African American

i have never seen them before. last night, i was stunned by what i watched.

many, many more black actors have parts in the shows, of course; many received nominations, too. at long last. HOORAY!! production companies are making big money on black history storylines and issues of racism, and classism, depicted in numerous shows.

but how many blacks actually touched that awards stage last night? many as performers in excerpts from the nominated plays. one, Audra McDonald, as an award winner

http://www.theroot.com/buzz/audra-mcdonald-porgy-and-bess-win-tonys

... Tyler Perry as a presenter ....

i turned it off so many times, disgusted, but then turned back to see if maybe i was wrong - in fact, that was why i did happen to see Audra McDonald win her fifth Tony, first as leading actress, for Porgy and Bess, which also won for best musical revival - to see if i might have missed something that would correct my take on it, but i do not think so.

there were several plays with all white casts - ?! and there were some with almost all black casts, except for the white stars, or the white producers, directors who accepted the awards they won. white men accepted the award for Porgy and Bess's win ....

it was intensely disturbing. but then, it was also far more inclusive than in so much of the past. so, maybe i ought to see it as a sign of progress???

if you saw it, will you tell me what you thought of it? if you didn't, there might be an online video of it? i would be interested in the thoughts of any who saw, or see it.


thank you so very much for this thread, Number23!! and for carrying on this outstanding and vitally important tradition begun by the, yes, "incomparable Brewman_Jax"!!