What is interesting is the dialogue going on behind the scenes. The producers of plays and actors are often at major odds in deciding what to do with a play. The simple reason is that they have different objectives in performing the play. The producers want it to be successful and make money while the actors, of course wanting the play to do well, are generally more interested in creating something artistic. This is a generalization but one that I think works here.
The producers are saying they believe,
that casting Combs could help bring serious theatre to the untapped market of black youth..
While otherwise qualified actors who didn't get the role are saying that
casting Combs was an insult to black professionals in the acting industry.
I don't know enough of the underlying facts to say whether or not I agree, but I'm not suprised.
