Karen Olivo wins Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical 2009

[TheLadylovesick]

aw Josefina is so happy she looks like she's crying

[kdddunn]

I actually bawled. No shame.

[Tarastar1983]

@kdddunn I bawled too. I just get emotional when I see people's dreams pay off that they've worked so hard for and their faces filled with gratitude. She deserved it.

[jessicatheginger]

Awww!

She deserved that for sure! :D

[ritsfata]

Oh come on now! Jennifer all the way!

[snoopy63ride]

@ritsfata Don't worry Jenn is nominated for this years Tony Awards for Spiderman: Turn off The Dark.Along with Reeve Carney her co star of Spiderman Turn Off The Dark.I hope she takes it!Along with Reeve too!

[ritsfata]

@snoopy63ride How do you know that already? And.. I hate to break it to you but that's not a Tony worthy show.........

[snoopy63ride]

@ritsfata yeah I know!but,still she's nominated.So there's an chance she might take it this time around.You never know.Check the Tony Awards website.

[snoopy63ride]

@ritsfata Also Jenn is no longer performing in Spiderman Turn off The Dark.Her contract expired.T.V. is leaving too in an couple of weeks.Same reason.Heard Rebecca is the new MJ.Also Reeve and Patrick are performing until May 2012.

[Sophieste163]

Forget about JBW, I freaked the fuck out when I saw Matt Caplan! :P

[hugoarr12]

So moving. I'm gonna be the baby and say that I cried when she said this. I love her. Incredible actress and person.

[jewey896]

I've watched this sooo many times, and I still get goosebumps when he calls her name :)

[darrius15]

Awee Karen I love you so much! :)

[sourpatch5559]

@bluesquirellbaby and may I ask.. how do you know this!?

[snoopy63ride]

Isn't that Johnny from Spring Awakening and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist where he played the sweet adorable gay guy!lol!I love that guy!

[sourpatch5559]

jen was with Johnny??? are they together?

[bluesquirellbaby]

@sourpatch5559 they were together for 2 years after they met in Spring Awakening, but they broke up a while ago (not exactly sure when)

[NotSoInvisibleGirl]

JOHNNY B. WRIGHT! 0:07 :) 

[KarmaMasselli]

ooh vanessa ;)

[ritsfata]

Oh come on. JENNIFER DAMIANO FTW! God I love next to normal.

[boyslikegirlsthunder]

this made me tear up a little bit. I'm a huge fan of Jenn but Karen deserved this so much. this was really inspirational,

[HikariDragonRyuu]

Jennifer Damiano is fantastic, but it wasn't her time - she's still hasn't peaked, whereas Karen Olivo is at her best right now.

[jewey896]

My body was covered in goosebumps watching this video as soon as the announced her name even though I knew she was going to win!

[xaykocys]

is that Jonathon B. Wright sitting next to Jennifer Damiano?

[prue6967]

@xaykocys Yup, that's Hanschen alright! LOL

[Musicaldrugie]

Why was I inspired by 2:05 minutes? Wow.

[TRASHYgah]

LOVE Karen Olivio. I wish they could have SHARED the award with Jenn Damiano though :D She is fantastic.

[BroadwayBabeify]

i love her! she is phenomenal! I didnt see her in WSS but i saw her in In The Heights and she is amazing! And i love how Josephina is crying too! Thats so sweet!

[888tho]

omg she is sitting next to johnathan b. wright are they dating!!

[TRASHYgah]

@888tho They knew each other from SA so maybe, but maybe not.

[ThisPerfectFinale]

i watched one performance from Karen and i was blown away her voice is beautiful, her vocals were perfect her dancing was spot on and her acting was superb! She deserved this tony!

[XOOOOElizabethOOOOX]

She is EPIC. I am speechless.......

[Meelzdiva]

Josephina and Karen must be very close cuz their both crying at the same time

[xxbroadwayfreakxx]

oh my gosh i just love her.

[madreslatinas]

Love it!

[starletdawn]

@NYBroadwayelphie I actually have friends who were nominated that year, and while the winner is not typically announced in advance, they told me there was a screw up at the rehearsal that year and they accidentally DID annouce that Alice Ripley was the winner. So yes, Alice knew she was the winner, but most of the time, they have no idea :)(:

[gayputa]

beutifullll puertorican women

[whitetiefilms]

I'd say she probably deserved it by just a hair over Jennifer Damiano.

[theofficefan731]

she is so beautiful and graceful on that stage. she completely 100% deserved that win.

[sup9412]

I know this is about Karen, but did anyone freak when they say JBW next to Jenn Damiano? lol

[lyndes33]

@sup9412 and sutton behind her! Ahhh why I love the Tonys!!!!

[toughcookie5454]

oh mah god jennifer damiano was next to jonathon b wright!!!

[NYBroadwayelphie]

are they told who won what tony before so that they can prepare the speeches? cuz like, for example, alice ripley seemed prepared, having that kennedy or whoever's quote on a sheet of paper, but karen here, she looks so surprised and looks like she made the speech right out of her head on stage...

[broadwaybabi91]

@NYBroadwayelphie No, they aren't told who won. They're told who was nominated. Generally, though, they tend to jot a couple of things down for what they may want to say if they do win, same as with any award show. :)

[mysweetsmile23]

@NYBroadwayelphie no they're not! some people might prepare an actual speech in case they do win but some people just completely freak out (check out kristin chenoweth's speech, laura benanti or katie finneran...patti lupone's speeches are obviously rehearsed ;P) which is the most touching thing

[devoutlyimmature]

@NYBroadwayelphie Nope they're not, but for the Alice Ripley thing; before the Tony's everyone, including Stephen Sondheim, told her she was gonna win. So you gotta admit if that happened to you, you would feel pretty confident too ;)

Okay, back to Karen: Such a beautiful performer, such an amazing speech, GO KAREN OLIVO!

[eightyeightsugarrush]

sorry this is out of place with all this talk about karen olivo..but does anyone else think its adorable how JBW is sitting next to jenn damiano..? okayy sorry. but karen is really talented and i love WSS:)

[dancerr625]

godddddd there's nothing that makes me cry like things like this do. aaahhah.

[imaGLEEK91]

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE DON'T THINK THAT SHE IS TALANTED.....SHE HAS MUCHO TALENT EVER SINCE I HEARD HER IN ITH ON CD

[elphieLil]

how cute it was that Josephina was crying like she got it herself :)

[xxbroadwayfreakxx]

i love her.

[BirthofCharlie]

P C bullshit. If one of the PR'S didn't win then there would of been a fucking protest.

[liv2act]

@BirthofCharlie go fuck yourself you racist pig..

[cirquedusun]

she damn well deserved this. go karen

[flickerincloseup]

Karen Olivo is fantastic!!!

[whitetiefilms]

I'm going to be there winning a Tony someday.

[PiperRoser]

I just saw her the other day, after the play we got to have a Q and A with some of the actors, when she came out and my jaw dropped!! She's sooo beautiful and the most tallented woman on broadway!!!! You can tell this was a big dream of hers and she derserves everything that has came to her, ROCK ON KAREN!!

[anthonykitchens]

My elementary class mate..

[KenzTheMac2]

she is so pretty and talented

[417joey]

im very happy karen won she rocks i saw her and she was the best in the show anita is my fav charecter i also like snowboy a jet  karen is awesome i love her so much she

[Orfeo68]

what the FUCk is that nasty Fisher woman wearing???

[westsidestory97]

te adoro, Karen <3

[PessimisticOptimist2]

Jen's date is from Spring Awakening :D Well idk if he's her date. But the look he gives her when her name is read...<3

[broadwayboundguy]

I NOTICED THAT TOo! HANSCHEN! HAHA! And Beefy Guy from Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist!

[PessimisticOptimist2]

AND UNCLE JESSE! bwahaha

[faggyboy2]

"SIT DOWN" lmao karen <3

[sogreekchiclucky13]

I love her too!! She is so freaking fierce. She SO deserved that award!!

[emarloo]

love her.

i cried when i first saw this

[geneshi]

@emarloo me too!!

[creativethingsx]

still makes me cry.

[BroadwayBoundDreamer]

as much as i luv jennifer damiano i am so GLAD karen olivo won!!!!!! she is truly astonishing! her and sutton! (i luv jennifer's face!!!=)

[emmmmkay]

haha i love that, 'oh sit down!'

and i love jennifer toooo

[askysoblue]

she definitely deserved this win! SO GOOD in West Side Story. And I've only seen online stuff. She's amazing.

side note, she has a really sexy speaking voice.

[Missperformer94]

@askysoblue I saw the show and her and i met her she is so modest and amazing!!!!!! I understand by you saying you have only seen online stuff i felt the same way and she was still my fave b-way actress, to this day she is still!!!!!

[CityGirl718]

I love Karen Olivo.

[gotmilk116]

LOVE HER

[LisaDutchie1990]

How could she not be prepared for this? Everybody knew she was going to win! I was so happy for her, although I would also have been happy when Jen Damiano had won. Great speech BTW!

[lf1234]

I think she wasn't expecting it because of the Billy Elliot juggernaut most people were expecting. She was a contender, but not a lock. Thank God, she won, though.

[richsmi1]

it was such a strong year...

[BroadwayBabeify]

All the nominees for this category were amazingly talented, especially karen and jenn, but right when karen won it, it just looked like she was mad or something, like she didnt want to win. But she really did deserve it. And jenn looked so happy when they said her name, so i hope she was still happy even when she didn't win. She is so sweet.

[SarahBoBara13]

oooh, who's sitting next to Jennifer? lol

[kjag23]

Jonathan B wright. Original Haschen in Spring Awakening. They were in the Original Cast of SA together

[SarahBoBara13]

Is she dating him!?!

I loved his performance in SA.

[broadwayfan66]

Josephina is crying at 1:42 lol

[Allshookup1]

so touching

[Wickedisnumba1]

I think whats great is that Karen Olivo really deserved this award, even though seeing Jenn would have been great too (I'm not really familiar with the other shows, sorry!), Jenn's 18...and is already a Tony nom...I have this feeling will be seeing her with a Tony at some point soon...

[eilidhw]

Karen Olivo is still just the best thing ever.

[Littlekt331]

is Jennifer Damiano's date one of the cast members of spring Awakening?

[omggurl101]

yeah shes dating johnny b wright :)

[liteupthestage]

Haydn and Carole were amazing in Billy Elliot but I really think Karen deserved this. She's so amazing, and she's modest! She's also one of the best dancers I've ever seen!

[FlightlessBird93]

Oh my gosh, that was the cutest thing I've ever seen! Somehow that gave me so much hope that I might be on Broadway someday...I love her! I'm seeng her in WSS on Wednesday and i CAN'T WAIT!!!

[browdwayloverz]

best actress ever

[Loosho10]

The revival os WSS is crap but Karen is great and she's the only thing that's worth in this revival! Since ITH she deserves it.

[EllieSvitKona]

I absolutely ADORE Jennifer Damiano, and think her performance in N2N is absolutely amazing, but I do think Karen deserved the Tony just as much as she did. Particularly after seeing this video, which brought tears to my eyes. Karen is such a genuine, lovely person, and so I'm happy she won.

Plus, Jennifer's only 18(?), no doubt she's going to have more opportunities to win a Tony! She's just amazing :)

Her and JBW = <3

[Chunkymonkey18574]

As much as I would have liked to see Jenn win, Karen made West Side Story. She stole the show. It's kind of sad when, at the curtain call, Anita gets bigger applause than Tony, but that's the way it was when I saw WSS.

[hugosanchez0513]

lol i teared up and everything haha aww

[broadwaymike92]

I wanted Jennifer Damiano to win

[Happybunyoo]

omg jenn looks amazing

[no1fosterluvah]

I love Karen's speech here, a lot of inspiration for the rest of us

[DimonBroadway09]

wow! She deserved it. Her speech was very moving. She's the best Anita.

[BwayDreamer1128]

she is so BEAUTIFUL! and her voice...WOW.

[realblackhart]

she's great in west side story, she deserves this, people get sick people, it happens

[SouthPacific005]

Her breast is literally about to pop out...

[rachel869]

0:06 JBW looks so proud of Jenn :D

[neilzgrrlfrend]

i know! okay ive been wondering this, are they dating or just uber good friends?

even though i love Karen, i'm still sad that Jenn didnt win. I haven't seen N2N yet, but she is just amazing on the soundtrack, singing and acting

[clayandhayley]

There isn't a soundtrack to N2N. Only a cast recording.

There is no movie of N2N

[renethel]

It would have only been logical for her to win. She's so fresh and really the most authentic Anita out there! I love her!

GO KAREN! You're an inspiration!!!

[xopiinkprincess]

yes they're dating

[emarloo]

oh my god!

i also cried when i saw the understudy board and it said she wasn't going to be in the performance i saw.

i missed her in west side story AND in the heights.

i still love her though.

[aasjb4ever]

SAME! I assumed that "i won a tony so i should give back to the fans" but she also had laryngitis

when did you see it?

[clayandhayley]

She has been really sick. But you don't go to a show just for an actor or performer, you go to see the show.

It is a shame you missed her performance, however. It is really something not to be missed.

[aasjb4ever]

no, i specifically went to see her

[clayandhayley]

you aren't supposed to. the show is WEST SIDE STORY, not THE KAREN OLIVO SHOW.

everytime you see a show you have to face the risk that an actor may be out. you cant be mad at her. shes not supposed to cater to your needs

[aasjb4ever]

i wasnt mad at her, i was just deeply saddened that i missed her

[somersoccer996]

sorry i meant 1:18 -1: 20

[frams12]

0:16 -- I would like to dedicate this couple to all the unattractive men in the world who have a dream to land a smoking hot wife.

Seriously, though, Karen really is something in that show, and I wish her and her husband all the success in the world in their marriage, even if they are very disproportionally attractive people.

[COURTNEYXCORAL]

haha us hott girls like geeky guys! so get yourself a pair of glasses and a pocket protector! lmao =)

[mick08chad]

im completely in love karen olivo

[somersoccer996]

everyone pause the video at 1:20 and look at what she is doing.. what is the girl doing ??? hahahahah!!! :)

[kmg9305]

love her i was so happy when she won she is amazing

[itsjulieNoodles]

She's happy because a good friend of hers won a tony! I would cry and stand, too.

[sara3mtv]

I absolutely LOVE Karen Olivo, but I really don't think that Jennifer Damiano from Next to Normal got enough recognition.

[TheTechieGirl]

but omg her in West Side story is AMAZING!

[sara3mtv]

True. She's amazing. I think that she won because she was a Broadway veteran (being in successful shows), and she could sing, dance, and act. In Next to Normal Jenn only sings and acts (because there's no dancing). Also, there was no hype around her. She was just a new face in a new original musical.

[clayandhayley]

Also, Anita is a stronger role. The role of Anita is a big journey, and if an actress can play it successfully, they should be rewarded. It is one of the best female roles ever written.

[fountainchain126]

@clayandhayley I have the film at home and have never watched it. oops. also i saw the show as a regional production when i was very young and dont remember it at all. can you please explain what you mean re anita's role in the show. what kind of journey does she go on character wise etc? Thanks a million!!

[ryboe77]

0:07 - johnny b wright!

[iamupforallfun]

no one cares!

jesus

you SA fans are relentless.

[biglittlekid]

OMG LOLLLL

[performingirl]

are they dating??

[musical0theater]

every time i hear her speech, i start to cry! i am speechless!

[TerribleGreenBlizzrd]

I love josephina(sp?) reaction, she is so happy for her

[devonbites]

I knew that one was coming!!!!! She was AMAZINGGGGG. That face at 37 seconds, where she looks like she's about to cry....same face she gave me when I told her she was one of the best actresses I've ever seen, and by far a better Anita than I could have ever hoped for! YOU GO GIRL!!!

[nyv527]

Honestly, haven't even seen her in the show, but I cried when I saw this. One of those great, authentic moments from a winner. I love that she almost looks angry when she won!! LOL. She's shaking her head like "What the fuck?!" Love it. One of my favorite Tony moments this year.

[fiddleriddler]

:52, does she yell "sit down" st someone?

[radioguyrey]

Sounds like it, yes. But in the humble "please don't give me a standing ovation" sense, not the angry sense.

[Justlov4]

Yeah I think Josephina was giving her a standing ovation. I love Karen Olivo. I was so happy when she won.

[broadwaymaniac92]

@radioguyrey haha its funny. when i first watched i thought she actually was angry :P

[lf1234]

She's probably talking to the WWS crew in a "ah, shucks" kinda way. That's the vibe I got.

[luvin40]

She yelled it to the audience. I loved that. It's so Karen.

[Fanzel4everxx9]

I <3 HERRR!! I WAS SOO HAPPY WHEN SHE WON. I was litterally jumping up and down screaming. She is amazing in In the heights too!!! AHHH I AM SO HAPPY SHE WON!! LOVE YA KAREN<333333333333!!!!!!!!!!!

[jAcjAC1016]

i was at the tony's. i yelled WE LOVE YOU KAREN. but i dont think she heard lol. yea i frigin cried when she was saying this. best speech out of all of the winners. inspirational.

[JessesAngel]

I was also their with a friend and she started jumping up and and down screaming for Karen. It was a great win for her and she truly deserved it! Also best speech of the night!

[yellaheartswicked]

i seriously cried when i saw this.

karen is my idol!

woo go karen!!!

[Thewaiter525600]

BEST SPEECH in the whole ceremony. I love her!

[liv2act94]

1:25

i love that part!

i don't know why?

[luvin40]

Probably because it was the moment she realized what she held in her hand.

[emarloo]

she's amazing

she deserved this

i love how josefina scaglione (not sure if i spelled that right) was crying

it made me cry!

i love karen olivo

[xWickedGuy92x]

I knew she was going to win. When I saw the nominees, I was thinking "wow, those are some great actresses she's going to beat." :)

[bwayboundx10]

LOVE her! So well deserved, she lights up that stage as Anita. Best part of the WSS.

[iamupforallfun]

can we stop talking about spring awakening. this is about the AMAZING Karen Olivo.

[heyl00kbillyson]

Agreed. She was incredible in WSS and deserved the Tony so much. Lol and yes, she made me cry more then I ever have on an awards show. One of the mose genuine and endearing acceptance speeches of all time, from a performer with those same wonderful qualities. Congrats Karen!!

[HorHorBagel]

DREAMS COME TRUE, BITCHES.

Sorry, that needed to be on this page of comments.

Anyways, she made me cry.

[Judill]

She was INCREDIBLE in West Side Story. Totally deserved this award.

[MichaelCH2007]

Well Deserved!

[liuxgrace]

no pare, sigue sigue!!!

she is absolutely, incredibly amazing :)

[Defjams1991]

uh oh ...karen you better get it....she's mad chill...got 2 love her

[AKDPerformer]

This made me cry. :) So inspiring!

[broadwaychique]

That was amazing. I've watched this like 4 times since i 1st saw her win last night and cheered my brains out at my tv. my friends laughed. but that woman is SO talented, and to see that she honestly didn't even think she'd win? I knew she had it since i saw WSS in DC in December. GO KAREN! (dreams come true, bitches)

[liuxgrace]

ohh goodness i know right?? Her Anita was DEFINITELY a huge standout performance when i saw WSS

She is so incredibly talented and amazing :)

I was practically dying cuz i wanted her to win SO badly, and then I was crying cuz she won and cuz she was crying lmao

[djkundalini]

Carrie Fisher is Shamu...!!!

[KazenoKizu44]

incredible. absolutely incredible.

[danzboy1]

WOW! This is so heartfelt and beautiful. Well deserved! WONDERFUL!!

[paaaiiigeeex3]

aww. inspirtational!

and shes so pretty.

[aliisonw]

aww Go Karen!

[twf0101]

I can't get over it!!!!!

[BWaygal117]

Oh my gosh I had to hold back tears when she won!

She sooooo deserved the Tony Award. She is pretty much what makes West Side Story.

I also hear she's the only Anita out of all the productions of West Side Story. Is this true? If so, shame on you Tonys for not mentioning that either!!!!

DREAMS COME TRUE BIATCHES!!!!!

[BWaygal117]

Sorry, I mean to say that she's the only Anita out of all of the productions of West Side Story to win a Tony Award.

[sketch093]

she's actually the first performer in any production of wss to win a tony.

[Jarrod005]

I WAS SO SO SO SO SO SO HAPPY!

If she didn't win, I don't know what I would have cut.

She deserves it she is perfection.

[kylejerel]

question: Is the guy, who sits next to Jennifer Damiano, from the OBC of Spring Awakening? And I wonder if they are together! hmmm!

P.S. GO KAREN GO KAREN GO GO GO!!!!!!!!

[MattW0810]

yerpp

one of the jons i believe....(no pun intended)

[paaaiiigeeex3]

idk if he's from spring awakening, but i was wondering if they were together too...

[iluvmattcaplan]

she's married.

[queenoftheclumsydork]

The blonde guy next to Jen is the original Hanschen from spring awakening

[queenoftheclumsydork]

Jonathan Branford Wright