I am very upset. She is so wonderful, she is amazing in Piazza, and too be honest, although the show was not good, she was wonderful in Dracula and made it better. She has a beautiful voice and wonderful acting skills and she is beautiful. I have meet her a few times and she could not have been nicer!
Broadway Star Joined: 9/12/04
It is so hard to compare Kelli's voice with Sara's- it's almost as if they should create a catagory for "belters" and one for "sopranos" (or something on that order-this was my daughter's thought!). I'm not all that crazy about the music from either "Piazza" or "Spamalot", but it does seem as if Kelli's part was more demanding vocally. Can anyone help out with the comparison?
*points to self* Me. I am terribly disappointed. Everything about her performance is gorgeous. Rameriz is funny and has a very good voice, but when I saw the show I was confused with what all the hype was about. Very talented, but not that great of a role if you ask me.
Sad yes. When you have someone who is a superior actress AND a singer who carries a show get overlooked, how can you not be sad.
But it was all politics anyway.
But I'm so glad Sara was able to miss a week an half of shows and be able able to sing on the Tonys.
And Kelli has missed how many shows?
Yeah..what I thought.
I was disappointed that Kelli didn't take the Tony home, but I wasn't crying over the fact that Sara took it either. They both deserved it. It was an unfair competition because Sara and Kelli are so different from singing styles (or in their own respective shows, at least). It's like voting for either apples or oranges.
Featured Actor Joined: 8/31/04
That's why the Oscars and especially the Tonys are perplexing by nature. You simply cannot compare two actors, just as you can't compare two shows, and ESPECIALLY two performances, like Clara and The Lady of the Lake. They are like pomegranates and starfruit.
Just trying to spice up the old cliche.
I was definitely sad -- why a caricature with a great belt should win over a subtle, nuanced and moving performance. Ay, politics...
Swing Joined: 6/3/05
Debbie and All Sara Ramirez Cynics -
SARA IS NOT ONLY A BRILLIANT SINGER SHE IS A BRILLIANT ACTRESS!! It's okay to cheer for your heroine, but, don't minimalize the talents of the winner!!! Theater is a wonderful art form. It takes great skill and talent to do what these people do.
Best,
Hercules
Herc... i dont think anyone is saying that sara is less than great... we were merely discussing the role she plays and its importance in her show as compared to the role of clara. Lady of the lake is sort of unnecessary if you think about it (watch the movie). Adding that part didnt do much for the story (and her divas lament adds nothing to further a story line or anything... its unnecessary fluff). She is a great singer.. and I think she could be terrific in a bigger and more demanding role... and should have won an award for something bigger than a glorified cameo.
Clara on the other hand... is absolutely pivotal to the show. Kelli and Victoria carry the whole show... and work as a team to create such a wonderful chemistry and beautiful product. Her songs are vocally demanding, and relavent to the plot. Its a harder role... and Kelli shines.
Sara might very well be the best actress in the category, but not for this role. It shouldnt be based on what she is in general, but what she is in the show, and what she brings to the stage overall. Sara brings a powerhouse voice and some laughs. Kelli brings heart, soaring vocals, and a glowing presence. She was the most deserving in this case. I hope they both move onto bigger things, and Kelli continues to shine... I cant wait to see her up on that stage recieving what she so deserves.
". . . dramatic acting (clearly a much harder feat than comedic acting"
Comedic acting requires just as much if not more stamina and skill than dramatic acting. With dramatic acting you don't always receive and instant response from an audience, it is usually saved for the end of the show. However, a comedic role needs laughs to surive. If a comedic role doesn't get laughs where laughs should it be it is mentally taxing on performer, the audience and everyone else involved. There is nothing worse than when jokes fall flat, any actor will tell you that. It eats away at you trying to fix it every night but when you get it it is the most rewarding feeling in the world.
but dramatic actors have to enthrall the audience and keep their attention otherwise its boring (just like an unfunny comedy act on stage) when a dramatic actor is "doing it right"...you can feel the energy of the crowd hanging on their every word and note... which is extremely hard as well.
They're both as difficult.
I think acting itself is difficult enough without having to divide it into categories they are equally difficult each has the same amount of risk. It is pointless to try to tug-o-war this issue.
agreed lol. i just like playing the devil's advocate a bit. I guess I'm still a little sad that Kelli didnt win. You should have seen my death eyes last night when they announced the winner... with no offense to sara... i was just really upset eventhough it was predictable. I just am not a fan of politics. Sara could have read her speech of the teleprompter... yet it still wouldnt soften the blow for me. Sorry for being a pain... Im just a huge fan of the work done by Ms. O'hara and the rest of the Piazza gang.
Boo for politics.
I still don't believe that the Lady of the Lake is a Tony worthy role.
It's not really a character who has an arc or story or anything.
It's like comparing a stand-up comedian to a comedic actor.
No denying, Sara's probably really gifted.
But the role? Not challenging.
~Steven
too bad we arent tony voters steven....
hehe...I hope Kelli knows that there is a whole thread on BWW that is devoted to talking about how much we love her :0)
She knows...They always know.
I know...
If we were, wow, I think Piazza would have the second highest number of Tonys ever, haha.
~Steven
I would've given it to Kelli hands down.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
If my votes had counted, in addition to the deserved awards PIAZZA received, they also would have won featured actress AND actor, as well as director and musical.
She's a fantastic young talent and I look forward to seeing her many more times. She's magnificent in the role, and it's definitely one of the best vocal performances I've ever had the pleasure to listen to.
I would have given kelli and matt the tony and jack o'brien for director.....cause DRS needed something.
Count me in on the Matt bandwagon too. 2 fantastic performances.
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