Kelli O'Hara Earns Rave Reviews for Starring Role in Broadway Revival of 'South Pacific'; Solo Debut CD of Pop/Contemporary Music Set for May 6th Release
Joe's Pub Concert on May 5th; Barnes and Noble In-Store Set for May 12th
Singer Kelli O'Hara has earned rave reviews for her portrayal of Nellie Forbush in Lincoln Center Theater's Broadway revival of 'South Pacific'. USA TODAY described O'Hara as “increasingly wondrous," and The New York Times praised her performance as “a superbly shaded portrait" - “subtly layered and popping with energy..." The Washington Post said O'Hara “manages to convey something in the character like sexy self-awareness."
On May 6th, O'Hara's solo debut CD 'Wonder In The World' -- a collection of pop/contemporary music, arranged and orchestrated by Harry Connick, Jr. - will be released by Ghostlight Records. O'Hara will celebrate the release with a May 5th concert at Joe's Pub in New York, and a May 12th In-Store performance at Barnes and Noble Lincoln Center.
'Wonder in the World' combines pop music and covers of Billy Joel and James Taylor, with original songs and familiar favorites, to create a 14-track collection celebrating the diversity of the American Songbook. The CD showcases O'Hara bridging the gap between contemporary music and beloved standards.
KELLI O'HARA JOE'S PUB 425 Lafayette Street MONDAY, MAY 5TH 11:30PM -- $30 TIX: CALL (212) 967-7555 or visit www.joespub.com
The New York Times recently praised O'Hara as “a marvel of vocal technique and stylistic flexibility."
The NY Daily News raved: “she can do anything - theater songs, pop, country, even jazzy swing..."
O'Hara's parallel careers were encouraged by Harry Connick, Jr, whom she met when she joined the cast of the 2006 Tony Award-winning production of The Pajama Game. O'Hara went on to receive Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Award nominations for her leading role. The critical and commercial success of The Pajama Game followed on the heels of O'Hara's run in The Light in the Piazza, for which she earned her first Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations, in 2005.
More About 'Wonder In The World': On the album's opener, 'The Sun Went Out,' O'Hara's vocals evoke the warmth of Norah Jones and the melancholy of Emmylou Harris. That wistful track gives way to the CD's title song, a duet written by and featuring Harry Connick, Jr. on vocals and piano. From there, O'Hara offers a lonesome cover of Billy Joel's 'And So It Goes,' before shifting to her self- penned 'Here Now' - a track inspired by her Grandfather. The CD moves forward, highlighting O'Hara's impressive range and diverse musical taste, as she performs such standards as 'All The Way', 'And I Love You So,' and select Broadway favorites with respect and grace. Her version of 'Spooky' is soulful and funky, and she infuses James Taylor's 'Fire And Rain' with a delicate touch (this track also happens to feature Connick on piano, bass, drums, and keyboards.)
About Kelli O'Hara: A native of Oklahoma, O'Hara grew up on a farm, and had little exposure to theater or opera or classical music. She was surrounded by the sounds of country artists, American standards, songs she'd hear in movies. All of these influences can be heard on 'Wonder In The World.' She made her Broadway debut in Jekyll & Hyde and followed it with Sondheim's Follies, Sweet Smell of Success (opposite John Lithgow,) and Dracula. In addition to her critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall solo debut with the NY Pops conducted by Rob Fisher, O'Hara has also appeared in-concert with Barbara Cook at this famed venue. She has performed at The Kennedy Center with Marvin Hamlisch, and at the NSO, Lincoln Center, Town Hall, Cooper Union, Joe's Pub and with the Philly Pops conducted by Peter Nero. 2007 also saw O'Hara triumph as Eliza Doolittle in the NY Philharmonic production of My Fair Lady.
Kelli O'Hara was trained at the famed Lee Strasberg Institute. Among her film and television credits are The Dying Gaul starring Patricia Clarkson and Campbell Scott; Blue Blood (NBC pilot), All Rise (NBC Pilot), Alexander Hamilton (Maria Reynolds) starring Brian F. O'Byrne (PBS), NUMB3RS (CBS); All My Children, the upcoming animated series Car Talk, as well as numerous live performances on national television shows. Kelli most recently starred opposite Simon Baker in a Cava Freixenet industrial directed by Martin Scorsese.
Joe's Pub Concert on May 5th; Barnes and Noble In-Store Set for May 12th
Singer Kelli O'Hara has earned rave reviews for her portrayal of Nellie Forbush in Lincoln Center Theater's Broadway revival of 'South Pacific'. USA TODAY described O'Hara as “increasingly wondrous," and The New York Times praised her performance as “a superbly shaded portrait" - “subtly layered and popping with energy..." The Washington Post said O'Hara “manages to convey something in the character like sexy self-awareness."
On May 6th, O'Hara's solo debut CD 'Wonder In The World' -- a collection of pop/contemporary music, arranged and orchestrated by Harry Connick, Jr. - will be released by Ghostlight Records. O'Hara will celebrate the release with a May 5th concert at Joe's Pub in New York, and a May 12th In-Store performance at Barnes and Noble Lincoln Center.
'Wonder in the World' combines pop music and covers of Billy Joel and James Taylor, with original songs and familiar favorites, to create a 14-track collection celebrating the diversity of the American Songbook. The CD showcases O'Hara bridging the gap between contemporary music and beloved standards.
KELLI O'HARA JOE'S PUB 425 Lafayette Street MONDAY, MAY 5TH 11:30PM -- $30 TIX: CALL (212) 967-7555 or visit www.joespub.com
The New York Times recently praised O'Hara as “a marvel of vocal technique and stylistic flexibility."
The NY Daily News raved: “she can do anything - theater songs, pop, country, even jazzy swing..."
O'Hara's parallel careers were encouraged by Harry Connick, Jr, whom she met when she joined the cast of the 2006 Tony Award-winning production of The Pajama Game. O'Hara went on to receive Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Award nominations for her leading role. The critical and commercial success of The Pajama Game followed on the heels of O'Hara's run in The Light in the Piazza, for which she earned her first Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations, in 2005.
More About 'Wonder In The World': On the album's opener, 'The Sun Went Out,' O'Hara's vocals evoke the warmth of Norah Jones and the melancholy of Emmylou Harris. That wistful track gives way to the CD's title song, a duet written by and featuring Harry Connick, Jr. on vocals and piano. From there, O'Hara offers a lonesome cover of Billy Joel's 'And So It Goes,' before shifting to her self- penned 'Here Now' - a track inspired by her Grandfather. The CD moves forward, highlighting O'Hara's impressive range and diverse musical taste, as she performs such standards as 'All The Way', 'And I Love You So,' and select Broadway favorites with respect and grace. Her version of 'Spooky' is soulful and funky, and she infuses James Taylor's 'Fire And Rain' with a delicate touch (this track also happens to feature Connick on piano, bass, drums, and keyboards.)
About Kelli O'Hara: A native of Oklahoma, O'Hara grew up on a farm, and had little exposure to theater or opera or classical music. She was surrounded by the sounds of country artists, American standards, songs she'd hear in movies. All of these influences can be heard on 'Wonder In The World.' She made her Broadway debut in Jekyll & Hyde and followed it with Sondheim's Follies, Sweet Smell of Success (opposite John Lithgow,) and Dracula. In addition to her critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall solo debut with the NY Pops conducted by Rob Fisher, O'Hara has also appeared in-concert with Barbara Cook at this famed venue. She has performed at The Kennedy Center with Marvin Hamlisch, and at the NSO, Lincoln Center, Town Hall, Cooper Union, Joe's Pub and with the Philly Pops conducted by Peter Nero. 2007 also saw O'Hara triumph as Eliza Doolittle in the NY Philharmonic production of My Fair Lady.
Kelli O'Hara was trained at the famed Lee Strasberg Institute. Among her film and television credits are The Dying Gaul starring Patricia Clarkson and Campbell Scott; Blue Blood (NBC pilot), All Rise (NBC Pilot), Alexander Hamilton (Maria Reynolds) starring Brian F. O'Byrne (PBS), NUMB3RS (CBS); All My Children, the upcoming animated series Car Talk, as well as numerous live performances on national television shows. Kelli most recently starred opposite Simon Baker in a Cava Freixenet industrial directed by Martin Scorsese.
For more information contact Seth Cohen PR.
