Applause News Blog

I have some mixed feelings about this move for one of my favorite plays currently on Broadway, August:Osage County. First off, race aside, Phylicia Rashad is the wrong actress to play Violet. This is a terrible move by the producers(I think). Phylicia Rashad is a wonderful actress, but her presence in this fairly realistic play will raise a boatload of questions the play doesn't need. Is the character of Violet now supposed to really be African-American? And if so, won't the idea of an interracial couple getting together in Oklahoma all those decades ago hover over the play like an unwanted ghost, raising questions the plays not equipped to handle? This casting decision makes no more sense than having Vanessa Redgrave take over Rashad's role in "Raisin in the Sun." An all-black cast of "August:Osage" would be one thing (and might be very interesting, come to think of it), but this casting decision just seems like a stunt. I hope "Osage" doesn't become the "Chicago" of straight plays, where every celebrity (and near-celebrity) with time on their hands wanders through just long enough to put a Broadway credit in their bio.
But I won't know until I see her myself starting May 26th.

The Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning hit about a dysfunctional family in crisis.
Meet the Westons. Dad’s disappeared. Mom’s popping pills. One daughter’s bound for divorce. And that's just the start. Equally harrowing and hysterical, Tracy Letts’ award-winning drama has already been hailed as an American classic!
So call an Applause Sales Expert now to get your tickets at a great price with the Applause Insider Deal. 800-451-9930 Applause is a NY State Licensed ticket agency for August:Osage County and all Broadway shows!