Audra McDonald's Father Dies; '110' Shows Canceled

Four-time Tony winner Audra McDonald's father, Stanley McDonald Jr., was killed Sunday as an experimental aircraft he was flying crashed north of Sacramento. According to The New York Times, McDonald, an assistant superintendent of human resources for the Fresno Unified School District for 33 years and an experienced helicopter pilot, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 62.

Stanley McDonald's wife, Vicki, said he had taken the aircraft to Oliverhurst, CA for repairs. Witnesses described the vehicle as seeming to have mechanical trouble, flying erratically before the propeller stopped and it crashed near Highway 70.

Wednesday and Thursday performances of McDonald's current Broadway show, a revival of 110 in the Shade, have been canceled. McDonald will return to the show Friday. The Tom Jones, Harvey Schmidt and N. Richard Nash-written musical, currently in previews, will open as scheduled May 9.

Press notes describe 110 in the Shade, "In the middle of a heat wave in 1930's Texas, when everyone is longing for rain, or a breeze, Lizzie Curry (McDonald) is on the verge of becoming a hopeless old maid. Her wit, intelligence and skills as a homemaker can't Make Up For the fact that she can't find true love. Even the town sheriff, for whom she harbors a secret yen, won't take a chance. However, when a charismatic rainmaker named Starbuck (Kazee) enters the town and her family's life, Lizzie's world is turned upside down."

110 in the Shade plays Tuesday—Saturday evenings at 8:00PM, with Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00PM. Tickets are available by calling Roundabout Ticket Services at (212) 719-1300, online at www.roundabouttheatre.org or at the Studio 54 Box Office (254 West 54th Street). Ticket prices range from $36.25-$111.25.

Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.