With decades of experience on and off Broadway, and with one Tony Award-and several nominations-Alumna Kelli O’Hara will return to campus.
Students will have the opportunity of witnessing a live lecture and performance by O’Hara, along with Jan McDaniel, professor of music, at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel.
“All of Kelli’s concerts involve a certain narrative that she shares with the audience,” McDaniel said. “A lot of times, the repertoire includes songs that she has written, often about her family and experiences.”
Made possible by the Martha Jean Lemon series, O’Hara’s visit will be slightly different from those of the past. In addition to a presentation on her life, her Broadway experience and the lessons learned along the way, O’Hara and McDaniel will collaborate in a small concert event to be performed in the campus chapel.
O’Hara has made numerous appearances at the university before, but has amassed even more experience since her last visit. She was named a 2016 Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee on May 19, and she performed at Carnegie Hall last month. At the concert, O’Hara performed some new original material that, though it is currently undecided, she may potentially perform for the students on campus.
“She and I have not narrowed down exactly what we’re going to do just yet,” McDaniel said. “But I’m sure her new material will at least be discussed as a possibility for the concert.”
Students in the schools of performance have expressed strong excitement for the upcoming visit, especially due to the fact that admission and seating will be free to the public.
“I am so excited for the performance,” said Katy Yates, acting sophomore. “It’s something that is so uniquely OCU, to the point where I even have friends from other colleges asking if they can come.”
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