Producer Mark Cortale has announced that five award-winning stars of the stage and screen will join the January 2021 line-up of The Seth Concert Series, the live weekly series based on Seth Rudetsky’s international Broadway series that began at The Art House in Provincetown ten years ago. Alex Brightman, two-time Tony Award nominee for Beetlejuice and School of Rock, kicked off the new year on January 3. Wayne Brady, Emmy Award-winning host of TV’s Let’s Make A Deal, Who’s Line Is It Anyway? and star of Broadway’s Kinky Boots makes his series debut on January 10. Kelli O’Hara, Tony-winning star of The King and I, seven-time Tony nominee, including most recently for Kiss Me Kate on Broadway and Emmy nominee for The Accidental Wolf, makes her anticipated first return to the series on January 17.
Later in the month married stars Stephanie J. Block, Tony Award winner last year for The Cher Show and Tony nominee for The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Falsettos, and husband Sebastian Arcelus, star of Netflix’ House of Cards, CBS TV’s Madam Secretary and Broadway’s Elf perform together on January 24.
It was a pleasure to sit down with the super talented Kelli O’Hara for this exclusive Hotspots interview:
At what age did you begin performing, and how did it happen?
I sang in my school’s talent show in the 4th grade having no idea I could sing, but I just wanted to be a part of it.
What was your first professional/paid role?
Summer stock in 1998. “Kitty” in Where’s Charley? at the Musical Theatre of Wichita.
After being nominated 6 times, you finally won the “Tony” in 2015 for your jaw dropping performance of Anna in “The King and I.” Do you remember how it felt when they called your name?
It was pretty “out of body.” I remember preparing myself for not winning, so I really wasn’t expecting it. I think my body went into shock because 3 days later, I got the worst flu of my life.
Your “Tony” acceptance speech was amazing, I still remember it like it was yesterday. Did you plan it, or did you wing it?
I never wrote a speech for any of the years including 2015, feeling superstitious about it. I had people in mind to thank, and the way I might thank them, but then everything went out the window in the moment, and I left people out, regretfully.
What has been your favorite role to play?
Francesca in The Bridges of Madison County
What is your fantasy role? (A role you haven’t played…but would love to)?
I don’t have one, really. Maybe it has yet to be written.
Tell us something we would be surprised to know about you?
I don’t know what would surprise you 🙂
Describe yourself in three words?
Mother, Friend, and Student.
What should our readers expect from your Virtual Broadway Series with Seth Rudetsky?
Hopefully lots of fun and some surprises (Seth likes to do that!). Some personal stories and embarrassing moments!
For more information on Kelli O’Hara, go to Kelliohara.com
Each weekly show will premiere Sunday nights at 8pm with a second showing Mondays at 3pm for viewers in other time zones such as the UK. Tickets are available at thesethconcertseries.com for $25 each. Also, a Student Discount is now available for all shows announced in The Seth Concert Series, providing an additional 40% discount to registered students with a .edu email address by using the code STUDENT when signing up for a BroadwayWorld account.
