I've seen LaChanze twice now and Patti 4 times (this coming Tuesday will be a 5th) and I think what LaChanze has against her is the construction of the show itself. She does the best she can (which is AMAZING) with what she's been given, but due to no fault of her own, she falls short of giving us the best Celie possible for this version of The Color Purple. Patti, on the other hand, is given great material and offers a brilliant new take on a beloved role in a smashingly reviewed revival. That LaChanze and Patti are both enormously talented actresses and singers is without argument. Patti is a Broadway legend who went through a nightmare 12 years ago when she was contracted to make her return to Broadway in a role that fit her talents like a glove, and she had it snatched from under her, undergoing a highly publicised law suit with one of Broadway's biggest legendary writers/producers. The show then went to Broadway without her, and the actress who replaced her won a Tony for her performance. Now it's 2006, and not only is Patti back, but she defies expectations in making the role of Mrs. Lovett her own and making it work. This is a triumphant return to Broadway after 17 years of maintaining a legendary status. I wish I could say LaChanze was given material as worthy of her talents as Patti was, but she wasn't. Out of Patti, LaChanze, Maria and Kelli, I would be thrilled to see any of them take home a Tony this spring. I think a win for Kelli would be a great way for the Tonys to recognize the amazing revival of The Pajama Game, given that the Best Revival Tony will likely go to Sweeney Todd. Not to mention that many feel Kelli was robbed of a Tony last season. Maria Friedman is a stunning human being and I have the greatest deal of respect for her and what she has gone through. I saw The Woman in White but did not get to see her perform, but from what I've read, she was the heart and soul of the show and made a ravishing Broadway debut. She is quite deserving of recognition.
All I can say is that there are going to be 4 very talented, hard working actresses heartbroken this spring and 1 equally deserving very lucky one who will go home with a Tony. Who that is going to be, at this point at least, is anyone's guess.
"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)
Updated On: 2/26/06 at 01:40 AM