Anyone but me think it weird to have Kelli O'Hara as Babe?

[jasobres]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 3:41pm

I mean, I've only heard her sing opera and this role has a lot of belting. Can she belt? Better yet, can she dance, because when you're in a musical directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, there's sure to be a lot of dancing, right?

[Pippin]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 4:31pm

you need to buy sweet smell of success. her voice is much less classical sounding on that cd. I am so excited to see her as babe and sing I'm not at all in love.

[hannahshule]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 4:33pm

we'll soon find out. Personally, I'm just glad they took a Broadway actress to do this role, instead of stunt casting someone like Britney (lets not go there again) or something. I'm excited to seeing a golden age musical!

[tagiunagi]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 4:38pm

Yea... Kelli doesn't scream Babe to me. I've never heard her as a belter, but you never know.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 4:48pm

i'm sure she will surprise us all. i'll post my review after I see the show on January 19th.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 4:50pm

I think her leaving Piazza early says that she has a lot to work on. Whether that is dance technique or just learning the role, I dunno. Only time will tell, I suppose.

side note: am i the only one who says "i suppose" anymore?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 4:53pm

Kelli left Piazza on December 4th because Pajama Game rehearsals began on December 5th...FYI

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 4:57pm

Am I wrong that she had the option to stay until her mini-kelli was ready to take over for Clara? Didn't she decide to just dedicate her energy solely to one project instead of doing two at the same time?

Or was her cover always supposed to take over on the 5th, and the replacement was just ready?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 5:00pm

i hadn't heard that, touchme, but that may be true, i suppose.

[TheatreDiva612]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 5:04pm

I don't see it. At all.

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 6:07pm

I thought it was a bit weird, but I have no doubt she will be amazing...

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 6:11pm

touchmeinthemorning, from what I understand, Katie Clarke's first performance was supposed to be the 16th, but her put-in was the 9th. Kelli had to leave anyway, as rehearsals started the day after her last show.

[YOU_aremyLucky_STAR]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 7:34pm

I think she will be brilliant. I have full confidence that she can pull this one off beautifully.

I am also excited to hear her "I'm not At All in Love." :)

[Georgeanne]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 7:39pm

On broadway.com, Kelli did say that one of her resolutions was to hone her belting skills to become a "kick-ass Babe!"

[Doogie]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 7:49pm

I think she'll definitely be able to sing it.... no, it won't be like Judy Kaye on the studio CD where she belts the sh*t out of it, but I think she may do a nice little Doris Day-ee type thing.

Its pretty clear that they aren't doing any really updating for this. and I say THANK GOD.... w/ Connick and O'Hara, it'll be like, classic 50's crooner, and classic girl next door. It'll be fun, I bet.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 8:19pm

IT struck me as odd at first, but when you think about it, classical training is the basis for all singing, including belting, and it's obvious she's classically trained. I'm sure she'll belt the hell outta the role and surprise everyone, which, i must say, will be very good for her career, showing her versatility.

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 8:24pm

Every time I read the name of this thread I think it says "Anyone think it's weird to think that Kelli O'Hara is a babe?"

[Doogie]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 9:43pm

well, Babe isn't a tough role to sing, belter or not.


Also, regarding Piazza, I'm SURE she could have stayed longer had they needed her too. I believe Matthew Morrison had a week or two of overlapping Piazza performances and Appian Way rehearsals. Kelli left a full 6 and a half weeks before previews will begin for PJ Game. Morrison started perfs. in Appian Way 10 days after he left Piazza.

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 12/28/05 at 10:59pm

I know they are reworking the show a lot, so maybe they have reinvisioned the character of Babe. I have also had a hard time picturing O'Hara in this role even though I thought she fabulous in both Piazza and in Sweet Smell. Maybe they want Babe to be a little gentler and not so brash or a little more vulnerable. I have done the show twice and have two recordings (Janice Paige and Judy Kaye). Babe is a very strong and independent character and not the sweet ingenue that Kelli normally plays. Either Kelli O'Hara wants to break form or maybe we will just have to get used to a reinvisioned Babe Williams.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 12:19am

I have had trouble with this casting from the get go, but i am a fair person and do think Kelli is an amzing talent and want to give her a chance. I just don't have a lot of faith in Kathleen Marshall, She is probly the safest Director/Choreographer(?) around but not the most creative. Maybe Harry saw a pretty face and great voice and fell for her (looking at the press for the show It is obviously a Connick Production. But Kelli leaving (in my opinion) the most accomplished new musical in years, where she created a wonderful deep role (Not by herself, the creative team and others(Ceilla) also helped, for the lead in an old chestnut like "Game" is a wierd choice.

Playing the lead in another Broadway show is not usually a bad choice unless it is not the right role.
But again I like Kelli and will wait to see how she does.
I hope they don't soften Babe, that would really upset the thrust of the realtionship.

I also hear Adam is not happy that the Roundabout took Matt and now Kelli. But of course that was the actor's choice.
Updated On: 12/29/05 at 12:19 AM

[BrendanStryker]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 12:31am

Not as weird as Harry Connick as Sid. I'm not thrilled by this cast, at all. I so love THE PAJAMA GAME, too.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 1:09am

Looking forward to seeing Kelli. I think she's awesome!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 1:26am

i think kelli will surprise people. she isn't anything like the characters she plays. she is a strong woman and stands up for herself and is edgier and goofier than she has been seen as so far.

i am really proud of her for making this choice. as she gets older it important that she show this side of her acting ability because she can't do those ingenue roles forever. she is at a good age right now to diversify. i also hope that they don't soften the character. babe needs to be a little ..whats the word? brash, feisty...kelli can do it. hopefully she will be directed well. i wish anyone but kathleen marshall were directing this show though.

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 12:59pm

I think Kelli O'Hara is an extremely talented lady and I can't wait to see another side of her. I have no doubts that she will do well...perhaps she will be a different Babe than I would have envisioned, but who's to say that is bad?

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/29/05 at 2:56pm

No doubt she will be outstanding just like she was in her other roles.