| My posting was partly tongue in cheek, but if, as archeology suggests, human beings seem to have originated in sub-Saharan Africa and if we view the Antrobuses (and Sabina) as some version of Adam, Eve, and Lilith (only one of many readings), it is not simply knee-jerk "wokism" (as its detractors might suggest--I hate the use of "woke" to dismiss efforts to move dialogue and action on racial issues forward) to cast POC in these roles. Of course, the play is an expansive, ambitious reach on all levels (and, controversially, perhaps more influenced by Joyce's "Finnegans Wake" than Wilder first acknowledged--though, to his credit, when it was pointed out, he very non-defensively expressed his admiration for that novel and said he was possibly influenced by it in writing Skin). But, of all 20th century plays of the period I can think, this one seems one of the least needing "naturalistic" casting. It's a bit like children's theatre for grown-ups. (And one of my favorites.) |
