Friday 5: 5 Favorite Audra McDonald Performances

5 Favorite Audra McDonald Performances

With only 6 Tony Awards (and a meager 10 nominations), maybe some day Audra McDonald will be a success on the Broadway stage, right? My first memory of her wasn't on Broadway, but on a national tour stop for The Secret Garden, where she played a small, but noticeable role, Ayah. It was the role in which she'd make her Broadway debut - as Audra Ann McDonald. She's been somewhat successful since then... 

Here are our 5 favorite Broadway performances from this incredible actress:

5. Billie Holiday - Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill (Broadway - 2014): 

Boozy Audra is captivating. We hung on her every word. Billie Holiday would have been so honored.

 

4. Bess - The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (Broadway - 2012): 

A classic role for a classic singer! Her pair of duets with co-star Norm Lewis ("Bess, You Is My Woman Now" and "I Loves You, Porgy") were lightning in a bottle, so passionate and moving.

 

3. Carrie Pipperidge - Carousel (Broadway - 1994): 

Mike recalls her earthy take on Carrie frequently and with delight. Surely, this was a unique and lively star-making turn, earning her her first Tony Award!

 

2. Sarah - Ragtime (Broadway - 1998): 

I've often said that Ragtime was kind of disappointing to me as a staged production, at least as compared to the glorious cast recording. But the biggest exception to that assessment was the brilliant, epic (and devastating) performance by Ms. McDonald.

 

1. Rose - Gypsy (Broadway - 2025): 

I admit I was one of those "What?? Another Gypsy?" people when this was announced. Of course, with Audra attached, I still had to see it. I've seen many great Roses over the years, but honestly, watching her tear up that Majestic stage was as jaw-dropping as it was refreshing. It was like a whole new show. I shouldn't be surprised, though. I mean, she is pretty much the gold standard in everything she does. What a privilege to be there to see it.

Mr. Broadway February 2020: A Soldier's Play's David Alan Grier

He's got well over a hundred movie and television credits, including In Loving Color, The Proud Family, and A Soldier's Story. It is that last title, however, that has landed David Alan Grier the honor of being named Mr. Broadway February 2020. This time around, he's starring in a revival of the acclaimed play. Grier has done several Broadway shows, both straight plays and musicals (and a couple TV musicals, too). Along the way, he's won a Theatre World Award, and three Tony Award nominations. It's great to have him back on the New York stage, isn't it?

Mr. Broadway February 2020

A Soldier's Play's David Alan Grier

Headshots/Candids

Just the Facts

BIRTH DATE: June 30

BIRTHPLACE: Detroit, MI

EDUCATION: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (BA), Yale University (MFA)

THEATER CREDITS: Broadway: A Soldier's Play, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (Tony Nomination), Race (Tony Nomination), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Dreamgirls, The First (Tony Nomination); Broadway-related: A Christmas Story Live! (Fox), The Wiz Live! (NBC)

Broadway-Related

Santa

The Cowardly Lion

Broadway

Jackie Robinson

Pseudolus

Henry Brown

Sporting Life

Sgt. Vernon C. Waters

#2265

Where Are They Now? Mr. Broadway: Joshua Henry

In November 2010, we highlighted the brilliant Joshua Henry as Mr. Broadway (HERE), and celebrated his success in such shows as In the Heights, American Idiot and The Scottsboro Boys. So, what has he been up to since then?

Well, most importantly, he got married and started a family. But professionally, he has graced stages all across America in a variety of high-profile musicals, and has earned 3 Tony Award nominations, including one for The Scottsboro Boys.

Where Are They Now?

Mr. Broadway Update:

JOSHUA HENRY

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (Jake - Richard Rodgers Theatre) 

(right) with Norm Lewis

Violet (Flick - American Airlines Theatre)
Tony Award Nomination - Best Featured Actor in a Musical

(right) with Colin Donnell

Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed (Noble Sissie - Music Box Theater)

(second from left)

The Last Five Years (Jamie Wellerstein - The Town Hall)

with Cynthia Erivo

Hamilton (Aaron Burr - Chicago Company/1st National Tour)

Carousel (Billy Bigelow - Imperial Theatre)

Tony Award Nomination - Best Actor in a Musical

Here's to a long career with much continued success, Mr. Henry! We look forward to giving you another update!

#2161

30 Years Ago Today: Porgy and Bess

Here's the next in a series of blogs featuring the musicals that opened 30, 20 and 10 years ago.  Others in the series can be found under the "Back in Time" tab at the top of the page.  (Scroll to the bottom of that page.)

The Playbill

The Houston Grand Opera Cast Recording

(This revival is based on that Tony-winning revival.)

Show: Porgy and Bess

Theatre: Radio City Music Hall

Opening Night: April 7, 1983

Performances: 22 previews, 45 performances

Tonys: 2 nominations, including Best Actor Michael V. Smartt and Best Choreography George Faison  

Who's Who 30 Years Later: Director Jack O'Brien (As director: Damn Yankees, Getting Away With Murder, The Full Monty, The Invention of Love, Hairspray, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Coast of Eutopia, Catch Me If You Can, Dead Accounts, The Nance); Stars Larry Marshall (Sportin' Life - Big Deal, 3 Penny Opera, Play On!, The Full Monty, The Color Purple)  and George Merritt (Crown - Big River, Jekyll and Hyde) were part of a cast of over 90, including four alternates for each principal role.  One of the supporting actors was Larry Storch as the detective (Arsenic and Old Lace, Annie Get Your Gun, Sly Fox).  Mr. Merritt passed away in 2010.

Larry Storch

Larry Marshall (far right) in The Full Monty

George Merritt (right) in Jekyll and Hyde

NOTE: Credits reflect work by artists since the opening night being celebrated here.

Jeff

4.215