Finalists for the role of Nellie in South Pacific

[cat4]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 2:26pm

I was reading a NY Times article and it mentioned that there were four finalists for the role of Nellie (which eventually went to Kelli O’Hara) in the current production of South Pacific.
I've seen the show 3 times (I know, it's crazy) and think O'Hara does a great job. I do wonder who the other 3 finalists were though.

Back in early 2007 it was reported that both Scarlett Johansson and Reese Witherspoon were 'in the running' to play Nellie Forbush. Not sure if they even made it to the final callback. Does anyone have any information?
Updated On: 8/31/08 at 02:26 PM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 3:10pm

LOL!!!

[Mo3]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 4:02pm

Well, Kelli was in the producers' mind from the start, but I think they would have thrown her over for a movie name. I am pretty sure the "four finalists," however, did not include any movie stars who were interested or who were being courted.

The only one I know for sure who was a finalist was Kate Baldwin, a fantastic Nellie who has done the role in Washington, D.C. and other places. It's my understanding she came right down to the wire for the part - first runner-up, if you will. She has a beautiful voice and acts the role very well. Ultimately they stuck with their original thought of having Kelli do it. I think I heard another finalist was Erin Dilly, who toured in the part.

[[e-mail]]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 4:56pm

Was Reba ever seriously considered for the role?

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 5:09pm

I heard Maggie Gyllenhaal (sp?)

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 5:10pm

Too bad. I love Kate Baldwin.

[evadiva]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 5:31pm

Love love LOVE hearing about who was up for what.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 5:52pm

A LOT of tv/movie names were seen/asked/etc for the role. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Scarlett Johanson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Lauren Ambrose, among others.

However, they were never in any "finalist" position. the creative team didnt want this production to be about "so and so coming to broadway!" because that would take away from their intentions. I'm glad they stuck to their guns with Kelli.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 6:16pm

Aaron Tveit.

[antiandrewx]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 6:19pm

Wasn't Victoria Clark rumored as well?

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 6:20pm

I'm pretty sure Victoria Clark was a fans wishful thinking. She is 20 years too old for the role.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 6:20pm

I'm pretty sure Victoria Clark was a fans wishful thinking. She is 20 years too old for the role.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 6:25pm

I believe I read an interview with Kelli that alluded to the fact that Clark was also up for it.

She was talking about how "her mentor" was in the same audition room, something to that effect, and it's fairly well known that Victoria and Kelli are mentor and mentee. Kelli's mentioned that in interviews, too, I believe.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 6:26pm

Yeah. I'm pretty sure Victoria is her vocal teacher/coach.

Anyway. I for one cannot see 50 year old Victoria Clark jumping around an island in a bikini top lol.
Updated On: 8/31/08 at 06:26 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 6:33pm

I can't imagine Victoria Clark ever being seriously considered for the role. And if she was, well, I'm glad they didn't get her to do it. Who would have played Emile? John McMartin?
Lauren Ambrose would have been perfection as Nellie, but alas it didn't happen. Although I am not a Kelli O'Hara fan, I certainly prefer her over someone like Erin Dilly.
Reba is too old for the role. She was great in the concert but just like Brian Stokes Mitchell wouldn't be right for Emile, she would have been miscast as Nellie in an actual Broadway production.