Karen Olivo

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Karen Olivo BIO

Karen Olivo originated the lead role of Satine in Broadway's Moulin Rouge! (2019) after playing the role in the Boston production in 2018. Other Broadway credits: West Side Story (2009, Tony Award winner); In the Heights (2008); and Brooklyn (2004). Regional/off-Broadway credits include: Fun Home (2018); Hamilton (2016); tick, tick...BOOM! (2014); and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (2011).

Karen Olivo Photos

Karen Olivo STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019
Satine

[Boston]
World Premiere, 2018
Satine

[Washington, DC (Regional)]
Kennedy Center Broadway Center Stage Revival, 2018
Florence Vassy

[US Tour]
Chicago, Los Angeles, National Tour Production, 2016
Angelica Schyler

[Off-Broadway]
Public Works Production, 2015
Penelope

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Off-Center Production, 2014
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Production, 2012
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Second Stage Theatre Production, 2011
Anne Mae/Afua Assata Ejobo

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2009
Anita

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2008
Vanessa

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2007
Vanessa

Vanessa

[Off-Broadway]
2005
Jeca

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2005
Jeca

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2004
Faith

[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 2003
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1996
Performer (Swing) [Replacement]

Maureen Johnson, Mimi Marquez (Understudy) [Replacement]

Mimi Marquez (Understudy) [Replacement]

Maureen Johnson (Understudy) [Replacement]


Karen Olivo Movies

Adrift in Manhattan
[ 2007 ] Ana, Isabel's daughter
The New Twenty
[ 2008 ] Bethany
Shanghai Hotel
[ 2011 ] Carmen
Generation Um...
[ 2012 ] Carrie Hines

Karen Olivo TV Shows

Harry's Law
Cassie Reynolds
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Yelina Muñoz, Jennifer Benitez
The Good Wife
Giada Cabrini

Karen Olivo Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2020 - Distinguished Performance Award

Karen Olivo, Moulin Rouge!


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Karen Olivo, Moulin Rouge!

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Karen Olivo, Moulin Rouge!


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2009 - Best Featured Actress in a Musical

Karen Olivo, West Side Story

Drama Desk Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Karen Olivo, West Side Story

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Karen Olivo, West Side Story


winner
Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Karen Olivo, West Side Story


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Ensemble Performances

Karen Olivo, In the Heights

Karen Olivo Videos

Karen Olivo News


From Leon Guanajuato to The Global Stage: Majo Rivero's WEST SIDE STORY Adventure

What did our critic think of FROM LEON GUANAJUATO TO THE GLOBAL STAGE: MAJO RIVERO'S 'WEST SIDE STORY' ADVENTURE at World International Tour?

Project Broadway's Mosaic Training Program Hosts In-Person Program for 2024

Calling All BIPOC High School Aged Performers! Be a part of Project Broadway’s free In-Person Musical Theater Training Program this February-March 2024 in-person in NYC! 

Review: MOULIN ROUGE! At Straz Center For The Performing Arts Is A Dazzling, Romantic, Bohemian Affair

What did our critic think of MOULIN ROUGE! At Straz Center For The Performing Arts.

Video: The Best of Broadway at the Kennedy Center Honors

The 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors are coming up and we are celebrating the special occasion with some of our favorite videos of past Broadway performances. Check out the full list!

Drew Gasparini's I COULD USE A DRINK To Be Presented In Concert, January 30

Don't miss Drew Gasparini's 'I Could Use a Drink' in concert at 54 BELOW on Jan 30 at 9:30PM. Broadway's supper club will be filled with incredible music.

Sara Ramírez, Indya Moore, Lío Mehiel, and More Join Cast for BREAKING THE BINARY THEATRE FESTIVAL

Breaking the Binary Theatre has revealed the initial cast members for the second annual Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival, featuring seven evenings of work fully created and developed by transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2S+) theatre artists.

KO to Star in World Premiere of Erlina Ortiz and Robi Hager's SILUETAS in Philadelphia

The musical by Erlina Ortiz and Robi Hager features Tony Award-winning performer KO (formerly Karen Olivo) in their return to the stage.

Video: Courtney Reed Is the New Sparkling Diamond of MOULIN ROUGE!

There's a new sparkling diamond at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre! Just last month, Moulin Rouge! welcomed Broadway favorite Courtney Reed. In this video, watch as she chats more about the role, the fans, and so much more!

The New York Pops Extends Music Director Steven Reineke's Contract Through 2027-28 Season

Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke’s contract with The New York Pops has been extended through the 2027-2028 season.

Breaking the Binary Theatre Unveils 2023 Lineup for BREAKING THE BINARY THEATRE FESTIVAL

Breaking the Binary Theatre has unveiled programming for the second annual Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival: seven evenings of work fully created and developed by transgender, non-binary, and Two-Spirit+ (TNB2S+) theatre artists. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!

Wake Up With BWW 8/7: Press Secretary Visits FUNNY GIRL, PARADE Closes, and More!

Top stories: Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre visits the cast of Funny Girl this weekend, Parade closes on Broadway, and more!

MOULIN ROUGE! on Broadway- A Complete Guide

Looking for all the latest info on one of Broadway's hottest shows? BroadwayWorld has the full scoop on everything that you need to know about Moulin Rouge! on Broadway. Check out all the details below!

DominiRican Productions Partners With The Latiné Musical Theater Lab For 4xLatiné 2023

DominiRican Productions, an award-winning BIPOC + LGBT-owned production company will partner with The Latiné Musical Theater Lab to present the second edition of 4xLatiné of 2023!

Breaking the Binary Theatre Names ruth tang as First Recipient of BTB Commissioning Program

Breaking the Binary Theatre has revealed that ruth tang is the inaugural recipient of BTB’s Commissioning Program, a newly launched initiative working to create and develop original full-length pieces written by transgender, non-binary and Two-Spirit+ theatre artists.

L Morgan Lee to Lead Breaking the Binary Theatre's Summer Intensive

Breaking the Binary Theatre is partnering with Tony Award nominee and Core Community Advisory Board member L Morgan Lee on the company’s first ever BTB Summer Intensive program.

KO (Karen Olivo) Supports Latiné Musical Theatre Lab And Helps Cultivate Latiné Talent Within The Arts Industry!

Latiné Musical Theatre Lab is honored to highlight KO, also known as Karen Olivo. KO is a prodigious supporter of the Lab, and the preeminent donor for 4xLatiné, one of the Lab's flagship programs which will take place on March 13, 2023 in NYC and will feature four, fifteen-minute excerpts of new musicals, all written by Latiné writers and performed for a live audience.

Video: Celebrate 15 Years of IN THE HEIGHTS

In the Heights opened on Broadway on March 9, 2008. Watch videos of the original cast in action!

Photos: Michael Kushner Celebrates His New Book HOW TO BE A MULTI-HYPHENATE IN THE THEATRE BUSINESS At The Drama Bookshop

Go inside The Drama Bookshop as author Michael Kushner celebrates the release of his new book, 'How to Be A Multi-Hyphenate in the Theatre Business: Conversations, Advice, and Tips from Dear Multi-Hyphenate'. See photos from the event!

BREAKING THE BINARY THEATRE to Expand Into Year-Round Company

Following the resounding success of the inaugural Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival in 2022, Founding Artistic Director George Strus has announced Breaking the Binary Theatre.

Michael Kushner to Release New Book HOW TO BE A MULTI-HYPHENATE IN THE THEATRE BUSINESS

Published by Routledge and CRC Press, “How to Be A Multi-Hyphenate in the Theatre Business: Conversations, Advice, and Tips from Dear Multi-Hyphenate” will be released everywhere books are sold on Friday, February 10, 2023 and is available for pre-order starting Friday, January 20, 2023.

Karen Olivo FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Karen Olivo been in?

Karen Olivo has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Karen Olivo been in?

Karen Olivo has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Karen Olivo been nominated for?

Karen Olivo has been nominated for the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for Moulin Rouge!, Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Moulin Rouge!, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Moulin Rouge!, Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for West Side Story, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for West Side Story, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for West Side Story, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for West Side Story, and Outstanding Ensemble Performances at the Drama Desk Awards for In the Heights.

What awards has Karen Olivo won?

Karen Olivo has won the following awards: Outstanding Actress in a Musical from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Moulin Rouge!, Best Featured Actress in a Musical from the BroadwayWorld Awards for West Side Story, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical from the Tony Awards for West Side Story, and Outstanding Ensemble Performances from the Drama Desk Awards for In the Heights.

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