Laura Osnes Headed Back to South Pacific

Laura Osnes will return to the role of Ensign Nellie Forbush in Lincoln Center Theater’s Tony Award-winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific beginning January 5, 2010, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Kelli O’Hara, who originated the role, will play her final performance on January 3.

Osnes played the part of Nellie during O’Hara’s maternity leave last spring and summer. She previously starred on Broadway as Sandy in Kathleen Marshall’s revival of Grease, after winning the nationwide TV talent search Grease: You’re The One That I Want, and recently created the title role in the new musical Bonnie and Clyde at La Jolla Playhouse.

South Pacific also stars Paulo Szot as Emile de Becque, Danny Burstein as Luther Billis, Loretta Ables Sayre as Bloody Mary, Andrew Samonsky as Lt. Joe Cable, with Eric Anderson, Sean Cullen, Christian Delcroix, Murphy Guyer, Luka Kain, Li Jun Li, Laurissa Romain and Michael Arnold, Becca Ayers, Craig Bennett, Wendi Bergamini, Charlie Brady, Christian Carter, Todd Cerveris, Helmar Augustus Cooper, Margot de la Barre, Laura Marie Duncan, Rob Gallagher, Maryann Hu, Robert Lenzi, Deborah Lew, Peter Lockyer, Garrett Long, Nick Mayo, Liz McCartney, George Merrick, William Michals, Marla Mindelle, Kimber Monroe, Alfie Parker Jr., George Psomas, Greg Roderick, Jason Michael Snow, Jerold E. Solomon and Correy West. The Tony-winning revival is directed by Bartlett Sher.