Friday, April 25, 2008

Dear Broadway, Why not Kate Baldwin?

When I read the Playbill news that Kate Baldwin would be starring in Huntington Theatre Company's upcoming production of the classic Sheldon Harnick-Jerry Bock musical She Loves Me , I immediately starting scheming. I first saw Kate in Opening Doors in 2004 at Zankel Hall. I loved her performance - and those of her cast mates Victoria Clark and Jan Maxwell - so much, I went twice and wished that I could have gone more. I then heard Kate sing multiple songs at Wall to Wall Sondheim in 2005. Recently, I had the pleasure of enjoying her perfect performance as Charlotte in A Little Night Music in Baltimore.

Although she's very busy regionally, she only has three Broadway credits. I find this curious. She has a gorgeous soprano voice, with an impressive range, and she absolutely sparkles. At Wall to Wall, she very ably and memorably sang The Miller's Song, as well as joined in on other numbers throughout the 12 hour Sondheim birthday marathon. I think her acting range is extensive too - Charlotte is undeniably ascerbic and sarcastic and she had no trouble delivering on this, but I can also see her as a sweet leading lady. Are there just no roles for her on Broadway? What about Kelli O'Hara's replacement in South Pacific? Maybe She Loves Me will transfer. Just give her a lead on Broadway. She deserves it. So do we.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Or you could come up to Boston, my pet. I mean, it's not exactly the hinterlands. If you can haul your cookies down to Virginia to take in Kander & Ebb, you can certainly head north for a little Bock & Harnick.

Bob said...

Yes yes YES! Kate Baldwin is one of those actresses that I was IMMEDIATELY drawn to when I saw her in the Lincoln Center Passion - she was a last-minute replacement for Laura Benanti as the Mistress.

I've *seen* her in a few other things, as well, and she's amazing. As you said, her range is enormous. Leading lady material, and comedic sidekick belter. She's a Chicago-based actress, too.

Esther said...

Sorry to say that I'd never heard of Kate Baldwin. Thanks for filling me in. You've made me want to go see "She Loves Me" even more now!

Roxie said...

Amen, amen! I agree. Someone give that woman a job!

Anonymous said...

There would've been a fourth one if Harmony hadn't imploded...