Karen Olivo Breakthrough Performance — Page 2

I remember hearing about her back in the Brklyn days. I had no real interest to see the show, but I kept hearing she was a standout there. That's why I was so interested to see her in In the Heights. She's definitely on her way now though.

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I thinks he would be an excellent Eva Peron in Evita. I think her breakthrough was In the Heights cause it put her in consideration for many roles including leading her to a tony winning performance. She is on her way to becoming a star but I think her coming work will is very important.

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But if it weren't for ITH, they probably wouldn't have even called her in for WSS.
ITH put her name out there.

A breakthrough Tony-winning performance does not make her a "star." Just ask Sammy Williams.
I think IN THE HEIGHTS really did put her on the map (she was spectacular in that show and when I left the theatre that night all I wanted was for her to play Anita, this was back when she was attached to the HAIR revival). However, WEST SIDE STORY is what got a lot of people talking about her, she made appearances in all kinds of TV shows, had people raving about her (I remember Kelly Ripa made a point to mention her the day after she saw the show), etc.
She's not a star. But I think she'll become one if she makes careful career choices. I hope she stays on Broadway though. So many people try to go to LA (John Lloyd Young I'm looking at you) and they have no real future there. I thought it was great that after winning a Tony, Laura Benanti did an Off-Broadway play, I think it was a very smart move. I think Olivo should do something similar. And yes, she would make a brilliant Eva Peron.

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I think she'd make a good Eva, but if there's going to be a revival starring her, I hope it's sooner rather than later.

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I know Karen has said in the past that she enjoys creating characters and I do think she should do that after WSS. The Evita thing is interesting but I definitly think she should do more original shows than revivals.

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I think she should go where good, rewarding work is. Whether that means an original show or Evita is up to her. I agree with ray re: Laura Benanti doing an off-Broadway show. She should follow the work she wants.

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I agree new decent material is hard to find. However, I think she shouldn't stick strictly to revivals.

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Well no one said she should stick to just revivals. But with the lack of good new material, there are a lot of exciting revival choices.

Ljay, I agree with you. I'm just saying that maybe she will also find in her eyes exciting new material as well.

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Evita isn't an American musical though. I don't know if Encores is totally opposed to musicals that aren't American, but they might rule it out for that reason.

also, don't forget that Patti LuPone, who is definitely considered a Broadway star, followed up her run in Evita by going to the Guthrie to do As You Like It. she followed the work she wanted.

I don't want to stir up anything, but it sort of bugs me how opposed to revivals Sutton Foster seems.

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Exactly. I am going to WSS a second time sometime soon just to hear the beautiful score and orchestra, to see the dancing, and see Karen.

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