In light of Jason Robert Browns visit to our campus, I thought a perfect first blog post would be to write about something related to musical theater. While working with the African American students who performed in the master class this weekend, Mr. Brown spoke about the difficulties of being black in theater. The range of roles for African Americans in the majority of musical theater is very narrow and are often stereotypical. While this is true for many shows in the theater world, musical theater has also been a place where black actors has really done well despite that obstacle. Although Mr. Brown spoke freely about the struggle in finding jobs in musical theater as a black actor/singer, I also felt like he gave some hope. He said that every black person doesn't have to perform with a, "ain't mis behavin" attitude especially if that is not the type of singer or performer that they are.
I thought that I would share a couple of my favorite musical theater songs performed by black actors and actresses that have pushed through the color barriers on Broadway. Even though I am not a singer, as a musical theater enthusiast, these performers have given me the hope that if I wanted to be on Broadway, although the road might be difficult, there is definitely a place for me.
My favorite Broadway musical of all time, Aida. This is Heather Headley, a Tony Award winner. Aida, "The Gods Love Nubia"
Another one of my favorites, Man of La Mancha (I told you I love Broadway!)
Brian Stokes Mitchell, "The Impossible Dream".
Something else that Jason Robert Brown stressed is how important it is for performers to really make the audience feel something. These two songs that I have chosen have not only inspired me because of the African American actors, but these songs also make me feel many complex emotions. What is a musical theater piece that makes you feel some kind of emotion and why? Do you have an actor/actress that is an inspiration to you?
I did Aida two summers ago. Aida RULES
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great topic. I feel that there aren't that many musicals that represent the black experience, where is main character is black. I remember studying about the early civil rights movement in relation to literature in my freshmen english class. When our study concluded my class went to see a broadway show. We saw the Scottsboro Boys. Prior to seeing this show my experience with broadway hadn't included shows with black main characters. The Scottsboro Boys cast consisted of a group of black men ranging in age, from 15 to 30. The shows topic much like Parade deals with injustice. Based on a true story the Scottsboro boys is about a group of black men accused of raping a white women on a train, and the trial following it. One of the most emotional musical theater pieces for me is from this musical entitled Go Back Home. At this point in the story they have been found guilty and the men are sentenced to death. Go Back Home is sung by the oldest of the boys and the youngest. They sing of the hope to go home. What always gets me is the innocence you can hear in their voices. So young, and to falsely accused and sentenced.... it always makes me cry.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EzO7CeSP6Q
Deletehere is the video of Go Back Home
When JRB was talking about this today it really occurred to me how right he was. I had never thought about the situation black people are put in when it comes to roles that are available to them on broadway. They tend to be very edgy/sassy/belting roles and I feel like the stereotype is in a way out of place. Hearing JRB tell Angel today about how she could sing those "white girl roles" just as well or better was very eye opening and made me realize how strong the stereotype is for black men and women. Truly changed my outlook on musical theater in a positive way because now I can see the stereotypes but I am also able to see beyond them.
ReplyDeleteI love this. I think it's so important to keep options open and play other roles that one wouldn't usually or stereotypically play.
ReplyDelete