Posted: 6/8/15 at 10:09pm
Hello all,
Booking trip to NYC - any details on the length of Kelli O'Hara's run with King and I? How long for the show, will she be there in August?
Thanks
Posted: 6/8/15 at 10:34pm
I believer her initial contract was till January? That's how far you can buy tickets in advance right now.
Posted: 6/8/15 at 11:05pm
thanks! Is there a way to find out when she has planned time off/replacement shows?
Posted: 6/8/15 at 11:58pm
Does anyone know how long Ken Watanabe's run lasts?
Posted: 6/9/15 at 12:42am
I'm SURE Kelli will extend her run. She stayed with South Pacific for a year before she left on maternity leave...and I'm sure that Tony will convince her to stay.
I've heard rumors that Watanabe was only contracted until July due to film commitments, but if he's not extending I expect an announcement from them soon.
Posted: 6/9/15 at 12:46am
I hope he performs on July 2. For those of you who have sat in the Loge at the Vivian Beaumont, I've read conflicting things about the height from the stage. Is it such an issue that people look like ants and that you may not hear the actors or is it perfectly fine and/or excellent (as long as you don't sit in the 100s or 500s extreme side views)? Those were the two extremes I've read. My seats are Loge C row 400s close to center.
Posted: 6/9/15 at 4:56am
"I believe [O'Hara's] initial contract was till January?"
"Does anyone know how long Ken Watanabe's run lasts?"
Both actors contracts were initially set through July 6th, the original run of the show. The show extended the day after opening into January. I think it's safe to say that O'Hara extended. No idea about Watanabe, though I have also heard rumors that he has commitments to flog a film soon to be released.
"I hope [Watanabe] performs on July 2. For those of you who have sat in the Loge at the Vivian Beaumont, I've read conflicting things about the height from the stage. Is it such an issue that people look like ants and that you may not hear the actors or is it perfectly fine and/or excellent (as long as you don't sit in the 100s or 500s extreme side views)? Those were the two extremes I've read. My seats are Loge C row 400s close to center."
I don't believe Watanabe has missed a show, and if his contract ends July 6th, it seems unlikely he'll miss July 2nd. I personally think your seats are good ones, especially for the grand spectacle scenes. The Beaumont is not that big. Even the extreme side sections are pretty good seats is a show is staged properly.
Posted: 6/9/15 at 9:04am
I think it's safe to say that O'Hara extended.
O'Hara is with this show at least until January; if not longer. From what I am told, she has every intention of remaining with the show as long as she possibly can. Does anyone know how long she stayed with SOUTH PACIFIC? That may (or may not) be a decent indicator.
Posted: 6/9/15 at 10:59am
I sat in the very last row of the Loge dead center, and the view was absolutely perfect. Wouldn't have traded it with orchestra seats.
Posted: 6/9/15 at 10:59am
I sat in the very last row of the Loge dead center, and the view was absolutely perfect. Wouldn't have traded it with orchestra seats.
Posted: 6/9/15 at 11:02am
I emailed customer service for the Vivian Beaumont theater over a month ago. A marketing assistant got back to me that both Kelli and Ken's original contracts were just to July 5th (or 6th), that last day that the original block of tickets were for sale. She didn't know yet about extensions.
Kelli will certainly extend, probably through January when the second block of tickets ends. Maybe not that long if another project comes up. This is her Tony role and being with all the children keeps it fresh.
Kelli was with South Pacific from 4/3/2008 to 3/8/2009. Almost a year. Then she took maternity leave and returned on 10/13/2009 for another three months before giving way to Laura Osnes.
Ken is another matter. He may well have had enough of eight live shows a week and of having to defend his diction. But with only four weeks to go before July 5th, it would be very short notice to all the people who have bought or who are yet to buy for the summer. I think he'll be back for a while.
Posted: 6/9/15 at 11:32am
"A marketing assistant got back to me that both Kelli and Ken's original contracts were just to July 5th (or 6th), that last day that the original block of tickets were for sale."
The original contracts were through the 5th, of course. Thanks for the correction.
"Ken is another matter. He may well have had enough of eight live shows a week and of having to defend his diction. But with only four weeks to go before July 5th, it would be very short notice to all the people who have bought or who are yet to buy for the summer. I think he'll be back for a while. "
Watanabe might surprise us. He is not your typical movie star trying Broadway on. He has a decent list of stage credits in Japan, and more importantly, seems by all accounts to be enjoying the run. If he has to leave for contractual purposes, it wouldn't surprise me if he came back. I do think they are leaving an announcement a bit late. Perhaps negotiations are going on.
Updated On: 6/9/15 at 11:32 AM
Posted: 6/9/15 at 11:55am
I'll keep my fingers crossed that he extends. I was so captivated by his strong, seductive, vulnerable and moving performance.
I have tickets to share the show with a friend in mid-July, and again to share with family in mid-August. I would so love for them to be able to experience the show with his performance.
And his chemistry with his co-stars.
Posted: 6/9/15 at 5:52pm
I didn't mean to correct you. The 6th is a dark day, so either date will do.
I didn't know Ken had stage credits. I assume they weren't musicals. I think Ken is an improvement over Lou Diamond Phillips, after listening to the CD of that revival. Phillips' voice seemed weak to me, without the bravado of the King.
The principals on Thursday are supposed to go to an uptown Barnes & Noble to autograph CDs and perform. Too long a trip for me, but it sounds nice. Then again, it may wind up being mobbed.
Posted: 6/10/15 at 2:19pm
Ken Watanabe just tweeted (in Japanese) July 12th is his last day.
https://twitter.com/harryken311/status/608655542030958592
Posted: 6/10/15 at 2:27pm
Based on my limited knowledge of Japanese, I think he said in his tweet that he would like to return to the show next year if he can (I think he means schedule-wise). Please correct me if I am wrong. I hope he does return to the role again - I think he was great as the King, a powerful and moving performance.
And Kelli was just divine! She can do no wrong in my book, and absolutely did not disappoint in this show. I was so glad when she won her Tony. I remember her saying in an interview that she plans to be with the show for a while, so I would assume she would stay at least till the end of the year.
Posted: 6/10/15 at 6:37pm
Sad as I'm seeing this July 16. But at least it sounds like Kelli is not going anywhere between now and then. Hopefully his replacement will be good.
Posted: 6/10/15 at 7:01pm
Posted: 6/10/15 at 10:40pm
They should be announcing the next king soon then if he's leaving in a month
Posted: 6/10/15 at 10:59pm
I'm very lucky I saw Ken Tuesday night, if I had chosen any other day after Watanabe's departure I would've been a bit sad.
I agree NYadgal, he was indeed strong, seductive, moving and his command of the stage was out of this world amazing. If he does want to come back to a Broadway musical in the future, a revival of PACIFIC OVERTURES would be great for him.
Posted: 6/11/15 at 1:30pm
I can only imagine him trying to learn Sondheim's lyrics phonetically.
Posted: 6/11/15 at 3:11pm
I was checking on ticket availability on Telecharge and this was listed on the sidebar:
Kelli O'Hara will not appear in the following performances:
- Sunday, July 19 at 3pm through Saturday, July 25 at 8pm
- Thursday, September 3 at 7 through Saturday, September 5 at 2pm
- Tuesday, December 1 at 7pm
- Sunday, December 20 at 3pm
Posted: 6/11/15 at 11:41pm
Phew! I'm there the 16th through 19th and am so glad I chose this as my Friday night show and not my Sunday matinee!!!
Posted: 6/18/15 at 11:39am
"Ken Watanabe just tweeted (in Japanese) July 12th is his last day.
https://twitter.com/harryken311/status/608655542030958592
"
Any news on Ken's replacement? He tweeted from his English language account early this morning. https://twitter.com/watanabe/status/611455122158288896
