NY Times and Kelli O'Hara

[DBillyP]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 3:43pm

(My apologies if this has been posted already; I did search for a thread.)

Yesterday's NY Times had an article called "Characters Who Are More Than the Sum of Their Tics." It was about characters in PILLOWMAN, GLASS MENAGERIE and LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA.

Kelli O’Hara said of Clara, "She's a very fictional person already. From all the studying I've done, a person who suffered the trauma she did would likely be overweight, might drool or say inappropriate things like, 'Let me get in your underwear.' I wanted to find something believable but not repellent, so she could be loved. So I couldn't really use any developmentally challenged people as models, and as a result, she at first seemed totally normal."

She also said, "I worry when some emotionally disabled people come to the show. We're saying that you can have love, that you can possibly have a beautiful life, even though you might actually be limited and annoying. I'm afraid they'll feel we're lying to them."

Did she just say that developmentally challenged people are repellent, annoying and can’t be loved?!?

Characters Who Are More Than the Sum of Their Tics

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 4:34pm

Updated On: 7/22/05 at 04:34 PM

[rKrispyt]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 4:37pm

I think she's saying that she feels bad that they're not showing a TRUE representation that someone with her affliction would suffer because it was too unattractive. That perhaps, the comment she made was derived from what she was told in terms of "NORMALLY someone like this would drool, etc. but that's just annoying and disgusting so we're not gonna go that far into the truth with this affliction" kinda thing.

I dunno, I don't think she was trying to be insulting at all. I haven't read my ny times from yesterday yet, gonna go do that now :)

[nmartin]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 4:40pm

she spouted a whole lot of b.s.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 7:41pm

I'm not necessarily saying that I agree wholeheartedly with what Ms. O'Hara said, but I think that anyone reading the article needs to stop for a second and think about what she said before harshly judging her words. Honestly ask yourself the following question: "When you think of a mentally challenged person, how does said person look? Talk? Act?" You would probably go right to the kind of character that Michael Stuhlbarg is playing in The Pillowman.

I have experienced mentally challenged people first hand, within my own family, and I can say that the portrayal that Ms. O'Hara is offering is kind, to say the least.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 7:46pm

If you mean the way Kell is describing them, I would say she was kind. I use to do the Special Olympics around here.

The way the story goes does not measure the traumatic experience Clara faced.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 6/27/05 at 10:17pm

nomdeplume- Wonderful post!

[DBillyP]

Posted: 6/28/05 at 10:21am

Nom, the slur was not mine; I simply quoted Ms. O'Hara's own words. I would not slur her performance, as I have only heard the cast recording. Quite frankly, I think she has one of the most beautiful voices I have heard in quite some time.

I can, however, as a reader of the article, question the sensitivity with which she addressed the character and others in that interview. While I realize that taken out of context some comments can take on a different tone than what was intended, I was surprised at what I perceived to be a lack of sensitivity and respect.

[midtowngym]

Posted: 6/28/05 at 10:33am

It's quite possible Clara got lucky. Not all brain injuries have such deep consequences.

Updated On: 6/28/05 at 10:33 AM

[ozbwayfan]

Posted: 6/28/05 at 10:36am

I thought she showed guts. She spoke her mind frankly, gave the audience an honest insight into her process, she didn't call anyone a retard and she certainly sounded as though she was informed. Perhaps not versed in the fine art of PR, but informed nonetheless.
Go Kel.

[ken8631]

Posted: 6/28/05 at 4:11pm

Kelli is being honest, worried that others may not view her as impaired as maybe she should be for the role. I think she gives a fantastic performance, well worth the Tony nomination she received.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 6/28/05 at 7:38pm

Updated On: 7/22/05 at 07:38 PM

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/28/05 at 8:28pm

well...even tho she is my image of perfection and a democrat-which is a requirement-...this comment is kinda weird.

[Effie1]

Posted: 6/30/05 at 11:09am

unbelievable! If she had been a television or film star, she would have been CRUCIFIED by her fans (as well she should be). It's funny, but everytime I read these boards, I am reminded that Piazza fans (not all, mind you) are so determined to stick by their affection for the show that they will overlook ANYTHING that casts it or it's performers/creators in a bad light.

Face it people - O'Hara just suffered from INTENSE verbal vomit. She's wrong and she owes the handicapped community (and their families) and apology.

Like her as a performer - fine. But let's not be so blinded by her small waist and blonde hair that we allow her to speak like an idiot about people who don't deserve it.

Also - to all you Piazza supporters - I ask you to re-read her interview. I find it interesting that she's essentially saying that by not accurately representing someone with her condition, the show is inaccurate. There goes your moving story everyone. Even your lead says it isn't correct.
Updated On: 6/30/05 at 11:09 AM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/30/05 at 11:23am

Effie - I understand where you're coming from - but I don't need to take into account anything said OFFSTAGE by the performers. I love the show, and I always will. It is truly one of the finest pieces of Musical theatre ever written and no matter what the performers personal beliefs may be, the show is beautiful when taken alone and at face value. Thats all I need it to be. I never put much stock into what a performer's opinions are in their real and personal lives. Though I admit that I am smitten with Victoria Clark, because the few interviews and tv/video clips I've seen of her represent her as an incredibly mature, kind, generous and gracious spirit - which is how everyone ought to be...Still, she COULD have been a complete skank and I would have continued to love Piazza - because I can still seperate a performance from a personal life. They are two very different things.

[Ann_Margrock]

Posted: 6/30/05 at 11:32am

Well put redhot! Some people do know how to seperate their love for a show from the actual performers in it.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/30/05 at 11:35am

*redhot blushes* Thank you! I think it's an important quality to have, especially in these times when mass media shoves every actor's personal lives down our throats. For example - I am sick and tired of all the hoopla over Tom Cruise and his beliefs and his lovelife - I simply couldn't care less and find him a bit repugnant - BUT - having said that, I still want to see War of The Worlds, because I love the story.

[Effie1]

Posted: 6/30/05 at 11:47am

Redhot - I agree with you completely. But it wasn't folks like you who I geared my post to.

The fact is - alot of Piazza fans start making personal attacks on those of us who don't find it to be genius. I for one, found it to be one of the most forgettable shows I've seen - that's my perrogative.

Point is - O'Hara did something wrong and it's these crazed fans who are defending her. I think that's just silly. The post was about her comments and it should have been addressed as such.

Posted: 6/30/05 at 12:04pm

Believe me Effie, my tongue is in pain from biting on it. Ive been avoiding this topic like the plague.

[Effie1]

Posted: 6/30/05 at 12:07pm

ha ha! Touche!

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 6/30/05 at 1:58pm

I have to say that when I read this article a few days ago I wondered the same thing. There's nothing wrong with being honest and saying "damn being PC" (which I think more people ought to do), but Mrs. O'Hara's comments do seem to give a little bit of negative insight into her creative process.

Especilly this:
"I wanted to find something believable but not repellent, so she could be loved. So I couldn't really use any developmentally challenged people as models, and as a result, she at first seemed totally normal."

Look at this comment very closly-- I don't think it really has much redeemable value.

I also have to say that she is putting me off of the idea of seeing this show, which is too bad because I've been excited to use my new StudenTix membership.

[nomdeplume]

Posted: 6/30/05 at 2:36pm

Updated On: 7/22/05 at 02:36 PM

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/30/05 at 2:40pm

Nom - very well said - bravo!

[keggss23]

Posted: 6/30/05 at 2:44pm

"Don't slur Ms. O'Hara for her fine acting work and forthright talk.

Let's not pretend that developmentally challenged people are sought-out mates for marriages to more able folk in order to pat yourself on the back as being "politically correct." That would be hypocrisy."

I agree with nomdeplume. I wish people would just be honest with themselves and others instead of pretending to be PC so they can sleep at night.

[bella cantato]

Posted: 6/30/05 at 2:49pm

Well, I don't really care... I think that what Ms. O'Hara said makes her very unattractive in my eyes. To be limited is one thing, but I think "annoying" is an inappropriate use of language. I have worked with many developmentally challenged people who I adore and would not call annoying in the least.