Eagan native Laura Osnes scores another big role

Osnes has been announced as the new Nellie Forbush in "South Pacific," a Lincoln Center Theater production.

Star Tribune

Last update: February 14, 2009 - 3:41 PM

Eagan native Laura Osnes, who starred in the successful 2007 Broadway revival of Grease, has been announced as the new Nellie Forbush in "South Pacific." She succeeds Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara, who is leaving to have a baby.

The change will occur March 10 and O'Hara will return to the role Oct. 6.

Osnes was a young actor at Childrens' Theatre Company and at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre before she entered a national search for the role of Sandy in "Grease." She won the NBC-TV competition, "Grease: You're the One That I Want" and spent a year in the show, which closed in January.

She has since been seen in the Kennedy Center's "Broadway: Three Generations" concerts.

"South Pacific" is a Lincoln Center Theater production, directed by Bartlett Sher. It won the Tony for best revival in 2008.

Graydon Royce

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