O'Hara has been nominated for five Tony Awards, first as Clara Johnson in The Light in the Piazza, second as Babe Williams in The Pajama Game, third as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, fourth as Billie Bendix in Nice Work If You Can Get It, and most recently as Francesca Johnson in The Bridges of Madison County.
O'Hara was recently seen as Dot/Marie in the L.A. Reprise! concert staging of Sunday in the Park with George.
O'Hara grew up in Oklahoma where she attended Oklahoma City University, graduating with a Bachelor's of Music in vocal performance/opera. O'Hara studied voice with Florence Birdwell, who also taught Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth four years earlier. O'Hara and Chenoweth are both alumna of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority.
O'Hara is engaged to Greg Naughton, son of actor James Naughton.
STAGE ROLES
* Broadway
o South Pacific (2008) as Nellie Forbush
o The Pajama Game (2006) as Babe Williams
o The Light in the Piazza (2005) as Clara Johnson
o Dracula, the Musical (2004) as Lucy Westenra
o Sweet Smell of Success: The Musical (2002) as Susan
o Follies (2001) as Young Hattie/Ensemble, then as Young Phyllis
o Jekyll & Hyde (2000) as Kate (replacement) / Emma (understudy)
* Off-Broadway and regional theatre
o The Light in the Piazza (2004) as Franca (in Seattle and Chicago)
o My Life with Albertine (2003) as Albertine (off-Broadway)
o Beauty (2003) (La Jolla Playhouse)
RECORDINGS
* 2008 South Pacific
* 2006 The Pajama Game
* 2006 Harry on Broadway, Act I -- two-disc set: 1. Original Broadway cast recording The Pajama Game; 2. Songs from Thou Shalt Not, Harry Connick Jr. featuring Kelli O'Hara
* 2005 The Light in the Piazza
* 2003 My Life With Albertine
* 2002 Sweet Smell of Success
AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
* 2008 Tony nomination: Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, South Pacific
* 2006 Tony nomination: Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, The Pajama Game
* 2006 Drama Desk Award nomination: Outstanding Actress in a Musical, The Pajama Game
* 2006 Outer Critics Circle Award nomination: Outstanding Actress in a Musical, The Pajama Game
* 2006 Broadway.com Audience Award nomination: Favorite Leading Actress in a Broadway Musical, The Pajama Game
* 2006 Broadway.com Audience Award nomination: Favorite Onstage Pair -- Harry Connick, Jr. & Kelli O'Hara, The Pajama Game
* 2005 Tony nomination: Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, The Light in the Piazza
* 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award nomination: Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, The Light in the Piazza
* 2005 Broadway.com Audience Award nomination: Favorite Featured Actress in a Broadway Musical, The Light in the Piazza
All the Way
Kelli O'Hara Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's no good unless he loves you, all the way
Happy to be near you
When you need someone to cheer you, all the way
Taller than the tallest tree is
That's how it's got to feel
Deeper than the deep blue see is
When somebody needs you
It's no good unless he needs you, all the way
Through the good or lean years
And for all the in between years, come what may
Who know where the road will lead us
Only a fool would say
But if you'll let me love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you, all the way
All the way
The song "All the Way" by Kelli O'Hara is a beautiful ballad about the depth and longevity of true love. The opening line states that when somebody loves you, it's not enough unless they love you all the way. The singer emphasizes the importance of a love that is there for you not only in happy moments but also when you need support, someone to cheer you up.
The next lines compare the intensity of this love to the immensity of natural wonders such as tall trees and deep seas. The song uses imagery to convey the idea that real love should run deep and be all-encompassing, simulating the vastness of the natural world.
The final verse acknowledges that life is unpredictable and sometimes scary, but if the person they love allows them to love them back, they will do it without hesitation, all the way. The song emphasizes the idea of "come what may," indicating that the love is steadfast and unwavering, ready to take on anything together. In short, the song is a romantic ode to commitment and lifelong love.
Line by Line Meaning
When somebody loves you
If someone truly loves you
It's no good unless he loves you, all the way
It's not satisfactory if they don't love you completely
Happy to be near you
Joyful being in your presence
When you need someone to cheer you, all the way
By your side to support and uplift you wholly
Taller than the tallest tree is
A magnitude beyond imagination
That's how it's got to feel
Only this sentiment will suffice
Deeper than the deep blue see is
An intenseness without a boundary
That's how deep it goes, if its real
The depth of one's love is determined by its genuineness
When somebody needs you
When someone truly requires your presence
It's no good unless he needs you, all the way
It's not sufficient if they don't need you entirely
Through the good or lean years
During times of fortune or struggle
And for all the in between years, come what may
And during all the years in between, no matter what happens
Who know where the road will lead us
Uncertain of our future path
Only a fool would say
Only a foolish person would confidently predict
But if you'll let me love you
If you permit me to love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you, all the way
Without a doubt, I will love you completely
All the way
Entirely and unequivocally
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER HOOK, GILLIAN LESLEY GILBERT, STEPHEN PAUL DAVID MORRIS, BERNARD (GB 2) SUMNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elisabeth Follman
Who originally sang this song? (I'm trying to find the chords and I need the artist)
o2bnparadise
It was introduced by Frank Sinatra in 1957 in the film, The Joker is Wild.