Kelli O'Hara: The Ingénue Who Roared (NY Times)

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 12:38am

Kelli O'Hara: The Ingénue Who Roared

[aliciag]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 12:51am

That was a great article. Thanks Foster!

And I guess we can kind of tell where Isherwood sits on the best actress in a musical category...

[BenjyStone]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 3:16am

Great piece!
O'Hara was wonderful in the show.

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 3:37am

Could she possibly be the "upset" at the Tonys?

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 8:06am

This article was an all out rave for Kelli O'Hara. I enjoyed last night's WABC special on SOUTH PACIFIC. I have $75 seats for December (I have to plan ahead since I no longer live in NYC). Does anyone know how long O'Hara and her co-star will be in the musical?

In 1950 my mother and friends went to see the OBC of SOUTH PACIFIC and raved about it, especially Ezio Pinza. She bought the OBCR which consisted of eight 78 RPM records, and I played them all of the time. What a score! As a kid I particularly liked "I'm In Love With a Wonderful Guy", "Happy Talk", and "You Have to be Taught". "This Nearly Was Mine" remains one of the all time great songs from any musical.I look forward to December.

Updated On: 5/18/08 at 08:06 AM

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 3:30pm

I saw South Pacific yesterday. I think Kelli O'Hara is giving the best lead actress performance of the season. Understated, well sung, appropriate to the piece, and authentic.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 3:56pm

Finally some of the recognition she deserves. I love Patti, but in my opinion Kelli is doing a better job in her show. It's a shame that people can't distinguish a very good performance of a belty musical assault on an audience from an extremely great performance of a more mellow character. I really hope she wins the Tony.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 4:04pm

I, too, would love to see Kelli take it home. Or someone other than Patti (Kelli especially), although LuPone is giving a wonderful performance.

Updated On: 5/18/08 at 04:04 PM

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 4:13pm

While I still feel the Tony is Patti's, I would be ecstatic if Kelli won.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 6:42pm

-- "It's a shame that people can't distinguish a very good performance of a belty musical assault on an audience from an extremely great performance of a more mellow character."


Why couldn't it be that some people find Ms. LuPone's performance to be the better one? Does it really have to be labeled "a belty musical assault on an audience" just because one likes Ms. O'Hara more?

I just think it needs to be noted that the character of Rose is quite a different woman than that of Nellie Forbush. The roles require different elements. Both Ms. LuPone and Ms. O'Hara are doing extraordinary things in their respective shows. But the fact that Ms. O'Hara is playing a role that allows her to be a little more "mellow" does not make her performance better or even more nuanced. Ms. LuPone can't and shouldn't be "mellow" in the role of Rose. She or any other actress would tank doing that with this character. Her performance, though, still contains lovely details and a great deal of nuance throughout.

Ms. O'Hara deserves and has received great praise for her work. I just needed to jump in because I don't think degrading Ms. LuPone's work (which is just as extraordinary and maybe better, but as we all know, that's subjective) is appropriate just because one prefers Ms. O'Hara's performance. They are both doing incredible things with very different animals.
Updated On: 5/18/08 at 06:42 PM

[MungoGypsy8232]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 6:55pm

well said H.Higgins!

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 6:55pm

Higgins, I didn't make myself clear, so I am sorry. I LOVED Patti. Don't get me wrong. I think she is wonderful. And I don't think that people who liked Patti's performance better than Kelli's are wrong. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion. And I completely agree with everything that you said. My statement is based on the fact that Patti has gotten significantly more press as being outstanding in the big, brassy role of Rose. Kelli, who is equally wonderful, has gotten little to no press. Also, many people on BWW have referred to Kelli's performance as boring (which is fine if they truly believe that, but is unfortunate if it's just that it isn't as showy of a role as Rose). But that's neither here nor there. I just mean to say that Kelli has finally received some deserved praise, and that is a great thing.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 6:56pm

The very short clip on the left sidebar from SP sounds beautiful.

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 8:15pm

bjh2114-

I'm so glad you responded. I completely agree with everything you just said =)

Ms. O'Hara certainly earned this very kind article.

Count me in as someone who sees tremendous merit and value to both Ms. O'Hara and Ms Lupone's work. Everyone is going to have his/her pick of who they'd give the awards to, but as you noticed and so nicely commented on, I just think it's important that both of these ladies be given their due and neither have anything taken away from her incredible performance.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 9:29pm

Beautiful article, and honest words of praise for a beautiful and talented woman.

[itsagift]

Posted: 5/18/08 at 11:19pm

What a great article. Truly speaks to what a special talent Kelli is. I saw SP two weeks ago and am eager to see it again.

(Hopefully whoever sits behind me this time won't be humming quite so loudly).

Thanks for the link.
Updated On: 5/27/08 at 11:19 PM

[stella985]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 9:44am

I, also, hope that Kelli walks away with the Tony. Patti is great too, but I'd really like to see Kelli's performance be recognized. Maybe there will be a tie.

Echoing what someone else asked: anyone know how long Kelli and the rest of the cast will be in SP?

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 10:31am

Loved Kelli in the show.

She was my choice for Nellie from the moment I heard South Pacific was headed for Lincoln Center.

This is really a great production of South Pacific.

Kelli (and her castmates) should be at the Beaumont for quite a while.

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 10:33am

I loved Kelli's performance and I wish she could either beat or tie Patti for the Tony. She is really amazing. I can't wait to see the show again soon.

[GClef2]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 11:44am

awww i just wanna hug kelli

[Brick]

Posted: 5/19/08 at 11:54am

Well said, Higgins!

And another thought.

I think Patti's success in the show is the reason for the show's present success. If she wins the Tony, it may help the run of the show. A win for O'Hara would do little for the run of "South Pacific", which is going to be a hit for a while longer anyhow.

This isn't a reason to give a Tony, I know. Or not soley a reason.

Also, it seems Patti's success - and the show's - is taken for granted. Remember, no one thought this revival was a good idea last fall? Everyone thought it wouldn't sell... "She's not a movie star!" "Everyone who saw her do it, saw her do it."

The fact is, this whole revival rides on Patti's back. And it's successful. I think that should be recognized and rewarded.