A New Form of Identity Theft

Dear La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Director Chris Ashley, Director

Moises Kaufman, Casting Associate Tara Rubin & composers Steve

Sater/Duncan Sheik:

After watching the discussion panel on the “Nightingale”’s casting

controversy, I’ve learned that “suspension of disbelief” is not an

excuse for casting five non-Asians for the five Chinese named lead

characters in this Hans Christian Andersen fable set in “mythical”

China. I understand that a workshop is a work in progress, however it

was still a public performance for which you charged admission.

While it was “nice” (and I mean that in quotes) that La Jolla

Playhouse hosted a discussion panel due to overwhelmingly negative

feedback, this seemed nothing but lip service as the creative team

justified its casting ratio based on a “mythical” China and not the

real one.  When asked “If this were a mythical Africa would you have

dared to do the same?” and Director Kaufman’s esoteric diatribe was

thankfully interrupted by the opposing panel’s request for a more

direct answer, it further proved creative team’s

anorexic justification.

While a public apology was “nice” (and I mean that in quotes), action

is preferred. And by action I mean that a play set in “mythical China”

with a cast of 12 (previously workshopped with an Asian majority)

should have more than merely two female actresses in supporting roles

and at least one recognizably Asian male actor.

How fitting that a seemingly oblivious audience member asked “Are

there talented Asian singer/actors?” amidst a chorus of angry voices

in this supposedly-not-so-backward San Diego theatre community.

To paraphrase a Capitol One advertising slogan, I dare to ask a

similar question of the sponsors / backers of La Jolla Playhouse and

subsequently this production ~ “Who’s in your wallet?”

With all due respect to the very talented performers of the

“Nightingale”, the creative team has given a new meaning to Identity

theft.