Audra McDonald Headshot

Audra McDonald

Also Credited As: Audra Ann McDonald

Birth Place: Berlin, GERMANY

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Audra McDonald BIO

Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actor. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy, in 2015 she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and received a National Medal of Arts—America’s highest honor for achievement in the field—from President Barack Obama. In addition to her Tony-winning performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill—the role that also served as the vehicle for her Olivier Award-nominated 2017 debut in London’s West End—she has appeared on Broadway in The Secret Garden; Marie Christine (Tony nomination); Henry IV; 110 in the Shade (Tony nomination); Shuffle Along, or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed; and Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (Tony nomination).



A Juilliard-trained soprano, her opera credits include La voix humaine and Send at Houston Grand Opera, and Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny at Los Angeles Opera, where the resulting recording earned her two Grammy Awards.

On television, she was seen by millions as the Mother Abbess in NBC’s The Sound of Music Live! and played Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC’s Private Practice. She won an Emmy Award for her role as host of PBS’s Live From Lincoln Center and has received nominations for Wit, A Raisin in the Sun and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. Having first appeared as Liz Lawrence on CBS’s The Good Wife, she stars in The Good Fight on Paramount+ as well as in Spectrum’s pandemic-themed drama, The Bite.

On film, she has appeared in Seven Servants, The Object of My Affection, Cradle Will Rock, It Runs in the Family, The Best Thief in the World, She Got Problems, Rampart, Ricki and the Flash, Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, the movie-musical Hello Again, and MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect.

Her upcoming film projects comprise Higher Ground’s Rustin and FilmNation’s Down Low. McDonald has issued five solo albums on the Nonesuch label as well as Sing Happy with the New York Philharmonic on Decca Gold. She also maintains a major career as a concert artist, regularly appearing on the great stages of the world and with leading international orchestras. A founding member of Black Theatre United, board member of Covenant House International, and prominent advocate for LGBTQAI+ rights, her favorite roles are those performed offstage, as an activist, wife to actor Will Swenson, and mother.

Audra McDonald Photos

Audra McDonald STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2024
Mama Rose

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2022
Performer

[Williamstown, MA (Regional)]
Williamstown Theater Festival Production, 2020
Blanche DuBois

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2019
Frankie

[West End]
West End Production, 2017
Billie Holiday

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2016
Lottie Gee

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Lady Day

[Motion Picture]
NBC Live Televised Production, 2013
Mother Abbess

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2012
Bess

[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare In The Park Revival, 2009
Olivia

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2007
Lizzie Curry

[Regional (US)]
Regional Concert, 2005
Fay Apple

[Broadway]
Stephen Sondheim Tribute Benefit, 2005
Performer

[Broadway]
Concert [Broadway], 2005
Clara

[Broadway]
Special Benefit Production, 2005
Performer

[Regional (US)]
Regional Concert, 2004
Dot

[Williamstown, MA (Regional)]
World Premiere, 2004
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
Ruth Younger

Ruth Younger

Ruth Younger

[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 2003
Lady Percy

[Regional (US)]
Regional Concert, 2003
Clara

[Off-Broadway]
New York Concert, 2002
Julie Jordan

[Broadway]
New York Concert, 2001
Deena Jones

[Off-Broadway]
New York Concert, 2000
Beggar Woman

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1999
Marie Christine L'Adrese

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]

Performer [Replacement]

[New York]
Workshop, 1998
Nina

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1998
Sarah

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1995
Sharon

[Broadway]
Broadway Concert, 1995
"Something Wonderful" Performer

Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1994
Carrie Pipperidge

[Los Angeles]
Los Angeles Opera Revival, 2007
Jenny


Audra McDonald Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play

Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play

Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders

Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Audra McDonald, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune

Olivier Awards - 2018 - Best Actress

Audra McDonald, Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2014 - Best Leading Actress in a Play

Audra McDonald, Lady Day at emerson's Bar & Grill


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill


winner
Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2012 - Best Leading Actress in a Musical

Audra McDonald, Porgy and Bess


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess


winner
Drama League Awards - 2012 - Distinguished Performance Award

Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Audra McDonald, Porgy and Bess


winner
Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical (tie)

Audra McDonald, 11 in the Shad

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Audra McDonald, 11 in the Shade

Tony Awards - 2007 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Audra McDonald, 11 in the Shade


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2004 - Best Featured Actress in a Play

Audra McDonald, A Raisin In The Sun


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Featured Actress - Play

Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Audra McDonald , A Raisin in the Sun


winner
Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun


winner
Drama League Awards - 2000 - Distinguished Achivement in Musical Theatre

Audra McDonald

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Audra McDonald, Marie Christine


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Actress - Musical

Audra McDonald, Marie Christine

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Featured Actress - Musical

Audra McDonaldRagtime


winner
Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Audra McDonald, Ragtime


winner
Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Audra McDonald, Master Class

Audra McDonald Videos

Audra McDonald News


Drama Book Shop Will Host Signing and Talkback Event For 'The Tony Awards: A Celebration of Excellence in Theatre'

The Drama Book Shop will host an event in conjunction with the release of the book, 'The Tony Awards: A Celebration of Excellence in Theatre'. The event will feature Eila Mell and Heather A. Hitchens, and will include a talkback, signing, and live podcast recording.
Tyne Daly to Appear at Terrence McNally Documentary Screening This Month

Theatre West will screen the Emmy-nominated documentary EVERY ACT OF LIFE about Terrence McNally on June 23, 2024, followed by a discussion with director Jeff Kaufman, producer Marcia Ross, and Tyne Daly.
MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Available to Purchase on DVD and Blu-ray

Physical media collectors can now get their hands on My Favorite Things, the 80th-anniversary concert celebrating the partnership of renowned composer and lyricist Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Directed for the screen by five-time BAFTA®  winner Julia Knowles, the event included iconic songs from The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Oklahoma!, and more, performed by stars of the stage and screen.
Audra McDonald Brings Broadway to PBS

Broadway fans in New York and across the country are in luck this spring: They can see six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald featured in Great Performances’ “Broadway’s Best” lineup on New York City's own PBS station, THIRTEEN.
Alicia Keys, Linda Twine, and Maxine Williams Will Be Honored at the 2024 Black Theatre United Gala

Black Theatre United will host its second annual Gala on Monday, September 30, 2024 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York. Learn more about how to attend here!
Video: Ben Platt and Adrienne Warren Sing 'If Momma Was Married' From GYPSY

Ben Platt was joined on stage by Adrienne Warren during his residency at The Palace Theatre last night. The pair performed 'If Momma Was Married' from Gypsy. Check out the video here!
Video: Audra McDonald Talks GYPSY on TODAY

Watch Audra McDonald discuss imposter syndrome, stage fright, and GYPSY on Today with Hoda and Jenna in the video here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld June 3, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 3, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Review: Seth Rudetsky presents Tony Winner Lillias White at OC's Segerstrom Center

To close out their 2023-2024 Series, Segerstrom Center welcomed theater aficionado Seth Rudetsky to serve as an interviewer/pianist for Tony Award winner Lillias White for three shows May 16-18, 2024 in one of the most incredibly wonderful, fan-favoring shows that the OC arts campus has ever hosted at the intimate Samueli Theater in Costa Mesa, CA.
MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Album is Available Now

The 42-track live recording of star-studded My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80thAnniversary Concert is now available on double CD and digital platforms worldwide. Learn more about how to stream or purchase the album, and watch a video of Audra McDonald performing 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain' here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 30, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 30, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Broadway Jukebox: All About Audra McDonald

Enjoy songs from musicals like: Ragtime, Porgy and Bess, The Sound of Music, 110 in the Shade, Annie, Beauty and the Beast, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Marie Christine, and more!
Audra McDonald Will Return to Broadway This Fall in GYPSY; Hear Her Sing in New Trailer

It's official! six-time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald will return to Broadway this fall, taking on what is widely regarded as the greatest role in musical theatre, “Rose” in GYPSY. We have all of the details!
PROUD OUT LOUD Comes to Theatre West in June

For its Third Annual Proud Out Loud celebration, Theatre West will present a weekend of programming honoring the achievements of five-time Tony Award winning playwright and librettist Terrence McNally (1938-2020).
In The Spotlight: Nashville School of the Arts' Ella Claybrooks

Today our spotlight shines on Ella Claybrooks, a senior at Nashville School of the Arts, who won her Spotlight Award nomination for her performance as Alice in Bright Star. Ella will be attending The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) this fall, in pursuit of a BFA in Musical Theater.
Video: Watch Patrick Wilson Sing 'Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' from Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert

In December of 2023, Broadway luminaries gathered together to celebrate the historic partnership and songs of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, 80 years after the premiere of their first musical, Oklahoma! Ahead of the PBS premiere on May 31, check out a clip from the concert of Patrick Wilson performing the classic Oklahoma! opening number Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin.'
MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Will Air on Sky Arts in the UK

The star-studded My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert will be broadcast on Sky Arts on Sunday, 26 May 2024 at 6 p.m.
Photos: Inside Matt DeAngelis' THE JANICE JAM: BROADWAY FOR BREAST CANCER

On Monday night, Broadway’s Matt DeAngelis (Waitress), who lost his mother, Janice, in 2022 to metastatic breast cancer, gathered his dearest Broadway friends and industry colleagues together for THE JANICE JAM: BROADWAY FOR BREAST CANCER and raised over $52,000 for Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Check out photos here!
The Tank Unveils Programming For PRIDEFEST 2024 Featuring Workshops, Performances & More

The Tank revealed the programming for PRIDEFEST 2024, featuring performances, workshops, and events celebrating LGBTQIA+ voices and stories. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Jeremy O. Harris Will Be Creative Director of Williamstown Theatre Festival's Creative Collective

It was announced today Jeremy O. Harris will be the inaugural Creative Director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival’s Creative Collective, a new artistic leadership model that will ensure boundary-breaking and diverse programming, create new opportunities for emerging artists, and foster shared ownership of the creative vision for the Festival. 

Audra McDonald FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Audra McDonald been in?

Audra McDonald has appeared on Broadway in 18 shows.

How many West End shows has Audra McDonald been in?

Audra McDonald has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Audra McDonald's first West End show?

Audra McDonald's first West End show was Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill which opened in 2017

What awards has Audra McDonald been nominated for?

Audra McDonald has been nominated for various awards throughout her career. Some of her nominations include Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Ohio State Murders," Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "Ohio State Murders," and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune." She has also been nominated for awards such as Best Actress at the Olivier Awards for "Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill," Best Leading Actress in a Play at the BroadwayWorld Awards for "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill," and Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for the same production. Additionally, she received nominations for her roles in "Porgy and Bess," "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess," "110 in the Shade," "A Raisin In The Sun," "Marie Christine," "Ragtime," and "Master Class."

What awards has Audra McDonald won?

Audra McDonald has won numerous awards throughout her Broadway career. Some of her notable wins include Best Leading Actress in a Play for "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill," Outstanding Actress in a Musical for "Porgy and Bess," and Best Featured Actress in a Play for "A Raisin in the Sun." She has also received accolades such as the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre award from the Drama League. McDonald's talent and versatility have been recognized with awards from various prestigious organizations like the Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, and BroadwayWorld Awards.

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