Kelli O'Hara (born April 16, 1977) is an American actress and singer. O'Hara has been nominated for three Tony Awards, first as Clara Johnson in The Light in the Piazza, second as Babe Williams in The Pajama Game, and most recently as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific. O'Hara was recently seen as Dot/Marie in the L.A. Reprise! concert staging of Sunday in the Park with George. O'Hara grew up in Oklahoma where she 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 alumna of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. O'Hara is engaged to Greg Naughton, son of actor James Naughton. STAGE ROLES * Broadway o South Pacific (2008) as Nellie Forbush o The Pajama Game (2006) as Babe Williams o The Light in the Piazza (2005) as Clara Johnson o Dracula, the Musical (2004) as Lucy Westenra o Sweet Smell of Success: The Musical (2002) as Susan o Follies (2001) as Young Hattie/Ensemble, then as Young Phyllis o Jekyll & Hyde (2000) as Kate (replacement) / Emma (understudy) * Off-Broadway and regional theatre o The Light in the Piazza (2004) as Franca (in Seattle and Chicago) o My Life with Albertine (2003) as Albertine (off-Broadway) o Beauty (2003) (La Jolla Playhouse) RECORDINGS * 2008 South Pacific * 2006 The Pajama Game * 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 * 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 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
