What's the deal with Kerry? — Page 2

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#26

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 10:25am

"re: What's the deal with Kerry?
Posted On: 7/6/08 at 10:17:03 AM

That actresses name was Stephanie J. Block who was very frequently out. She just has a lot of fans and defenders on this board. But, I thought her frequent absences were a bit much too. "

Hey Adam,
Ok, fair enough. I was just checking because I suspected she was the one being talked about. I don't know enough about her attendance history to have an opinion. I can only say that she called out only 1x out of the 4 I went to see her. So, she was alright with me. However, I realize others may have had a vastly different experience.

In general, I will say this...unless it is exceptionally agregious, I shy away from being too harsh about absences for illness. In general, I'd rather the actor take off whatever time and TRULY get well, instead of being at half strength with periodic outs for months. The performances you get aren't solid AND they are out, so that is not win for me because it's the worst of both.

#27

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 10:26am

I don't know, personally I don't think she should've attempted that second vault. I mean, is a F*CKed up ankle really worth the gold?

StageManager, you are my new favorite person.

Not true. There was about a three week gap between her final London performance and first Broadway performance.

That's an absurd comment. You think she wasn't doing anything between her last show in London and her first show in the US? Ever heard of a thing called rehearsals? She had her last London performance on a Saturday night and was in the Gershwin rehearsing on that Monday.

"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife

#28

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 10:30am

"You think she wasn't doing anything between her last show in London and her first show in the US?"

I never said that.

"Ever heard of a thing called rehearsals? "

Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. But thanks for asking, though. We're not talking about a particularly strenuous rehearsal period, as she's played the role for 18 months, however.

#29

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 10:36am

She had essentially ONE WEEK to have rehearsals.
She was still unwell during that one week.

Regardless of how intense they were, she was still performing...just not to an audience.
That would strain her voice when it should have been resting.

Why the witch hunt (semi intended)? She clearly is able to do the full 8 shows a week to excellent levels, so its not like she's a poor performer and can't be bothered.

Updated On: 7/6/08 at 10:36 AM

#30

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 10:39am

She wouldn't have needed more than a week. Replacement actors completely new to a role only get two weeks.

"She was still unwell during that one week. "

Then perhaps her debut should have been delayed until she was well enough to perform regularly. Which, granted, I'll give you, would be a decision that would be made by the producers, not Kerry Ellis.

#31

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 11:38am

I have seen Kerry twice in the role. I could tell just by watching that something wasn't right with her. She wasn't giving the same level of performance that I know that she could have been giving and the kinds that she has been praised for in London. I do feel that she is in fact sick and not feeling well. And, that she wanted to take afternoon performances off to rest up for the night ones. But, still I feel that enough is enough. On Broadway you have to be on your A game 8 times a week. She is starting to prove that she can't do this. And, if her illness was so bad that she was going to have trouble performing then maybe she shouldn't have come over in the first place.

"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear" Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll

#32

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 12:10pm

of course she 'can' do it.

she's been doing 8 shows a week since early 2007 and i'd say she's been on top form for a good 90% of the time.

broadway is the mecca of the theatre world, but that doesn't make it some bizarre alternate place where suddenly performing is harder. kerry CAN sing the score and sustain the performance, she's proven it in london, it's not like being on broadway suddenly altered her ability.

she's just not feeling great and being pushed to get better and perform the demanding score before she's fully able to. health doesn't work like that, which is why she's lagging.

hopefully, it's nothing more than that.

although, i do get the impression that she's growing tired of the role. she's got at least another half year to plow through, so hopefully i'm wrong.

Updated On: 7/6/08 at 12:10 PM

#33

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 12:27pm

I saw Kerry on 7/1 and she looked totally healthy to me, but gave quite a tame performance consisting of a half-a$sed American accent, and many lines in songs spoken, instead of sung.

#34

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 1:28pm

DRSisLove, that was exactly how I felt about her performance. Competent, but very, very dull.

#35

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 5:42pm

I have seen videos on youtube where Kerry gave a better performance then she is giving now. I hated her very fake american accent. I hate that she was singing the songs to the score instead of hitting them out of the park like she always has done in London.

I know Kerry is capable of doing 8 shows a week but from what I have seen and from her being out a lot she isn't doing a good job of convincing me that she can on Broadway.

"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear" Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll

#36

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 6:09pm

Kerry just sent me an Instant Message.

She says "Hugs and Kisses to All!"

"To love another person is to see the face of God!"

#37

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 11:29pm

she just sent me one aswell, how odd...

#38

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 11:55pm

I saw Kerry on July 4th and thought was great,she didn't sound off, in fact she was actually spot on for all of her songs. She didn't get applause for entrances or the finale,but at the end of her songs it was like a rock concert,especially once it ended the entire theatre erupted into a standing ovation right at the start of curtain call. Judging from past posts and what I saw its clear that Kerry is getting better and better and with due time will be wowing audiences here just like in the UK

Updated On: 7/6/08 at 11:55 PM

#39

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/6/08 at 11:56pm

My sister gets to see her on our birthday on the 20th. (Wer're 5 years apart.) At this point I'm letting my mom go with her and I'll do something with my dad. If we manage to win lotto tickets (if anyone wants to help out, PM me...) then she and I will take those and the parents will sit in our purchased seats. LOL.

I know she's REALLY excited.

Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!

#40

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/7/08 at 12:07am

i personally personally hope she keeps it up, i have tickets to the mat. on july 26th and really want to see julie

Formally Stews_Bitch::: Shows in the 2010 Season for me. 101 Dalmations tour - Jan 24th, Xanadu Tour - Mar 9th and 10th, Wicked - May 14th, Legally Blonde - June 12th:::::::Upcoming - South Pacific, Young Frankinstein (Two Cities) Rock of Ages (Two Cities) Shrek (3 Cities) Les Mis, DreamGirls, Spring Awakening, Color Purple, and 9 to 5!

#41

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/7/08 at 12:16am

iluvny04,

The reaction your discribing the audience had to Kerry doing the role is the EXACT same way that every audience reacts towards whoever is playing Elphaba. They always cheer like mad after the songs and always give a standing O. Your discription doesn't describe how the audience was reacting towards Ellis rather how they react in general to who ever is playing the role. I saw the show on 3rd and then again on the 5th. On the third I saw Kerry and on the 5th I saw Julie (by they way it was great to finally see an Elphaba riff when they wanted to during the songs) and they reacted the same way to Kerry that they did for Julie.

"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear" Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll

#42

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/7/08 at 12:19am

Yeah, that kind of reaction is standard operating procedure at the show. Every Elphaba I've ever seen has gotten that kind of reaction after her songs, no matter how good or bad she was. And I've never seen the show not get an enthusiastic standing ovation.

#43

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/7/08 at 9:49am

Ok, so maybe it was standard Elphaba reception, but I am telling you and you can diasgree all you want but Kerry was definitely on fire on the 4th, granted she was not doing any riffing or anything, but sometimes you needn't resort to riffing to give a great performance and contrary to popular belief I think she will be able to be at the level she was at in London, just give her time.

Updated On: 7/7/08 at 09:49 AM

#44

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/8/08 at 6:10pm

Just another heads up...

Julie has posted that she will be playing Elphaba this Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday!

#45

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/8/08 at 6:28pm

any idea if Kerry will be doing 23rd (evening) or 24th july shows?

#46

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/8/08 at 7:37pm

Honestly, I really could care less if Ellis shows up at all.
Julie is much better.
Kerry has one brilliant moment...the "Look to the western sky" riff. And that was done to a much more chilling degree by Kristy Cates long before her.

Why anyone would fly over from the UK to see Kerry in the US is beyond me. If they want to see an American company, they should wait for someone else.

#47

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/8/08 at 7:42pm

I just snagged a sweet second row ticket for Thursday night...anyone else going?

#48

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/8/08 at 7:59pm

Yeah I'll be there.

#49

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/9/08 at 1:01am

i am not sure what is up with kerry ellis with her absences. also we all do not know who will be on for this month for 23rd and 24th, it seems all up in the air with who will play elphie for each performance.

a little note julie was on as elphie tonight july 8th and i have to say she was terrfic and had wonderful chemistry with kendra.

#50

re: What's the deal with Kerry?

Posted: 7/9/08 at 2:48am

"And no one got on another tour/Broadway Elphie who missed multiple shows per week on a regular basis. I'm not going to say her name because last time I did I was absolutely reamed for it."

I totally thought you were talking about Caissie Levy from LA until SJB was brought up. In Caissie's four month run (yes the girl only lasted four months full time), she missed over one third of her performances. Yes, her attendance record was so bad that on another forum people started keeping a tally, and calling her standby the "alternate Elphaba."

Updated On: 7/9/08 at 02:48 AM

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