The Tony Awards: Kelli O'Hara Edition

For the past two years, I have found myself overseas for the Tony Awards. One of my favorite nights of the year. And for the 2nd year in a row, I've gotten up at an ungodly hour to take a peek at the winners list.

All for one reason: to see if Kelli O'Hara has finally taken home a Tony Award. Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy seeing all the other winners, but I love Kelli O'Hara and find her incredibly talented. Last year, The Bridges of Madison County, written with KOH in mind was stunning. I fell in love with the show, it was beautiful and it reaffirmed how talented and giving she is on stage. I listened to that cast album over and over again while I was writing my thesis. After the show, I met her and just thanked her for her performance. She was very gracious and nice. So totally an Oklahoman.

That year, she was nominated for a Tony (her 5th) and lost---to an equally talented woman. But lost nonetheless.

When the King and I opened, there were mixed reactions to her portrayal of Anna. I was able to this show and On the 20th Century the same weekend. OT20th stared one of my other favorites, Kristin Chenoweth....and seeing her on stage, in such a dynamic role was going to make the road to the Tonys quite interesting. I loved the story of these two though. Both from OK, both studied under the same teacher, Florence Birdwell at OCU, both gorgeous, smart sopranos. As long as one of these two faves won, I'd be happy.

(though I'd be happier if it were Kelli).

I never really cared about the King and I before, I thought it was boring. The fact that KOH was in this show was really the only thing that drew me to it. However, it was gorgeous. I loved how simple she was, how elegant and how she had this silent strength to her. She was not as "showy" and KC was, but her acting was just as good and she sang beautifully.

I wanted her to win so badly. (Kristin, love you too).

So when I woke up, jet lagged and confused in my new London home, struggling to get my internet to work, it was, of course the first thing I googled.

And to my surprise, this is what I saw:

FINALLY.

I was excited. I don't even know the girl. But I was happy for her success and that she was finally (after 6 nominations) able to take one of those suckers home.

After watching her speech, I came out of it with one new goal in mind: get me some Kelli O'Hara arms.

Can you see the guns on that one? Wow.