The push for diversity casting has been front and center in Hollywood.
It’s a conversation that Broadway is finding itself having, after controversy erupted over the casting of Mandy Patinkin to replace African American actor Okieriete “Oak” Onaodowan as one of the leads in the musical “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.”
Onaodowan was himself brought in to replace white actor Josh Groban, who left the show in early July. Ticket sales plummeted after Groban’s departure, leading producers of “The Great Comet” to seek out a bigger name in Patinkin to revive the struggling production.
Backlash to the casting decision started soon after the Patinkin news came out, with critics characterizing the move as racially insensitive. Patinkin has since announced his withdrawal from the production in a series of tweets.
I hear what members of the community have said and I agree with them. (3/4)
— Mandy Patinkin (@PatinkinMandy)
I hear what members of the community have said and I agree with them. (3/4)
— Mandy Patinkin (@PatinkinMandy) July 28, 2017
How might the controversy impact casting on Broadway? For example, will producers now be more resistant to casting leads of color for non-ethnic-specific roles, fearing backlash if they later want to hire a white star for the role?
Guest:
Gordon Cox, New York-based editor who covers theater for Variety; he tweets
and he’s been following the story