We did the original, not the revival, about 10 years ago. So ... it's been a while. We chose the original because I felt the set was easier (just the boat and not the night club first) and some of the music was different. I'm also in a small rural community and simply chose two boys who had dark hair to play those roles. It doesn't need to be derisive ... more of a language barrier.
I also saw it touring a few years later.
I have to admit it never crossed my mind to be problematic back then ... we also did Annie Get Your Gun the year prior ... I have since wondered if we'd be able to do it now ...
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Toni Thomas
English Teacher, Theatre Director
West Branch MI
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-15-2019 14:58
From: Cynthia Scherer
Subject: Anything Goes
Has anyone recently performed Anything Goes at the high school level? I watched it several years ago and enjoyed it. We are considering doing the show at our school this year but I just remembered the bits with the "Chinese" men and now I'm hesitant.
We don't have a particularly diverse high school (small town in South Dakota) but we do have several students of Asian descent and the last thing I want to do is offend anyone or make anyone feel less than welcome at our shows. So I guess my main question is this: if you've performed it recently, what did you do about THAT scene?
Thanks!
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Cynthia Scherer
Teacher
Spearfish SD
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