The altercation began when the South Korean musical’s producers announced that white actor Andrew Barth Feldman would temporarily replace Filipino-American star Darren Criss as the male lead. There was instant outrage because the decision essentially replaced an Asian actor with a white one.
Several prominent AAPI performers, including Conrad Ricamora, Ruthie Ann Miles, Jose Llana, Kay Sibal, and BD Wong, who won a Tony Award for M. Butterfly in 1988, strongly condemned the decision, as did the Asian American Performers Action Coalition and the Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artists. The group referred to the casting decision as “a slap in the face” and “an affront to our community,” and they requested that the producers find another Asian-American actor to reprise the role.
Lily Tung Crystal, the artistic director of East West Players and a consortium board member, said, “This was an Asian-driven show with an Asian American cast, and it felt like a breath of fresh air to all of us.” “It was the show that promised to advance the discussion.” Instead, we seem to be moving backward.
BD Wong started an open letter that was signed by over 2,400 people, urging the musical’s creators to reconsider. The protest was sparked by this letter. Notable individuals like Donna Murphy, Ali Stroker, Awkwafina, Bowen Yang, Anthony Rapp, and Leigh Silverman are among those who signed. This heightens the demands for change on Broadway.
