Patina MIller Out of Pippin Tonight Stephanie Pope in — Page 9

Yeah, but I'd rather a fantastic Belle than a mediocre Evita. Not saying that as a Laura/Patina metaphor, nor am I referencing last season's Evita. But then again, last year's Evita wasn't nominated for taking on a "challenging role." It's the performance, not the role.

But we're not comparing Patina Miller and Elena Roger.

If you haven't seen either performance, I think it's pretty unfair to judge. Again, it's about the performance and not comparing the roles. Many Tonys have been won by a performer playing a traditional or unassuming role in a brilliant way.

"Plus There is no doubt that Patina's role is 1000 times harder than Laura's part."

I'm not sure I agree with that. When a role like Leading Player comes along, it's actually fairly easy to WOW an audience with it, but it takes a LOT to WOW an audience or find something notable to do with a role like Cinderella. In fact the character can be so clawingly sweet and dull, that it takes some real effort into making the role entirely lovable and impressive.

Laura Osnes is very good as Cinderella. But I think one advantage Patina Miller has is she's taken herself out of her comfort zone if you will. She's stretching herself in this role in a number of ways-learning all of that complex choreography, the magic she does, and making that role hers.

I'd hardly be torn up if Laura Osnes wins-I enjoyed her performance tremendously. I don't think she's showing her range as much as Patina is, although she does light up a stage and has a certain earnestness about her that makes the character stay away from the sappy, saccharine Cinderella we'd probably all rather not see.

If I was voting, Patina would be my pick. One thing to consider is that they will likely want to give something to Cinderella. (Which against tremendous odds, has done very well.) This is one category to watch.

Wait a second. You haven't seen PIPPIN or CINDERELLA, broadway guy?

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Having seen both, if the pedestrian, saccharine, shallow performance Laura Osnes is giving is "Tony-worthy" now, I really give up. Patina SHOULD beat her handily.

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I also saw both performances (the fact that people are talking about this who haven't seen both is ridiculous) and would agree that Patina is giving the more exciting performance. Laura Osnes is always great, but she has little to work with here. Patina missing a couple of performances hardly hurts her chances, she's almost certainly a lock.

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Thanks, phan24! That's great to hear.

broadway guy, I would say Laura Osnes is onstage more than Patina Miller since she is the title character while Patina is a co-lead and has long stretches offstage, especially in Act 2. And in this production of Cinderella, the role is a triple threat since Cinderella has to dance a lengthy pas de deux with the Prince when they dance at the ball. Patina doesn't really dance all the time, but sure she does have to execute the Manson trio and some of the circus tricks that she performs.

To whomever said that Cinderella is actually more challenging role, I'd have to agree somewhat. The Leading Player is no walk in the park by any means, vocally and physically, but it's easy to impress in that role. It's much harder to bring down the house as Cinderella. Laura was charming and endearing in the role and sounded lovely. Patina also does everything she's asked to do in the role. So it's a matter of taste to an extent.

You have excellent points HeyMrMusic and I wish i could see both performances to compare but until then i guess i will have to take your word for it. In your opinion: What exactly is it that makes Laura Stand out? Its so easy to fall into the disney princess type when playing a role like this but clearly she is defying the odds. Either way, They are both amazing women and I wish Patina wasnt having such a hard time at the moment.

"However, Miller is giving the stronger performance in the stronger, more challenging role."

That's exactly what it seems like. Just because i haven't seen her doesn't mean i don't know what is required of the role. But like someone pointed out, the award doesn't always go to the most challenging role ( Raul vs. David for example) But it seems like most on here would agree that Patina is in first place to win the TONY. We shall see.

You actually don't know what is required of the role if you haven't seen her performance. You can't know every trick she does, every nuance of the performance, the changes in tone when she's speaking to certain actors. You can surmise that based off what people are telling you know you can't know everything.

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