Kelli O'Hara Will Star in Oklahoma! in Her Home State
By Kenneth Jones
21 Feb 2007
Two-time Tony Award nominee and Oklahoma native Kelli O'Hara will star as Laurey Williams in the official state centennial production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! at Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City.
The centennial production of Oklahoma! June 26-30 will be directed by Lyric artistic director Nick Demos, while a team of Oklahoma choreographers — Demos, CeCe Farha, Lyn Cramer, Ashley Stover Wells and Amy Reynolds-Reed — will "blend their talents" to create the show's legendary movement. Music direction will be provided by Joel Levine.
Performances will play at the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City. Lyric's season will continue with Evita, Singin' in the Rain, Once On This Island and a special add-on production of Disney's High School Musical.
O'Hara, who received her first Tony Award nomination for The Light in the Piazza, and the second for the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of The Pajama Game, was born in Elk City, OK, and attended high school in Edmond. She studied voice with Florence Birdwell at Oklahoma City University and graduated with a bachelor's of music in vocal performance/opera.
O'Hara's Broadway credits also include Jekyll & Hyde, Roundabout's Follies and Sweet Smell of Success. She has also performed on Broadway in Dracula.
"Experiencing this show with Kelli as its star will mean so much to Oklahomans, who embrace Oklahoma! as 'their musical,'" stated artistic director Nick Demos. "Kelli is a beautifully talented actress and singer who could not be better suited for the role of Laurey. We couldn't ask for a more amazing way to celebrate the Centennial than to have a two-time Tony nominee return to her home state and perform with Lyric."
Additional casting and creative team will be announced.
Season tickets are currently on sale starting at $80. Call (405) 524-9312 for more information or visit www.lyrictheatreokc.com.
Lyric Theatre has Oklahoma's major musical theatre company since 1963.
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The musical's title song was designated as the official Oklahoma state song in 1953.
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