Why not a Black Tevye or a Hispanic Fanny? A Case for Ethnic Cross-Casting in Musicals (BONUS ISSUE)
Range, not “representation,” should be key in choosing “Jewish” stars
ESSAY: Cross-religious casting, along with most other out-of-the-box acting portrayals, is quickly becoming taboo among elite media and industry circles. Sorry to rain on the parade of objections to the gentile woman currently playing Fanny Brice on tour, but offense at “Jewface” (oy) is not a constructive trend, and ultimately hurts the artistic freedom of theater creators.
Black Tevyes and Hispanic Fannies are good for acting careers, good for the art form, and yes, good for the Jews.
It’s time for a backlash against the backlash against gentiles portraying Jewish roles.
For years, actors of many ethnicities have been praised for their portrayal of Jewish characters – from Sir Laurence Olivier as a cantor in the 1980 movie remake of The Jazz Singer to British actor Alfred Molina’s 2004 turn as Tevye on Broadway. More recently, Rachel Brosnahan has been celebrated for her turn as a Jewish comedienne in the TV show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
But in the wake of 21st-century racial reckonin…