Laura Osnes to Sail into SOUTH PACIFIC Replacing Kelli O'Hara Mar. 10

[Rob]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:02pm

Click Here to Read Laura Osnes to Sail into SOUTH PACIFIC Replacing Kello O'Hara Starting March 7; O'Hara to Return in October Updated On: 2/12/09 at 05:02 PM

[feline0favenueQ]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:03pm

Ha...Kello.

[hpeabody930]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:03pm

Wow. Very very interesting.

I may have to revisit.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:04pm

The dates in the title and article are different.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:05pm

Is anyone else mildly repulsed by this? She was the worst thing about GREASE... and that's saying more than a mouthful.

[Anakela]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:06pm

I actually thought she was one of the few good things about GREASE. But I do still find this casting choice interesting.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:06pm

Only mildly?

Osnes can sing, but so can Lauren Graham.

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:07pm

I have to say I am withholding judgment.

I am also surprised that Kelli has agreed to return later on.

Time will tell if any of this makes sense!
Updated On: 2/12/09 at 05:07 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:07pm

I think she'll be great! I hope I'll be able to catch her in the role.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:09pm

I may have to see this, I'm very interested.
I wonder if she'll get to keep her brown hair, yet again.

Updated On: 2/12/09 at 05:09 PM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:11pm

Yet again? Was there a discussion as to why she wouldn't keep her brown hair in GREASE? The original Sandy had brown hair.

Does Nellie have to have a certain hair color?

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:13pm

When she found out, in a video interview she made a big deal and was very excited about it. I personally have no opinion towards the whole hair situation being that I never saw Grease, well this production at least.

My post wasn't made with any kind of attitude, just she got to keep it for one show, I was wondering if she would for another.

Updated On: 2/12/09 at 05:13 PM

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:15pm

My reaction was "WHA?!?!?!"

As a 23 year old that reads more like 16, I never pictured Nellie Forbush.

[TheatreGal423]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:17pm

I had hopes for Laura Marie Duncan to succeed Kelli. Oh well.

I think it would have been better to have had Erin Davie play Nellie. Now she is replacing Osnes...such is life!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:18pm

It's gonna look like borderline pedophilia opposite David Pittsinger.

[karen24]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:18pm

I have only seen her once, as Elizabeth Bennet in the local, one-night production of the new "Pride & Prejudice" musical here in Rochester, NY, but I thought she was very good. Please don't judge her based on one character in one production. I think she is very talented and could be just fine as Nellie.

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:18pm

I'll agree that I was a little shocked, mostly because of how young she is/looks.

But I have to say I really am thrilled for her, I really am glad she's found a way to make a career and make smart choices after that show. I really think she was the most talented one to come out of the mess that was the Grease reality show.

I'm happy for her. We'll see what happens.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:19pm

Eh...good point.

[zepka102]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:21pm

I've bee trying to think for days who they would bring in. Obviously it would be some kind of stunt casting since it's for a short period of time. I never thought about Laura. I didn't see Grease, so I can't say much. I'll be very interested to see what everyone says.

I'll be careful though: I thought Diana Degarmo was going to be a TERRIBLE Penny in Hairspray, but she ended up being one of my favorites. So we'll see about Laura...

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:22pm

Well, the only thing surprising about the age difference between the leads in "South Pacific" is that the book was not written by Alan Jay Lerner.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:22pm

I never thought LCT would resort to stunt casting.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:23pm

Considering the first-rate talent that were knocking down doors to be involved in this production, I trust Bartlett Sher's judgment.

Osnes may be a little rough around the edges, but considering how stellar all of the replacements to go into the show have ben thus far, I'm optimistic she will do well in the role. She certainly has the requisite enigmatic presence and vocal chops.

And anyone who thought she was the worst thing about the GREASE revival seriously needs their head examined.

Updated On: 2/12/09 at 05:23 PM

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:23pm

Good for her! Laura is a beautiful and charming girl. I'm sure she'll be lovely in South Pacific! I wish her the best of luck :)

Although, I do find it odd that Kelli has agreed to return to the show immediately following the birth of her first child...

[HometownGlory]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:23pm

I didn't see her in Grease, but I was impressed with her on the TV show and thought she was the deserving winner. I may have to revisit SP now, out of curiosity, and I'm happy for her for carving a pretty good career out of that sad little reality show.

On a sidenote, I saw her on the subway and she is unbelievably gorgeous. Her skin is flawless! She looked like the cartoon version of Belle come to life.

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 2/12/09 at 5:26pm

"I personally have no opinion towards the whole hair situation being that I never saw Greece"

Aw, really?

I haven't seen Greece either... though I hear it is a beautiful country.

We should take a trip there.