Cabaret
Sally Bowles
Kelly and Garrison Set for San Jose Cabaret in March
PHOTO CALL: Cabaret at American Musical Theatre of San Jose
“A quiet force on the regional and tour scene, Tari Kelly manages to reinvent Sally Bowles like never before. Kelly manages to make Sally a full creation. Her moving belt and spot-on dancing fill out a performance full of spectacular moments. Her work always stems from the text. From exquisite showmanship in "Don't Tell Momma" and "Mein Herr" to quiet moments of reflection in a moving "Maybe This Time" (where Berry has her rising from bed to center stage). Kelly's reading of the 11 O'clock masterpiece "Caberet" is nothing short of genius. Each nuance of the character is captured in a daring performance that rivals all who came before her.”
“Breathtaking work indeed.”
“Tari Kelly in the central female role of Sally Bowles has song and dance talent to spare, amply displayed in numbers like "Mein Herr" and the title song, but like Liza Minnelli before her, it's hard to accept that such a talent would be working in a seedy Berlin nightclub. Acting-wise she captures Sally's abandon and devil may care attitudes…”
Friday, March 28, 2008
10 Questions for...Tari Kelly
Tari Kelly is currently starring a Sally Bowles in the 5th Avenue Theatre production of Cabaret. She recently took some time to answer our first "10 Questions for...feature". Here Kelly reveals an intelligent actress eager to create believable characters using the text as her guide.
1. What is the most challenging part of playing the legendary Sally Bowles?
Making sure that the audience sees her humanity and how vulnerable she is. She is written in such a way that if you play her without those qualities she can be construed as a heartless, thoughtless mess. I want to make sure people understand her and not hate her for her faults.
2. How did you prepare for the role? Did you watch the Fosse film or listen to any past Sally’s?
No, I didn't watch the film or listen to anyone else. I did this role a year ago at the Public in Pittsburgh, so it was a revisitation for me. I like approaching a character with fresh eyes, taking my cues about how to portray her from the script. Making a character my own rather than a copy of someone else's is very important to me.
3. Hal Prince has described the song "Cabaret" as "the moment Sally decides to have an abortion." Is it difficult to play such a dark theme in what many consider a show-biz number?
I don't find it a challenge really, I rather welcome it. Where the song comes in the play makes it a bit easier. For me there is a specific point in the song that Sally decides on the abortion. And the way it is written for the stage indicates that it has a deeper meaning and is more than just another show tune.
4. You're working with one of Seattle's brightest stars, Nick Garrison as the Emcee. How has that been?
Awful! He's such a diva! No, it's been great! He is such a funny individual and he is constantly making us all laugh. We don't have much interaction in the show at all but it's been great watching him develop his own take on this iconic role.
5. You were a remarkable Audrey in the Little Shop of Horrors tour. With the trademark performance of Ellen Greene's performance, the role always seems to defeat actors but you made it fresh and new. Can you describe your process of discovering Audrey?
First thank you for your kind words. I am very proud of that production and of the performance I gave. As I stated before, I approach the character from what she says, what she sings. My biggest clue to Audrey was the simple things she wanted in "Somewhere That's Green." To me she isn't a typical dumb blonde - she is rather quite childlike and innocent. She just wants to be loved, to be happy. Simplicity. Approaching her like this made the most sense to me.
6. You stood by for Stephanie Block's Liza in The Boy from Oz. Did playing Liza on Broadway prepare you for playing Sally in Seattle?
I can't say that it did. Liza's Sally is very different from mine. Just for logistics sake, Sally in the stage play is English, Liza in the movie version is American. The character in the movie is just very different than how she is written for the stage version. I know most people associate Liza with Sally or vice versa, but I see them as two separate entities.
7. Was there ever a role you feel you never fully settled into?
Not yet! I really immerse myself in my work and while it can be a bit exhausting I think it's afforded me the gift that I've always felt pretty good about who I'm portraying. So far so good!
8. What was the "moment" you decided that musical theatre was your calling?
When I was born. I always joke around about how my mother went into labor with me at around 7:30pm and I was born at 11:01pm. It was like I knew it was show time. But the biggest impact was when I saw the live stage production of CAMELOT on HBO starring Richard Harris. It was the first time I'd seen a non-movie musical and it really made an impression on me. I even started acting it out in my basement. That's when I knew I really wanted to be an actress when I grew up.
9. You've been in Seattle for shows quite a few times. What is your favorite part of the city?
I don't know if I have a favorite part. The coffee is the most amazing coffee I've ever had in my entire life, so that makes me happy! I love the vibe of the city - it feels really cool and eclectic. And I love that it's right on the water. Very beautiful.
10. Any Dream Roles?
A few. I still want to play Polly in "Crazy for You," Dot in "Sunday in the Park With George," Annie in "Annie Get Your Gun" just to name a few. But what I'd really like to do is originate a role in a fabulous new show. Isn't that every actress’s dream?
Top and bottom photos by Chris Bennion
Middle photo by Joan Marcus
