tracker
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Home For You Chat My Shows (beta) Register/Login Games Grosses
Audra McDonald Headshot

Audra McDonald

Also Credited As: Audra Ann McDonald

Birth Place: Berlin, GERMANY

read more news

Get Audra McDonald Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actor. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy, in 2015 she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and received a National Medal of Arts—America’s highest honor for achievement in the field—from President Barack Obama. 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—the role that also served as the vehicle for her Olivier Award-nominated 2017 debut in London’s West End—she has appeared on Broadway in The Secret Garden; Marie Christine (Tony nomination); Henry IV; 110 in the Shade (Tony nomination); Shuffle Along, or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed; and Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (Tony nomination).



A Juilliard-trained soprano, her 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, where the resulting recording earned her two Grammy Awards.

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. Having first appeared as Liz Lawrence on CBS’s The Good Wife, she stars in The Good Fight on Paramount+ as well as in Spectrum’s pandemic-themed drama, The Bite.

On film, she has appeared in Seven Servants, The Object of My Affection, Cradle Will Rock, It Runs in the Family, The Best Thief in the World, She Got Problems, Rampart, Ricki and the Flash, Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, the movie-musical Hello Again, and MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect.

Her upcoming film projects comprise Higher Ground’s Rustin and FilmNation’s Down Low. McDonald has issued five solo albums on the Nonesuch label as well as Sing Happy with the New York Philharmonic on Decca Gold. She also maintains a major career as a concert artist, regularly appearing on the great stages of the world and with leading international orchestras. A founding member of Black Theatre United, board member of Covenant House International, and prominent advocate for LGBTQAI+ rights, her favorite roles are those performed offstage, as an activist, wife to actor Will Swenson, and mother.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Gypsy Gypsy
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2024
Mama Rose
Ohio State Murders Ohio State Murders
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2022
Performer
A Streetcar Named Desire A Streetcar Named Desire
[Williamstown, MA (Regional)]
Williamstown Theater Festival Production, 2020
Blanche DuBois
Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2019
Frankie
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
[West End]
West End Production, 2017
Billie Holiday
Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2016
Lottie Gee
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Lady Day
The Sound of Music Live! The Sound of Music Live!
[Motion Picture]
NBC Live Televised Production, 2013
Mother Abbess
The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2012
Bess
Twelfth Night
[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare In The Park Revival, 2009
Olivia
110 in the Shade 110 in the Shade
[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2007
Lizzie Curry
Anyone Can Whistle
[Regional (US)]
Regional Concert, 2005
Fay Apple
Children And Art
[Broadway]
Stephen Sondheim Tribute Benefit, 2005
Performer
Passion
[Broadway]
Concert [Broadway], 2005
Clara
Escape: 6 Ways to Get Away (2)
[Broadway]
Special Benefit Production, 2005
Performer
Sunday in the Park with George
[Regional (US)]
Regional Concert, 2004
Dot
R Shomon
[Williamstown, MA (Regional)]
World Premiere, 2004
Performer
A Raisin in the Sun A Raisin in the Sun
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
Ruth Younger
Henry IV Henry IV
[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 2003
Lady Percy
Passion
[Regional (US)]
Regional Concert, 2003
Clara
Carousel
[Off-Broadway]
New York Concert, 2002
Julie Jordan
Dreamgirls
[Broadway]
New York Concert, 2001
Deena Jones
Sweeney Todd
[Off-Broadway]
New York Concert, 2000
Beggar Woman
Marie Christine
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1999
Marie Christine L'Adrese
The Vagina Monologues
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
Dear World
[New York]
Workshop, 1998
Nina
Ragtime
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1998
Sarah
Master Class
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1995
Sharon
Something Wonderful
[Broadway]
Broadway Concert, 1995
Performer
"Something Wonderful" Performer
Performer
"Something Wonderful" Performer
Carousel
[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1994
Carrie Pipperidge
The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny
[Los Angeles]
Los Angeles Opera Revival, 2007
Jenny

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical

Audra McDonald, Gypsy

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical

Audra McDonald, Gypsy

Tony Awards - 2025 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Audra McDonald, Gypsy

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play

Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play

Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders

Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Audra McDonald, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune

Olivier Awards - 2018 - Best Actress

Audra McDonald, Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2014 - Best Leading Actress in a Play

Audra McDonald, Lady Day at emerson's Bar & Grill


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill


winner
Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2012 - Best Leading Actress in a Musical

Audra McDonald, Porgy and Bess


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess


winner
Drama League Awards - 2012 - Distinguished Performance Award

Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Audra McDonald, Porgy and Bess


winner
Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical (tie)

Audra McDonald, 11 in the Shad

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Audra McDonald, 11 in the Shade

Tony Awards - 2007 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Audra McDonald, 11 in the Shade


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2004 - Best Featured Actress in a Play

Audra McDonald, A Raisin In The Sun


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Featured Actress - Play

Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Audra McDonald , A Raisin in the Sun


winner
Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun


winner
Drama League Awards - 2000 - Distinguished Achivement in Musical Theatre

Audra McDonald

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Audra McDonald, Marie Christine


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Actress - Musical

Audra McDonald, Marie Christine

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Featured Actress - Musical

Audra McDonaldRagtime


winner
Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Audra McDonald, Ragtime


winner
Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Audra McDonald, Master Class

Videos

More Videos

News


Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 26, 2025 - CURSED CHILD Surpasses WICKED In the G Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 26, 2025 - CURSED CHILD Surpasses WICKED In the Grosses and More
by - Nov 26, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 26, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Audra McDonald, Joy Woods and More to Perform at A NEW YORK EVENING CELEBRATING GYPSY Photo
Audra McDonald, Joy Woods and More to Perform at A NEW YORK EVENING CELEBRATING GYPSY
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 25, 2025

Audra McDonald, Joy Woods, Jordan Tyson, and Kevin Csolak will perform as part of the GRAMMY Museum's event “A New York Evening Celebrating Gypsy” at WNYC’s The Greene Space.
54 Below to Celebrate the Holiday Season with Joe Iconis, Norm Lewis, Joy Woods and M Photo
54 Below to Celebrate the Holiday Season with Joe Iconis, Norm Lewis, Joy Woods and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 24, 2025

54 BELOW will celebrate the happiest time of the year with an incredible lineup of performances by Tony winner Christine Ebersole with Billy Stritch, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star Darius de Haas, and more.
MY BROADWAY IDOL Comes to 54 Below Photo
MY BROADWAY IDOL Comes to 54 Below
by Stephi Wild - Nov 24, 2025

54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club will host “My Broadway Idol: A Tribute to the Stars that Inspire Us.' The performance is set for December 1 at 9:30pm. Learn more here!
Adam Gwon Will Offer Master Class Through Theatre Now Photo
Adam Gwon Will Offer Master Class Through Theatre Now
by Stephi Wild - Nov 10, 2025

Award-winning musical theatre writer Adam Gwon will offer a Master Class next week as part of Theatre Now New York's Industry Nights. Learn more here!
Kristin Chenoweth’s Glinda from WICKED Joins Broadway Legends Ornament Collection Photo
Kristin Chenoweth’s Glinda from WICKED Joins Broadway Legends Ornament Collection
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 7, 2025

Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda from Wicked has joined Broadway Cares' Broadway Legends ornament series. The 6” glass Glinda ornament features her iconic blue gown, complete with sparkling crown and wand.
MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, GYPSY & More Nominated for Best Musical Theatre Album at 2026 GRA Photo
MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, GYPSY & More Nominated for Best Musical Theatre Album at 2026 GRAMMYS
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 7, 2025

The cast albums for Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, Gypsy, Just in Time, and Maybe Happy Ending have all been nominated for Best Musical Theatre Album at the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards.
Tony Award-Winner Audra McDonald to Perform at Overture Center for the Arts in April Photo
Tony Award-Winner Audra McDonald to Perform at Overture Center for the Arts in April 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 3, 2025

Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, Wisconsin will welcome Emmy, Grammy, and six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald for an evening of music and storytelling on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in Overture Hall.
ROMERO & JULIET to Have World Premiere at Pittsburgh’s Greer Cabaret Photo
ROMERO & JULIET to Have World Premiere at Pittsburgh’s Greer Cabaret
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 3, 2025

A new rock musical, Romero & Juliet, will have its world premiere at the Greer Cabaret in Pittsburgh on Friday, February 13. Set in Verona, Pennsylvania, the show merges Shakespeare’s classic tragedy with George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead.
Feature: GYPSY at Rivertown Theaters For The Performing Arts Photo
Feature: GYPSY at Rivertown Theaters For The Performing Arts
by Tara Bennett - Nov 3, 2025

After more than a decade, Rivertown Theaters' Co-Artistic/Managing Director Gary Rucker is revisiting one of musical theatre's most celebrated works with a production of GYPSY that runs through November 9.
Shara Strand to Bring LOVE FOREVER to The Green Room 42 Photo
Shara Strand to Bring LOVE FOREVER to The Green Room 42
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 29, 2025

After stepping away from the stage to focus on family and new creative ventures, Shara Strand is ready to shine once again. The singer and songwriter will perform songs from her new album Love Forever at The Green Room 42. Learn more!
Hope For Depression Research Foundation To Honor Audra McDonald At 19th Annual Hope L Photo
Hope For Depression Research Foundation To Honor Audra McDonald At 19th Annual Hope Luncheon Seminar
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 27, 2025

Hope for Depression Research Foundation will present its 19th Annual Hope Luncheon Seminar on November 12, 2025, at The Plaza Hotel. The event will honor six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald with the 2025 Hope Award for Mental Health Advocacy.
Joy Woods to Perform at 54 Below on New Year's Eve Photo
Joy Woods to Perform at 54 Below on New Year's Eve
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 23, 2025

54 BELOW will ring in the New Year with Broadway rising star Joy Woods. Learn more about the performance and see how to purchase tickets to the New Year's Eve show here!
Video: Celebrating the Genius of Lorenz Hart Photo
Video: Celebrating the Genius of Lorenz Hart
by Sidney Paterra - Oct 21, 2025

Explore the legacy of Lorenz Hart with Broadway's brightest stars performing his iconic songs. Discover the magic before the film Blue Moon.
Photos: RAGTIME Celebrates Opening Night on Broadway Photo
Photos: RAGTIME Celebrates Opening Night on Broadway
by Bruce Glikas - Oct 20, 2025

The second Broadway revival of Ragtime is officially open at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. In attendance were Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Hillary Clinton, and more! Check out the photos here!
Lea Michele Remembers Marin Mazzie with 1997 RAGTIME Halloween Tribute Photo
Lea Michele Remembers Marin Mazzie with 1997 RAGTIME Halloween Tribute
by Michael Major - Oct 9, 2025

Lea Michele is honoring the late Marin Mazzie on her birthday with backstage photos from Ragtime in 1997. The upcoming Chess star took to social media to share photos of herself dressed up as Mazzie as 'Mother' for Halloween.
Interview: Patrick Cassidy on Studio Tenn's Upcoming Season Photo
Interview: Patrick Cassidy on Studio Tenn's Upcoming Season
by Carolan Trbovich - Oct 8, 2025

Born into one of Hollywood’s most beloved musical dynasties, with mother Shirley Jones, father Jack Cassidy, and brothers David and Shaun, Patrick Cassidy has long stood out as a star in his own right.
Kara Young, Kecia Lewis & More to Receive Honors at AAFCA Broadway Awards Luncheon Photo
Kara Young, Kecia Lewis & More to Receive Honors at AAFCA Broadway Awards Luncheon
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 8, 2025

The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has announced the return of its AAFCA Goes to Broadway Awards Luncheon, with Kara Young, Kecia Lewis, Brian Moreland, and Linda Stewart as honorees.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 1, 2025- RAGTIME Hits Late Night and More Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 1, 2025- RAGTIME Hits Late Night and More
by - Oct 1, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 1, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
George C. Wolfe: Behind the Curtain of Broadway’s Visionary Director Photo
George C. Wolfe: Behind the Curtain of Broadway’s Visionary Director
by Charles Kirsch - Sep 30, 2025

In 2024, the pioneering director George C. Wolfe, who brought iconic pieces like Angels in America and The Normal Heart to Broadway stages for the first time, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award. If that award is meant to signal the twilight of a career, however, fear not: Wolfe came back to New York the very next year with his critically acclaimed revival of Gypsy starring Audra McDonald. 
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Audra McDonald been in?

Audra McDonald has appeared on Broadway in 18 shows.

How many West End shows has Audra McDonald been in?

Audra McDonald has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Audra McDonald's first West End show?

Audra McDonald's first West End show was Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill which opened in 2017

What awards has Audra McDonald been nominated for?

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Gypsy, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Gypsy, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Gypsy, Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Ohio State Murders, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Ohio State Murders, Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Ohio State Murders, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Best Actress (Olivier Awards) for Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill, Best Leading Actress in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Lady Day at emerson's Bar & Grill, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Best Leading Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Porgy and Bess, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess , Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess , Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Porgy and Bess , Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (tie) (Drama Desk Awards) for 110 in the Shad, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for 110 in the Shade, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for 110 in the Shade, Best Featured Actress in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for A Raisin In The Sun, Outstanding Featured Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun, Distinguished Achivement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Marie Christine, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Marie Christine, Best Featured Actress - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Ragtime , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Ragtime and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Master Class.

What awards has Audra McDonald won?

Audra McDonald has received numerous prestigious awards throughout her career. She won Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Gypsy. For Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, she earned Best Leading Actress in a Play from the BroadwayWorld Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Play from the Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Musical from the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards. For Porgy and Bess, she was awarded Best Leading Actress in a Musical by BroadwayWorld Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Musical from the Drama Desk Awards, the Distinguished Performance Award from the Drama League Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Musical from the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards. She also received a tie for Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for 110 in the Shade. For A Raisin in the Sun, McDonald won Best Featured Actress in a Play from the BroadwayWorld Awards, Outstanding Featured Actress - Play from the Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play from the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards. Additionally, she was honored with the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre by the Drama League Awards and Outstanding Actress - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Marie Christine. She won Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Ragtime and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for Master Class.

Get Audra McDonald Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos