no woman is safe from this act. It needs to change.

There is only one solution to this problem and it is not a hard one to put into motion. Pay all women the same as men for doing the same work. This applies to all careers, but maybe Broadway can fix the mistake first and set off a chain reaction.

To read the full Playbill article, click here.

Hamilton and Diversity

Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote and
stars in Broadway's Hamilton.Photo Credit: Denver Center

Hamilton is Broadway's biggest hit with tickets sold out from now until October. This show tells the story of one of America's Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton.

Hamilton has already changed the way audiences view history in that the casting directors used colorblind casting. They looked past an actor or actress' race or ethnicity that would have hindered them in portraying a character. For example, Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is Hispanic, plays Alexander Hamilton and Leslie Odom Jr., who is African-American, portrays Aaron Burr.

The show has garnered much success with ticket sales already reaching $40 million, according to Playbill Vault. If a show can tell a traditionally "white" story with mixed races and still be successful then why aren't other show following suit?

Broadway has been upheld as a community that accepts everyone, but for some reason there has been a high number of shows in the past where there is little to no diversity in the cast. It is hard for me, who has followed theatre for years, to think of more than one live Broadway show that used colorblind casting.

 The Little Mermaid swam onto Broadway in 2008 and was a smash hit. Families flocked to its theatre to see one of their children's favorite movies. Everyone enjoyed the hit songs, colorful sets and elaborate costumes.  But no one ever mentioned how diverse the cast was which I believe was another reason the show did so well. Many of the lead characters, who were portrayed as white in the movie, were played by African-American actors and actresses. Many people, including me, can appreciate showing the diversity and how it added an extra element to the production.

Not only has Hamilton taken strides to create a diverse show and experience, its writer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, announced that he would love to have women portray the male roles in his show, according to USA Today.

I feel that as long as the story gets told and its impact is felt, it should not matter if the traditionally and historically white and/or male roles are played by actors of that race or gender.

I have the feeling that Hamilton has paved the way for many more shows and productions to use colorblind and gender-blind casting.    

A Few More Roles I'd Like to Play...

I did a post a while back about five roles that I would love to perform, but I can't limit myself to just five!

Sutton Foster originated the role
of Princess Fiona on Broadway.
Photo Credit: New York Times

5) Princess Fiona in Shrek: The Musical

I have a thing for playing princesses, so of course I'd want to play the ogre princess!  I love how real Princess Fiona is and how every girl can relate to her.  Even though she is a princess, she is not a girly-girl by any means.  I also love her songs in the show, especially "Morning Person," which opens Act II.  It is a really fun song, but it has a killer tap number in the middle that I would love to tackle.  Plus I would get to be a redhead again!

Ellen Greene became famous
for her portrayal of Audrey.
Photo Credit: Pinterest

4) Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors

I remember watching Little Shop of Horrors when I was in elementary school and I immediately fell in love with it and with the character of Audrey.  I love how she does what is unnatural and falls for the nerdy guy at the end.  I think that Audrey just has a lot of heart and deserves the best, no matter what.  And who doesn't want to sing "Somewhere that's Green" and "Suddenly Seymour?"

Laura Osnes played Sandy in the
most recent revival of "Grease."
Photo Credit: lindaeder.com

3) Sandy in Grease

Grease and I go way back.  I had to watch it every night since the time I was two years old in order
to go to sleep.  I was obsessed.  I had the VHS and the anniversary DVD that came wrapped in a T-bird jacket.  I was a poodle girl twice for halloween and I begged all of my directors to do "Grease."  I think that it would be one of the biggest highlights of my life because I would feel like I have come full circle.  Sandy is such a classic character and it would be an honor to get the chance to play her.

Jennifer Damiano originated the
role of Natalie in Next to Normal.
Photo Credit: Broadway.com

2) Natalie in Next to Normal

If you haven't listened to Next to Normal soundtrack, I recommend you stop reading this and go have a listen.  It is probably one of the best albums from a musical that I have ever heard.  Plus, the character of Natalie is awesome.  She is very sassy and to the point and knows what she wants.  She also goes through somewhat of a downward spiral during the show which I think would be really fun and challenging to act out.  She is also sort of a rocker chick which is totally different from me.

Kristen Chenoweth was the
first of many actresses to
play Glinda in Wicked.
Photo Credit: Pinterest

1) Glinda in Wicked

I've played Glinda in The Wizard of Oz before, so now I want to play her in Wicked.  I'm not one
of those girls that thinks she should play Elphaba because she knows "Defying Gravity."  I know that I cannot pull that song off, plus I know that I am more of a Glinda than an Elphaba.  I want to fly in on that bubble in my big sparkly ballgown and then dance around in a fluffy pink dress.  Plus, I'm a soprano so I want to hit those high notes.  I'm definitely a Glinda in life.




Break Legs,
Sydney

Les Miserables to Lower its Flag

Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of Broadway's Les Miserables announced today that the production will close Sept. 4, 2016.

The production opened March 23, 2014 after playing 22 previews.  Upon its closing, the show will have performed 1,026 performances.

This was the second revival of Les Miserables and it opened to rave reviews.

The opening night cast included Ramin Karimloo (Jean Valjean), Will Swenson (Javert), Caissie Levy (Fantine), Nikki M. James (Eponine), Andy Mientus (Marius), Samantha Hill (Cosette) and many other talented performers.

Mackintosh
Photo Credit: Playbill Vault

Les Miserables is based on the book by Victor Hugo and tells the story of Jean Valjean who is finally released from prison after 19 years.  He is chased by a police officer, Javert, in the middle of Revolutionary France.

The musical has captured the hearts of many audiences since it premiered in France in 1980, then opened in London in 1985 (and is still playing today) and finally appeared on Broadway in 1987.

There have also been two movie versions made, one musical and one not.

Les Miserables has garnered eight Tony Awards, including "Best Musical."


Break Legs,
Sydney

Broadway Bound Waitress Makes History

It was announced today that Waitress
will have an all-female creative cast for
the first time in Broadway history.
Photo Credit: Playbill

The highly anticipated new musical Waitress is being celebrated for more than its star-studded cast and hit music.  Today it has just made history.

It has become the first musical in Broadway to have an entirely female creative team.  The team will consist of of Jessie Nelson (book), Sara Bareilles (music/lyrics), Lorin Latarro (choreographer) and Diane Paulus (director).

Paulus
Photo Credit: A.R.T.

Another show that will open on Broadway next year, Eclipsed will also feature a female director, playwright and cast.  This is regarded a little differently since it is a play with fewer people involved than a full-fledged musical.

Waitress tells the story of Jenna, played by Tony Winner Jessie Mueller, who is a prodigy when it comes to making pies.  She is stuck in a loveless marriage and a rut until a new doctor comes to town and turns her world upside down.

Being a Woman and Gender Studies major, I think this announcement is fantastic.  It has taken too long for females to take over Broadway.

I remember in my high school, everyone who was involved with the leadership of each show I was in were female.  That was completely normal for me and each show ran smoothly.

So way to go Waitress.  Hopefully future Broadway shows will catch on!

To purchase tickets to see "Waitress," click here.

Break Legs,
Sydney

Wayne Brady has Big Shoes to Fill

Brady stepped into Lola's heels Nov. 21.
Photo Credit: Playbill

Wayne Brady stepped into the heels of Lola in Kinky Boots on Nov. 21 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.  Brady succeeded Billy Porter, who won a Tony Award for originating the role of Lola.

Porter, who has been with the show since the beginning besides only taking short breaks to perform in the national tour, departed Kinky Boots to star in Shuffle Along which will open April 21, 2016 at the Music Box Theatre.

Brady has been seen on Broadway as Billy Flynn in the long-running Chicago as well as playing Tom Collins in the Hollywood Bowl's production of Rent.

"Kinky Boots" opened
April 4, 2013.
Photo Credit: Playbill

The Broadway community was very excited when it was announced on Aug. 13 that Brady would
replace Porter.

Kinky Boots tells the true story of a drag queen who steps in to help a man's failing shoe factory.  It opened April 4, 2013.

The show was a hit at the Tony Awards.  It won Best Musical, Best Score, Best Orchestrations, Best Choreography and Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Kinky Boots is directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, and features a score by Cyndi Lauper and book by Harvey Fierstein.

I think that Brady will do an excellent job at playing Lola.  I've been a fan of him since I saw him on Whose Line is it Anyway as a young girl.  He is a very talented performer and I believe that he will bring forth another side of Lola.

To buy tickets to see Brady as Lola, click here.

Break Legs,
Sydney