Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill Revival 2014

Run Time:
90 minutes, with no intermission
Opened: April 13, 2014
Closing: October 05, 2014

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill - 2014 - Broadway History , Info & More

Circle in the Square (Broadway)
1633 Broadway at 50th St. New York, NY

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill recounts Billie Holiday's life story through the songs that made her famous. 1959, in a small, intimate bar in Philadelphia, Holiday puts on a show that unbeknownst to the audience, will leave them witnesses to one of the last performances of her lifetime. Through her poignant voice and moving songs, one of the greatest jazz singers of all-time shares her loves and her losses.

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill - 2014 - Broadway Cast

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill

Audra McDonald offers a moving night with 'Lady Day'
9 / 10

McDonald gets to show off her comedic skills, naughtily teasing her conductor and pianist (the excellent Shelton Becton) and wandering among the audience members who sit at tables incorporated into the set. At one point, her Holiday heads for the bottles of booze lined up in back of them and pours herself a strong one; at another, she nuzzles her pet pooch, Pepi (played by a sweetly poised rescue dog named Roxie)...Not surprisingly, though, Lady Day is at its most potent when the songs speak for her. McDonald delivers a beautifully phrased God Bless the Child, an enchanting Crazy He Calls Me, a chilling Strange Fruit.

BWW Reviews: McDonald Mesmerizes in LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL
9 / 10

But little of that matters once McDonald takes the stage. So immediately stunning is the accuracy of her replication of Holiday's timbre and inflections at that point of her life that many of Thursday night's audience responded with applause a mere eight bars into her opening performance of 'I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone.' So galvanizing is McDonald's work that it wasn't until midway through the performance that I began to notice images being projected in back of her. Never mind them. You won't want to draw your attention away from Audra McDonald for a moment. As the saying goes, there's a lady on stage, and not only is she an entrancing singer, but she's one hell of an actor.

LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL to Play Final Performance Today
by Sally Henry Fuller - October 5, 2014

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, starring Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, plays its final performance today, October 5th, 2014. The production will have played 193 performances upon closing.

LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL Takes Hiatus Prior to Final Weeks of Performances
by Tyler Peterson - September 5, 2014

After a one-week hiatus, six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald will return to Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill and begin the final four weeks of performances starting Tuesday, September 9th, 2014.

STAGE TUBE: Audra McDonald and Will Swenson Complete the Ice Bucket Challenge - With An Elephant!
by Stage Tube - August 25, 2014

Husband-and-wife stage stars Audra McDonald and Will Swenson took on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge today while visiting Zoo Atlanta. Watch their submission -- featuring help from Kelly the elephant -- below! Plus, the pair nominated Norm Lewis and Patti LuPone to get wet and/or donate over the next 24 hours.

Audra McDonald Embarks on 'Sleep Out' Campaign to Help Homeless Youth
by Caryn Robbins - August 8, 2014

Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald has announced that she will sleep outside in solidarity with homeless youth one night this summer as part of Sleep Out: Broadway Edition 2014.

Broadway's LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL with Audra McDonald Announces Final Extension
by Tyler Peterson - August 7, 2014

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, the musical play starring record breaking six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, has announced that it will extend its limited engagement for a final time through October 5th, 2014.

TV: Banner Year for Two Beloved African-American Broadway Stars - Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis Honored by ABC News
by Robert Diamond - August 2, 2014

Last night, on ABC World News, Audra McDonald marked the second African-American Broadway actor to be featured as a PERSON OF THE WEEK on the popular telecast this year. The program is hosted by Diane Sawyer, who soon leaves that chair to 'create innovative specials' for the network. On the broadcast, McDonald discussed how she prepares to become Billie Holiday each night, as she continues to strive bettering her 'Lady Day' for every performance. This production, directed by Lonny Price, earned her the distinction of being the only actress in history to receive a record 6th Tony Award earlier this year.

LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL Remains at #1 on Billboard's Cast Albums Chart
by Caryn Robbins - August 1, 2014

The original cast recording of Broadway's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill continues to hold on to it's Number One spot on the Cast Album chart, according to Billboard.com

Audra McDonald-Led LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL Recoups Investment
by Nicole Rosky - July 29, 2014

The producers of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, the musical play starring record breaking six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, just announced that the production in now in profits, after recouping its initial investment of $2.6 million.

Audra McDonald Breaks Billboard Records with LADY DAY Album!
by Nicole Rosky - July 24, 2014

PS Classics' Original Broadway Cast Recording of Audra McDonald in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill topped four of the Billboard Charts in its first week of release: #1 in Cast Albums, #1 in Jazz, #1 in Traditional Jazz and #1 in Heatseekers. According to Billboard, the album is McDonald's highest-charting solo release ever.

LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL Original Broadway Cast Recording Out Today
by Pat Cerasaro - July 15, 2014

The deluxe live original Broadway cast recording of LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL starring five-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald is being released today, July 15 in a two-disc set.

Audra McDonald-Led LADY DAY Extends Again Through 9/21
by Nicole Rosky - July 7, 2014

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, the musical play starring record breaking six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, will extend its strictly limited engagement through September 21st, 2014. The production will be dark from September 1st through September 7th while Ms. McDonald takes a previously scheduled vacation, and the final 16 performances will begin starting September 9th, 2014.

First Listen: Audra McDonald Sings Billie Holiday on LADY DAY Album; Track List Announced!
by Nicole Rosky - July 3, 2014

PS Classics will release the Original Cast Album for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, featuring six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, on July 15. Click here to listen to a preview of the album!

Photo Coverage: Audra McDonald Celebrates 100th Performance at LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL
by Walter McBride - July 3, 2014

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, the musical play which stars record breaking Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald as jazz legend Billie Holiday, just played it's 100th performance yesterday, July 2, 2014. The most honored female performer of the 2013-2014 season, Ms. McDonald was also the recipient of the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. BroadwayWorld was there for the celebration and you can check out photos below!

BWW TV Exclusive: BACKSTAGE WITH RICHARD RIDGE- Six-Time Tony Winner Audra McDonald!
by Backstage With Richard Ridge - June 15, 2014

Welcome to BWW's exclusive talk show, BACKSTAGE WITH Richard Ridge. Follow Richard as he visits the theater's best and brightest in their dressing rooms, on their stages and favorite hang outs to talk about their lives, careers and all of the things you don't know, but want to know. In the special interview below, 2014 Tony winner Audra McDonald joined Richard just days before the big night to chat about all things Lady Day, reviews her amazing career and so much more . Check out the full interview below!

LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL with Audra McDonald Extends Through August 31
by Tyler Peterson - June 11, 2014

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Lanie Robertson's musical play which stars Audra McDonald who won a record breaking sixth Tony Award for her portrayal of jazz legend Billie Holiday, will extend its strictly limited engagement through August 31st, 2014.

LADY DAY's Steve Canyon Kennedy Wins Best Sound Design of a Play Tony
by BWW Special Coverage - June 8, 2014

Steve Canyon Kennedy has won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Sound Design of a Play for LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL. This is Steve Canyon Kennedy's second Tony nomination. He was previously nominated for Catch Me If You Can in 2011.

In the Spotlight Series: LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL's Audra McDonald
by Walter McBride - June 14, 2014

Audra McDonald made history this week, receiving her 6th Tony Award for Best Performance by and Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her role as Billie Holiday in LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL - in celebration, you can check out photos of McDonald in the BroadwayWorld.com series 'In The Spotlight' by acclaimed photographer Walter McBride below!

BWW Countdown: You Get to Rank Your Favorite Audra McDonald Roles
by Matt Tamanini - June 4, 2014

There is little doubt who is the reigning queen of Broadway. With five Tony Awards and eight nominations in just 20 years, Audra McDonald has held that title for quite a while now. In addition to her prolific stage career, she also has found time to do turns on TV and have a recording and touring career. If Audra wins her sixth Tony this Sunday, she will become the first actor to do so in the four major acting categories.

Audra McDonald-Led LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL to Get Live Recording; Release Set for 7/15
by Nicole Rosky - May 29, 2014

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Lanie Robertson's play with music, starring five-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, will be recorded live at Circle in the Square during a regularly scheduled performance during the week of May 27-31by PS Classics. The label has announced a July 15th street date; preorders are already being accepted at the label's website,www.psclassics.com.

VIDEO: Audra McDonald Talks Billie Holiday on CBS SUNDAY MORNING
by Caryn Robbins - May 27, 2014

The Tony Award-nominated Audra McDonald talked to CBS SUNDAY MORNING's Mo Rocca this Sunday about two legendary singers: Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill has had 4 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 1986, Off-Broadway which opened in 1986, Broadway which opened in 2014 and West End which opened in 2017.
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill has been nominated for the Tony Award for Best Sound Design of a Play, with Steve Canyon Kennedy receiving the nomination.
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill won the Tony Award for Best Sound Design of a Play for Steve Canyon Kennedy.
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill has been nominated for Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical at the Drama League Awards and Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) at the Outer Critics Circle Awards.

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