Audra McDonald to be Featured on NY1's 'On Stage'

Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, currently starring in Roundabout Theatre Company's 110 in the Shade, will be featured on NY1's "On Stage" this weekend beginning Saturday, May 26th on channel 1. McDonald will sit down with NY1's Donna Karger and discuss her role the production, which recently earned her a sixth Tony nomination.

In addition to McDonald, 110 in the Shade co-stars Tony Award winner John Cullum (H. C. Curry) and Steve Kazee (Starbuck). Written by N. Richard Nash, Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones, the Roundabout Production of 110 in the Shade is directed by Lonny Price.

110 in the Shade has been nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (McDonald), Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (John Cullum), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Christopher Akerlind) and Best Orchestrations (Jonathan Tunick), as well as two Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Revival of a Musical and Outstanding Actress in a Musical (McDonald), three Outer Critic's Circle Awards including Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (McDonald) and Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Bobby Steggert). 110 in the Shade also earned two Drama League nominations for Distinguished Revival of a Musical and Distinguished Performance (McDonald).

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, through July 29th, 2007 at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th Street). 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.