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This is often true. Here in Mott Haven there is a building which used to be a Theater first for Germans but Germans moved out the area and the Irish came in. THe theater became a center for Irish culture in the city until the IRish picked up and moved out of the area. Down the block their used to be a Puerto Rican theather which was the center of performing arts of Puerto RIcans in NYC until it met its demise two decades ago and now it sits quietly as a Universal Church. Out of all the ethnic theaters in NYC the Apollo seems to be the most succesful. Broadway needs to do a better job to attract New Yorkers of all races, creeds and income stratas.
Broadway is not struggling to have successful shows. Why would they do anything different? I don't agree with people who say there are not shows that can be attractive to so called minorities. Also FWIW in the last few years some of the most successful shows had mostly black or latino casts...
I just think a lot of people either assume it's beyond their reach financially (there are deals and things out there that make it more affordable) or that it's not for them.
When I went to see "Newsies" I was with the only black person in the entire theater -- cast or audience. I mean, how can you cast a show of singing, dancing young men and field NO black cast members, or hispanic either. I asked my date -- do you feel weird being the only black person here? He goes -- nah, I'm used to it.
I really kind of agree with what a friend of mine (jewish, always lived in Manhattan) said --
"You go to a Broadway show, everyone on stage is from the Midwest. Everyone in the audience is from the Midwest. Why don't they just stay in the Midwest and save everybody a lot of trouble?"
When I went to see "Newsies" I was with the only black person in the entire theater -- cast or audience. I mean, how can you cast a show of singing, dancing young men and field NO black cast members, or hispanic either. I asked my date -- do you feel weird being the only black person here? He goes -- nah, I'm used to it.
I really kind of agree with what a friend of mine (jewish, always lived in Manhattan) said --
"You go to a Broadway show, everyone on stage is from the Midwest. Everyone in the audience is from the Midwest. Why don't they just stay in the Midwest and save everybody a lot of trouble?"
Let's be fair here. Newsies is one show. There are several shows on broadway right not that have a lot of Black castsmembers.
When I went to see "Newsies" I was with the only black person in the entire theater -- cast or audience. I mean, how can you cast a show of singing, dancing young men and field NO black cast members, or hispanic either. I asked my date -- do you feel weird being the only black person here? He goes -- nah, I'm used to it.
I really kind of agree with what a friend of mine (jewish, always lived in Manhattan) said --
"You go to a Broadway show, everyone on stage is from the Midwest. Everyone in the audience is from the Midwest. Why don't they just stay in the Midwest and save everybody a lot of trouble?"
I'd have to agree that the lack of diversity of the cast reflects in the lack of diversity of the audience. It has very little to do with theater being so called high culture. I've been to many museums in NYC and see a lot more diversity there than at a Broadway play. In the plays where I do see a lot of audience diversity, no surprise that it is for the shows that have a more diverse (or all black) cast. This is also probably because these plays are advertised to a wider audience-- meaning that they will specifically target their advertising to reach black consumers. I highly doubt that you would see an ad for Newsies on BET or in Ebony Magazine but I'm sure Porgy and Bess are being advertised there in addition to wider publications/media for a mass audience.
I'm black and have only been to a handful of plays: Cats (fell asleep), Fela (amazing!), Les Mis (Loved it!) Color Purple (kinda sucked). Broadway theater is really just not my thing. If I want to take in so called "high culture" you'll find me strolling around the Met or the BK museum on a Saturday afternoon.
Let's be fair here. Newsies is one show. There are several shows on broadway right not that have a lot of Black castsmembers.
A lot? LMAO. If by that you mean two or three cast members, then yes. But if blacks and Hispanics are like 50% of the NYC population, a lot would mean that 50% of the cast is black/Hispanic...
A lot? LMAO. If by that you mean two or three cast members, then yes. But if blacks and Hispanics are like 50% of the NYC population, a lot would mean that 50% of the cast is black/Hispanic...
Well Fela and Memphis are two prime examples. Those shows just ended their nyc run. One of the biggest shows in recent years was "in the Heights" and that had a mostly "minority" cast. To expect every show to be mostly black or have prominent Black castmembers is unrealistic but to say all the shows are lily White is BS. I actually don't know exactly what is playing right at this moment but I'm sure there are a few that have quite a few Black castmembers...
Well Fela and Memphis are two prime examples. Those shows just ended their nyc run. One of the biggest shows in recent years was "in the Heights" and that had a mostly "minority" cast. To expect every show to be mostly black or have prominent Black castmembers is unrealistic but to say all the shows are lily White is BS. I actually don't know exactly what is playing right at this moment but I'm sure there are a few that have quite a few Black castmembers...
And why would it be unrealistic considering that the reality is NYC is 50% "minority". You can't just throw ONE token up there and think that means diversity.
If you had a play or musical that was designed specifically for the black culture with black themes few people would show up because few whites, who are 90% of the Broadway Crowd. Having Black actors or singers who are crossover talents would be alot easier.
Not everything have to match the percentages of the racial populations inorder to be
consider "right". Don't go to the Broadway shows if you don't enjoy it, but if you don't
go because there are too few whatever type of people in them is kind racist in a way too.
If that's the case then white, Hispanic and Asian should start boycott the NBA already.
I personally don't go to Broadway shows because I rather watch a ballgame or a movie,
and think is a waste of money comparing to the other entertainment for the same money.
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