"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
This article was an all out rave for Kelli O'Hara. I enjoyed last night's WABC special on SOUTH PACIFIC. I have $75 seats for December (I have to plan ahead since I no longer live in NYC). Does anyone know how long O'Hara and her co-star will be in the musical?
In 1950 my mother and friends went to see the OBC of SOUTH PACIFIC and raved about it, especially Ezio Pinza. She bought the OBCR which consisted of eight 78 RPM records, and I played them all of the time. What a score! As a kid I particularly liked "I'm In Love With a Wonderful Guy", "Happy Talk", and "You Have to be Taught". "This Nearly Was Mine" remains one of the all time great songs from any musical.I look forward to December.
I saw South Pacific yesterday. I think Kelli O'Hara is giving the best lead actress performance of the season. Understated, well sung, appropriate to the piece, and authentic.
"Why do you care what people might say? Why try to fit into their design?" (Side Show)
Finally some of the recognition she deserves. I love Patti, but in my opinion Kelli is doing a better job in her show. It's a shame that people can't distinguish a very good performance of a belty musical assault on an audience from an extremely great performance of a more mellow character. I really hope she wins the Tony.
I, too, would love to see Kelli take it home. Or someone other than Patti (Kelli especially), although LuPone is giving a wonderful performance.
"I'll cut you, Tracee Beazer!!!!
...Just kidding. I'd never cut anyone." -Tina Maddigan, 9/30/06, WS stage door
Avatar: JULIE "EFFING" WHITE, 2007 TONY WINNER. Thank God.
I'm thinking about legally changing my name to Lizzie Curry...
While I still feel the Tony is Patti's, I would be ecstatic if Kelli won.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
-- "It's a shame that people can't distinguish a very good performance of a belty musical assault on an audience from an extremely great performance of a more mellow character."
Why couldn't it be that some people find Ms. LuPone's performance to be the better one? Does it really have to be labeled "a belty musical assault on an audience" just because one likes Ms. O'Hara more?
I just think it needs to be noted that the character of Rose is quite a different woman than that of Nellie Forbush. The roles require different elements. Both Ms. LuPone and Ms. O'Hara are doing extraordinary things in their respective shows. But the fact that Ms. O'Hara is playing a role that allows her to be a little more "mellow" does not make her performance better or even more nuanced. Ms. LuPone can't and shouldn't be "mellow" in the role of Rose. She or any other actress would tank doing that with this character. Her performance, though, still contains lovely details and a great deal of nuance throughout.
Ms. O'Hara deserves and has received great praise for her work. I just needed to jump in because I don't think degrading Ms. LuPone's work (which is just as extraordinary and maybe better, but as we all know, that's subjective) is appropriate just because one prefers Ms. O'Hara's performance. They are both doing incredible things with very different animals. Updated On: 5/18/08 at 06:42 PM
Higgins, I didn't make myself clear, so I am sorry. I LOVED Patti. Don't get me wrong. I think she is wonderful. And I don't think that people who liked Patti's performance better than Kelli's are wrong. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion. And I completely agree with everything that you said. My statement is based on the fact that Patti has gotten significantly more press as being outstanding in the big, brassy role of Rose. Kelli, who is equally wonderful, has gotten little to no press. Also, many people on BWW have referred to Kelli's performance as boring (which is fine if they truly believe that, but is unfortunate if it's just that it isn't as showy of a role as Rose). But that's neither here nor there. I just mean to say that Kelli has finally received some deserved praise, and that is a great thing.
I'm so glad you responded. I completely agree with everything you just said =)
Ms. O'Hara certainly earned this very kind article.
Count me in as someone who sees tremendous merit and value to both Ms. O'Hara and Ms Lupone's work. Everyone is going to have his/her pick of who they'd give the awards to, but as you noticed and so nicely commented on, I just think it's important that both of these ladies be given their due and neither have anything taken away from her incredible performance.
I, also, hope that Kelli walks away with the Tony. Patti is great too, but I'd really like to see Kelli's performance be recognized. Maybe there will be a tie.
Echoing what someone else asked: anyone know how long Kelli and the rest of the cast will be in SP?
I loved Kelli's performance and I wish she could either beat or tie Patti for the Tony. She is really amazing. I can't wait to see the show again soon.
"A birdcage I plan to hang. I'll get to that someday. A birdcage for a bird who flew away...Around the world."
"Life is a cabaret old chum, only a cabaret old chum, and I love a cabaret!"-RIP Natasha Richardson-I was honored to have witnessed her performance as Sally Bowles.
I think Patti's success in the show is the reason for the show's present success. If she wins the Tony, it may help the run of the show. A win for O'Hara would do little for the run of "South Pacific", which is going to be a hit for a while longer anyhow.
This isn't a reason to give a Tony, I know. Or not soley a reason.
Also, it seems Patti's success - and the show's - is taken for granted. Remember, no one thought this revival was a good idea last fall? Everyone thought it wouldn't sell... "She's not a movie star!" "Everyone who saw her do it, saw her do it."
The fact is, this whole revival rides on Patti's back. And it's successful. I think that should be recognized and rewarded.