The Next Big Star Might Be The Girl Next Door
Kelli O'Hara Readies 'Wonder in the World,' with a Little Help From Her Friend Harry Connick, Jr.
Covers of Billy Joel and James Taylor Mix with Original Tracks and Familiar Favorites
Soon to be Seen in Vogue Magazine
The next big star might be the girl next door. Singer Kelli O'Hara is on the verge of a breakthrough 2008 - her upcoming CD 'Wonder in the World' combines pop music and unexpected covers with original songs and familiar favorites, to create a 14-track collection celebrating the diversity of the American Songbook. With music arranged and orchestrated by Harry Connick, Jr., 'Wonder in the World' showcases O'Hara's vocal range, as she bridges the gap between contemporary music and beloved standards. The CD will be released May 6th, on Ghostlight Records.
On the album's opener, 'The Sun Went Out,' O'Hara's vocals evoke the warmth of Norah Jones and the melancholy of Emmylou Jones. 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'. 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.)
Kelli O'Hara combines her youthful vigor with the presence and professionalism of a seasoned veteran, and she sets the bar high with her spot-on vocals. Harry Connick's piano playing (on 12 of the album's 14 tracks,) his instrumentation and distinctive arrangements, lend an equally sophisticated level of expertise to the collection.
Connick and O'Hara met when she joined the cast of the 2006 Tony Award-winning production of The Pajama Game, for which she received Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Award nominations. 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.
Looking ahead to 2008, Kelli O'Hara is a double-threat: a real-deal singer, with dreams of presenting a U.S. solo tour celebrating the American Songbook and contemporary favorites. She is also a Broadway star on the rise, riding a wave of critical and commercial acclaim, as she readies her latest Leading Lady role, starring as Nellie Forbush in Lincoln Center's April 2008 revival of South Pacific.
More 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.
Kelli O'Hara Readies 'Wonder in the World,' with a Little Help From Her Friend Harry Connick, Jr.
Covers of Billy Joel and James Taylor Mix with Original Tracks and Familiar Favorites
Soon to be Seen in Vogue Magazine
The next big star might be the girl next door. Singer Kelli O'Hara is on the verge of a breakthrough 2008 - her upcoming CD 'Wonder in the World' combines pop music and unexpected covers with original songs and familiar favorites, to create a 14-track collection celebrating the diversity of the American Songbook. With music arranged and orchestrated by Harry Connick, Jr., 'Wonder in the World' showcases O'Hara's vocal range, as she bridges the gap between contemporary music and beloved standards. The CD will be released May 6th, on Ghostlight Records.
On the album's opener, 'The Sun Went Out,' O'Hara's vocals evoke the warmth of Norah Jones and the melancholy of Emmylou Jones. 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'. 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.)
Kelli O'Hara combines her youthful vigor with the presence and professionalism of a seasoned veteran, and she sets the bar high with her spot-on vocals. Harry Connick's piano playing (on 12 of the album's 14 tracks,) his instrumentation and distinctive arrangements, lend an equally sophisticated level of expertise to the collection.
Connick and O'Hara met when she joined the cast of the 2006 Tony Award-winning production of The Pajama Game, for which she received Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Award nominations. 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.
Looking ahead to 2008, Kelli O'Hara is a double-threat: a real-deal singer, with dreams of presenting a U.S. solo tour celebrating the American Songbook and contemporary favorites. She is also a Broadway star on the rise, riding a wave of critical and commercial acclaim, as she readies her latest Leading Lady role, starring as Nellie Forbush in Lincoln Center's April 2008 revival of South Pacific.
More 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.
