The Kristin/Kelli/Chita competition...- Page 5

[MaddieBB12]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 3:56pm

"Maddie, the role and performance simply are not at the same level as that of the other three actresses.  Any number of actresses could have played Beth's role in Fun Home.  I don't think you can say the same thing about the other performances."

 Valid. But I still adore her and will be happy if she or any other the other three win. This is easily the most exciting category of the year, and IMO, of the past few years. Everyone has their favorites; I'm having a Tony party and at least each nominee has one of my guests in her court (Even Leanne Cope). Can't wait!

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 6:33pm

SomeoneinaTree...

Yeah I realized after I wrote that how ridiculous that sounded seeing that I haven't seen it yet.  I've just been going off what people have been saying about her and all of the clips that they have been showing.  It's hard having an opinion when you don't live in NYC and can't see all the shows! But I thought I'd try, haha.

[indytallguy]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 6:39pm

"Maddie, the role and performance simply are not at the same level as that of the other three actresses.  Any number of actresses could have played Beth's role in Fun Home.  I don't think you can say the same thing about the other performances."

 Hmm.  Mixed reactions to this. Certainly not as demanding a role as what Kelli and Kristin do, but I think Beth's role is as challenging if not more so than Chita's in The Visit.  She has more songs, more stage business to do, and carries a great deal of the show's arc in her narration.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 7:29pm

Wow, people see such different things. To me, the role of Claire is far more demanding than Allison. But I guess it's pointless to compare them? One is being played by an 82 year-old woman, the other being played by a woman in her mid 40s. It's apples to oranges. But the way, Chita prominently sings in 8 numbers, one a full dance number, and has choreographed moves in two other numbers. I honestly don't recall Beth Malone singing that much, and I can't find an updated Broadway song list to check.

Updated On: 5/3/15 at 07:29 PM

[RaiseYouUp]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 7:40pm

Question about last year's race: Why did people suddenly start predicting Mueller only about a week or two before the broadcast? What clues or hints lead people to believe that she was going to take home the Tony? Because in the beginning, it was pretty wide open, right?

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 7:44pm

Many were predicting Kelli at first cause she was "overdue".. Not sure what exactly changed but by the time of the tony awards, everyone knew Jessie had it. Even Kelli knew it, just like she knows Kristin is her main competition. Could change but i doubt it will. 

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 7:45pm

I would think the fact that Bridges closed greatly hurt Kelli's chances. Being in an open show, Mueller rode a great wave of press and building buzz through Tony night. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 8:20pm

Weren't some experts already predicting Jessie Mueller as the favorite to win last year anyway?

Updated On: 5/3/15 at 08:20 PM

[indytallguy]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 8:59pm

I'm sure I will be in the minority for this, but I'm not giving Chita extra credit points towards a Tony for doing the show at her age ... as wonderful as it is that she is still performing eight shows a week. 

 

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 5/3/15 at 9:24pm

I'm sure I will be in the minority for this, but I'm not giving Chita extra credit points towards a Tony for doing the show at her age ... as wonderful as it is that she is still performing eight shows a week

 

You're one of the few..

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 12:29am

Some look at Rivera's age and make that a part of their evaluation.

And some think O'Hara should get it because she is overdue.

Personally I would lean toward giving the nod to an 82 year old who is still gracing us with her talent and doing so in spectacular fashion over an actress portraying a role that IMO is fairly textbook for a talented woman like Kelli who is both a good actress and has a gorgeous voice. 

Some will say there are a lot of nuances that the latter captures in her portrayal of Anna.  

But you can say the same for Chita's Claire, as well.

My vote though….Chenoweth.  Because IMO she's got the most grueling role that requires the most range in both acting performance and song.  And she is knocking it out of the park.  Timing and delivery in that role is everything.  Any minor slip up and it throws the whole thing off. It goes beyond nuance and a beautiful voice.

After that as a close second, Chita.

[jstoneridge08]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 1:59am

Updated On: 7/22/20 at 01:59 AM

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 2:37am

I think we all take something away from performances that resonate with us in special ways.

I saw OTTC earlier this month and Chenoweth's performance has stuck with me, as well.  I was blown away.

I do agree that flashy doesn't always equate with being best.  But then again, neither should a quieter, more subdued, less flashy or "nuanced" performance be automatically considered the best either.

So that basically leaves us where we started.  Personal impressions and what resonated most with us in the overall scope of the show and the performances within that show.

I wouldn't be surprised if O'Hara wins it.  There seems to be a lot of sentimentality behind her, and her performance.  

But likewise, I don't think sentimentality should play a role either.   

This will be a tight race, I think.

If O'Hara and Chenoweth split votes which then allows Chita in….then hear hear! I love Chita!  And her performance makes her worthy as well.

[AngusN]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 3:25am

I do think that if she loses, it'll really bug Chenoweth. But I don't think it'd faze Kelli O'Hara or Chita Rivera.

What a ridiculous comment jv92. You don't know these ladies personally, therefore can not comment on their personal reactions to losing the Tony. I'm sure all of them will feel some disappointment.

 

 

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 7:53am

"I do think that if she loses, it'll really bug Chenoweth. But I don't think it'd faze Kelli O'Hara or Chita Rivera.  "

 Wow. That is the most ridiculous comment I've ever heard. Plus, she already won a Tony. So, I imagine that she won't care. 

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 5/4/15 at 7:55am

Some people have a weird incorrect personal vendetta against Kristin. 

Updated On: 5/4/15 at 07:55 AM

[Soaring29]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 1:45am

I love Kristin Chenoweth passionately and I don't think she would ever hold a grudge but it wouldn't shock me if she resents losing a little bit. It's such a perfect part for her and a highly difficult one that she's giving her all to and she knows it. I think she'd like to be honored for it and will be disappointed if she doesn't. But she would never be a diva about it. 

Updated On: 12/25/22 at 01:45 AM

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 9:54am

I think I mentioned previously that I'm making it a point to see all the actresses nominated in this category. Having seen Chenoweth, Rivera and Malone so far, I put them in that order. I ultimately think it will be a Chenoweth/O'Hara showdown.

I loved Fun Home and everything about Beth Malone's performance - she's on stage the whole time (?), sings well and delivers her one-liners wonderfully. But for the purpose of handicapping awards odds, I just don't feel she does quite as much heavy lifting compared to the other two nominees.

Regardless, this competition is our gain! We are seeing some of the most wonderful female performances all in the same season - lucky us!

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 10:17am

"I love Kristin Chenoweth passionately and I don't think she would ever hold a grudge, but it wouldn't shock me if she resents losing a little bit.  It's such a perfect part for her and a  highly difficult one  that she's giving her all to and she knows it.  I think she'd like to be honored for it and will be disappointed if she doesn't.  But she would never be  a diva about it. "

Exactly, I can see disappointment easily like who wouldn't? But, I doubt that she would hold a grudge about it, since like I said, she already won a Tony. I can totally see why she was upset about the Apple Tree because sometime ago, I saw some clips of her and she was fabulous! 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 12:13pm

Not a fan of OTTC, but I think Kristen should win.  Her performance in a very difficult role is remarkable.  

Chita Rivera gives an excellent performance, but I don't want her winning because she is 82.  I want he best performance to win, and hers is not.  Her acting is terrific, her voice is strong but borderline unpleasant (to me, it has always been her weakness).

Finally, Kelly.  I saw King most recently of the three.  I loved it, although I was disappointed at Shall We Dance (as was the audience, based on the applause).  Her acting is flawless, her voice is beautiful, but I amnot sure she has enough charisma for the role.  Legend has that as being the reason Gertrude Lawrence was so great...was certainly not her voice.  Comparing Kelly's performance to Donna Murphy's (and even Faith Prince's), she was missing something for me...charisma.  Constance Towers (who had a beautiful voice) did not have it either, which I always assumed was part of the plan, to place more focus on Yul Brynner.

so, I vote for Chenoweth, and actually think she and Helen Mirren should be the lead contenders for theDrama League award, as the best performance of the season.

[jstoneridge08]

Posted: 5/6/15 at 3:21pm

Updated On: 7/22/20 at 03:21 PM

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 5/9/15 at 9:41am

Looks Like Brantley thinks Chenoweth will win (no surprise there). I'm surprised Brantley and Isherwood are both counting out Chita. Looks like it's going to be a Cheno vs O'hara race. 

Updated On: 5/9/15 at 09:41 AM

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 5/9/15 at 12:24pm

Thanks for the review of O'Hara, jarethan.  Hers was the only performance I didn't see. Due to time constraints I had to pick and choose, and having seen The King and I so many times, including the version with Donna Murphy and LDP, I skipped that one.

Personally I think Chenoweth was stellar in, as you noted, a difficult role.

Can I totally compare her performance with O'Hara?  Not having seen the latter, no.

I have seen The King and I lots though, and knowing the role of Anna, it just seems to me that if it's up against a tour de force performance of Lily Garland in the same season, the latter would have to get the nod.  IMO, of course.

I'm not saying the role of Anna is easy, and doesn't require a beautiful, well-crafted performance.  It absolutely does.  And it's great to hear that O'Hara is hitting it out of the park.  I wish I had had the time to see it.  I really find it a beautiful show.

But the level of "chops" required for Lily is out there in the cosmos.  And if you have an actress who has it down, I personally think it needs to be recognized.  

With the passion, energy and might she's putting into her performance, giving it her all, I could certainly understand why she might be highly disappointed if she doesn't get the nod.  She's not in the business for the awards, but I suppose if they're going to have awards to give, it would be nice to get one when deserved.  And she does deserve it IMO.

[VanillaIceCream2]

Posted: 5/9/15 at 1:07pm

But by that same "Lily Garland is a tour-de-force role" logic, Kelli should have won last year over Jessie Mueller. Kelli carried Bridges every single night. There was very little B-plot and no B-couple to shift focus; Francesca is off-stage for perhaps 15 minutes of the entire two and a half hour show. Kelli's songs were technically much more difficult and required a much greater emotional range. Jessie often began a song that would then transition into a big production number, and since she was usually sitting in her office playing for a collaborator or in a recording studio, she didn't really have to act her songs. In my (somewhat biased) opinion, Almost Real from Bridges shows more depth of emotion than was required of Jessie through all of Beautiful.

 

All of this is just to say that I don't know that the Tony voting is straightforward enough to simply reward the "better role." Kristin could very well win, but for a mixture of other factors as well as the fact that she is playing a great role.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 5/9/15 at 2:05pm

But the role of Carole King is still difficult to pull off. You have to go through a little over a ten-year character arc within two hours, you have to play a well-known music icon without coming across as an impersonation, etc.