Home

Displaying items by tag: Kelli O'Hara

Fresh off her critically acclaimed and Tony-nominated run in Broadway's Days of Wine and RosesSteppenwolf Theatre Company and Mark Cortale are pleased to present Tony Award winner and musical theatre icon Kelli O'Hara with Music Director Dan Lipton, performing a program of beloved American Songbook classics and modern Broadway favorites. O'Hara will play three performances only April 18 & 19, 2025 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theater, 1650 N. Halsted St. in Chicago. Tickets ($89 - $139) are now on sale at steppenwolf.org/kelliohara or by calling the Box Office at (312) 335-1650.

Hailed by the New York Times as "Broadway musical's undisputed queen," O'Hara will perform highlights from her incredible body of work which spans twelve Broadway productions. In addition to riveting musical performances, O'Hara will share stories and personal memories drawn from her landmark stage career in an intimate setting.

Performance schedule:

Friday, April 18, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 3 pm
Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 7:30 pm

About the Artists:

Kelli O'Hara has established herself as one of Broadway's greatest leading ladies. The Tony Award winner, Emmy, SAG and Grammy-nominated actress has appeared in twelve Broadway shows for which she has garnered eight Tony Award nominations.

She won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, along with Grammy, Drama League and Outer Critics nominations for her portrayal of Anna Leonowens in The King and I. O'Hara's other Broadway credits include Kiss Me KateThe Bridges of Madison CountyNice Work if You Can Get ItSouth PacificThe Pajama GameThe Light in the PiazzaSweet Smell of Success, Follies, Dracula and Jekyll & Hyde.

O'Hara received an Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Katie Bonner in Topic's hit web series, The Accidental Wolf, and can currently be seen on HBO's The Gilded Age, which was nominated for a SAG award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for Season 2. Additional film and television credits include Showtime's Master of Sex13 Reasons WhyBlue BloodsAll My ChildrenAll the Bright Places, Peter Pan Live!, Sex & The City 2, Martin Scorsese's The Key to Reserva, The Good Fight, N3mbers and Car Talk.

In 2015, she made history as the first artist to make the crossover from Broadway to Opera when she made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Lehar's The Merry Widow opposite Renee Fleming and in 2018 returned as Despina in Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte. She was last seen at The Metropolitan Opera in the world premiere of Kevin Puts' The Hours, as Laura Brown, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Opera Recording.

O'Hara is a frequent performer on PBS's live telecasts, The Kennedy Center Honors and performs often alongside The New York Philharmonic and The New York Pops. Along with her two Grammy nominations, her solo albums, Always and Wonder in the World, are available on Ghostlight.

O'Hara recently completed a critically-acclaimed limited Broadway engagement of the new musical Days of Wine and Roses, which also garnered rave reviews during its Off-Broadway run at The Atlantic Theatre Company last summer. She won the Outer Critics Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical in addition to receiving Tony and Drama League Nominations for her role. Upcoming projects include Season 3 of The Gilded Age.

Dan Lipton conducted The Band's Visit and Sting's musical The Last Ship on Broadway. He's arranged music and led bands for Sutton Foster, Kelli O'Hara, Mandy Gonzalez, Brian d'Arcy James, Judy Kuhn, John Lithgow, Martha Plimpton and Audra McDonald, performing at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, on Live with Kelly RipaThe Today Show, PBS Great PerformancesLate Show with David Letterman and with major symphony orchestras across the country.

Music supervision and orchestrations: An Officer and a Gentleman (U.S. tour), The Other Josh Cohen (Off-Broadway), The Drama Desk Awards. Music direction and onstage musician: Twyla Tharp's How Long Blues (Little Island) under T Bone Burnett, The Coast of Utopia by Tom Stoppard (Broadway), The Bridge Project (BAM, Old Vic) with Ethan Hawke directed by Sam Mendes, Herringbone with BD Wong directed by Roger Rees (La Jolla Playhouse).

He scored the feature film All These Small Moments (Orion Classics) starring Molly Ringwald and provided music for the podcasts Arts Educators Save the World (Story Pirates) and The Key of Love (Emerald Audio Network) from bestselling author Jenna Blum.

Pianist on three Grammy-nominated albums, he can be heard on piano in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime Video) and Rebecca Hall's award-winning film Passing (Netflix). His latest collection of jazz-pop covers with singer Colby Beserra, Jukebox Saloon Vol. 2, is streaming everywhere.

Accessibility:

Steppenwolf is committed to making the theatergoing experience accessible to everyone. Assistive listening devices (ALDs) are available for every performance and all our spaces are equipped with an induction hearing loop. Our building features wheelchair accessible seating and restrooms, push-button entrances, a courtesy wheelchair and all-gender restrooms, with accessible counter and table spaces at our bars. For additional information regarding accessibility, visit steppenwolf.org/access. If you have questions or would like to make a specific request, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call our box office at 312-335-1650.

Sponsor Information:

United Airlines is the Official and Exclusive Airline of Steppenwolf. Steppenwolf salutes lead sponsors Allstate Insurance Company, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, Caroline and Keating Crown, Good Chaos, John Hart and Carol Prins, Joyce Foundation, Lefkofsky Family Foundation, Northern Trust, Anne and Don Phillips, Pritzker Traubert Foundation, Shubert Foundation, Inc, Walder Foundation, and Zell Family Foundation. Steppenwolf also acknowledges generous support from premier sponsors ArentFox Schiff, Andrew and Amy Bluhm, Ann and Richard Carr, Chicago Community Trust, Conagra Brands Foundation, Steven and Nancy Crown,  CRC Group, Julius Frankel Foundation, FROST CHICAGO, Kirkland & Ellis, Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, The Orlebeke Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, Sacks Family Foundation, Smart Family Foundation of Illinois, Gary Sinise Foundation, and Vinci Restaurant. Steppenwolf also acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council. This project is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.   

About the Presenters:

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation's premier Ensemble Theater with 49 members who are among the top actors, playwrights and directors in the field. Thrilling, powerful, groundbreaking productions — from Balm in Gilead and Grapes of Wrath to August: Osage County, Downstate and The Brother/Sister Plays — have made this theatre legendary. Founded in 1976, Steppenwolf started as a group of teens performing in the basement of a church. Today, the company's artistic force remains rooted in the original vision of its founders: an artist-driven theatre, whose vitality is defined by its appetite for bold and innovative work. Every aspect of Steppenwolf is rooted in its Ensemble ethos, from the intergenerational artistic programming to the multi-genre performance series LookOut, to the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf Education and Engagement which serves nearly 15,000 teens annually. While grounded in the Chicago community, more than 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Steppenwolf also holds accolades that include the National Medal of Arts, 12 Tony Awards, and more. Led by Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis, Executive Director E. Brooke Flanagan and Board of Trustees Chair, Keating Crown —Steppenwolf continually redefines the landscape of acting and performance.

Steppenwolf's Mission: Steppenwolf strives to create thrilling, courageous and provocative art in a thoughtful and inclusive environment. We succeed when we disrupt your routine with experiences that spark curiosity, empathy and joy. We invite you to join our ensemble as we navigate, together, our complex world. steppenwolf.orgfacebook.com/steppenwolftheatretwitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.

Mark Cortale is currently lead producing Table 17 by Douglas Lyons starring Tony Award Winner Kara Young that opened Off-Broadway at MCC on September 6, as well as the Broadway musical Floyd Collins by Adam Guettel and Tina Landau that opens at Lincoln Center Theater on April 21, 2025 at The Beaumont. Last season Mark produced the critically acclaimed three-time Tony nominated new musical Days of Wine and Roses starring Kelli O'Hara and Brian d'Arcy James, with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, book by Craig Lucas and directed by Michael Greif. He also produced the Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel nominated Off-Broadway musical Midnight at the Never Get by Mark Sonnenblick in 2018. He recently celebrated his twelfth and final season as Producing Artistic Director of The Art House in Provincetown where he presented artists that included Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Sutton Foster, Jessie Mueller, Christine Ebersole and Megan Mullally. Mark is the Producing Artistic Director of the developmental theatre lab New Works Provincetown which he founded in 2020. In conjunction with producing partners Jonathan Murray and Harvey Reese, he has commissioned five works to date including the following shows currently in development: Maiden Voyage with book and lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and music by Carmel Dean, Beautiful Little Fool with book by Mona Mansour and music and lyrics by Hannah Corneau, Love is Strange, with book by Craig Lucas, music by Daniel Messé and lyrics by Nathan Tysen & Daniel Messé and Table 17 by Douglas Lyons.

Published in Upcoming Theatre

Dynamic South Chicago Dance Theatre at The Auditorium in one perf only, May 3

26 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

 The Auditorium (Chicago’s Landmark Stage® at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly welcomes back the eclectic energy of hometown favorite South…

Open Space Arts announces staged reading series and a powerful premiere for April through June

26 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Open Space Arts (OSA), who recently won some of the top honors in the Joseph Jefferson Awards for 2024 productions,…

Review: 'it's been ten years since everybody died' at Open Space Arts

26 March 2025 in Theatre in Review

I’ve reviewed a number of shows at Open Space Arts (OSA) – I love the place – so I’m familiar…

Hell in a Handbag Productions' World Premiere of SCARY TOWN By Artistic Director David Cerda Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass April 9 – May 11, 2025 at The Clutch

25 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Hell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 2024/25 Season with the world premiere of Scary Town, Artistic Director David Cerda's semi-autobiographical…

Definition Theatre Defines the Crisis: 'Splash Hatch on the E Going Down'

24 March 2025 in Theatre in Review

In Definition Theatre's production of "Splash Hatch on the E Going Down," Kia Corthron's 1997 work feels unnervingly relevant in…

Kokandy Productions Announces Line-Up for CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL Returning April 3 – 6, 2025 at The Chopin Theatre

22 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Kokandy Productions is pleased to announce the official selections for the annual Chicago Musical Theatre Festival, a celebration and showcase of the…

Hive of Hilarity: Copley Theatre’s 'Spelling Bee' is a Buzzing Triumph!

21 March 2025 in Theatre in Review

I’m not holding back—Copley Theatre’s latest offering, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, is an absolute winner! I’ve seen…

The Search for Truth Turns to War in Oil Lamp’s Outstanding ‘The Lifespan of a Fact’

21 March 2025 in Theatre in Review

Don’t be deceived by the title.  The phrase “lifespan of a fact” sounds about as dry as the Mojave Desert…

Disability-inclusive company brings Frankenstein to Chicago Shakespeare Theater

21 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations—a Chicago-based nonprofit that creates theatre and film for, with, and by individuals with Down syndrome…

Invictus Theatre Presents Enchanting Production of The Winter’s Tale

20 March 2025 in Theatre in Review

Walking into Windy City Playhouse, audiences are immediately transported to somewhere new. Scenic Designer Kevin Rofls fills the space with…

Writers Theatre announces 2025/26 season

19 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Artistic Director Braden Abraham and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Writers Theatre's 2025/26 season. The five-play season is marked by four productions never seen before…

About Face Theatre presents the return of Re/Generation Studio at The Alice at Goodman Theatre March 28-30, 2025

19 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

About Face Theatre announces the return of Re/Generation Studio, a weekend of community building, education, and performance to help build the future…

Steppenwolf Theatre Presents Broadway's Kelli O'Hara - April 18 & 19, 2025

19 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Fresh off her critically acclaimed and Tony-nominated run in Broadway's Days of Wine and Roses, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Mark Cortale are pleased to present…

Grand Opera that is Truly Grand: La Bohème at the Lyric

19 March 2025 in Theatre in Review

Going into “La Bohème” with little knowledge of Puccini’s masterpiece, I was just a naive theater-goer seeing it fresh at…

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Returns to Chicago

18 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that a revitalized new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, will play…

Marriott Theatre Continues 50th Anniversary Season with Tony Award-Winning Titanic the Musical - Opening April 16th

18 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Chicagoland's longest running musical theatre, Marriott Theatre, continues its 50th Anniversary Season celebration with the epic production of Titanic The Musical, directed and choreographed by Connor…

Teatro La Plaza teams up with Chicago Latino Theatre Alliance for wonderful production of Hamlet at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

16 March 2025 in Theatre in Review

Ser o no ser   esa es la cuestión We are all familiar with Shakespeare’s iconic line: to be or not…

Announcing CityTalk: A Series of Conversations on Assimilation, Antisemitism and Culture

14 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Theater Wit, in collaboration with the Crown Family Center for Jewish Studies at Northwestern and Northlight Theatre, hosts CityTalk: A Series of Conversations on Assimilation, Antisemitism…

Steppenwolf Theatre Presents THE BOOK OF GRACE - March 27 – May 18, 2025 - Chicago Premiere!

13 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to continue its 49th season with the Chicago premiere of The…

Lyric Opera announces 2025/26 season, including major collaborations with Billy Corgan, avery r. young

12 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Lyric Opera of Chicago today announces the company's 2025/26 Season, its first complete season under the leadership of new General…

BEETLEJUICE is Now Playing Through March 16

11 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice… Beetlejuice! You’ve summoned him once again, Chicago— BEETLEJUICE is back for another hauntingly hilarious run! The edgy and irreverent Broadway…

The Auditorium proudly presents Parsons Dance One Night Only: Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 PM

11 March 2025 in Upcoming Dance

The Auditorium (Chicago’s Landmark Stage® at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly presents a special evening with Parsons Dance, the New…

The critically acclaimed hit production of Obliteration returns

10 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Obliteration, LLC & The Revival Theater announce a limited engagement of Obliteration, written by Andrew Hinderaker, directed by Jonathan Berry, featuring Michael Patrick Thornton and Cyd Blakewell. Obliteration runs April 10-May 4,…

Red Clay Dance Company’s 16 centers perseverance and legacy in Vershawn Sanders-Ward Revival and Bebe Miller Premiere

10 March 2025 in Upcoming Dance

The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago announces 16 by Red Clay Dance Company for three performances only, April 17-19, 2025, featuring Founding Artistic Director and CEO Vershawn…

Stand Up Together Comedy stars unite during Chicago fundraiser to support California wildfire victims Thursday, March 27 at Laugh Factory Chicago

10 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Stand Up Together, a comedy benefit in support of artists impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires, hosted by Second City and SNL…

Luck Be a Lady Tonight: A Rollicking Review of Music Theater Works’ 'Guys and Dolls'

09 March 2025 in Theatre in Review

Following a string of successful shows, Music Theater Works has once again hit the jackpot with their 2025 season opener,…

Auditorium Theatre’s Presentation of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company Soars and Astounds

08 March 2025 in Dance in Review

Two dancers stand center stage. The traditional, spiritual music begins to play as they start to move. Very much in…

"HENRY JOHNSON," DAVID MAMET'S NEWEST PLAY, TO MAKE ITS CHICAGO PREMIERE AT VICTORY GARDENS THEATER APRIL 8 – MAY 4

07 March 2025 in Upcoming Theatre

Victory Gardens Theater, in association with Relentless Theatre Group, will present the Midwest premiere of a new work by Pulitzer Prize-winner,…

Citadel’s I and You Delivers a Dynamite Story that Closes with a Knockout

01 March 2025 in Theatre in Review

Prolific, and routinely recognized as being one of the most produced playwrights in the country, Lauren Gunderson’s range is as…

Review: Titus Andronicus at Redtwist Theatre

26 February 2025 in Theatre in Review

Do not bring the kids to TITUS ANDRONICUS; it has 14 killings, 9 of them on stage, 6 severed members,…

 

 

         17 Years and counting!

Register

     

Latest Articles

Guests Online

We have 218 guests and no members online

Buzz Chicago on Facebook Buzz Chicago on Twitter 

Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.