Kelli O'Hara

Kelli O'Hara (born April 16, 1976) is an American actress, singer, and songwriter.

O'Hara has been nominated for three Tony Awards, one for her performance as Clara Johnson in "The Light in the Piazza", one 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".

Early life

O'Hara grew up in Oklahoma where she graduated from Deer Creek High School. She 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.

Personal life

O'Hara is married to Greg Naughton, son of actor James Naughton.

tage roles

* Broadway:* "South Pacific" (2008) as Nellie Forbush:* "The Pajama Game" (2006) as Babe Williams:* "The Light in the Piazza" (2005) as Clara Johnson:* "Dracula, the Musical" (2004) as Lucy Westenra:* "" (2002) as Susan :* "Follies" (2001) as Young Hattie/Ensemble, then as Young Phyllis:* "Jekyll & Hyde" (2000) as Kate (replacement) / Emma (understudy)

* Off-Broadway and regional theatre:* "The Light in the Piazza" (2004) as Franca (in Seattle and Chicago):* "My Life with Albertine" (2003) as Albertine (off-Broadway):* "Beauty" (2003) (La Jolla Playhouse)

Discography

*2008 "Wonder in the World"

Cast recordings
* 2008 "South Pacific"
* 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
* 2005 "The Light in the Piazza"
* 2003 "My Life With Albertine"
* 2002 "Sweet Smell of Success"

Awards and nominations

* 2008 Tony nomination: Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, "South Pacific"
* 2008 Drama Desk Award Nomination: Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, "South Pacific"
* 2006 Tony nomination: Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, 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 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
* 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
* 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award nomination: Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, The Light in the Piazza
* 2005 Broadway.com Audience Award nomination: Favorite Featured Actress in a Broadway Musical, The Light in the Piazza

External links

* [http://www.kelliohara.com/ Official site]
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* [http://kellionline.tripod.com Unofficial fansite]
* [http://kellionline.conforums.com/ Kelli O'Hara Forum]
* [http://www.americantheatrewing.org/downstagecenter/detail/kelli_ohara Kelli O'Hara] - "Downstage Center" interview at American Theatre Wing.org
* [http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=42200 Kelli O'Hara Interview by Beth Stevens on Broadway.com]