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

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.

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.

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

I predict Laura in an upset.

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.

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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.

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"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?

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

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.

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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

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.

"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.

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