Audra McDonald Career Retrospective | Conversations on Broadway

A career Q&A with Audra McDonald, SAG Award Nominee for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. Moderated by Richard Ridge of BroadwayWorld.com's "Backstage with Richard Ridge."
Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actress. Recipient of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, and an Emmy Award, she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2015. 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, she has appeared on Broadway in The Secret Garden, Marie Christine (Tony nomination), Henry IV,110 in the Shade (Tony nomination), and Shuffle Along, Or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed. The Juilliard-trained soprano’s 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. 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. On film, she recently appeared opposite Meryl Streep in Ricki and the Flash and plays the Garderobe in Disney’s upcoming live-action Beauty and the Beast. An exclusive recording artist for Nonesuch Records, she has released five solo albums for the label. McDonald also maintains a major career as a concert artist, regularly appearing on the great stages of the world and with leading international orchestras. Of all her many roles, her favorites are the ones performed offstage: passionate advocate for equal rights and homeless youth, wife to actor Will Swenson, and mother to her growing family.

[@davidwilliamklak]

She’s so humble, it makes me love her more and she’s already my favorite singer/actress

[@lavedadavis818]

That Zoe Caldwell story while in 'Master Class' was hilarious!! Audra always understands the assignment. She's iconic and a national treasure!!!!

[@kiga699]

Her performance of CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN just blew me away. She is just too good an artist.

[@loism8645]

Cannot understand how this interview only has 88 likes including mine. She's so talented.

[@chaneldupree2354]

MY IDOL!!!!

[@everlong9614]

Ditto. One of them at least for me!

[@mxyzptlk...]

Love this woman.

[@ClaralizMora]

Only 121 likes??? Would have imagined much much more!!!

[@ClaralizMora]

Thank you for posting this!

[@NclinedMuzaclly]

that guy's laugh is great lol

[@Ladylace97]

Lol that's because Savion was schooled by legendary Hoofers like Sammy Davis jr. Sandman & Gregory Hines

[@railehtdoe2907]

30:20 she is freaking adorable

[@19suntan50]

Sensational

[@josephbruggeman7549]

Audra is the best Reno Sweeney ever!