The Kristin/Kelli/Chita competition... — Page 3

In my opinion it is truly a 2 way race between Chita and Kristin. If this was a Kelli's "finally" win, I think we wouldn't still be debating. If Bridges of Madison County actually ran through the June or even made it to the Tony nominations there is no doubt in my mind that Kelli would have walked away with her "finnally" Tony. In my opinion Bridges would have likely had Beautiful's nomination for Best Musical if it made it to Tony nominations, which would have drastically changed many of the outcomes. In all honesty I think if IF/THEN were also nominated for Best Musical Idena would have walked home with her second statuette. This is all speculation, but in my opinion most of last years nominees were great performances in otherwise mediocre productions and the winners were the nominees in the "greatest productions" and not the Best Performances.

Back to this years race though, the problem with Kelli, it is another great performance in an excellent production, where as Chita and Kristin are the productions. Kelli has never really been in a true star vehicle where the show lives and dies by her performance. This is not to say the shows would be fine if she gave a bad performance, but she always plays second banana to her co-star. There Harry Connick Jr in the Pajama Game, Palo Szot in South Pacific, Matthew Broderick in Nice Work if You can Get It (i am not saying he gave a great performance, but you left the theater remembering his crappy performance and not Kelli's), and Steven Pasquale in Bridges, (you left thinking THAT VOICE). And now in The King and I you leave thinking "What was Ken Watananbe saying?". Kelli's co-stars almost always outshine her, whether it be for positive or negative reasons. 

Everyone is also forgetting the amount of work both Kristin and Chita have put into their productions. Chita has been working on The Visit for 13 years and Kristen has been trying to get a revival of On the Twentith Century produced for neary 5 years, compared to Kelli's role of being Barlette Sher's muse and being handed her role on a silver platter. Most of the Broadway community knows this, and it definitely bolters Kristin and Chita. At this point I see Kristin having the slight edge, with her only obstacle being her absences. If she continues to miss performances, even though she has only missed 4 at this point due to illness, I see her falling out of the race faster than Glory Days fell off the Boards.

Updated On: 4/30/15 at 01:02 PM

How about another competition between Kristin and Kelli...whose name misspelling bothers you more? "Kristen" or "Kelly"?

Updated On: 4/30/15 at 01:12 PM

Double post.

Updated On: 4/30/15 at 01:15 PM

"How about another competition between Kristin and Kelli...whose name misspelling bothers you more? "Kristen" or "Kelly"?"

 People misspelling Kristin as Kristen make me so angry, for some reason.

I was referring to this year's noms.

I should have been more clear.

Bridges was definitely her show.

I could agree with that. Kristin and Chita ARE the show. But I will say that I was surprised to see how many critics reviewed Kristin and Gallagher as a cohesive team. Whereas Chita was definitely singled out as the main reason to see the show. 

I am going to make my case for why I think Chita Rivera is going to win. Remember: nobody is wrong or dumb until the envelope is opened on June 7th. Some of us will be "right" and others "wrong". I love all of the actresses nominated this year. I think Chita is going to win because I think there are enough older ("Ladies Who Lunch" and their older gentlemen counterparts) who will cast their votes largely for her. I think younger voters will siphon off in three directions, with a majority going to Kelli, then Kristin and then Beth Malone. (I don't believe that Leanne Cope factors at all). It could be that voters skew younger than I think they do, in which case I belive Kelli O'Hara would win. But for now I believe that Chita will win for a dramatic musical performance that was achingly beautiful and haunting.

Also, something else I have thought about: both Kristin and Kelli are hampered (imo) by their co-stars. Peter Gallagher can't hold his own against the powerhouse that is Kristin Chenoweth; and Ken Watanabe (imo) isn't the best King I've ever seen and I didn't care for his diction, singing or acting style. These may factor in or perhaps they may not.

I'm certain Kelli O'Hara will eventually win a Tony award, and it may even be this year. I believe she should already have one for The Light In The Piazza (as great as Sara Ramirez was, I preferred what Kelli did).

I loved Beth Malone's performance. It will haunt me and I will remember it always. I would love for her to win, but I just think Fun Home will win in 6 other categories and Sydney Lucas is the Fun Home actress who will win a Tony on June 7th.

It's fun that it's this close and we can discuss civilly why we think each of these actresses could win - can't wait until June 7th when we all find out what the voters will do!

""I think Kelli's best shot at a Tony in the future would be to originate a dramatic role."
Bridges?
 "

True. But I think she got held down by the lack of enthusiasm for the show, and the very strong competition year. I guess a lot is up to chance.

Freeman, interesting point about the age of voters and the younger ones splitting. May be onto something...

I don't mind this thread and I don't mind the other thread.

But having them both be active simultaneously is confusing.

I haven't seen any of them yet, but based upon what I've read we have three worthy performances from three honest-to-God Broadway stars.  So flip a coin.  While I would love for Kelli to win, this is not one of those years (or categories) in which any of the losers will have been robbed.

In my opinion it is truly a 2 way race between Chita and Kristin. If this was a Kelli's "finally" win, I think we wouldn't still be debating. If Bridges of Madison County actually ran through the June or even made it to the Tony nominations there is no doubt in my mind that Kelli would have walked away with her "finally" Tony. In my opinion Bridges would have likely had Beautiful's nomination for Best Musical if it made it to Tony nominations, which would have drastically changed many of the outcomes. In all honesty I think if IF/THEN were also nominated for Best Musical Idina would have walked home with her second statuette. This is all speculation, but in my opinion most of last years nominees were great performances in otherwise mediocre productions and the winners were the nominees in the "greatest productions" and not the Best Performances.

Bridges actually did make it to nomination day last year, it just failed to receive a Best Musical nod, and then the producers posted their closing notice.

Yep. It's team Kelli all the way this year.

I hardly think it's a case of simple math. Just because Kristin and Chita have Tonys and Kelli does not in no way proves that Kelli will get it.