Photo Flash: Westport Country Playhouse Honors Kelli O'Hara with 'SOMETHING WONDERFUL' Gala

2015 Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara was honored at Westport Country Playhouse's sold-out annual fundraiser, "Something Wonderful: A Gala Evening Celebrating Kelli O'Hara" tonight, September 21. O'Hara is a Westport resident. BroadwayWorld has photos from the evening below!

John Samuelson was honored with the Playhouse Leadership Award. Samuelson has been a Playhouse trustee for the past decade, and with his wife Barbara has been a dedicated philanthropist and community leader, both in Westport and New York City.

Some 575 people attended a star-studded production in tribute to O'Hara in the Playhouse's Jason Robards Theater. Taking the stage alongside Ms. O'Hara were special guest Matthew Morrison, featured artists Adam Guettel, Jose Llana, Jake Lucas, Greg Naughton, and James Naughton, with Michael Callahan, Richard Gatta, Adam Rogers, and Cody Williams.

Among the celebrity guests attending the gala were Maureen Anderman, Alisyn Camerota, Frank Converse, Mia Dillon, Keir Dullea, Daniel Gerroll, A.R. & Molly Gurney, Patricia Kalember, Des McAnuff, Greg Naughton, James Naughton, and David Wiltse.

The gala's stage production was directed by Josh Rhoads; musical direction by Mary-Mitchell Campbell; conducted by Ms. Campbell and Ryan Fielding Garrett; video support by Doug Tirola and 4th Row Films; and produced by Kevin Duncan. The gala committee co-chairs were Anna Czekaj-Farber and Jake Robards. Karen Parrella was auction chair.

Gala proceeds will benefit the non-profit, professional producing Westport Country Playhouse, now in its 85th season - its work on stage, with schools, and throughout the community.

Kelli O'Hara has established herself as one of Broadway's great leading ladies. She received a 2015 Tony Award for her portrayal of Anna in the critically acclaimed revival of "The King and I." In 2014, O'Hara's performance as Francesca in the musical adaptation of "The Bridges of Madison County" earned her Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle nominations. Additionally, she starred as Mrs. Darling in NBC's live telecast of "Peter Pan," alongside Allison Williams and Christian Borle. She also made her Metropolitan Opera debut opposite Renée Fleming in "The Merry Widow."

A native of Oklahoma, O'Hara received a degree in opera, and after winning the State Metropolitan Opera Competition, moved to New York and enrolled in 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 Lithgow, and "Dracula." In 2003 she committed to a production of "The Light in the Piazza" at Seattle's Intiman Theatre. The show landed on Broadway in 2005 and earned O'Hara her first Tony and Drama Desk nominations. She moved from one critical and commercial success to another when she joined Harry Connick, Jr., on Broadway in the 2006 Tony Award-winning production of "The Pajama Game," for which she received Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics nominations. She starred in the Tony Award-winning revival of "South Pacific" at Lincoln Center, garnering Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics nominations for her interpretation of Nellie Forbush. She later teamed up with Matthew Broderick in Broadway's musical comedy "Nice Work if You Can Get It," earning Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle nominations, as well as the Fred Astaire nomination for dance.

Photo Credit: Steve Walter Photo

Matthew Morrison, featured guest, salutes honoree Kelli O'Hara.

Greg Naughton, Kelli O'Hara, and James Naughton share a family moment during the tribute. Greg is Kelli's husband; James, her father-in-law.

Greg Naughton looks on as honoree Kelli O'Hara receives an award from Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director. Mary-Mitchell Campbell at piano.

2015 Tony Winner and Westport Country Playhouse honoree Kelli O'Hara sings 'Make Someone Happy.'

The full company of 'SOMETHING WONDERFUL: A Gala Evening Celebrating Kelli O'Hara' takes a bow.