Harry Connick Jr.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 1:18am

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Could he have been any less excited to be there? Kelly O'Hara and the ensemble were so full of energy and focused. Harry looked like he would rather be having a root canal. Is he better live? Does his face move?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 1:21am

Maybe he never played to 6,000 people before and he was scared.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 1:25am

Am I the only person who thinks that Kelly O'Hara (energy aside), is really mediocre as Babe? I thought it when I saw the show, and I was reminded of it, tonight. Janis Page and Doris Day, she ain't! I just find her vocals, all wrong for the show. And, yes, I agree about Connick tonight.
Updated On: 6/12/06 at 01:25 AM

[suzycat]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 1:28am

He was the same way during the rehearsals. We thought maybe he was just marking it and saving his energy for the actual telecast, but nope. He just performs that way, I guess. I was very underwhelmed. It's like he forgot that he was supposed to be acting.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 1:29am

Maybe he was nervous because Oprah was in the house. Or maybe she caught him backstage and said "Show up The Color Purple tonight and you'll never be on my show again."

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 1:32am

I didn't really have an issue with him, when I saw the show. Although, he's no ball of fire, and never has been. Both of the leading roles in PJ can be greatly improved, with other performers.

[jwsel]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 1:37am

On one of the other threads, someone said he was heavily medicated because of his back problems.

[neilberl]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 7:56am

He was definitely on something... that opening was the worst...

[WilliamT]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 8:23am

Gothampc, HILARIOUS! I love that image of HCJ & Ms O backstage dukin' it out. Probably didn't happen, but very fun to imagine.

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 8:26am

Yeah, I thought he sucked too.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 8:29am

He was fine and his back was hurting him. He had taken some medication so he could perform and be there. Lay off him, OK? He has played to audiences that size and it had nothing to do with Oprah. he wanted to participate and so he took some medicine to ease the pain in his back so he wouldn't disappoint anyone.

[Fiction Writer]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 8:30am

Why are you defending him? Are you his mother?

[neilberl]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 8:41am

Totally agree. He sucked.

When did his back go out on him? The producers needed to have a back up plan... let someone else sing his part...

Or, how about they actually feature scenes of all those musicals he sang - using a ton of people?

It was just so sad to watch. If I didn't like broadway and was just tuning in to see if anything interesting was happening...well, I would have immediately turned off the tv.

[jo]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 10:49am

Earlier in the day, I saw him in PAJAMA GAME and I thought he seemed stiff onstage - acting-wise, and even with his movements ( maybe he did have a bad back). But the voice (even though it was excellent for listening to albums or hearing in a cabaret act) did not flow effortlessly for legit stage singing. He was almost shouting in some parts.

When I heard and saw him in the TONY Opening number -- I was actually wincing! Also, I think he could do with a little bit more charm.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 11:00am

he wanted to participate and so he took some medicine to ease the pain in his back so he wouldn't disappoint anyone.

Well he disappointed a ****-load more people with that crappy performance than he would have if it was announced he was to ill to perform.

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 11:02am

"Am I the only person who thinks that Kelly O'Hara (energy aside), is really mediocre as Babe?"


Kelly O'Hara is mediocre, period.



Vivian Darkbloom
Ramsdale, New England

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 11:04am

Ahhh, positively insightful, EnchantedHunter.

[Here_I_Go_Again]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 11:08am

the opening was a MESSSSS!!!! bring back rosie and all the talent that used to shine in the 1st 10 min of the show....

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 11:11am

Frankly, it doesn't matter that HCJ back went out on him. It is his job as a preformer to give the audience his all, or give the audience nothing at all. I wouldn't have cared if HE didn't preform. I cared more that he was lifeless ad boring.

[freeadmission]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 11:13am

Kelli O'Hara?! Mediocre?! What on earth are you smoking? Everything she did last night was effortless, bursting with energy, and WONDERFUL!

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 11:20am

If nothing else, the Tonys are a vehicle, with nationally televised exposure, by which the magic that is Broadway could be shown to the rest of the country.

When the audience isn't hooked in the first few minutes, it isn't going to happen.

Mission not accomplished.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 11:21am

I think Harry may have made a bad decision to perform even thugh his back was hurting, but it seems (from interviews and such) that he has alot of respect for the theatre community, and he really wanted to be a part of the show. just my opinion. he may not be the best actor (I don't know, I haven't seen the Pajama Game) but he loves it, and he has a great voice. as for Kelli, she has a fantastic singing voice, and the fact that she has the versatility to go from Piazza to Pajama is great! I hope to see her in many shows to come.

[melzthegreat]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 8:28pm

I, personally, thought he did a fine job. It was nothing special, but he was out there singing and it was quite enjoyable. If the thing about the medication is true, then I applaud him for toughing it out and doing the performance.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 9:14pm

Kelli O'Hara definitely sucked me in. She's got amazing charisma and stage presence.


And I feel for HCJ. Even though we can sit here and say "he is a performer, he should be giving his all", it's very possible that he WAS giving all he had due to the medication and pain.

The thought the opening overall was just poorly conceived, and that doesn't sit on Connick Jr's shoulders.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/12/06 at 9:19pm

I was just underwhelmed by the opening period. I was at the awards and had hoped they would do something better to showcase the 60 Stars. Not a big fan of his to start with but that opening was weak.