The Kristin/Kelli/Chita competition... — Page 12

It's worth noting that Kelli has much more exposure this season than ever before. Ads for The King and I are all over the internet with her face smack in the middle, and every single article about this year's Tony Awards manages to work in a mention about how this is her sixth nomination without a win.

Additionally, more people are seeing her in this role than any other previously. This is the first time that Kelli is playing to consistently sold-out houses on a weekly basis since The Pajama Game (South Pacific, though a massive hit, was never a consistent sell-out), and the Vivian Beaumont has a much higher capacity than the American Airlines.

Obviously these factors won't directly lead to a win and many voters will still vote for Kristin on merit, but Kelli is getting a lot of publicity and indirect campaigning this year for sure.

I'm still hoping for a tie, for which there is ample precedent, but I feel the need to defend both of these talented women. I don't agree with Cone that

O’Hara is serious and glorious in a revivified masterwork, and Chenoweth is being her deliciously brassy self in a retro romp.

I think that he is belittling KC's talent. As if playing Lily in 20th Century or Cunegonde in Candide is no big deal because she was only being herself.

I would compare Chenoweth to Fanny Brice, a wonderful comedienne with a voice to separate her from all other comediennes. Like Chenoweth, she tried to establish herself as a dramatic actress and even had a nose job to try to escape her caricature as a funny ethnic Jew. Like Chenoweth, she did not succeed, but she went back to her comedy and song and was much loved. Streisand's performance in Funny Girl helped push Brice into legendary status.

I also don't get the accusations that KO is bland and just suited to playing R&H leads. It makes no sense because she has been in other roles besides R&H, which everyone here knows. Earthy in Pajama Game and a match for Jeanette MacDonald in Bridges, which despite all her efforts was saddled with too much baggage by the creative team to be a success.

Can Kelli do comedy? She had the thankless job of the Judy Holliday role in Bells Are Ringing, but did fine with it. She got the usual fine reviews for her role in the rather pointless Nice Work.

But to showcase her versatility I would pick her recent role in The Merry Widow at the Met, which she squeezed into her schedule just before King and I rehearsals began. I don't know how many saw it, but I went to my local IMAX for the live broadcast. She was grand in the highlight 3rd Act scene with the Grisettes chorus girls. Entering tipsy with an empty bottle, joining the kick line with the girls half her age, and filling the huge Met with her unamplified voice.

Opera aficionados who hated the idea of Broadway taking over a translated version of this operetta and who were very harsh with Renee Fleming still found "the remarkable Kelli O'Hara, a queen of Broadway, in her Met debut." (Times) And "Kelli O'Hara was a wonderful surprise, making not just her house debut, but her operatic bow as well." (Classical Review)

Some critics of Kelli probably envy her apparent success in all aspects of her life. Hell, I envy her.

Tomorrow I see 20th Century for the third time, but the first since early previews. After all this praise, I hope I don't come out feeling let down.

I actually think Beth's performance is just is emotionally impactful and "subdued/nuanced" as Kelli's. For what it's worth.

"Kelli is not offering the audience anything fresh or original with Anna."

In your opinion.

It seems that this race has turned into a Kristin Vs. Kelli showdown. I wonder why Chita hasn't been gaining any traction. Perhaps the support just isn't there.

I finally caught 20th century yesterday and I'm pretty dumbfounded as to why this is not a Chita - Kelli race to the finish line. Hearing all the rave reviews and accolades, I was going in expecting to see the second coming, and what I saw was an incredibly talented performer - one who I happen to enjoy very much - doing what she does very well, but have seen her better in other pieces. I certainly didn't feel the way many others here do about the performance. I came away hoping that Andy Karl walks away with the TONY.

After seeing all the nominees, I'd have to go with Kelli, though I'd be equally as thrilled if it went to Chita.

After seeing all the nominees, I'd have to go with Kelli, though I'd be equally as thrilled if it went to Chita.

It doesn't seem like the producers are doing much for the Chita campaign. They are probably more focused on keeping the show alive, rather than getting Chita another Tony. The article about why Kelli should win didn't help Chita either.

One week away and there still appears to be no clear front runner. Fascinating.

The DD won't even provide much of a clue tonight since they didn't nominate O'Hara (and we all know what happened the year Patina Miller was snubbed of a Drama Desk nomination).

One reason to root for Kelli is that, if she loses, for a year every interview with her will open with "How does you feel about being nominated six times without winning?"

I saw 20th Century on Sunday for the first time since the two early previews and I was not let down at all. It was a joy. Much improved, which I guess is why they have previews.

I thought the biggest improvement was in Oscar. I had seen Moye the understudy, with little rehearsal, and Gallagher just back from his illness. Neither seemed very forceful. Now Peter has got the bravado down, and holds up his half of being a co-star.

Big change in audience reaction. When I saw the previews, only about half the audience stood at curtain call until Kristin took her bow and just about everyone got up.

On Sunday 95 percent of the audience was on its feet when the curtain call started, and there was loud cheering along with the applause.

Troll, nobody needs your input on anything.

I do not want Kelli to become the Susan Lucci of the Tonys...

While we wait for the NYT polls I think it's worth pointing out that a few of the expert predictors from Gold Derby have jumped ship in the last few days. Chita has lost all her "votes", it's now Kristin: 11, Kelli: 3 (I think it was 8:3:3 since all 14 predictions were in)

Kristin for the WIN