Nominee Reactions: Kelli O'Hara for NICE WORK - 'It feels very overindulgent'

Kelli O'Hara, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT
"I feel great - calm and good! My husband came in and told me this morning. We both had messages on our phones because we had them off. I try not to put too much pressure on the situation. He told me to wake up and it was a great way to start the day! This one feels different for me. I'm so excited and relieved- it makes you feel good and validated, though I hate to admit it. It feels very overindulgent because the show had been so fun, easy, and effortless. I love the people involved and it's been the icing on an already big cake. I'll do my show with my great cast and crew tonight and we'll all celebrate that we've been recognized. It's great- it makes you feel like you've already won."

A native of Oklahoma, Kelli received a degree in Opera, and after winning the State Metropolitan Opera Competition moved to New York and enrolled at the Lee Strasberg Institute. She made her Broadway debut in Jekyll & Hyde and followed it with Sondheim's Follies, Sweet Smell Of Success opposite John Lithgo; and Dracula.

Kelli has worked regionally and Off-Broadway in Sunday in the Park with George at Reprise, My Life with Albertine at Playwrights Horizons, and Beauty at The La Jolla Playhouse.

In addition to her critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall solo debut with the NY Pops conducted by Rob Fisher, Kelli's concerts include Carnegie Hall with Barbara Cook, The Kennedy Center with Marvin Hamlisch and the NSO, Lincoln Center, Town Hall, Cooper Union, Joe's Pub and with the Philly Pops conducted by Peter Nero.

Among her film and television credits are Blue Blood (NBC pilot), All Rise (NBC Pilot), The Dying Gaul starring Patricia Clarkson and Campbell Scott; 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's recordings include: The Light in the Piazza (Nonesuch Records: Grammy nom.), The Pajama Game (Sony; Grammy nom.) The Sweet Smell of Success (Sony), My Life with Albertine (PS Classics), Dream True (PS Classics), Jule Styne Goes To Hollywood (PS Classics) and her upcoming solo album Wonder in the World on Ghostlight Records.

Kelli resides in New York with her husband, Greg Naughton.