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Karen Olivo

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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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).

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Moulin Rouge! Moulin Rouge!
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019
Satine
Moulin Rouge! The Musical Moulin Rouge! The Musical
[Boston]
World Premiere, 2018
Satine
Chess Chess
[Washington, DC (Regional)]
Kennedy Center Broadway Center Stage Revival, 2018
Florence Vassy
Hamilton (Eliza Company) Hamilton (Eliza Company)
[US Tour]
Chicago, Los Angeles, National Tour Production, 2016
Angelica Schyler
The Odyssey The Odyssey
[Off-Broadway]
Public Works Production, 2015
Penelope
Tick, Tick... BOOM! Tick, Tick... BOOM!
[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Off-Center Production, 2014
Performer
Murder Ballad Murder Ballad
[Off-Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Production, 2012
Performer
By the Way, Meet Vera Stark By the Way, Meet Vera Stark
[Off-Broadway]
Second Stage Theatre Production, 2011
Anne Mae/Afua Assata Ejobo
West Side Story West Side Story
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2009
Anita
In the Heights In the Heights
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2008
Vanessa
In the Heights
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2007
Vanessa
Vanessa
Miracle Brothers
[Off-Broadway]
2005
Jeca
Miracle Brothers
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2005
Jeca
Brooklyn Brooklyn
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2004
Faith
Brooklyn
[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 2003
Performer
Rent Rent
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1996
Performer (Swing) [Replacement]
Maureen Johnson, Mimi Marquez (Understudy) [Replacement]
Mimi Marquez (Understudy) [Replacement]
Maureen Johnson (Understudy) [Replacement]

Movies

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

TV Shows

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

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

Videos

More Video

News


Review: MOULIN ROUGE at Orpheum Memphis Photo
Review: MOULIN ROUGE at Orpheum Memphis

Truth. Beauty. Freedom. Love. The Bohemian ideals combined with a spectacular medley of tunes, some incredible choreography, and a love story for the ages. 
Kenita R. Miller, Alex Finke, and More Set for Dolly Parton Tribute Concert at Joe's Photo
Kenita R. Miller, Alex Finke, and More Set for Dolly Parton Tribute Concert at Joe's Pub

LET ME SAY THIS: A DOLLY PARTON TRIBUTE CONCERT, will be presented on Tuesday, September 17 at 9:30 PM at Joe's Pub, featuring Alex Finke, Raymond J. Lee, Kenita R. Miller, and Jennifer Sánchez.
Video: Leslie Odom Jr. Talks Tony Noms for PURLIE VICTORIOUS and Good Broadway Etique Photo
Video: Leslie Odom Jr. Talks Tony Noms for PURLIE VICTORIOUS and Good Broadway Etiquette

Leslie Odom Jr. stopped by TODAY on Wednesday to discuss starring and producing the play Purlie Victorious, which recently was nominated for 6 Tony Awards. Later on in the interview, he also went on to discuss good Broadway etiquette for audience members. Watch the interview now!
Tickets On Sale For SILUETAS at Power Street Theatre Photo
Tickets On Sale For SILUETAS at Power Street Theatre

Power Street Theatre has announced that tickets to the world premiere of the highly anticipated musical Siluetas, written by award-winning playwright (and PST co-founder) Erlina Ortiz and Broadway performer and composer Robi Hager (Spring Awakening, Fun Home), are now on sale.
BWW Q&A: Leslie Odom, Jr. on Performing At at Ridgefield Playhouse Photo
BWW Q&A: Leslie Odom, Jr. on Performing At at Ridgefield Playhouse

BroadwayWorld chatted with Leslie Odom, Jr. about his upcoming performance at  Ridgefield Playhouse on April 18th, 2024.
From Leon Guanajuato to The Global Stage: Majo Rivero's WEST SIDE STORY Adventure Photo
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 Photo
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 Photo
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 Photo
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 Photo
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 T Photo
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 Philadelphi Photo
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! Photo
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 Se Photo
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 FESTI Photo
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! Photo
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 Photo
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 2 Photo
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 P Photo
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 Photo
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.
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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?

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

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