McDonald to Make Houston Grand Opera Debut with LaChiusa & Ferenc Pieces, March 4-26

Four-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald will make her Houston Grand Opera debut in a double bill of one-act, one-woman operas from March 4th through 26th.

The first piece, Send (who are you? I Love You), is written by Michael John LaChiusa, whose songs McDonald first helped to popularize on her CDs and whose Marie Christine starred the singer/actress on Broadway. Co-conceived by LaChiusa and Lonny Price (who also directs), the one-act opera "chronicles the beginning of love in the digital age."

As a counterpoint to Send, McDonald will perform Francis Poulenc's La Voix Humaine as the second piece. Performed in English, the opera details the end of a romance. Tony Award-winner Ted Sperling (The Light in the Piazza) will conduct both pieces.

McDonald was recently announced to star in the Roundabout Theatre Company's spring 2007 revival of the musical 110 in the Shade. She won Tony Awards for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime and most recently, A Raisin in the Sun. She has also appeared on Broadway in Henry IV and Marie Christine. "Way Back to Paradise," "How Glory Goes" and "Happy Songs" are her solo albums. McDonald's film and television credits include It Runs in the Family, "Mister Sterling," Cradle Will Rock, "Law and Order: SVU," the telemusical of Annie, and the HBO movie Wit. She is also acclaimed as a concert artist.

James Noone will provide sets for both operas, and Melissa Graff will design the costumes.

The performance schedule is: March 4th, 7th, 10th, 16th, 18th and 24th at 8 PM and March 12th and 26th at 2:30 PM. Visit www.houstongrandopera.com for more information.