A stunning farewell to Kelli O'Hara in Piazza

[IssaMe]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 6:09pm

For her final performance in Light in the Piazza (after 3 1/2 years with the show from the early workshops), Kelli O'Hara was greeted with a thunderous ovation and a touching and funny curtain speech from her on-stage mother Victoria Clark.

Victoria pointed out that Kelli was the strength that she relied upon and called Kelli "Mother" as her backstage nickname because she was such a solid force for the entire cast.

Her going away present to Kelli was a stuffed pony (VERY ingenious and funny).

O'Hara was the cast member who has been with the show the longest, having participated in the workshops and having played Franca in Seattle and Chicago pre-New York.

How did they EVER get through the lines near the end :

Clara (Kelli) : I can't leave you.

Margaret (Victoria) : Yes, you can!

The audience gave her several standing ovations - and a rousing send-off.

May she find such love in The Pajama Game!

[Aigoo]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 6:17pm

God, I just about died right here. What it must've been like to be THERE.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 6:18pm

One of the reasons I didn't go was because I didn't want to burst into tears and make a fool of myself!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 6:19pm

Since when has that ever stopped you??

[YankeesFan175]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 6:21pm

omg, that part about "i cant leave you"......i wouldve died there. did they seem more choked up than usual?

[Horton]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 6:23pm

I had tkts but didnt go because of the snow, i sent my all-time best friend thought, I hope he liked it

[apdarcey]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 6:23pm

that would have killed me. kelli o'hara is a treasure.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 6:23pm

Since when has that ever stopped you??

Hehe...I know.

[IssaMe]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 6:24pm

Actually, although there were some tears earlier, there wasn't too much choking up until the curtain call - and then it really got pretty emotional. Kelli was VERY moved.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 7:01pm

I've been planning on seeing The Pajama Game ever since I heard that was her next project. I'm throughly excited to see her again. :) I thought she was phenomenal in LITP.

[billygoatgirl300]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 10:03pm

I wish I could have been there. Good luck to Kelli for The Pajama Game.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 10:04pm

i am choked up reading the thread because kelli is a friend of mine and i never got to see her in the show. she is brilliant and i feel so honored to know her and to have shared the stage with such a talented and supportive woman.
does anyone know that she is pretty funny too?! i would love to see her in something funny. anyway, i am glad that she has the opportunity to be seen in something that will be completely different for her in Pajama Game.
You will all love her in that too!!

[Composer9]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 10:06pm

Sounds like it was more than wonderful. Thanks for sharing! I am really really excited for The Pajama Game now! Kelli is unstopable!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 10:08pm

She was quite choked up as she finished singing the title song in Act 2. She had tears in her eyes as she went off stage. There seemed to be many touching moments througout the show when she lingered a little longer or added an extra giggle or had a teary twinkle in her eye.

Victoria Clark was gracious and lovely and moving during her speech honoring Kelli, and there were many tears on stage from her fellow cast members.

And...there were many tears in the audience.

It was a beautiful performance and farewell.

[lvpblues]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 10:43pm

I was thrilled I was able to see the show today (for the seventh time). I agree with all the above. Yet another moving performance, with some stunning moments from all the leads. (There did seem to be a little extra oomph between Kelli and her scene partners). The original leads have grown comfortable in their roles (in the good, exciting way) and Vicki never ceases to amaze me, always giving a dynamic performance. I find I prefer Aaron Lazar as Fabrizio (whose voice blends so beautifully with Kelli's) and Chris Sarandon is a classy replacement in the role of Signor Naccarelli. The show remains fresh as ever, no signs of boredom anywhere.

The emotions were high as everyone said. And there was quite a beat for the "I can't leave you." It was truly moving. (The women to my immediate right, who hadn't seen the show before were all wrecks as well during the curtain call. It was really cute). I loved Vicki's comment in her tribute about picking the right gift for Kelli - that it was either the stuffed pony or the entire first floor of Tiffany's.

I look forward to my 8th trip, which can't come soon enough.

[FrancisGumm]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 10:54pm

thanks to everyone for their input! keep them coming! i wish i would have went!

[ShuQ]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 10:59pm

Sounds wonderful! I only wish I could have been there! Did anybody stagedoor?

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 11:17pm

Kelli O'Hara is awesome. One of the main reasons I'd see Pajama Game.

[soulman83]

Posted: 12/4/05 at 11:30pm

she moved my soul like none other all 3 times i saw her in Piazza. i am so grateful to have seen her.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 12/5/05 at 12:57am

I made the trip on from DC just to see Kelli's last performance. I'm so glad I did. LITP just keeps getting better and better!

[IssaMe]

Posted: 12/5/05 at 7:29am

Also, Kelli came in early so that she could go around and greet the theater staff (front of house, ushers, etc.) and thank them.
What a truly wonderful person she is.

[WholeLottaShakin]

Posted: 12/5/05 at 9:27am

That totally goes with what Vicki said in her speech about Kelli leaving a piece of her heart in every part of the theatre. Kelli's a classy lady. I'll really miss her Clara.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/5/05 at 9:28am

I was there yesterday afternoon as well. Kelli's "The Beauty Is" and "The Light in the Piazza" both left me breathless. She is an incredible performer and I can't wait to see her in the Pajama Game!

At the stagedoor, there were fewer people waiting then I had expected, but when Kelli came out, she was holding tons of flowers and gifts in her left hand, but still signed for everyone before she left. I told her that it was my fifth time seeing the show and that I will be at the first preview of The Pajama Game.

Kelli O'Hara is a star. Once the Pajama Game closes (in June), she will have worked on Broadway for nearly 2 years without a break. (Dracula, LITP, PJ Game) This woman should always be working. I consider myself lucky to have seen her on stage 6 times and I am eager to see what she will do for many years to come.

Definitely a Tony award in her future...

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 12/5/05 at 10:42am

Her performance in Piazza was so warm and heart-felt. I've only seen it once with the original cast, and I don't want to go again as it was just the perfect theatrical experience with them all. Kelli is the ONLY reason I am going to see The Pajama Game.

Mary P x

[LittleFish8386]

Posted: 12/5/05 at 11:02am

I just read this like a day after the fact, and I cried. I miss Kelli.
What an amazingly wonderful performer and person she is. I am glad that she is becoming a big time star. Updated On: 12/5/05 at 11:02 AM