The Next San Diego Smash Is…

The La Jolla Playhouse teamed up with NBC 7 San Diego

The public has spoken and Kailey O'Donnell is the next San Diego Smash.

The La Jolla Playhouse teamed up with NBC 7 San Diego for a Facebook voting contest. O'Donnell will sing at the La Jolla Playhouse’s Gala on March 9 and has also won a trip to New York and a Broadway show.

“We are so proud of San Diegan Kailey O'Donnell and very much look forward to her performance at our Gala in front of Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley, Broadway casting agent Bernie Telsey and some of San Diego's finest arts supporters,” said La Jolla Playhouse Managing Director, Michael S. Rosenberg.

Ten contestants came to the NBC 7 San Diego studios to record a performance of "Let Me Be Your Star," by the "Smash" songwriting team of Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. “Smash” is an NBC show about the creation of a new Broadway musical based on Marilyn Monroe’s life.

The videos were hosted on the NBC San Diego Facebook page, where the public could vote for their favorite.

Hannah Rose Kornfield, Leslie Tammone, Ashleigh Moore, Kailey O'Donnell, Stephanie Jenkins, Bethany Slomka, Kelsey Venter, Carley Nykanen and Sarah Errington competed in the contest.

Cashae Monya took herself out of the competition because she was unavailable for the Gala and the trip to New York.

“The contestants were chosen from the terrific local actor pool in San Diego. Many of them have either appeared in La Jolla Playhouse productions or have auditioned for us,” said Rosenberg.
Kailey has auditioned for the La Jolla Playhouse in the past.

“But this will be her debut on our stage,” said Rosenberg.

Many productions that originated at the La Jolla Playhouse have found success on Broadway. "Peter and the Starcatcher" will hit Broadway at the end of the month.

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