I just heard that they dated in 2005 during the Chicago run of Piazza. Does anyone know if this is true? Side note: Kelli and Greg (now her husband) were broken up at the time.
Incorrect, Wilmington. Kelli O'Hara played Franca in both Seattle and Chicago and was in fact dating Adam Guettel during that time frame.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Sorry to disagree but Celia played the role both in Seattle and Chicago. As for O'Hara and Guettel dating at some point, they didn't consult me so I can't say.
Celia Keenan-Bolger played Clara out of town, the role O'Hara moved into in New York. O'Hara played Franca (a different character.) There's nothing to disagree over. Both O'Hara and Keenan-Bolger were in the show at the same time.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Wilmingtom, somethingwicked is indeed correct that both Celia AND Kelli did both Seattle and Chicago, albeit in different roles. Kelli got moved up to the part for Broadway.
I always thought she couldn't do Piazza because she got Spelling Bee.
And why is Pinto still here?
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I think she played the role too mentally challenged - the creative team decided to go in a different direction. A problem with the show is balancing Clara's character so she's not TOO slow, otherwise the relationship with Fabrizio turns really creepy, really fast. Also, they decided to make Margaret keeping Clara's problem a secret a main plot point that is only revealed to the audience in the middle of Act II, so I guess Celia made that secret a little too obvious, while Kelli just seemed like an immature, naive girl who doesn't think before taking actions (at least until Hysteria).
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
Celia Keenan-Bolger's performance had nothing to do with her dismissal from the show. Ultimately, the decision was made that she read too young and naive for the audience to fully trust Clara's relationship with Fabrizio. Whereas with Keenan-Bolger that storyline felt a bit like Clara was being taken advantage of, with a more womanly actress like Kelli O'Hara in the role, it was clearer that Clara was mature enough to handle the emotional experience of love despite her handicap.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.