WEST SIDE STORY Performer Speaks Out Against Amar Ramasar

Before last night’s performance of the Broadway revival of West Side Story, a group of about a dozen protesters gathered outside to peacefully voice their outrage over the casting of Amar Ramasar in the show. And their display did not go unnoticed. Many waiting patrons walked up to the group to ask questions. Upon learning the details regarding Ramasar, I heard more than one person say that if they had known this before, they never would have bought tickets. It was an effective protest that accomplished exactly the goal it set out to do.

But the protest wasn’t just felt by the people outside the theatre, but there were some who were watching it unfold inside the theatre as well. I received an email from a performer in the show. Not knowing what the expect, I was pleasantly surprised that they supported Ramasar’s accuser and the folks protesting outside the theatre. They requested to remain anonymous and I will always honor that request. Here is their statement:

I’m writing this to you on my way home from the theatre and my hands are shaking. Is it from the cold or my nerves writing this? I can’t tell. What I do know is that I support anyone and everyone protesting Amar’s casting. I’m not speaking for anyone else in the cast but it’s been an issue for me from the moment he showed up to rehearsals.

I haven’t followed the story from day one but when I did read the details, I was and still am appalled. I hate that I have to share the stage with him. I hate seeing him smile or laugh backstage. I hate seeing him reap rewards of adoration from audiences who don’t know or who haven’t bothered to look up what happened.

But most of all, I hate that I can’t say the things I want to say freely. I’m young. I’m at the beginning of what I hope is a long career and as passionate as I am about wanting to scream from a soapbox about this, I’m just as passionate about wanting to continue to work on Broadway and I know people have been blacklisted for saying less. I’m sorry about that. I’m sorry to Alexandra, who’s braver than I’ll ever be, and to anyone else who is looking for more people to speak out. I wish I had nothing to lose. Please just know that your anger isn’t being ignored and if anything, it’s shared. Thank you for giving me this platform.

While some might criticize this performer for not putting their name out there publicly or mor for not coming out, know that this show is being produced by Scott Rudin and over a dozen of the performers are making their Broadway debut. We will keep following up on this issue and will publish updates as soon as we can.