EDMOND—Broadway star Kelli O’Haracrooned to 755 patrons in Armstrong Auditorium on September 15 during the opening concert of the 2014-2015 Armstrong International Cultural Foundation performing arts series. Joining the Oklahoma native onstage was Tony Award-winning conductor Ted Sperling and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

Before O’Hara appeared onstage, the 86-member philharmonic opened the evening with an overture conjuring images of jubilant fanfare and thrilling triumph.

O’Hara then dove headfirst into her “Broadway’s Classic Hits” program, using lively expression and sweeping gestures to amplify her clear diction and emotional lyrics. Her 75-minute show depicted a variety of colorful situations, including the happiness of love, a girl’s humorous obsession with a boy who doesn’t exactly love her back, a country singer’s struggle to gain employment as an opera singer, and the urge to dance all night.

Between songs, O’Hara communicated cordially with her audience. She said she sings to make people happy. She shared that Sperling was the one who gave her a recommendation for the Broadway musical The Light in the Piazza nearly 10 years ago. This proved to be her big break in show business.

Prior to her final number, O’Hara expressed her gratitude to everyone who has made her career a success thus far, and to the audience and Armstrong Auditorium staff. “Thanks to Armstrong for having me, for bringing me home,” she said.

Kelli O’Hara is known as one of Broadway’s great leading ladies. The five-time Tony Award nominee has starred in hit Broadway musicals, including The Bridges of Madison County, Nice Work If You Can Get It and Follies.

Ted Sperling is a director, conductor, orchestrator, singer, pianist, violinist and violist. Among his accolades over the course of his 30-year career is a 2005 Tony Award for his orchestrations of The Light in the Piazza.

A regular at the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City, the OKC Philharmonic has performed alongside greats such as violinist Itzhak Perlman, singers Amy Grant and Olivia Newton-John, and cellist Yo Yo Ma. This was the group’s fifth performance at Armstrong Auditorium.

The Armstrong Foundation’s 2014-2015 performing arts series continues on November 6 when Armstrong hosts jazz pianist Peter Nero.