Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?- Page 5
Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
#100re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/26/08 at 9:49pmoh, I know they're supposed to be around the same age, I meant she looks more age appropriate than Mandy does.
#101re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/26/08 at 10:05pm
ooh.
well yeah.
I still love mandy.
But yeah.
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
#102re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/26/08 at 11:09pmHey, just in case anyone was wondering, Karen's last show went great. She really shined today. The whole cast was trying to make it as memorable as possible for her. Poor Karen started to loose it at the end of Champange, but quickly regained composure. There were no speeches or flowers but Karen got to take an extra bow at the end. It was sweet at the stage door Karen and Mandy were hugging each other saying goodbye. Both girls were crying. It was such a sweet send off for Karen. I hope she does well in West Side Story! Can't wait to see it! :)
#103re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/26/08 at 11:14pm
PlayhouseBeauty, any mention of Karen's replacement around the theater today?
It's pretty much a given that they'll be bumping up Krysta Rodriguez, but I'm curious if anything official was said.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
TheaterLover2
Chorus Member Joined: 10/26/08
#104re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 12:37am
Asmeret Ghebremichael - that's what I've heard.
She was in the off-broadway cast and LB is now done...
#105re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 12:45am
That would be great news, TheaterLover2.
Oddly enough, I was thinking that Asmeret would be the ideal person for them to bring back, considering she covered Nina, Vanessa, and Carla (a variation on the track Krysta Rodrigugez has now) during the Off-Broadway run and is now free due to the shuttering of LEGALLY BLONDE.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#106re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 12:46am
I would love it if they brought in someone new to replace Olivo. Either way, I really can't imagine anyone who could bring the same amount of fierceness, vocal thrill, sexuality, sweetness, and toughness that she brought to Vanessa. She owned the stage whenever she was on, I could not take my eyes off her. All the time during "The Club" sequence (which I think pays homage to Peter Gennaro's iconic choreography from "The Dance at the Gym" number in WEST SIDE STORY), I felt she was channeling Rita Moreno. By the end of that sequence, I thought there would be no one else I'd rather see as Anita. I am beyond thrilled that she got the role and I simply cannot wait to see her and hear her (her vocals are out of the world) do wonders with the role, just the thought of her "A Boy Like That" makes me a bit too excited. Cannot wait.
It's a bit bitter-sweet since I wanted to see Karen in IN THE HEIGHTS once again though.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
Updated On: 10/27/08 at 12:46 AM
#107re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 12:53amjust a thought, what would you guys think of caren lyn manuel in this track? Hypothetical situation, of course, just wondering. Too old maybe?
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
#108re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 12:56am
Caren Lyn Manuel is indeed way too old, Mealz1042.
Though, speaking of RENT alumni, Antonique Smith is about the only person I can think of who could possibly come close to bringing Olivo's sex appeal, charm, and vocal power to the role.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#109re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 3:57amI just wish these casting announcements would be made officially.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#110re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 6:11amI think we are expecting an official announcement today since rehearsals supposedly start today.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#111re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 6:40amI think Antonique Smith would be great!...but i doubt they hired her...and if Caren Lyn Manuel was a bit younger...maybe
#112re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 9:20amhmm for some reason i cant really picture antonique in the role though. I can see her as a carla acting wise though. Vocally I'm not sure about either. its hard to tell since we get ideas stamped into our heads about how a role should be played and sung based on obcs
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
PiraguaGuy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/08
#113re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 10:34am
I've been rootinjg for Karen as Anita since the very beginning and I'm so happy she got the role. She'll do great.
I smell a Tony!
Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08
evadiva
Broadway Star Joined: 12/9/06
#115re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 12:24pm
I think Antonique would be really cute as Carla or Vanessa. I wish that happens eventually.
I don't think Lyn Manuel is that much older than Olivo. Maybe a few years.
itwontbelongnowx
Understudy Joined: 10/19/07
#117re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 5:25pm
PlayhouseBeauty, they did have flowers for her. She had her own bow, and they played "America" from WSS during it. An audience member had flowers, and the Lin got Karen a bottle of champagne from the orchestra pit that they gave to her during bows.
somethingwicked, Asmeret covered Vanessa and Carla, NOT Nina Off-Broadway.
#118re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 5:28pm
"Lin is 28 (Or 29?)"
They said Lyn Manuel not Lin Manuel. Caren Lyn Manuel.
rentheadca
Stand-by Joined: 10/20/08
#119re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 6:26pm
I can't see Antonique as Vanessa :/
I really want them to announce who's taking Karen's place!
#120re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 6:31pm
I think it's absurd that there still is no press release from the WEST SIDE STORY people regarding any casting.
Somethingwicked, given the fact that Olivo is now attached to WEST SIDE STORY, are you at liberty to say what the other project she was going to be involved in is? I assumed it was HAIR.
I'm not familiar with Antonique Smith's work or Asmeret's (is she the hostess of LEGALLY BROWN? ). I'm looking forward to see who they are looking at to replace the wonder that is Karen Olivo.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#121re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/27/08 at 6:36pmitwontbelongnowx, Thanks for adding that. I didn't see the whole thing because my friend wanted to leave to get to the stage door and I had to go with her. I saw her take her bow alone and I heard them play America. I just missed the champange and flowers.
bluetuna
Leading Actor Joined: 11/15/07
#122re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/28/08 at 2:53am
"Caren Lyn Manuel is indeed way too old, Mealz1042."
Actually, she's about the same age as Karen.
Updated On: 10/28/08 at 02:53 AM
#123re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/28/08 at 7:23amray, I was told that she had indeed given an early commitment (but had not yet signed a contract) to return to HAIR for the Broadway transfer before WEST SIDE STORY came up.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#124re: Karen Olivo leaving In the Heights?
Posted: 10/28/08 at 8:02am
Karen plays younger than Caren though. The latter has more mature features.
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