Angela Lansbury was one of the best Anna's ever. She had warmth, strength and really delivered on all the wonderful R&H numbers given to Anna. There was a special poignance to her "Hello, Young Lovers." For Anna to work as effectively as one would want, she has to seem mature to sing that song...imho.
CurtainPullDowner, I meant TONY, not Telly, Leung. The Chinese film actor who has been in some truly amazing films and gives remarkable performances (In the Mood For Love, Lust Caution). He's 51 years old. Does he even act in English? Or sing?
Ha, thanks Ray! I love Donna's more dramatic songs in The King and I. I think her most brilliant song is Shall I Tell You What I Think of You. It makes me laugh, cry and tingle from the glorious notes that she hits. However I do love Gertrude Lawrence's softer numbers like I Whistle a Happy Tune and Getting to Know You. But I think Audra could make all those songs sound the best they ever been.
The Broadway.Com piece states, "The Bridges of Madison County star Kelli O’Hara, who has been linked to the project for years, will likely star." It's not a foregone conclusion that she will play Anna Leonowens based on the wording of this sentence. I have no objections if O'Hara were cast but it's not a fait accompli.
Jewishboy, "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?" is one of my all time favorite showtunes, but specifically as performed by Donna Murphy. It's the definition of a tour de force performance. In her hands, it's a mini-play. And yes to Tony Leung! I did a quick Google search and came across multiple sites talking about how he speaks excellent English. all about a sexy King. He's insanely talented and his singing doesn't matter much since the role wasn't written for a singer, I'd love to see him play the role, what a great suggestion.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Question: This may be a silly question, but do you have any other projects in the works? Kelli O’Hara: I have a couple of projects that I’m pretty excited about. I’m going to do my first Metropolitan Opera gig, which has kind of been my dream. For New Year's Eve next year, The Merry Widow, with Rene Fleming and Nathan Gunn and Susan Stroman. And then I’m in talks for doing The King and I.
Has anyone else wondered what an announcement like this might mean for Kelli's chances at winning the Tony this season? She has the whole "always a bridesmaid never a bride" thing working in her favor but if voters know they have another opportunity to honor her next season (in a role that has a history of bagging actresses awards) will they think twice before checking her name?
I think we often overestimate the voters' thought process. If Kelli was their favorite, she'll win. I honestly can't see any of the other ladies, except for Jessie Mueller taking it from her, but I think the consensus is that it's "her time" this year. What would be more interesting is thinking about whether O'Hara will be able to land back-to-back Tony Awards, Murphy almost did it when she won for PASSION in 1994 and THE KING AND I in 1996.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Oh please. Every single person I have even the faintest respect for agrees that it is Mueller's award tonlose and not one soul has found O'Hara superior.
On The topic of King and I, it would be a shame to have another Sher-O'Hara team up for this. He apparently doesn't know a single other leading lady with even a marginal soprano? Really? I am sure she would be fine... Well sung, bland, and fine.
Removing marquee standing from the running, I personally think that Jessica Grove would acquaint herself quite nicely in Anna's hoop skirts.
Unless it's one of three go to divas that are already 15-20 yrs too old for the roles they usually are in, the queens will gripe. Grove is age and type appropriate in every way. Of course, that is meaningless here whete some will reason any way to get an ill fitted favorite into a role at the exclusion of all others... Then they wonder whete the next generation of abroadway stars is... Not booking work because a small cluster i sists that 5 people play everything in rep.
Ted Chaplin was the overseer of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Lyrics and Lyricists the other night and he must have thought while listening to Rebecca Luker sing the songs that she would make a great Anna. When she did This Nearly Was Mine, it stopped the show that evening. I wonder if Luker might be the fallback if O'Hara doesn't do it. I just think Luker singing Hello, Young Lovers would be perfection every night.
Melissa Errico would be very, very good casting. I could totally see her in the role. Rebecca Luker is also an inspired choice.
What vocal range do we think the King is? (There is a bass-baritone I'm thinking of, who, while a bit young, is a rather commanding presence on stage (he is of Asian descent).)
I don't really get the dislike for O'Hara. I thought she was terrific in The Light in the Piazza and South Pacific, and I think her performance in Bridges is amazing. I would love to see her do The King and I; I think the role fits her like a glove.