Denzel to star in 'Raisin'....

[bjh2114]

I would love to see Whoopi take on that part. I'd much rather see a production of this starring her WITHOUT Denzel than one with him.

[jdrye222]

I love Denzel. But he's definitely too old. By like 25 years.
The last revival was wonderful. Why do we need to see it again, with the same director? Rashad and McDonald were astonishing.... It seems way to soon to even try to do again, especially with the TV version of it available on DVD.
I am with others who say they'd rather see Denzel in something new. Or at least something we haven't seen in a long time, if he must do a revival.

[Mattbrain]

How old was Danny Glover when he did it?

[OrdinaryJukebox]

First of all, the world does not need an All-Black "Gypsy." Sorry, but, NO!

Secondly, one of my all-time favorite plays being revived with one of the worlds most overrated actors??!! I simply can not. It was bad enough when Puffy Diddy Honeycombs or whatever his name is took the role, but now this??!!

I would LOVE a revival of this show; however, I'd like it to be done with an all-white cast ... lol

I'd like to see it done with talented actors who are age appropriate and who are not one-trick ponies. There are a TON of actors out there right for this!!

[somethingwicked]

Mattbrain, Danny Glover was 43 when he did the filmed version in 1989.

Younger Brother, opposite Washington, it would probably be smarter to cast Anika Noni Rose as an older Beneatha and use someone of Viola Davis's age and stature for Ruth. I love Loretta Devine, but she's only five years older than Washington, so she isn't right for Lena either. As someone else suggested, they're going to have to use someone like Ruby Dee or Mary Alice as Lena for this production to work.

[little_sally]

I would actually love an all-black version of Gypsy.

But anyway, why don't big name throw their support behind new works? People will see them in anything anyway, so why does it have to be another production of the same ten plays?

[Jordan Catalano]

Exactly. And there's some more age appropriate August Wilson plays that are in need of revivals if Denzel is against something new.

[AC126748]

Exactly, Jordan. SEVEN GUITARS would be a great, age-appropriate vehicle for Denzel.

[CarlosAlberto]

@OrdinaryJukebox: Sarcasm just isn't your forte is it?

Pity.

[best12bars]

There are only four plays and three musicals. That's it.

And we're going to see them over and over and over again.

I can't wait for the revivals of Gypsy and Streetcar next year. It's been too long!

[CarlosAlberto]

Don't forget ReNt! WE NEED ReNt back!!

[Jordan Catalano]

Denzel IS Angel.

[best12bars]

Is he more right for Sky or Nathan?

Guys & Dolls should be back next year as well.

[little_sally]

Why stop at Angel? Why not a one man Rent?

[Jordan Catalano]

Denzel as Angel and Lisa Whelchel as Mimi

[CarlosAlberto]

^ Fvck yeah!

[Jordan Catalano]

Well I mean, a Christian Mimi.

[OrdinaryJukebox]

It's totally my forte. What did you misunderstand?

[Jungle Red]

You forgot about Grease. Denzel could be Angel in that too!

[justoldbill]

If everyone "ages up", how do they explain their 25-year old son still sleeping on the couch?

[best12bars]

I'm seriously tired of mega-stars who have been around for three or more decades thinking they're "twenty-something."

Enough! You're old and everyone knows it. Play someone your own age. You've earned it!

If Denzel has got to revive a classic play, he should play Willie Loman in Death of a Salesman. That hasn't been on Broadway now in months and is well overdue for a revival.

Honestly, are there no good new plays being written? Anywhere?

Baby Jane Washington.

[StageManager2]

LOL. The title of this thread is somewhat misleading. I thought it was a revival of the musical version, "RAISIN".

Me, too! Why don't they revive that instead? Has there ever been a revival of that musical?

[OrdinaryJukebox]

I agree, Best12Bars; people dont seem to be writing interesting pieces anymore. If they do, they're only limited engagements off-broadway. "Rapture, Blister, Burn" was amazing. I'm looking forward to "The Other Place." You know what, "Chaplin" wasn't half bad. I'd like to see more original work and fewer revivals ... unless it's "Gypsy." Personally, I'm not mad at an "every-few-years" revival of that one. :P

[Jordan Catalano]

Well now, hold on. Denzel as Rose has a nice ring to it. I think with the right director it could be pretty fantastic and just what next season needs.

[OrdinaryJukebox]

If there is to be a gender-blind casting of "Gypsy," can't Russel Crowe tackle Mama? I mean, he's demonstrated his vocal prowess in "Les Miz," so it seems fair to give him a shot.

Meanwhile, if gender-blind casting takes place anywhere with anything, I need someone to cast me as Martha in "The Children's Hour," but I digress ... :P

[Kad]

It'd be really nice if Denzel instead chose a new work by a playwright of color.