RENO SWEENEY Character Analysis/Discussion

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 6/19/11 at 7:14pm

Hi guys, I was just wondering can anyone describe/explain to me the character of Reno Sweeney. I was wondering how "award-worthy" the actual role is - Sutton Foster clearly deserved her Tony. What does she do with the role that no one has done? What did Patti do with the role in 1987 at Lincoln Center when she did the show? Is Reno more of a comedienne than an actor's part, as in, does she go on any journey..is there any depth in the character/emotions, etc...

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 6/19/11 at 8:16pm

I think Sutton Foster found something uniquely contemporary in Reno Sweeney. A deep-rooted insecurity. Often times, loud, forward, wildly open people are actually the ones that put on big facades to cover deep-rooted feelings of insecurity and loneliness.

Foster's Reno is one of those people - and only because Foster is playing her. We see glimpses of this nerdy, quirky, deeply lonely woman who finds her match in someone similarly nerdy - Lord Evelyn. Foster's Reno (and this is a bit of a stretch) seems a sexier, beltier version of Tina Fey's "30 Rock" character, Liz Lemon. And at the same time, she does so little - Foster is the rare actress that works minimally, taking comfort in the strength of stillness and underplaying moments.

It's the kind of performance that separates a legend from a star, in my opinion. The things Foster does with such an iconic role - making it seem fresh, new, and fun at every turn (not to mention her terrific dancing) is something to be applauded.