Tari Kelly is an American theater actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Countess Lily in the first national tour of Anastasia.

Tari Kelly
Born
Alma materMadison East High School, DePaul University, University of Wisconsin
OccupationMusical theatre actress

Education and career

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Tari Kelly attended Madison East High School in Madison, Wisconsin.[1] She took dance lessons at Virginia Davis School of Dance[2] and began acting in shows in her local community theater, performing in shows, including Annie.[1] She discovered she had a passion for theater when she landed the lead in her high school music, The Boyfriend.[3] After graduating high school, she attended DePaul University's acting conservatory but transferred a year later to the University of Wisconsin to dance and sing as well.[1] While in Wisconsin, Kelly acted in many production at the regional Fireside Theatre.[2]

Kelly made her Broadway debut in 1994 with Show Boat as a swing and understudy for Lottie, Ellie, and Dottie.[4] Following her debut, she joined the national tours of Beauty and the Beast and Show Boat.[5] In 2003, she returned to Broadway to play in the ensemble and a member of the Trio in The Boy from Oz.[4] A year later, she landed the lead role of Audrey in the Little Shop of Horrors national tour, which she calls her favorite role.[3] In 2007, she played Mama Who in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, which starred Patrick Page,[6] and played Sally Bowles in the Cabaret national tour a year later.[7] From 2011 to 2012, Kelly join Broadway's Anything Goes as a passenger and a replacement/understudy for various roles,[4] and in 2015 to 2016, she joined the world premiere of Something Rotten! on Broadway as a member of the ensemble.[5] In her most recent Broadway role, Kelly played Mrs. Cleveland and the Piano Teacher in Groundhog Day.[4] In 2018, she opened the Anastasia first North American tour as Countess Lily.[8] She portrays Mrs. White, the perpetual widow, in the 2024 national tour of Clue: On Stage.[9][10]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Stanton, Angie. "BWW Feature: Broadway Actress Comes Home to Madison in ANASTASIA". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  2. ^ a b Journal, CLAIRE BITNER For the State. "Broadway star with Madison roots brings "Anastasia" to Overture stage". madison.com. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  3. ^ a b Strain, Kathy. "BWW Interview: Chatting with Tari Kelly as Countess Lily in ANASTASIA on Tour". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  4. ^ a b c d "Tari Kelly". Playbill. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  5. ^ a b "Tari Kelly theatre profile". www.abouttheartists.com. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  6. ^ Brockman, Craig. "BWW TV: Transforming Patrick Page Into The Grinch". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  7. ^ BWW News Desk. "Tari Kelly Stars in 'Cabaret' at 5th Ave Theatre". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  8. ^ Road, TV-On the. "BWW TV: The Journey Continues! ANASTASIA Cast Helps National Tour Company Hit the Road!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
  9. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (January 31, 2024). "Meet the Suspects: See Who's Starring in the Upcoming National Tour of Clue". Playbill.com. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  10. ^ "Cast & Creative". Clue Live Onstage. Retrieved June 20, 2024.