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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: broadwaybacker 02:36 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
| In reply to: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - Chazwaza 02:25 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| When I read your post, I wished that you had said, “Why couldn’t they have hired _________to direct this show?”, with the blank filled in with the name of a specific black director that you think would have been a better choice. But in today’s climate, it’s problematic, in my view, to suggest that an unspecified black director be hired simply because he or she is black. | |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Last Edit: Chazwaza 02:54 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 02:47 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - broadwaybacker 02:36 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| I think you're really reading today's climate backwards. I think for anyone who cares looking at this, it is much more problematic to hire a white director to tell a very black story about black people and starring black people simply because there is no black director with similarly recognizable credits or successes to beat the white director for the job. If you think for a second that they didn't feel more comfortable hiring Des because they have a black writer to write the book, you're mistaken. In today's climate, to suggest that if I can't think of a black director big enough to do the job then there isn't one, which just perpetuates the fact that there isn't one (other than George C. Wolfe who I'm assuming isn't interested anyway) is backwards. Today the move is to create opportunities so that at the very least POC get the opportunity to tell the stories of POC, let alone ones not specifically related to race - and that includes the director, and that should include a bio musical about a famous black Motown group. Ain't Too Proud sells itself. They could absolutely have hired a black director and made a "hot" director for hire out of them by giving them a chance with this probable hit. But instead they hired a super successful white guy to tell this black story, who has as many failures or artistic disasters as he does hits or acclaim. I think that's the kind of thing "today's climate" is hoping to change and make less acceptable and common. |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 05:57 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - Chazwaza 02:47 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| So they should put out a notice that says HIRING DIRECTOR: MUST BE BLACK? | |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 06:58 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - KingSpeed 05:57 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| No. They should - and possibly did - do a thorough search of all credible black and brown candidates. Anyone who could direct this scale of a show would likely already be known to the producers. | |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 01:36 am EDT 06/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - Singapore/Fling 06:58 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| I would say it's that kind of thinking that has kept there from being almost ANY directors of color on broadway. | |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 03:23 pm EDT 06/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - Chazwaza 01:36 am EDT 06/24/18 | |
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| What kind of thinking is that, precisely? Part of my job is to identify and find shows for directors of color, so I fully understand and practice the work that must be done to bring diverse voices to our theater. I understand how few directors are at a level where they can successfully pull off these shows, and the steps that must be taken through smaller productions to build these directors to this level. And I know that Broadway isn't the space where you correct the lack of access for directors of color. I also understand how disastrous it is for all parties when a director does not deliver on a show, something you do not seem to give thought to. On a show of this size, a director's job isn't to sell a show, it's to bring the show in on time, on budget, with the story clearly told. There are not many people on that list, much less who want to direct biographical jukebox shows. You complain about the lack of directors, but you don't appear engage in the hard work required to rectify that. Even in this realm of fantasy staffing, you don't engage in the difficult conversation about credible candidates who can do the work, refusing to even toss out one name. You seem to imagine there is an unknown director who could pull off this show if only they were discovered, but that is extremely unlikely at this level, on a show this complicated. Until you treat this topic seriously, you're neither being a constructive ally nor are you showing appreciation for the actual work that must be done to dismantle white supremacy. |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 04:26 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - Chazwaza 02:47 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| I think it's a fair question, and it reminds us that we are talking deeply about people's total careers and the oftentimes lack of opportunities for black directors to reach the level where they will be trusted with a giant, tech heavy Broadway musical. The directors that immediately come to mind - Wolfe, Bill T. Jones, Kenny Leon, and Niegel Smith - either likely wouldn't do it (Wolfe, Jones, and Smith) or wouldn't do it very well (Leon). In another five to ten years, Stevie Walker-Webb might be worth taking a risk on. Perhaps Robert O'Hara, but I was underwhelmed by his work on "Bella". Liesl Tommy's work feels very hit or miss, and arguably Des would bring as much authenticity about the American black experience as she would (dangerous words I know). Who am I forgetting? |
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| Maybe Billy Porter would be interested? | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 06:00 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - Singapore/Fling 04:26 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| He's directed before. Also Ken Roberson, the choreographer of AVE Q. | |
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| re: Maybe Billy Porter would be interested? | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 06:56 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
| In reply to: Maybe Billy Porter would be interested? - KingSpeed 06:00 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| Have either of them directed big musicals? "Ain't Too Proud" is a huge production, and their tech schedule was quite tight. You'd need to find someone who has shown an ability to steer a big ship. | |
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| re: Maybe Billy Porter would be interested? | |
| Posted by: KingSpeed 08:11 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Maybe Billy Porter would be interested? - Singapore/Fling 06:56 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| I know that Billy directed a production of COMPANY many years ago. Ken, like I said, has choreographed on Broadway. Not sure about directing. | |
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| re: Maybe Billy Porter would be interested? | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 03:24 pm EDT 06/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Maybe Billy Porter would be interested? - KingSpeed 08:11 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| There is Ruben Santiago-Hudson, who has done strong work with August Wilson. Giving him a show of this scale might backfire, but he would at least be with having a conversation with. | |
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| re: Maybe Billy Porter would be interested? | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 04:18 pm EDT 06/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: Maybe Billy Porter would be interested? - Singapore/Fling 03:24 pm EDT 06/24/18 | |
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| And there's also Kwame Kwei-Armah, who would probably have been the best candidate, except that he's gone back to the UK to run the Young Vic. | |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: broadwaybacker 03:40 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - Chazwaza 02:47 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| We're on the same side with respect to giving POC opportunities to succeed not only in the theater but in every walk of life. I believe in the benefits of affirmative action (even after seeing Admission. :)) But I don't think I'm reading the political climate wrong at all. There is a very large percentage of the population (and it might be a majority but I have no data to support that) that is offended by the suggestion that a person of color be hired to do a certain job "merely" because of their color, which you seem to be saying, and Trump did, is and will take advantage of that sentiment. It's the "anti political correctness" or anti "identity politics" feeling that many have, not all of them racists. What I'm saying is that if the choice was between hiring a white director and a black director for this show, I'd lean in favor of the black director, even if significantly less experienced, provided it was felt that he or she was capable. (By the way, maybe the black director should have been hired much earlier in this project's development?) | |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 01:33 am EDT 06/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - broadwaybacker 03:40 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| I'm not quite sure where your politics lean... but I think it's pretty safe to say the vast majority of the theater and broadway community is left, to say the least, and the left side of the country, especially the entertainment portion of it, I think would definitely agree with me. | |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: broadwaybacker 09:07 am EDT 06/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - Chazwaza 01:33 am EDT 06/24/18 | |
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| Chaz, I don't want this to become either overly personal nor overly political. Your initial point was that Des McAnuff should not have been hired to helm this show because he's white and that a "black (unspecified) director should have been given a chance." And you state in a recent post that "I'm not quite sure where your politics lean... but I think it's pretty safe to say the vast majority of the theater and broadway community is left, to say the least, and the left side of the country, especially the entertainment portion of it, I think would definitely agree with me." While it should be clear to you that my politics lean left, which in fact is an understatement, to say that the left side of the country, and especially the entertainment portion of it agrees with you seems to ignore the responses in this thread, as none that I've seen actually agree with you at all. Statements such as this person SHOULD have been hired for a particular job "just because" they are a POC or a woman or gay hurt the cause of the left and feed into every negative stereotype of what being "liberal" or "progressive" means. |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 10:56 am EDT 06/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - broadwaybacker 09:07 am EDT 06/24/18 | |
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| I absolutely did not say a person should be hired ""just because" they are POC"... in fact I even further clarified that they should be hiring a good director who is also a POC. I think mixing up the two ideas is pretty problematic, because again to me it reads like you are assuming they looked and determined there just simply isn't one, and so if they were to hire a black director it would be simply because they are black. Which also dismisses any importance to hiring a black director to tell a black story. And to be clear I'm not saying Des or any white director couldn't do a great job with this. But we'll never know what a black director would have done or how it might have been more authentic - maybe not at all. I'm not saying that the director HAS to be black. I'm not even saying the writer has to be. But I do think many in the left/liberal entertainment world right now would object or at least raise an eyebrow very high at the fact that it's not - and even more in the black community would. But I'm just surprised they didn't hire someone who brings that to it and instead hired someone who other than Jersey Boys hasn't done good work on Broadway since 1995 (and I know Jersey Boys being a hit is a supremely relevant thing for this particular show, but it also would make me not want him because it's so similar - a bio jukebox musical about a male singing group). But I stand by that it is the opposite of the point to say you shouldn't suggest a black director do it instead of a white one unless you have a specific black director who is clearly as good or better than the white director. I'm never saying you just hire anyone "just because" they are black, I'm saying you find someone who is and who is a good director for the job... unless you're saying none exist. And again, that just perpetuates the issue of there being little to no opportunities for black directors on Broadway. There will never be one "ready for this kind of show" until they hire people who can prove themselves. The fact that there isn't a black Marc Bruni for something like this ... he didn't make a splash as a hot new director, he was the assistant and associate director of two major (though mediocre) directors for a decade before he got a chance taken on his for Beautiful... another show that sells itself. And that's a hit also. |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 03:31 pm EDT 06/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - Chazwaza 10:56 am EDT 06/24/18 | |
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| "The fact that there isn't a black Marc Bruni for something like this ... he didn't make a splash as a hot new director, he was the assistant and associate director of two major (though mediocre) directors for a decade before he got a chance taken on his for Beautiful" Des's team includes a black Assistant Director, so the industry is implementing the hiring practices that you are asking for but not recognizing. This AD has been with the show since the California production. Perhaps in another decade, she will be able to step forward and direct a Broadway show of her own, though she is in no way ready for that just yet. |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: broadwaybacker 11:20 am EDT 06/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - Chazwaza 10:56 am EDT 06/24/18 | |
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| If I misinterpreted your original post, I apologize, though if you read through the thread you’ll see that I wasn’t the only one who did. So, in that I agree with what you’ve said here, we can leave in peace. 😊 |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 02:57 pm EDT 06/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - broadwaybacker 11:20 am EDT 06/24/18 | |
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| :) | |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: lordofspeech 08:09 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - broadwaybacker 03:40 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| Does anybody really think the lightness or darkness of a person’s skincolor should determine if they’re hired to direct an original musical? The skills and talents and track record are so much more important than the look or ancestry of a director. | |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: Singapore/Fling 03:33 pm EDT 06/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - lordofspeech 08:09 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| In this case, the question wasn't about skin color but about cultural awareness and authenticity. Absolutely, a black or brown director would be preferable to direct black and brown culture on stage. | |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 08:05 pm EDT 06/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - Singapore/Fling 03:33 pm EDT 06/24/18 | |
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| This was my entire point. | |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: broadwaybacker 08:42 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - lordofspeech 08:09 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| I don’t but apparently Chazwaza does. | |
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| re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 01:35 am EDT 06/24/18 | |
| In reply to: re: ugh... Des McAnuff...why? - broadwaybacker 08:42 pm EDT 06/23/18 | |
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| No... I think you FIND a director capable or with the right vision, and especially *these days*, if it's a black story it behooves you to find a black director to tell the story otherwise you're basically saying there were no black director capable. | |
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