Kelli's Last Performance in The King and I

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 9:24pm

This began as a lovefest for Kelli O'Hara. The audience greeted her with wild applause before she opened her mouth. It was also Ken's last performance. I saw him as the King in the second week of previews. I had no trouble understanding him, but I placed no blame on those that did. Today when he first began speaking I did notice that his diction was not as crisp as the other performers, but I adjusted and had no real problem understanding him. 

I saw all the Kings, and in the middle of the first act I was going to give the award to Hoon Lee. But the humorous scenes between Ken and Kelli at the end of the first act went very well. At the end of the performance, Kelli and Ken's polka went off perfectly as the almost giddy audience clapped along. But there was a quick transition to the tear-inducing beating scene and final scene that I thought was played very well. So I probably could not choose one over the other. (I found little wrong with Jose Llana, either. Perhaps he just lacked the stature of the other two.)

The curtain call was very emotional. Ken, standing behind Kelli, folded his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground.

Bartlett Sher then joined them on stage and addressed the audience. He first praised Ken and noted that this was his second farewell and that Michelle Obama had attended his first. Then he talked about Kelli and how this had been her third show on that Vivian Beaumont stage and that she must have given a thousand performances on that stage right below him. There was a lot of tearing up.

Then Sher said something a bit cryptic. He wasn't really bidding farewell to Kelli because she would be coming back to the same stage. I weighed this in my head. Had she committed to another musical? Then my best guess was that, like South Pacific, there would be a live Live From Lincoln Center at the end of the run and she would be back to play Anna in that. Kelli lingered on the stage and finally danced off the stage with one of the older children.

I wonder what Kelli will do next. She is still young and beautiful, is a very good straight actress, and seems to have all kinds of options open.

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 9:28pm

I absolutely adore this woman. So happy it sounds like her last performance (and man, what an iconic performance) went wonderfully, and I'm eager to hear what's next in store for her.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 9:35pm

She is so amazing. Sadly, I only got to see her in this once, with Hoon Lee as King, and couldn't have asked for anything more from him or the production. Hope this is being recorded for Live From Lincoln Center!

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 9:58pm

Wasn't there talk of her taking the show to London? 

I really hope she does a return engagement and/or records it for Live from Lincoln Center, because I didn't get the chance to see her in the role. I adored Betsy Morgan in the role, but I do wish I had gotten the chance to see Kelli 

[mc1227]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 10:03pm

I adore Kelli in everything she does.  She was exquisite in this role and I hope the production will continue to be successful now that she's gone.  My guess is that South Pacific will be next but I did read that she wants to take some time off from performing.  Well deserved for sure since she has worked non stop for the last 10 years.  

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 10:06pm

mc1227 said: "My guess is that South Pacific will be next "

 

Err, but that was the last one they did before King & I?!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 10:13pm

It was an emotional and gorgeous performance.  

Kelli was perfect in this role and her connection to and chemistry with Ken Watanabe was breathtaking.   I saw each of the Kings, and while each had areas of strength (and I loved all of the performances), none of them, in my opinion, brought the same magic to the stage that Ken did.   

But, Kelli.   Oh, Kelli.  The tears in her eyes throughout the show today, and the special touches with her fellow actors and hugs with the children, made this a singular and stunning performance.    The entrance applause was even more emotional than it was on "Tony Tuesday" - she is so beloved and this was a performance none of us will ever forget.  

Seeing her husband and her adorable son beaming at her from the audience today was just icing on a very special cake.  

Bravo to Ken.  Brava to Kelli.  My gratitude to all involved in this spectacular production.   It holds a cherished place in my heart. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 10:19pm

I wonder if they would also bring back ken if they did the live at Lincoln center.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 10:46pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I wonder if they would also bring back ken if they did the live at Lincoln center."

 

My guess is, if they are doing it, it would be happening within the next two weeks with an invited audience, since I believe that is how they did The Nance. Not with a paying crowd, so I guess you can't bitch if a camera is up in your grill, etc.

[laughingplace]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 11:16pm

Is she doing My Fair Lady in Sydney?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 11:18pm

mc1227 said: "I adore Kelli in everything she does.  She was exquisite in this role and I hope the production will continue to be successful now that she's gone.  My guess is that South Pacific will be next but I did read that she wants to take some time off from performing.  Well deserved for sure since she has worked non stop for the last 10 years.  

 

Uh, Lincoln Center did South Pacific in 2008...with O'Hara as Nellie Forbush. She was nominated for a Tony (ultimately losing to Patti for Gypsy).

 

[laughingplace]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 11:22pm

I am from Brazil. And even I know she did South Pacific. I saw her live too

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 11:23pm

laughingplace said: "Is she doing My Fair Lady in Sydney?"

 

Where did you hear that? I would love that. I think she still looks young enough to pull that off.

[laughingplace]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 11:27pm

CindersGolightly said: "laughingplace said: "Is she doing My Fair Lady in Sydney?"

 

Where did you hear that? I would love that. I think she still looks young enough to pull that off.

 

Just a crazy theory of mine.

 

"

 

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 4/17/16 at 11:33pm

ClumsyDude15 said: "Wasn't there talk of her taking the show to London? 
 

Yes. I don't know theater lingo, but I think that they had an open cast call in London. There hasn't been any word that Kelli might be involved. She has the two young children to take into account now.

The Live From Lincoln Center for South Pacific was a telecast of the live show on the night before its last performance. Alan Alda hosted and was taken to task for taking too much time for the intermission interviews at the expense of missing the beginning of the Entr'acte.

I don't suppose that it should make much difference whether you are watching a live show or a recording of a live show, but the live gives it a little edge, and you can be part of any very emotional moments.

 

[mc1227]

Posted: 4/18/16 at 12:10am

Sorry, I meant My Fair Lady, not SP...

[kade.ivy]

Posted: 4/18/16 at 12:37am

Here's a news/gossip story from November re: My Fair Lady. Anyone have new updates?

 

http://www.showbiz411.com/2015/11/23/exclusive-kelsey-grammer-kelli-ohara-eyeing-julie-andrews-directed-my-fair-lady

[Valentina3]

Posted: 4/18/16 at 12:50am

I love Kelli a lot, but I don't want her to do My Fair Lady. I would actually like Laura Benanti in that role. 

[DivaDream]

Posted: 4/19/16 at 5:47am

Sunday was my first time seeing the LCT production (having seen the 1996 revival as a child) -- funny enough, I hadn't been back since The Light in the Piazza (obviously staring Kelli as well).

It was an especially dazzling experience and I felt honored to be there. The entire cast is so obviously close-knit and, as the OP said, it was a very emotional day for everyone!

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 4/19/16 at 9:36am

I saw the show Friday night and loved it -- which, honestly, I wasn't expecting. I knew the performances would be terrific, but it's never been one of my favorite musicals. Until now. What Kelli O'Hara, Ken Watanabe and the rest of the cast did was simply spectacular. What made it even more special is that I was able to go backstage, as my friend who saw the show with me has a relative on the crew. I didn't talk to Kelli or Ken, but I was thrilled to meet Ruthie Ann Miles and have the opportunity to tell her that in addition to killing it on stage at Lincoln Center, she's been stealing the show lately in "The Americans." Also visiting backstage was Sydney Lucas of "Fun Home" fame, along with her brother, who was also in the show and their mom. All delightful.