R.I.P. Alaina Reed Hall
R.I.P. Alaina Reed Hall
#1R.I.P. Alaina Reed Hall
Posted: 12/21/09 at 7:58pm
Somewhere, behind a building, Big Bird is weeping. He may be 40 now and have long since learned the meaning of death, but that doesn't make the passing of his Sesame Street pal Alaina Reed Hall any easier. The actress, who starred as Olivia for 12 years on the PBS show, died of breast cancer on Dec. 17 in Los Angeles, reports Springfield, Ohio's Whio Radio. She was 63 years old. In addition to working with Muppets, Hall starred on the sitcom 227. She also graced the Great White Way as Matron Mama Morton in the original production of Chicago and the 1977 revival of Hair.
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Updated On: 12/21/09 at 07:58 PM
#2re: R.I.P. Alaina Reed Hall
Posted: 12/21/09 at 9:46pm
Just saw this. RIP, "Olivia."
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
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#2re: R.I.P. Alaina Reed Hall
Posted: 12/21/09 at 9:48pmSomehow the world just got a little colder. Loved watching her on Sesame street with my kids.
"All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."
Conan O'Brien
#3re: R.I.P. Alaina Reed Hall
Posted: 12/21/09 at 9:50pmAnd 227 and various commercials. Even after she left Sesame Street it seemed she was always in the house
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#5re: R.I.P. Alaina Reed Hall
Posted: 12/21/09 at 9:58pm
She was recently in a Jitterbug commercial, too, no?
Funnily enough, I think Alaina Reed really taught me my first lesson about tv not being real. I remember I had to realllly work out how this lady who was on other shows was also Olivia and lived on Sesame Street.
If I'm not mistaken, she was also a Lorrell in Dreamgirls, once upon a time, but I could be confusing her with someone else. I hope that's not racist. 
#6re: R.I.P. Alaina Reed Hall
Posted: 12/21/09 at 10:03pm
Phyllis:
Reed Hall Amini's light shined brightly on Broadway in such hits as "Hair" and "Chicago" which showcased her singing talent and she replaced Jennifer Holiday as "Effi" in Michael Bennet’s workshop production of Dreamgirls.
Former "Dreamgirl" Actress Alaina Reed Dead at 63
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
#7re: R.I.P. Alaina Reed Hall
Posted: 12/21/09 at 11:51pm
This is how I will choose to remember her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvxy2tiRBY8
#8re: R.I.P. Alaina Reed Hall
Posted: 12/22/09 at 12:16am
Wow, she replaced Jennifer Holliday in the workshop of Dreamgirls? I had no idea, but I did know that Jennifer had been fired at one point. That must have been a heartache for Alaina when Bennett decided to bring her back.
And PJ, that's a great clip. I didn't realize she had such a powerful voice.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
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Q
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/3/05
#10re: R.I.P. Alaina Reed Hall
Posted: 12/22/09 at 12:22am
I used to have this on cassette and just remember loving the sings. Sadly, I don't have it anymore and can't listen to the two songs Alaina sings
Sleepytime on Sesame Street
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
Tom1071
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/1/04
#11re: R.I.P. Alaina Reed Hall
Posted: 12/22/09 at 4:40pmI remember on 227 everytime Rose (Alaina Reed Hall) and Mary (Marla Gibbs) would sing they always sang the song, Girl Talk. Brings back memories of being a teenager and being home on Saturday nights.
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