Sorry, my Korean ass doesn't LOVE the "rumored" Sweeney Todd casting

Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

Yesterday, the rumored casting of a ‘Sweeney Todd’ Broadway revival started to become more of a reality. Philip Boroff reported that materials had been sent to potential investors that the splashy production is being planned with Josh Groban in the title role and Annaleigh Ashford as Mrs. Lovett.

Many on social media rejoiced at the news. It’s not surprising. Both Groban and Ashford are exceptional talents who have the vocal chops and acting caliber the iconic roles require. I can just imagine the Tonys performance now.

But, speaking from my Korean-American point of view, I’m not in love with it. You’ll have to forgive me, please. I’m just a bit tired of seeing another big splashy Broadway production with white leads with BIPOC in featured roles and the ensemble. ‘The Music Man’ served this dish and it didn’t taste great as I’m sure the meat pies of Mrs. Lovett in 2023 won’t either.

You’ll have to forgive me though. I was just under the impression that we’ve moved past this on Broadway. I mean, producers promised us as much at panel discussions at BroadwayCon, rallies against yellowface, marches for better equity, self-righteous social media posts, and high-profiled interviews in the NY Times.

You’ll have to forgive me for starting to believe them.

But maybe I was foolish. Because after all, that’s how this industry works. This show will sell out their, likely, very expensive seats - proving that this casting routine is successful. Which means it will keep happening.

BIPOC performers will continue to have to build their brands in other arenas to become big enough BIPOC names for producers to cast them in big-budget Broadway shows that rely on such stardoms to succeed.

Because that’s the sick joke of it all. In many cases, for BIPOC performers to get lead roles in Broadway productions they need to be big enough brands in an industry that doesn’t afford us the opportunities to build those brands.

Let’s hope we can go viral on TikTok.

But as I said before, this is what Broadway has always done and what it will always do.

You’ll have to forgive me if you think I’m “being negative”. I’m just tired. That’s all.