Sondheim Roles For Kelli O'Hara

[Soaring29]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 4:17am

It's a question a lot have people no doubt have thought about: Why does Kelli not do Sondheim more? The only Sondheim show she's been in is the 2001 revival of Follies as well as the  Playwright Horizon's production of Sunday In The Park With George production 10 years ago. Obviously, her voice, talent, and career path have led her to be the premiere interpreter of  Rodgers And Hammerstein as well as more Golden Age  type musicals, but now that she's getting older and becoming more of a leading lady,  I think it would be cool to have her play more of his roles. I've always wanted to see her as the Baker's Wife in Into The Woods and playing either Clara or Fosca in Passion would be interesting to see. Steven Pasquale stated in an interview that Sweeney and Mrs Lovett would be a good pair for them to play, but he's living in a dream world as far as I'm concerned. I could never imagine Kelli playing Mrs. Lovett, maybe in 20 years, but that's only a maybe. I could see Desiree Armfeldt possibly down the line as well, maybe sooner then 20 years.  Overall thoughts?

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 4:29am

I'm waiting for a O'Hara / Benanti production of Follies. They're both perfect for the roles and they'd sing it wonderfully.

[Soaring29]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 5:03am

In about 20 years or maybe even 30, we'll probably see that. 

[clb10162]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 7:03am

Soaring29 said: "In about 20 years or maybe even 30, we'll probably see that. 

"

Laura's 37 and Kelli's 41, so more like 10-15 years from now.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 7:12am

Yeah, lol. Sally and Phyllis are 49. O'Hara and Benanti aren't that far away for the roles. 

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 7:41am

Sally Durant Plummer said: "I'm waiting for a O'Hara / Benanti production of Follies. They're both perfect for the roles and they'd sing it wonderfully.

I agree.  I really am hoping to see this someday.

 

[JVJ93]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 7:53am

I personally think it should be Kelli and Sutton. She'd just fit better I think, humor wise. And her dancing during Lucy and Jessie would be amazing 

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 7:53am

Or Sutton Foster-Kelli O'Hara Follies production. 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 8:18am

Sally Durant Plummer said: "I'm waiting for a O'Hara / Benanti production of Follies. They're both perfect for the roles and they'd sing it wonderfully."

Never realized how much I wanted this until now.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 9:02am

Beyond Sally, the only Sondheim part that seems right for her is Beth in Merrily. Perhaps I'm missing one or two roles, but his catalog doesn't fit her in the way that it fits someone like Patti or Donna Murphy. 

[Valentina3]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 9:57am

I have always rooted for an Benanti - Sutton pairing for a Follies revival, but I think you can switch Benanti for Kelli. Sally would fit her like a glove. I wanted to see Benanti in that role because I think the character's desperations would be bit more of a challenge for her, and make her more vulnerable and hence appealing on stage. Sutton is the only person who can pull off the dance and icy steeliness of Phyllis out of the three. (Jennifer Simard for Carlotta? ^_^ )

For O'Hara - Benanti pairing, I'd honestly prefer a Passion revival. Probably no later than 5 years down the road. Also who knows, maybe the new Sondheim musical will have something for her?

Edit - was listening to the score of Passion again, and I really want to see both Benanti and O'Hara in both parts. How about a Little Foxes Revival like setup, with alternating roles etc.?

Updated On: 5/15/17 at 09:57 AM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 10:43am

Not that it's ever likely to happen, but one of the few Sondheim roles I easily see O"Hara in, and one that strikes me as a particularly inspired match would be Fay in Anyone Can Whistle.

[BakerWilliams]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 11:03am

Clara in Passion

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 11:41am

I would love to see Kelli and Laura originate a Sondheim role.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 11:48am

Leona Samish.

[Soaring29]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 5:46pm

Oh lol, I just assumed that the two female leads were in their 60s/70s. Not a Follies expert, lol. 

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 5:47pm

Kelli would have been great for Clara in Passion a few years ago, and she could probably still play it but not for much longer.  Honestly, I'd love to see her do something like Desiree, which she could TOTALLY sing.  I know the character is outside of her normal wheelhouse, but I feel like she could nail it.

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 6:06pm

Passion would be phenomenal - and Benanti has been dying to play Fosca.

[sondmon]

Posted: 5/15/17 at 6:35pm

Check out this awesome video of Laura doing a Fosca skit. It would be great, though I doubt we're getting a revival of Passion anytime soon.

[SidebySidebyLogan]

Posted: 5/16/17 at 1:17pm

Just to piggyback on everyone else's Follies comments- I've always said the perfect revival would be helmed by Bartlett Sher at the Lincoln Center with Kelli and Laura Benanti. Though the Sutton chatter does have me thinking... Aaron Lazar for Ben. Norbert Leo Butz as Buddy. And then sacrifice whatever virgin you have to to get Patti Lupone on board as Hattie. Maybe Stephanie J Block for Carlotta? Ooh or Carmen Cusack! 

Anybody have connections at the Vivian Beaumont so we can book some space? 

Updated On: 5/16/17 at 01:17 PM