Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt whooops! Disney has launched the Aladdin musical on Broadway and somehow "forgot" to cast any Middle Eastern actors in the show. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://artsincolor.com/2013/10/casting-aladdin-middle-eastern-actors/">http://artsincolor.com/2013/10...-actors/</a> What do you think? Is the author making a big deal out of nothing or should Disney have done a better job of ensuring that at least a few actors of Middle Eastern decent were given roles in the show?
Originally Posted By utahjosh Disney (or any theater company) has no obligation to cast any of shows with anyone of any race. It's nice to see actors from regions where the character is supposed to be from, but it's not a necessity in any way.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I'd imagine that they wouldn't have a large pool of middle eastern actors to choose from, and in that case, I'd say they have to go with the best actors.
Originally Posted By DVC dad lurking Well, respectfully, how "Middle Eastern" (adjusting for the time period of the story as well) is Aladdin anyway? I mean, you cannot get much "Anglo'er" than Douglas Seale as Sultan. I would argue that Aladdin the movie is very poorly culturally responsive, if at all, to begin with. On that note, I wouldn't expect the production to have thought about this anyway. I'm not saying it's "right" just that it is what it is, a movie to entertain kids, and a chance to introduce a "not-so-white" princess if he movie hits, which it did.
Originally Posted By TheRedhead "Middle Eastern actors would have the opportunity to play a wide variety of roles: the ingénue, the hero, the villain, the funny sidekick." Since none of those roles were played by Middle Eastern actors in the film, why would you assume they'd all be played by Middle Eastern actors on stage? This is a silly argument. There has been no racial indignation over the casting of the stage version because the film it's based on is as culturally authentic as Taco Bell. "Not-so-white" pretty much sums it up.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros How often are people of Middle Eastern descent cast in the DCA show? I would guess not very; an actress in my (former) local community theater group had previously done a stint as Jasmine, yet she was blonde I think there should have been some effort toward getting a representitive cast, but ultimately it needs to go to the best actor. If Tony Braxton can play Belle (she just happened to be in the performance I saw and was great!), then anybody can (and should) be cast in Aladdin
Originally Posted By wahooskipper There are a lot of real problems in the world. These made up ones are just noise.
