As the brand new revival of West Facet Story continues preview performances forward of its February 20 opening, protests have begun to happen exterior the Broadway Theatre calling for the dismissal of actor Amar Ramasar.
A principal dancer at New York Metropolis Ballet, Ramasar performs Bernardo within the up to date staging from director Ivo van Hove. His casting was introduced in July, three months after arbitration discovered that New York Metropolis Ballet had overstepped in dismissing Ramasar and fellow New York Metropolis Ballet dancer Zachary Catazaro following an investigation into sexual harassment allegations. Catazaro declined to rejoin, although Ramasar is again on NYCB’s roster after receiving obligatory counseling.
The primary protest happened January 24, and the newest might be held January 31; organizers plan subsequent demonstrations on choose dates in February (together with opening evening). Moreover, a web-based petition calling for Ramasar’s dismissal, created by faculty pupil Megan Rabin (Ms. Rabin has no identified affiliation with the businesses or events concerned), has amassed over 20,000 signatures since December.
Ramasar was formally dismissed from NYCB in September 2018 after dancer Alexandra Waterbury filed a lawsuit in opposition to the corporate and her former boyfriend, Chase Finlay (one other principal dancer who had since resigned). The swimsuit alleged that Finlay, together with Ramasar and Catazaro, exchanged express photographs of Waterbury and different feminine dancers with out their data and consent. The firing was challenged by the American Guild of Musical Artists. The ensuing arbitration led to Ramasar’s reinstatement. Waterbury has voiced her assist of the protests on social media.
Ramasar was a forged member within the Broadway revival of Carousel on the time of his dismissal from NYCB. “All through that authorized course of, Amar obtained the complete assist of Actors’ Fairness Affiliation, and he’s at the moment a member in good standing of the union,” Rick Miramontez, President of DKC/O&M and spokesperson for West Facet Story, stated in an earlier assertion. “We’re aligned with Actors’ Fairness in its assist of Amar’s employment eligibility and his look in our manufacturing of West Facet Story.”
Regardless of the casting controversy—and sizable cuts and alterations to the fabric—the manufacturing has persistently performed to 100 p.c capability and has grossed over 90 p.c of its potential.
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