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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 7 June 2019
Tony nominee Ali Stroker keeps on breaking Broadway barriers

By MARK KENNEDY She's against able-bodied
Associated Press actors being cast in dis-
NEW YORK (AP) — Ali Stro- abled roles, preferring that
ker booked her first musical casting agents widen their
theater gig at the tender search. "We don't cast
age of 7. She was cast as people and put them in
the title role in "Annie" in a blackface. It's completely
friend's backyard produc- inappropriate. I feel the
tion in a New Jersey beach same way about disability,"
town. she says.
And since Stroker was in a And Stroker also isn't a fan
wheelchair, Little Orphan of roles written specifically
Annie was also in one. for people with disabilities:
"When I began to sing, I just "It doesn't feel honest that
felt so free. There was like my story is all about being
no limitation," she says. "I in a wheelchair. That feels
was used to people staring boring."
at me, being a little girl in a Instead, she pushes for dis-
wheelchair. But being on- abled representation in
stage and the way people writers' rooms and behind
were looking at me, it was the camera, and asks that
so different. And I knew In this Thursday, May 30, 2019, photo, Ali Stroker poses for a portrait in New York. Stroker is on the the best actors get cast,
that was what I wanted to cusp of musical theater history. whether the roles call for a
do with the rest of my life." Associated Press disabled person or not.
Flash forward a few years She also has a message
and Stroker is on the cusp gether, talked about, rep- did theater in summers and debut in a revival of "Spring to fellow actors with dis-
of musical theater histo- resented. And this was just high school. If she wasn't Awakening." abilities: "Our job is not just
ry, thanks to her amazing such an important moment cast in a role, she did hair Since her breakthrough, to represent. Our job to be
voice, acting chops and for me because I think the or makeup. other actors with disabilities the best actor in the room.
some unconventional cast- most effective way to deal As with most young singers, have followed her onstage Because the truth is I don't
ing decisions. At the Tony with disability onstage and Stroker learned to sing by in New York. Jamie Brew- want a job because I'm in
Awards on Sunday, Stroker to deal with sexuality on- imitating. To belt, she mim- er, who starred in the off- a wheelchair. I want a job
could become the first per- stage is not to talk about it icked Sherie Rene Scott. Broadway play "Amy and because I'm the best actor
son in a wheelchair to win but to do it," she says. To hit her upper range, the Orphans," is thought to for the role."
a Tony. "We give permission to the she listened to Kristin Che- be the only known perform- In the middle of the Tony
She's nominated for her role audience to just watch and noweth. (Chenoweth re- er with Down syndrome Award hype, Stroker says
as a different Annie — Ado observe and learn. And I cently stopped by back- to play the lead in an off- she relies on her parents
Annie, in a radical remake think that in society we so stage at "Oklahoma!" to Broadway or Broadway and boyfriend as her "sup-
of the class musical "Okla- often are told, don't stare, offer her congratulations. "I production. In 2017, Madi- port system," and conserves
homa!" don't look, don't point and just feel like I owe her some- son Ferris, an actress with her energy. She craves
Paralyzed from the chest don't ask because it would thing maybe because she muscular dystrophy, was eight hours of sleep, plenty
down due to a car crash maybe make somebody was such an influence in cast as Laura Wingfield in of water and good food.
when she was 2, Stroker al- uncomfortable." my life," says Stroker.) a Broadway revival of "The When she describes her-
ready made history in 2015 Stroker, 31, grew up in After graduating from New Glass Menagerie." self, the chair she's sitting in
as the first Broadway actor Ridgewood, New Jersey, York University, Stroker was Stroker believes it's high doesn't get mentioned.
who used a wheelchair. where music, particularly in "The 25th Annual Putnam time the disabled are rep- "I'm just a girl from New Jer-
She advocates for equal cast albums, played a County Spelling Bee" at the resented on stages and sey who loves to sing. I love
access and disabled rights, role in her rehabilitation. Paper Mill Playhouse in New sound stages authentical- the beach. I'm a theater rat
and loves it when she sees She saw her first Broadway Jersey, as well as "The Glee ly, noting that one in five and I like challenges," she
disabled fans in the the- show — "Beauty and the Project" and "Glee" on TV. Americans lives with a dis- says. "Because I've never
ater, but she hopes her tal- Beast" — in first grade, and She made her Broadway ability. had any other choice."q
ent gets attention, too.
"I think the coolest part is to
see somebody whose eyes Obamas to produce exclusive podcasts for Spotify
light up and to hear them
say, 'I've never seen my- Associated Press raise new, diverse voices
self represented onstage. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Barack in the entertainment indus-
But, more than that, you're and Michelle Obama's pro- try. The Spotify partnership
so good,'" she says. "I don't duction company is team- seeks to expand the con-
want it to just be the inspira- ing up with Spotify to pro- versation.
tion. I am for some people duce exclusive podcasts In a statement, the former
but I just want to be the for the platform. president says podcasts of-
best in my field." Under the Higher Ground fer an opportunity to "fos-
This production of "Oklaho- partnership announced ter productive dialogue,
ma!" brings out the show's Thursday, the former presi- make people smile and
darkness and edginess. dent and first lady will de- make people think."
Stroker calls "I Cain't Say velop and lend their voices Michelle Obama says she
No," sung by Ado Annie, to select podcasts. hopes they can help peo-
"an anthem for living your The Obamas launched ple connect emotionally In this Oct. 31, 2017 file photo, former President Barack Obama,
life to the fullest." Higher Ground in 2018 with and open their hearts and right, and former first lady Michelle Obama appear at the
"Growing up, I never saw an initial partnership with minds.q Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago.
disability and sexuality to- Netflix. The idea was to Associated Press