Karen Olivo Breakthrough Performance- Page 2

[zepka102]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 11:26am

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.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 11:35am

I would say this is definitely her breakthrough performance. From this point on she will be considered for MANY roles. This is just the beginning of her success.

[esparza 333]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 12:18pm

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.

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 12:25pm

Hm. I would say Anita is her breakthrough performance. While she was good in Heights, she really is showing her acting skills in WSS.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 12:27pm

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

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 12:34pm

If it wasn't for a lot of things she wouldn't be where she is now. But In The Heights did put her on the map.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 1:27pm

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.

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 2:47pm

Although I believe Karen Olivo is not a star yet, I do believe that with the right career choices and moves she could very well be the next Patti LuPone. Imagine her name above the title. That would be great.

Imagine Karen as Eva Peron. That would be one of the most amazing performances I would ever see. Maybe Karen Olivo GYPSY (I Kid)

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 2:56pm

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.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 3:10pm

I would love her as Eva (I suggested this a month ago). She deserves a leading role.

[alightinthedark23]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 4:03pm

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.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 4:09pm

But it's hard to find good new material. Sutton Foster will only do new material, and she gets stuck with mostly garbage.
Updated On: 7/10/09 at 04:09 PM

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 4:09pm

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.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 4:16pm

Well, why not do EVITA for Encores? And she just won a Tony for a revival and before she booked WEST SIDE STORY, she was set to reprise her performance as Sheila in HAIR. I don't think she would be entirely opposed to being part of a revival in the way that say Sutton Foster is.

[alightinthedark23]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 4:17pm

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

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 4:27pm

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.

[alightinthedark23]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 4:32pm

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.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 7:46pm

Eva Peron is one of those great roles for an actress. I'm sure if she was offered the chance to play the role, she'd jump at it, regardless of her affinity for wanting to create roles.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 7:52pm

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.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 7:53pm

This is HER breakthrough role and performance. But whether or not it's a breakthrough performance in the spectrum of theatrical acting goes is yet to be seen. We'll have to see what the rest of her career turns out to look like.

She was not very good at all in IN THE HEIGHTS, but is quite sensational in (and the best thing about) WEST SIDE STORY.

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 7:57pm

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.