No Prom For "West Side Story" Star

(CBS)  She didn't get to go to prom, but many people would say the Tony awards aren't a bad stand-in.

And that's how Karen Olivo is thinking of the 63rd Annual Tony Awards on Sunday night - as "a big prom."

Thursday on The Early Show Olivo, nominated for Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Anita, told Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez auditioning for the revival musical was "daunting."

"It's a challenge, and I knew if I didn't take the challenge I'd think about it for the rest of my life," she said.

But Olivo said jumping into the physical role of the "Romeo and Juliet"-like musical has turned out "pretty good."

"West Side Story" has also been nominated for Best Revival Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Josefina Scaglione), and Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Howell Binkley).

The Tony Awards air on Sunday, June 7, at 8/7 p.m. ET/CT on CBS.