Kelli O'Hara
| Kelli O'Hara | |
|---|---|
 O'Hara at a NYS ARTS Fall Gala in 2008 |
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| Born | April 16, 1976 Oklahoma |
| Spouse | Greg Naughton |
Kelli O'Hara (born April 16, 1976) is an American stage actress, singer, and songwriter.
O'Hara has been nominated for three Tony Awards: for her performance as Clara Johnson in The Light in the Piazza; for her performance as Babe Williams in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of The Pajama Game, where she starred alongside Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael McKean; and, most recently, for her performance as Nellie Forbush in the Lincoln Center Theater revival of South Pacific.
O'Hara was recently seen as Dot/Marie in the L.A. Reprise! concert staging of Sunday in the Park with George. She can be heard as the voice of producer Beth Totenbag on PBS's 2008 animated series Click and Clack's As the Wrench Turns.
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[edit] Personal life
O'Hara grew up in Oklahoma in an Irish American family.[1] She graduated from Deer Creek High School and also attended Oklahoma City University, graduating with a Bachelor's of Music in vocal performance/opera. O'Hara studied voice with Florence Birdwell, who also taught Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth four years earlier. O'Hara and Chenoweth are both alumnae of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority.
O'Hara is married to Greg Naughton, son of actor James Naughton, brother of actress/singer Keira Naughton. Their first child, Owen James, was born on June 27, 2009.[2]
[edit] Stage roles
- Broadway
- Jekyll & Hyde (2000) as Kate (replacement) / Emma (understudy)
- Follies (2001) as Young Hattie/Ensemble, then as Young Phyllis
- Sweet Smell of Success: The Musical (2002) as Susan
- Dracula, the Musical (2004) as Lucy Westenra
- The Light in the Piazza (2005) as Clara Johnson
- The Pajama Game (2006) as Babe Williams
- South Pacific (2008) as Nellie Forbush (took maternity leave on March 8, 2009; returned to the role on October 13, 2009.)[3][4]
- Off-Broadway and regional theatre
- Beauty (2003) (La Jolla Playhouse)
- My Life with Albertine (2003) as Albertine (off-Broadway)
- The Light in the Piazza (2004) as Franca (in Seattle and Chicago)
- Bells Are Ringing (2010) as Ella Peterson (off-Broadway)
- National tours
- Jekyll & Hyde (1999-2000) as Ensemble / Emma (u/s), and later as Emma (replacement)
[edit] Discography
- 2008 Wonder in the World
- 2011 Always
- Cast recordings
- 2002 Sweet Smell of Success
- 2003 My Life with Albertine
- 2005 The Light in the Piazza
- 2006 Harry on Broadway, Act I -- two-disc set: 1. Original Broadway cast recording The Pajama Game; 2. Songs from Thou Shalt Not, Harry Connick, Jr. featuring Kelli O'Hara
- 2008 South Pacific
[edit] Awards and nominations
- 2005 Broadway.com Audience Award nomination: Favorite Featured Actress in a Broadway Musical, The Light in the Piazza
- 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award nomination: Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, The Light in the Piazza
- 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award nomination: Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, South Pacific
- 2005 Tony nomination: Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, The Light in the Piazza
- 2006 Broadway.com Audience Award nomination: Favorite Leading Actress in a Broadway Musical, The Pajama Game
- 2006 Broadway.com Audience Award nomination: Favorite Onstage Pair -- Harry Connick, Jr. & Kelli O'Hara, The Pajama Game
- 2006 Drama Desk Award nomination: Outstanding Actress in a Musical, The Pajama Game
- 2006 Outer Critics Circle Award nomination: Outstanding Actress in a Musical, The Pajama Game
- 2006 Tony nomination: Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, The Pajama Game
- 2008 Drama Desk Award nomination: Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, South Pacific
- 2008 Tony nomination: Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, South Pacific
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.irishabroad.com/irishworld/irishamericamag/octnov08/features/kelli-ohara-octnov08.asp Broadway's Irish Colleen by Mary Pat Kelly published by Irish America magazine - Oct/Nov '08 issue
- ^ Hetrick, Adam."Tony Nominee O'Hara and Naughton Welcome a Son," playbill.com, June 29, 2009
- ^ Hetrick, Adam. Playbill.com, Expectant O'Hara to Depart South Pacific March 8, February 2, 2009.
- ^ Glikas, Bruce. broadway.com, Welcome Back, Kelli! Broadway Sweetheart O'Hara Returns to South Pacific, October 15, 2009.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kelli O'Hara |
- Official site
- Kelli O'Hara at the Internet Movie Database
- Kelli O'Hara at the Internet Broadway Database
- Kelli O'Hara - Downstage Center interview at American Theatre Wing.org
- Kelli O'Hara Interview by Beth Stevens on Broadway.com
