If you follow my blog, you know that last week I passed on the rumor that the ultra-talented and underrated Anika Noni Rose was being talked about in the new production of “The Wiz” which will be mounted this summer in NYC. Well I just found out that Ashanti is actually going to play the role of Dorothy when “The Wiz” runs from June 12th to July 5th at City Center. Let’s just call it the Beyoncé effect.
Yes, I’m still stunned that our Bey made $28 million for that interracial imitation of “Fatal Attraction”. Now she’s looking at superheroes including Wonder Woman much to rabid fan’s dismay. But why not? Clearly, there is an audience for her whether she has the acting chops or not so she’s a smart cookie to capitalize on the following.
I am not sure the same can be said for Ashanti. (Well you know it can’t.) Her music career hasn’t exactly been going gangbusters lately—”The Declaration” had pretty disappointing sales. And then there’s her acting career, which has mostly consisted of bit parts in movies like “Coach Carter” “Resident Evil:Extinction” and “John Tucker Must Die”.
But maybe, just maybe, casting directors knew she was right for the role of Dorothy based upon her work in the television project “The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz”. Her version of Dorothy Gayle must have bowled them over. Anyway, now Ashanti is following in the footsteps of Stephanie Mills (who created the role on Broadway) and Diana Ross (who botched the role on film–but let me be clear her acting wasn’t the problem). I know Stephanie Mills is an R&B singer but she did that years after her seminal Broadway role. (The same with the awesome Heather Headley).
I am not only curious as to whether Ashanti can really act but can she also sing a song like “Home” and bring tears to our eyes? Well those of us in the NYC area will find out. All I can say is Ashanti please bring your A game because you’ve got big shoes to fill.
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April 30th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
This is BLASPHEMOUS!!! I am so disappointed for ALL of the TALENTED actresses who wait for a break like this – and then it goes to a “name”, not even a world-reknowned name … this is just SICKENING! And I’m NOT hating on Ashanti, but come on. There’s a THOUSAND black women who can sing better than her, let alone act! I’m skeptical, but want to see firsthand how she handles my FAVORITE play/movie of all time! I guess we have to “Believe” she can do it, if not they need to let her “Ease on Down the Road” to her “Home”. SICK, I tell you – I’m just SICK!
October 18th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
get a life scj..you go out and audition for it and see if you would do any better…