Rocco Prioletti
Staff Writer
There will be no Mozart tonight, although Sutton Foster and Kelli O’Hara’s vibrant performance this evening would have even the late composer taking attentive notes on stage presence.
Tonight at 8 p.m. in the Amphitheater, Sutton Foster and Kelli O’Hara star in “One Night Only: An Evening with Sutton Foster & Kelli O’Hara.” The Tony Award-winning performers are accompanied by the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra led by Principal Pops Conductor Stuart Chafetz.
Inspired by Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett’s iconic special, “Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall,” Foster and O’Hara simultaneously pay homage to the actresses while carrying their flame forward in their own way. Together, the actresses spotlight their decades-long friendship on stage through banter-heavy stories and orchestra-backed musical performances.
“Sutton Foster’s dancing skills are next level, just amazing. And Kelli’s voice-pyrotechnics — she can sing anything,” Chafetz said. “The combination of the two of them, it’s unstoppable.”
Like Andrews and Burnett, Foster and O’Hara balance a varied range of emotions and musical genres fluently. Their performances can effortlessly traverse between laugh-out-loud humor and heartfelt sincerity without hesitation.
“The diversity of repertoire was the point in putting this show together.” O’Hara said. “From skits, to comedic ensemble numbers, to serious ballads — we have filled the show with a host of styles, but in our own way.”
Listeners can expect to hear fan-favorite showtunes from the duo’s Broadway performances, alongside original compositions, a rendition of Andrews and Burnett’s penultimate number “Big D,” and more.
“‘They Don’t Let You in the Opera (If You’re A Country Star)’ — oh my God, it’s hysterical and extremely difficult to put together,” Chafetz said. “And then, of course, the ‘90s pop medley, that’s always a fun one.”
Since their debut together at Carnegie Hall in 2023, Sutton and O’Hara’s show remains ever-changing.
“Sutton and I have gotten into many different rooms at many different times and hashed out ideas until we settled on the final product,” O’Hara said. “But, we are always tweaking it, too.”
O’Hara emphasized the behind-the-scenes talent that made the production possible. She listed writer Kate James, music directors Dan Lipton and Michael Rafter and choreographer Eric Sciotto for their important work.
“We have a wonderful team. We try to use three young, local talents to join us in each city, but we only have a day to put it all together.” O’Hara said. “It’s a team effort for sure.”
For Chafetz, the process behind the performance is demanding and rewarding. “One Night Only” marks the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra’s first performance of the Institution’s 2026 Season.
“The orchestra hasn’t been together for a whole year. There’s really no time to waste,” Chafetz said. “Most of the stuff we do is on one rehearsal. That’s a real testament to how great the orchestra is.”
While Foster and O’Hara wear their influences proudly, “One Night Only” continues the tradition in its own right, offering a story unique to their own lived experiences.
“Though our idea is inspired by the Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett pairing, Sutton and I have made this show personal to our own journeys,” O’Hara said. “I think it makes for a very special evening.”
