BBC Proms finds new Maria after ‘whitewashing’ complaints
A NEW Maria has been cast in the BBC Proms production of West Side Story after complaints over “whitewashing”.
Mikaela Bennett will take on the role of the Puerto Rican lead character after Sierra Boggess, the show’s previous star, withdrew over the criticism.
Boggess wrote on Facebook at the time: “If I were to do this concert, it would once again deny Latinas the opportunity to sing this score, as well as deny the importance of seeing themselves represented on stage. That would be a huge mistake.”
The character of Maria was made famous by Natalie Wood, an American actress of Russian descent, in the 1961 film version.
Boggess pulled out of the BBC production in April after several people voiced their concerns over her casting.
One Twitter user wrote: “Sierra Boggess should not play Maria in West Side Story. Natalie Wood shouldn’t have played her either. Maria is a Puerto Rican character. Disappointed, but not at all surprised that we have yet again another instance of whitewashing characters in theatre.”
Canadian-born Bennett has previously performed excerpts from West Side Story with the New York Philharmonic for their Young People’s Concert series. She will now take on the role of Maria, organised to mark the centenary of the birth of composer Leonard Bernstein, who composed the musical about rival gangs in New York.
The Proms said in a statement: “The BBC Proms is delighted that Mikaela Bennett will play Maria in West Side Story. She has been cast on her merit and suitability for the role.”
Steven Spielberg has been auditioning for a big-screen remake of West Side Story and has been seeking Latino and Latina actors for the roles.
West Side Story will be performed at the Royal Albert Hall on Aug 11 and broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.
There has been increasing pressure for the casting of appropriate actors in roles on stage and screen. Ed Skrein, the British actor, turned down a role in Hellboy after discovering the character was of Asian heritage and Scarlett Johansson stepped down after she was cast as a trans character in Rub & Tug, prompting another backlash.