Songs and stereotypes

A source of discomfort for several students was the song titled “There! Right There!” The song was also referred to as “Gay or European” by some members of the cast. A cast member, who will be referred to as Z, said they had concerns about the song at the beginning of the rehearsal process.

“Two of the characters are written in broken English and are flamboyant stereotypes of gay people. In the (original script), they use words like ‘genetically, medically and chronically’ to describe gay people, which is offensive,” Z said.

During rehearsals, that part of the song was cut by Elena Maimonis, the director of the show. Still remaining in the song were these lyrics:

“This man is gay, and it’s not a disgrace. You have to stop being such a complete closet case. It’s me not her he’s seeing no matter what he’ll say. I swear he never ever ever saw the other way. You are so gay, you big parfait, you flaming one man cabaret. (I’m straight), you were not yesterday. So if I may, I’m proud to say he’s gay.”

Maiomonis said she made a lot of changes and cuts to “There! Right There!” in particular. While X and Z said members of the cast tried to talk with Maimonis, she said they did not.

“I didn’t want to play into stereotypes that are very outdated and just incorrect. So, yes, there are characters who are gay in the show, but there’s no right or wrong way to play them. There aren’t set mannerisms. Regardless of if you are gay or not, you simply just act,” Maiomonis said. “I would never want to do anything that actively made students uncomfortable, and if I was aware of (students discomfort level), I would’ve done something.”

X said the song “What You Want” was another example of uncomfortable stereotypes being depicted in the production.

“The song was originally sung with a Jamaican accent and the three Black people in the cast were cast as that dance section. It’s hard because those stereotypical roles can’t be played by white people, so they’re filled by people of color. That limits a lot of options for people of color, and is not an equal way of casting a show,” X said.

A third cast member who will be referred to as Y, said the song “What You Want” had a negative effect on the rehearsal process.

“I think the show could have gone on without that solo. It just caused unnecessary problems. A few members of the cast were singing the lines in the song with an accent during rehearsal which was a hurtful experience for a lot of people,” Y said.