Harriell to Succeed Olivo in IN THE HEIGHTS 11/18

"Marcy Harriell will join the 2008 Tony Award-winning Best Musical In the Heights on Nov. 18, taking over the role of Vanessa, which was created by Karen Olivo, who is soon headed into the new production of West Side Story.

Harriell has starred on Broadway in Rent and Lennon, and appeared in the Encores! production of Kismet. Her film work includes Quentin Tarantino's "Death Proof." Other theatre credits include Lucky Duck (Old Globe); Little Fish and Sorrows and Rejoicings (Second Stage); and Company (Kennedy Center). Her TV credits include "Queens Supreme," "N.C.I.S." and "Ed."

Olivo will play Anita in the new Broadway production of West Side Story in early 2009. It will tryout in Washington, DC. She exited In the Heights on Nov. 2 and the role is being played by understudies until Harriell's first show..."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/123085.html

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I'm sure she'll be great.

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Good, safe, reliable replacement.

Marcy is a fine choice!

I cant PICTURE this, but i can definitely *hear* it and it sounds awesome.

Ironic- Karen Olivo's Broadway debut was as Marcy's understudy in RENT.

Marcy was the worst thing about the Encores! production of KISMET.

The girl has a terrific voice, but there's a definite speech impediment of some sort and she looked terribly awkward in the costumes she wor in that show.

Maybe she'll fare better in something more contemporary.

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I think she was competing for the worse performance with Danny Gurwin (although it was rumored that she had a cold). But, yes, I tend to like her more with less "operetta-like" music.

Danny Glover DID have a cold. I met him backstage after the show.

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I'm so glad for her!

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I wanted Krysta to take over. I saw her on for Karen once and LOVED her she should have taken over.

She has a great voice...her ANOTHER HUNDRED PEOPLE on that site is gorgeous.

I'll be seeing her in two weekends!

"I wanted Krysta to take over. I saw her on for Karen once and LOVED her she should have taken over."

I also was hoping that Krysta would take over. But then I was hoping the same thing for Drew Sarich when Aaron Lazar left Les Miserables. All I can say is:

Ain't this a bitch!

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Supposedly she went on early--back on Saturday, I think.

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^ well that's depressing D:

Okay, well I haven't seen the show, and know very little about Marcy Harriell, so I won't judge yet.

But I definitely fall under the category of those who are heartbroken over Karen Olivo leaving.

Karen Olivo is...Vanessa. I can't seem to shake the idea out of my head. I'm just so used to her voice and interaction and presence on stage that I'd probably be sitting there when I watch the show wondering who that woman is who's standing in for Vanessa.

I rather liked the not-too-sassy portrayal of Vanessa's character that Karen had: she was more frustrated, more yearning, even childish on occasions. It felt real. Making Vanessa a sort of typical "sassy character" seems a bit blah to me.

But like I said, I'm only judging from clips. I'm really hoping I'm proven wrong, and that I'll enjoy Marcy as Vanessa just as much as I love Karen.

Oh, and I also loved the chemistry between Karen's Vanessa and Lin's Usnavi. For anyone who's seen the show lately, how does that relationship translate with Marcy and Lin?


I think I fail as a musical-watching audience because I tend to get attached to characters too easily. After I saw Kristen Chenoweth's jaw-dropping angelic role of Glinda, Megan Hilty's more down-to-earth approach just changed the show entirely for me.


Oh, I can't wait, but I'm still nervous about watching In the Heights... :P