Is Patina Miller the frontrunner for Lead actress right now?- Page 7

[bdn223]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 11:13am

I honestly think Laura deserves it and may get it, but unfortunately her show opened in late February/early March so all the buzz about her performance has died down. She is not playing such a ground breaking character (Alice Ripley in Next to Normal), carrying the entire production on her back (Glen Close in Sunset Boulivard or even Carolee Carmello in Scandalous if the show was better written), a legend (Patti Lupone in Gypsy), or making her starring role debut (Sutton Forster in Millie, and Marissa Jaret Winokur in Hairspray).
Her and Pattina are both moderately successful in the new set of Broadway leading ladies. Patina is riding Pippin's raves into reviews into award season, giving her the edge.

[dreaming]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 11:17am

I think Patina will get it, but I could see Laura Osnes taking it. One problem with Laura Osnes' chances is that the Cinderella producers haven't marketed HER, rather they marketed the SHOW. I haven't seen very much press about her, but more about the show as a whole (which is fine-and has worked from the look of things). I've seen a few articles about Patina and the role of the Leading Player, as well as interviews about the decision to cast a woman, etc.

The press for Patina is definitely there-and it may well help her come Tony night.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 12:50pm

Patina has it. Laura will be nominated but she has no buzz. No one is marketing her..

[SamIAm2]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:05pm

Honestly, I don't think that Laura needs marketing to give her the advantage. She has earned so much affection and "street cred" within the industry that many (including voters) are eager to give her the recognition.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:07pm

Yeah but is this really the role the industry wants to recognize her for? Im sure she is great in it but she is playing a disney princess...

Updated On: 4/29/13 at 01:07 PM

[Wynbish]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:09pm

I agree with Sam. Her "street cred" coupled with the fact she was just nominated last year.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:10pm

If Laura wins, I will be disappointed. I literally have never been so bored by someone onstage. I hated Pippin, and I'd still root for the fascinating Patina Miller to take it. I'd root for Stephanie J. Block to take it over her. Honestly. Anybody who actually takes the material they're given and twists it and puts their own spin on it by making actual dramatic choices. Please.

Updated On: 4/29/13 at 01:10 PM

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:11pm

I predict Laura in an upset.

[SamIAm2]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:11pm

I think that it can be the vehicle. Very strong acting, singing and dancing, excellent reviews and she leads an exceptionally strong cast.

[suestorm]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:11pm

sure she is great in it but she is playing a disney princess

you do know that Cinderella is French right? and was first published in 1697 right? I believe that was before Walt Disney was even born.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:13pm

Patina was nominated for sister act a few years ago. It seems to me that Patina has more "street cred" than Laura. Plus, Patina has the more challenging role.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:13pm

Wait wait wait. I saw Cinderella. Where was her "exceptionally strong acting"? She was the exact same person at the end of the show as she was at the beginning. There was no depth to her character. She never did anything unexpected and every acting choice she made was safe and predictable. She brought absolutely nothing new to what we already know about Cinderella.

Her performance isn't bad, and it's probably exactly what they want to give the families who see the show, but it's certainly not Tony-worthy.

[suestorm]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:15pm

laura was nominated just last year for Bonnie and Clyde, quite an endorsement since the show lasted only a couple of months.

Kelly, that voice, that amazing voice!!

[broadway guy]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:16pm

"you do know that Cinderella is French right? and was first published in 1697 right? I believe that was before Walt Disney was even born."

yeah and last time i checked, Laura still gets to put on the pretty dress and crown. What is the point you are trying to make?

Ps. Did you know that Cinderella was not actually the her name?

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:16pm

The nomination is for Best Actress, not Best Singer Her voice is lovely, but it doesn't do it for me. Everything about her to me seems technical. I'm never thrilled by her or surprised by her. She's never bad, but she never quite makes the leap to "great".

Updated On: 4/29/13 at 01:16 PM

[Wynbish]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:18pm

The comparison between characters' journeys in the show hasn't worked out all the time. Example: Raul Esparza/David Hyde Pierce

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:19pm

That's a fair point, but Laura Osnes is not David Hyde Pierce.

[suestorm]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:25pm

well LO must be doing something right, shes will have 2 Best Actress Nominations (shes in every sure to be nominated list) back to back.

[SamIAm2]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:28pm

Laura brings qualities of strength, altruism, forgiveness and a touch of humor to the role of Cinderella that are new to that character. She modernizes a classic role(via DCB's new book) and convincingly walks the tightrope in a way that many actors might not. She performs that feat so well that it is easy to miss the skill with which she pulls it off in a way that makes the character shine.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:29pm

No one is saying she isn't talented. I adore Laura but her winning over Patina would be a great injustice.

Updated On: 4/29/13 at 01:29 PM

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 1:30pm

"She performs that feat so well that it is easy to miss the skill with which she pulls it off in a way that makes the character shine."

Sorry, I didn't miss anything. I've seen Cinderella done every different way and have seen almost every incarnation of R&H's version. It's kind of my favorite fairy tale. Cinderella has always been forgiving, strong, and altruistic. Are you completely unfamiliar with the many, many versions of this tale that have existed for literally thousands of years? These aren't new qualities invented by DCB or by Laura Osnes.

[SamIAm2]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 2:13pm

Kelly, I claim no particular expertise in Cinderella, my experience being limited to watching the three R&H TV versions, the Disney movie and now this Broadway production. (I saw some of these a good while ago and so my memories of them have probably faded.) This production, especially Laura's portrayal of Cinderella, is the only one that has brought me to tears. It was quite special.

I am also not trying to portray Laura's performance as being intrinsically more worthy than Patina's performance, as I have not yet seen Pippin and have no basis for comparison. My points are that Laura's Cinderella, in and of itself, is Tony worthy and that Laura has the non-performance "intangibles" to gain a win.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 2:19pm

They will begin marketing Laura when she gets the nomination.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 2:20pm

"Kelly, I claim no particular expertise in Cinderella, my experience being limited to watching the three R&H TV versions, the Disney movie and now this Broadway production. (I saw some of these a good while ago and so my memories of them have probably faded.) This production, especially Laura's portrayal of Cinderella, is the only one that has brought me to tears. It was quite special. "

The qualities you listed as being unique to DCB and Laura's characterization of Cinderella and that you presumably find to be the strong points of the character are all elements that have been present in the story since the beginning of time. Cinderella, whatever name she is called in various retellings, has always been forgiving, altruistic, and strong, none of that was created for this particular production. That's the point I was making, since you said: "Laura brings qualities of strength, altruism, forgiveness and a touch of humor to the role of Cinderella that are new to that character." And I would argue there is a lot of humor to be found in the Perrault telling, the Grimms' version, and plenty more in modern interpretations like Into the Woods and Ever After, which do not pre-date R&H's Cinderella, but certainly pre-date this latest version which owes a debt to them.

I am of the mind that the best performances are the ones that are unexpected and surprising in some way. Patina Miller, whether you agree or disagree with her interpretation of the Leading Player, took a role that everyone knows inside and out and that has been done iconically by Ben Vereen and twisted it completely on its head. A much more difficult feat than simply channeling one's inner princess.

[suestorm]

Posted: 4/29/13 at 2:25pm

so the fact that she played a role that was a mans and twisted it means shes a tony winner? Tyler Perry does the same thing in Madea

to be fair, i havent seen Pippin, i just disagree with your Laura statemnets Kelly

Updated On: 4/29/13 at 02:25 PM