Ethnically Speaking by Larry Meeks

Dear Larry: In recent years, my favorite theater company has been serving up some casting decisions that I've found both distracting and distressing.

Black actors are being cast in pivotal roles for characters whose white ethnicity is essential to the stories, the places and the periods. Casting blacks in the plays "Our Town" and "The Music Man" is something that is just off-the-wall. Those plays took place in small-town America in the early 20th century. These towns were simply not bastions of racial equality or interracial romance. I suspect the playwrights, Thornton Wilder and Meredith Willson, are rolling in their graves as much as I'm squirming in my seat.

I understand that a repertory company must cast from its available actors. However, I know this company has plenty of white actors available for these roles. I know it is possible for the director to claim that he or she is casting the "best" actor for each role. The fact is I know that claim would be implausible because I know the breadth of talent in this company.

If the director wants the audience to be colorblind and not pay attention to ethnicity, this is not a good idea. In fact, that seems a ridiculous expectation when the very essence of our theater patronage is to be attentive to every creative and artistic element. That includes everything that happens, from writing, acting and directing to costume, makeup, lighting and set design.

If the director wants to challenge the audience to think outside of standard conventions, I'm all for that, if it doesn't change the fundamental message or credibility of the play.

I can delight in seeing "Richard III" in modern dress or "Romeo and Juliet" set in New York instead of Verona, Italy. But there is a point when you go too far. I'd have a choking fit if I were asked to accept a white actor cast as Othello.

This brings me to the heart of my dilemma. My beloved theater company faultlessly casts only black actors for August Wilson's plays. August Wilson was a black Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright whose plays depicted comic and tragic aspects of the African-American experience in the 20th century.

So help me out here, Larry. Am I allowing insufficient creative latitude? Or worse, am I harboring racial bias? — Michael

Dear Michael: When it comes to theaters, movies and plays, in my opinion, there are no rules. I have seen whites play Othello many times. In fact, I was an adult before I found out Shakespeare's Othello was black.

The entertainment industry seemingly marches to the beat of its own drum, without regard for tradition. I have no problem with the casting of whites in traditionally black roles or blacks in traditionally white roles. I believe a truly talented actor can play any role, and with the miracles of makeup, any looks can be created to fit any occasion.

The problem you are having is the director only shows creative latitude when it comes to traditionally white roles. You may be right. If that is true, I am on your side.

I suggest that you bring this point to the director and inform him or her about the equal-treatment clause in the law. If you are an actor in this company, I suggest a great amount of diplomacy.

To find out more about Larry G. Meeks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.