I think it’s clear that an musical that wins a pulitzer prize, is a good musical--I won’t spend too much time on the background since we all read it, but I will say I think the importance of this plot should not be misconstrued or altered too much, because I think it strays away from the message, and shedding light on queer struggles, and really modernizing what it means to be queer in today’s society. Because I found the plot to be very important, my main changes will have to do with production, actors, and set up. Usher’s character is very pivotal in this story, and because of that I chose Omari Hardwick as the actor. He’s a household name in the black community, and has had some strong roles. One of his roles that really caught peoples attention was Tyler Perry’s “For Colored Girls,” in which Omari is married to a woman, but is sleeping with other men--he ends up giving his wife AIDS, and she discovers he is actually homosexual. Not only is the fact that it’s a Tyler Perry movie, make this character selection purposeful, but the fact that he has already played a gay black man is what makes this the smart move in my opinion. Secondly, For the director of this musical. I chose Mara Brock Akil-- she is a renowned director and has directed many hit tv shows dating back to the early 90s, and has directed a plethora of shows on BET network, along side her husband. Her creative vision, and intellect on what black culture looks like performed--is unmatched, and the type of wisdom that should be portrayed. For set up I chose the football stadium--it sounds unorthodox, but here is where my plot twist comes in to play--many students hear musical and immediately write it off, but this musician is important in today’s world amid gender fluidity, non-binary persons, and the use of pronouns. Not only that. But also the fact that Kansas students are already required to take a sexual assault module each year, in order to register for classes--I think this musical could be a better replacement that people would actually take seriously being that it’s being held at the football stadium. Of course lighting will be the normal footballcstadium lights, and the actors and singers would use the bluetooth saramonic mics, so that they can move freely on stage. Lastly, the only other change I would have is that Usher’s mom wouldn’t send a voicemail for his birthday--she would send a letter similar to the one Jeannete mccurdy’s mom sent her in her book. I recently watched an interview that Jeanneate did where she discussed her complicated relationship with her mother, and I think the drama and crowd response from letters make the audience really empathize with jeannete, and in our case--Usher.
Mari, I was unable to access your Pecha Kucha, but I still liked your approach to the play. I also really like that your stage would be a stadium because I agree, more people need to read and see the play to help understand. Great Job.
Shamaria, I liked your choice in casting and production staff. I feel like those people would work well together and be able to properly portray Jackson's show the way he wanted it to be. I also thought that your idea to perform this show in a football stadium for a large campus audience was an interesting idea.
I really like the detail of the choice of the entire production. The why the actors and the director. I agree that this could be used as sexual assault information for students, but it should not be a substitute for it but should be supplemental and accessible to view. Of course, that should be asked of Jackson that he is the author, and he can decide if it is possible or not. I also want to mention that you brought the example of the book by Jeanette McCurdy that I read and saw interviews about what happened to her mother. It's really sad and even creates more empathy about that situation, so it will definitely help that scene, but likewise…
Shamaria, I enjoyed reading your strategy to staging this musical. It is a brilliant idea to produce it with the cast you mentioned and hold it at the football stadium, but do you think it is possible? what if we have to produce it with realistic possibilities? I mean casting KU students and performing it in Theatre Department? Do we have enough reason to do it as kind of student theatre?