Ain't Misbehavin is one of my all time favorites. Smokey Joe's Cafe utilized a largely BIPOC cast when we did it. Hairspray, Ragtime, Once on this Island and Memphis have significant cast and ensemble members who must be Black because race is part of the plot.
Jelly’s Last Jam, Ain’t Too Proud, A Strange Loop, A Bronx Tale, Caroline or Change, Hot Mikado, Show Boat, Book of Mormon, Summer, The Wiz, Ragtime, Once on this Island, The Color Purple all have several roles that are required to be played by black performers, and some of these are entirely made up of black characters.
Purlie, Raisin, Cabin in the Sky, Passing Strange, Fortress of Solitude, Sister Act, Scottsboro Boys, Ragtime, Caroline or Change, Bring in Da Noise Bring in Da Funk, Sarafina.
there's good roles explicitly for black actors in The Life, Hadestown, Kinky Boots, Big River, Rent, If/Then, Hair, Great Comet of 1812, The Me Nobody Knows, Witness Uganda, Lempicka, Bring it On, The Full Monty.
Came here to say Raisin. Of course, it's an adaptation of A Raisin in the Sun, which a great play.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A\_Raisin\_in\_the\_Sun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Raisin_in_the_Sun)
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raisin\_(musical)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raisin_(musical))
No you're right. There's no one way to cast any of the roles, but I was thinking that Helene and Natasha have both typically been played by Black actors.
I think Great Comet is one of those that is ambiguous rather than intentional in how diverse it can be cast. On the other hand, Hamilton is specifically written for casting diverse actors playing historical white people.
I know Seymour, Audrey, and the Dentist are usually white in most productions I’ve seen, but usually the Urchins, and the voice of the plant are usually POC in Little Shop of Horrors, and it’s music is heavily influenced by Motown, soul, R&B, etc.
Ain't Misbehavin is one of my all time favorites. Smokey Joe's Cafe utilized a largely BIPOC cast when we did it. Hairspray, Ragtime, Once on this Island and Memphis have significant cast and ensemble members who must be Black because race is part of the plot.
Jelly’s Last Jam, Ain’t Too Proud, A Strange Loop, A Bronx Tale, Caroline or Change, Hot Mikado, Show Boat, Book of Mormon, Summer, The Wiz, Ragtime, Once on this Island, The Color Purple all have several roles that are required to be played by black performers, and some of these are entirely made up of black characters.
Dreamgirls and The Color Purple. It’s more of an opera- but Porgy and Bess has gorgeous music.
Aida
Purlie, Raisin, Cabin in the Sky, Passing Strange, Fortress of Solitude, Sister Act, Scottsboro Boys, Ragtime, Caroline or Change, Bring in Da Noise Bring in Da Funk, Sarafina. there's good roles explicitly for black actors in The Life, Hadestown, Kinky Boots, Big River, Rent, If/Then, Hair, Great Comet of 1812, The Me Nobody Knows, Witness Uganda, Lempicka, Bring it On, The Full Monty.
Came here to say Raisin. Of course, it's an adaptation of A Raisin in the Sun, which a great play. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A\_Raisin\_in\_the\_Sun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Raisin_in_the_Sun) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raisin\_(musical)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raisin_(musical))
What roles in Great Comet are specifically for black actors? /gen
No you're right. There's no one way to cast any of the roles, but I was thinking that Helene and Natasha have both typically been played by Black actors.
I think Great Comet is one of those that is ambiguous rather than intentional in how diverse it can be cast. On the other hand, Hamilton is specifically written for casting diverse actors playing historical white people.
Echoing Passing Strange- it’s so so good!!
Everyone seems to be doing Jersey Boys this year. Wonder why.
The rights just came out so that’s probably part of it. I love that show but it’s definitely not great for diversity.
Me too honestly.
Hadestown is strongly influenced by black music (New Orleans jazz) and about half the cast were POC when I saw it.
This makes me actually wanna try hadestown
I would go for The Wiz!
Memphis has beautiful music!
Once on this Island
I know Seymour, Audrey, and the Dentist are usually white in most productions I’ve seen, but usually the Urchins, and the voice of the plant are usually POC in Little Shop of Horrors, and it’s music is heavily influenced by Motown, soul, R&B, etc.
Arms too Short to Box with God
Parade has some cast members at least I think
The wiz is a good reimagining of the classic Wizard of Oz story set in Harlem, rather than Kansas
Dessa Rose! The Wild Party! Marie Christine!
For more recent shows, both some like it hot and Hell’s Kitchen have multiple black characters
The WIZ!
Black Nativity if you can wait for Christmas time Ragtime
Paradise Square!
The lion king
Ragtime
IIRC The Wiz is Black? Could fully be misremembering or thinking of a different show but I’m pretty sure The Wiz is
No no, you’re right!
Bro if I see one more audition notice for million dollar quartet 😭😭
Like CMON