Soon, a Résumé Taller Than She Is (Kerry Butler)

[Craig]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 8:02pm

In new musical theater, it's a diminutive blonde's world. For a while 4-foot-11-inch Kristin Chenoweth was cast in every reading or workshop. Recently, 5-2 Kerry Butler, has overtaken her as every composer's dream ingénue.

From tomorrow's New York Times...
Soon, a Résumé Taller Than She Is (Kerry Butler)

Updated On: 7/9/05 at 08:02 PM

[suddenlyseymour]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 8:04pm

yay for kerry!! =)

[Beergoggles]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 8:06pm

Kerry is James Dean cool!

[ikmbway]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 8:09pm

I love Kerry. And her amazing voice.

[broadway betty]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 9:25pm

I can't wait to read the article. Love Kerry!

[FalmouthJ]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 8:36am

How, exactly, did they fail to mention her year in Little Shop? Just because her reviews were less than stellar? Weird.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 8:49am

Blonds rock!

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 8:59am

I LOVE YOU, KERRY!!!

[Craig]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 9:02am

Jane - they also didn't mention at least 3 or 4 other workshops/readings she's participated in recently....

[minimel8817]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 10:21am

i was looking back on my old playbills and i saw her as Belle in Beauty and the Beast back in like 1997 on broadway!

[massofmen]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 10:28am

I think kerry butler is overated. she is a vanilla actresss who doesn't stray far from her safety net of the same character portrayls. While her voice is just fine, I don't think it overwhelms, or surprises with simplicity(ie: megan mcginnis. I don't understand why the new york times would pick her out, when there are so many other actors and actresses out there that are much more diverse.

Her portrayl of Audrey was bland, as was her turn in Batboy. Batboy is a great musical, and sometimes average people get placed in amazing roles. I don't see much variety in her performances. The new Penny Pingleton is amazing in harispray, and find nuances in that character that Kerry didn't.

I would love to see a times article on someone who makes amazing turns in theater. Christian Borle comes to mind, from Millie to Spamalot.

I just don't understand the fascination of Kerry Butler. SHe is a very replaceable talent. Jen Gambatese, another vanilla actress, could do the exact same thing Kerry does.
I hear Kerry is a wonderful human being, and a great light of life. Which is far more important than her talent on the stage. So while she may shine as an amazing person, I don't find her light shining nearly as bright on the great white way.

just my two cents.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 10:34am

I never really appreciated Kerry Butler until I saw her in the reading of EASTER RISING (Michael Arden's musical) at Joe's Pub this past winter. Her vocals were stunning and her acting was beyond anything I've seen her do so far.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 10:54am

massofmen, there are a lot of talented people on Broadway who deserve to be profiled in the Times. This is Kerry's moment.

The only thing I've seen her in is OPPOSITE OF SEX, and she blew me away. She sunk her teeth into the character of Deedee and never let go. She was dynamic with stage presence to burn. As I've said before, I can't imagine anyone else in the role - and I'm a huge fan of the film.

[TheColorOfFlame]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 10:59am

I agree with massofmen's suggestion that Kerry is a "vanilla" actress, although this is based on her performances in BAT BOY, HAIRSPRAY, and LITTLE SHOP.

Perhaps my opinion would be changed by her turns in OPPOSITE OF SEX or EASTER RISING, as Rathnait and trash have mentioned.

Still, one cannot blame an actor for staying in a comfort zone - where they feel they will be successful - in as risky a venue as Broadway. In Kerry's case, this is mostly vanilla with a slightly corny, yet lovably zany side which is very appealing to the family audience and which has secured her an adoring fanbase.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 11:05am

Kerry goes where she is cast - she's not a TV star who can pick and choose her Broadway roles. It's very difficult to break out of a certain "type" - OPPOSITE OF SEX will do that for her if it gets mounted.

[Craig]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 11:11am

I haven't heard too much about her new role in "Miracle Brother" - but she's playing a mother in the show (to Tyler Maynard from Altar Boyz).

And yes, Rath - you're right. Often it's the casting directors "choosing" the roles. I don't think and can't think of one performer that doesn't go after different and unique roles to expand their growth as an performer.

[TheColorOfFlame]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 11:15am

Right, but Kerry has formula for how she performs the roles she is cast in. A very good formula, might I add.

" 'The thing about Kerry is she sparkles," Ms. McCorkle said. 'She brings a sort of funky edge in a perky way.' "

I concur.

Updated On: 7/10/05 at 11:15 AM

[massofmen]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 11:37am

hmm..well first off casting directors don't give you the job, the producers/directors do. The casting directors just call you in, and you can say no..I don't want to do that anymore. I want to go in a new direction with my career, instead of playing it safe in a comfort zone. Christiane Noll ( I hear) took the urineton tour not cause she needs the money or because she needed the credit, but because she did not want to be known as just a voice. And with the reviews she receieved on the tour, I think she succeeded.
I think that the truly gifted actors and actresses, are the ones that diversify themselves. ie: Alan Cumming.

I think Kerry does the same thing in different venues. And while I have not seen her in Opposite of Sex, I have seen her in many a reading, and I know what I am going to get every time I see her. I hope that she surprises me the next time I see her. Not that it is her job to impress me, at all. I just hope that this lady with good talent will break the boring vanilla mold that she has created for herself and see if she can find something new.
Cause to be honest, we don't need any more "Vanilla Actors/Acttresses". Broadway has enough. Kelli O'Hara, Jen Gambatese, David Ayers. Nice voices, that's about it.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 11:40am

The casting directors call in the actors. Unless the director and producers specifically ask to see certain performers, the casting director decides who gets to audition. That's what they get paid for.

[brdwaybaby17]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 11:49am

"but she's playing a mother in the show (to Tyler Maynard from Altar Boyz)."

She's his mother?? But, they're like the same age! Well... see, there you go massofmen, playing something new...

Anyway, I can't read the article and can't seem to get my hands on a hard copy... can anyone copy it into here?

[Corine2]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 11:54am

Kerry was incredible in Hairspray.
She was also incredible in Bat Boy. I did not love her in Little Shop but she is a fine actress with a beautiful voice.
Kerry deserves to shine.
She is also gorgeous and sweet.
I think she deserves it all and more.
Updated On: 7/10/05 at 11:54 AM

[massofmen]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 11:59am

incredible...hmmm..okay...I thought Alan Cumming was INCREDIBLE in cabaret. i thought Bernadette was INCREDIBLE in into the Woods. I thought George Hearn and Angela Lansbury were INCREDIBLE in Sweeney Todd. I dont think Kerry Butler was incredible in hairspray. I dont think she was incredible in Batboy..she was kerry, doing her "Kerry" thing...

[Pinguin]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 12:06pm

I can understand the "vanilla actress" accusation and I somewhat can agree, especially for her dialogue acting, but I do think she's particularly stellar at acting while singing; I remember sitting up close during "somewhere that's green" and being totally mesmerized by her.

[Kevo711]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 12:08pm

i feel stupid asking this but what in the world is a "vanilla actress/actor"???
Updated On: 7/10/05 at 12:08 PM

[Pinguin]

Posted: 7/10/05 at 12:12pm

"bland"