Most Tony Nominations without a Win — Page 2

"Sorry you have said exactly what I did get from her performance, there really wasnt much emotion, it was all very one level throughout. I was close to the stage too so I would have seen the emotion on her face if it had been there. I dont dislike her as there really isnt much there to like or dislike. Nice voice, does the job but thats about it."

Your opinion is your opinion, and you have as much right to it as anyone else. But, if you read the reviews she's received over the years, your opinion on Kelli is certainly in the minority. I've seen her in Piazza, South Pacific and Bridges, and I didn't find any of those performances to be one note, unless your interpretation of good acting requires Norma Desmond-level theatrics. In each of those shows, she created a character that was completely convincing and natural, and IMHO, she uses her face well in her acting. For example, "To Build a Home" (from Bridges) is a lengthy song with a lot of twists and turns, and her face--particularly her eyes--takes you through all of those emotions, from the beginning of her story as an Italian war bride to settling in Iowa and having kids.

Of the shows I've seen her in, she could credibly have won a Tony for any of them. Why she hasn't won is a question of unlucky timing more than anything else. I do think the sense that she's going to be around a long time (and will likely receive many more nominations) works against her, but that's obviously not stopped Audra from winning time and again. If Bridges had been a big critical and commercial success, she'd probably have won for that show. Given her glowing reviews, I thought that Kelli might have been a big enough star to carry that show for a while, but that didn't happen. In any event, I look forward to seeing her fine work in "The King and I".

"I don't see any reason to believe a) that one's opinion is "in the minority" (as if anyone can know that for sure without polling everyone) or b) that it would matter at all even if it were."

At least in terms of the reviews she's gotten from critics, the notion that Kelli O'Hara gives bland, one-note performances is demonstrably the minority view, if in fact she's ever gotten such a review. And anyone who expresses that opinion on this board will get push back, as well they should. That's sort of the point of this place, isn't it?

Those two takes were SOOOOOOOO different, and I loved them both for such different reasons. I still listen to Celia's version of the title song sometimes.