Karen Olivo
| Karen Olivo | |
|---|---|
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| Born | August 7, 1976 Manhattan, New York |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse | Matt Caplan (2006-Present) |
Karen Olivo (born August 7, 1976) is an American stage and television actress, who is known for originating the role of Vanessa in the Tony Award–winning musical In the Heights both on and off Broadway. She won her Tony Award for her performance as Anita (2009–2010) in the revival of West Side Story. She is the first and only actor to win a Tony for a performance in West Side Story.
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[edit] Life and career
Olivo is of Dominican, Puerto Rican, Native American, and Chinese descent.[1] She was born in New York City and raised in Bartow, Florida. She attended the Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts in nearby Lakeland, Florida, and later the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music. Olivo is married to Matt Caplan, who is currently in the production of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.
[edit] Theatre
In 2009, Olivo received her first Tony Award for her performance as Anita in the Broadway revival of West Side Story.[2] She was also nominated for both a Drama Desk and an Outer Critic's Circle Award for her critically acclaimed performance as Anita. She earned her second Astaire Award nomination for Best Female Dancer for her performance in West Side Story, after previously winning the same award in 2008 for her performance in In the Heights. She was contracted with West Side Story at the Palace through 2010.[3] During the May 8, 2010 matinee performance of West Side Story, Olivo broke her foot.[4] Anita standby Natalie Cortez performed the role until the show's closure.[5] Olivo took part in the world premiere of "By The Way, Meet Vera Stark" at Off-Broadway's Second Stage Theatre. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, the play "draws upon the screwball films of the 1930s to take a funny and irreverent look at racial stereotypes in Hollywood."[6]
[edit] Television
Olivo had a recurring role in The Good Wife on CBS. She played fabulously wealthy law student Giada Cabrini, a potential love interest of firm partner Will Gardner (Josh Charles). Olivo is currently a series regular in the second season of NBC's Harry's Law, playing "hot shot lawyer" Cassie Reynolds hired by Kathy Bates' character. [7]
Olivo also appeared as Isabelle Perez, a woman that was unknowingly sterilized in a Law and Order episode: Season 16, episode 6, Birthright.
[edit] Theatre credits
| Show | Character | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | Mimi | 1998 | |
| Brooklyn The Musical | Faith | 2004 | |
| Miracle Brothers (Off Broadway) | Jeca | 2005 | |
| In The Heights (Off Broadway) | Vanessa | 2007 | |
| Hair (40th Anniversary Concert) | Sheila | 2007 | |
| In The Heights (Broadway) | Vanessa | 2008 | Astaire Award |
| West Side Story (Revival) | Anita | 2009 | Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Drama Desk Award nomination, Outer Critics Circle Award, Astaire Award nomination |
| By The Way, Meet Vera Stark (Off Broadway) | Anna Mae/ Afua Assata Ejobo | 2011 |
[edit] Film
Olivo has had several roles in movies, including Adrift in Manhattan, Make Yourself at Home, The New Twenty, Shanghai Hotel, and The Orphan Killer.
[edit] References
- ^ Laura Checkoway (June 9, 2009). "Tony Award Winner Karen Olivo Shares Her Story". latina.com. http://www.latina.com/entertainment/celebrity/exclusive-tony-award-winner-karen-olivo-shares-her-story. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
- ^ Article on Olivo's Tony Award win
- ^ BroadwayWorld website
- ^ http://www.broadway.com/shows/west-side-story/buzz/152390/broken-foot-sidelines-tony-winner-karen-olivo-from-west-side-story/
- ^ Broadway Revival of West Side Story to Close in January; Olivo Will Not Return
- ^ http://www.broadway.com/shows/way-meet-vera-stark/buzz/154937/stephanie-j-block-karen-olivo-and-more-headline-off-broadways-by-the-way-meet-vera-stark/
- ^ http://www.tvguide.com/News/Karen-Olivo-Harrys-Law-1035119.aspx
[edit] External links
- Broadway.com Star Profile
- Broadwayworld.com Profile
- Karen Olivo at the Internet Movie Database
- Internet Broadway Database Profile
- Diva Talk: Karen Olivo
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