Audra McDonald
Also Credited As: Audra Ann McDonald
Birth Place: Berlin, GERMANY
Latest News on Audra McDonald:
Camille A. Brown's BLACK GIRL: LINGUISTIC PLAY To Be Presented At The New Victory Theater (Jan 6, 2026)
Jordan Donica to Join Isabel Leonard for Concert at Carnegie Hall (Dec 23, 2025)
Photos: MARJORIE PRIME Cast Celebrates Opening Night (Dec 17, 2025)
Camille A. Brown's BLACK GIRL: LINGUISTIC PLAY To Be Presented At The New Victory Theater (Jan 6, 2026)
Jordan Donica to Join Isabel Leonard for Concert at Carnegie Hall (Dec 23, 2025)
Photos: MARJORIE PRIME Cast Celebrates Opening Night (Dec 17, 2025)
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
[Williamstown, MA (Regional)]
Williamstown Theater Festival Production, 2020
Blanche DuBois
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2016
Lottie Gee
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Broadway]
Broadway Concert, 1995
Performer
"Something Wonderful" Performer
Performer
"Something Wonderful" Performer
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
Video: HBO Previews Season 3 Finale of THE GILDED AGE in Tense New Sneak Peek
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-08-04 15:21:53
Video: Morgan Spector Recalls Breakout Role in Broadway's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-31 11:11:30
Video: THE GILDED AGE Stars Denée Benton and Louisa Jacobson Talk Season 3, Working with Broadway Legends & More
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-21 13:12:52
Video: Audra McDonald, Denée Benton, & More Discuss Portrayal of Black Elite in THE GILDED AGE
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-17 15:20:43
Video: See Andrea Martin as Madame Dashkova in New Sneak Peek of THE GILDED AGE
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-07 16:40:07
Video: THE GILDED AGE Stars Morgan Spector and Carrie Coon Discuss Theater's Impact on the Series
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-06-17 13:56:05
Video: Jordan Tyson Sings 'Strangers Like Me' From TARZAN MCC's MISCAST25
by Michael Major - 2025-06-03 11:56:19
Video: Audra McDonald Reflects on ‘Legend’ Status and GYPSY Role in CBS Interview
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-06-03 10:59:39
Video: Audra McDonald and GYPSY Cast Perform 'Some People' on THE LATE SHOW
by Stephi Wild - 2025-05-23 07:06:11
Video: SUCCESSION's Kieran Culkin and Sarah Snook Reunite for 'Actors on Actors'
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-24 11:49:14
Video: Audra McDonald & Jake Gyllenhaal Bond Over Stephen Sondheim, Vocal Warmups, & More
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-23 11:48:29
Video: George Clooney & Patti LuPone Sit Down for 'Actors on Actors' Series
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-22 13:25:12
Video: Audra McDonald and the Cast of GYPSY Perform Tiny Desk Concert
by Stephi Wild - 2025-04-22 08:59:26
Video: Audra McDonald Reflects on Kamala Harris' Visit to GYPSY on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-03 14:32:49
Video: Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein & Joy Woods Perform 'Together, Wherever We Go' From GYPSY
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-03-13 10:10:20
News
Camille A. Brown's BLACK GIRL: LINGUISTIC PLAY To Be Presented At The New Victory Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 6, 2026
The New Victory Theater will present BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play this January, a dance work from 5-time Tony-nominated director & choreographer Camille A. Brown shining a spotlight on sisterly love and exploring the joys and complexities of Black girlhood.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 6, 2026
The New Victory Theater will present BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play this January, a dance work from 5-time Tony-nominated director & choreographer Camille A. Brown shining a spotlight on sisterly love and exploring the joys and complexities of Black girlhood.
Jordan Donica to Join Isabel Leonard for Concert at Carnegie Hall
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 23, 2025
Isabel Leonard has had a career that has brought her to leading opera houses and concert halls around the world. This season, she will return to her native New York, where she curates a four-concert Perspectives series at Carnegie Hall.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 23, 2025
Isabel Leonard has had a career that has brought her to leading opera houses and concert halls around the world. This season, she will return to her native New York, where she curates a four-concert Perspectives series at Carnegie Hall.
Sun Valley Music Festival Unveils 2026 Winter Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 17, 2025
The Sun Valley Music Festival has unveiled its eighth Winter Season, featuring guest curator and violinist Benjamin Beilman. Beilman last appeared with the Festival Orchestra and Music Director Alasdair Neale in 2018.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 17, 2025
The Sun Valley Music Festival has unveiled its eighth Winter Season, featuring guest curator and violinist Benjamin Beilman. Beilman last appeared with the Festival Orchestra and Music Director Alasdair Neale in 2018.
Review: PORGY AND BESS Raises the Roof at the Metropolitan
by Richard Sasanow - Dec 7, 2025
When I read that the Met, in the program notes for James Robinson’s production of PORGY AND BESS, called it “a supremely American operatic masterpiece” I couldn’t help but think of Stephen Sondheim’s answer (perhaps apocryphal) when he was asked whether SWEENEY TODD was an opera or a musical: “If it’s done in a theatre, it’s a musical; if it’s in an opera house, it’s an opera.”
by Richard Sasanow - Dec 7, 2025
When I read that the Met, in the program notes for James Robinson’s production of PORGY AND BESS, called it “a supremely American operatic masterpiece” I couldn’t help but think of Stephen Sondheim’s answer (perhaps apocryphal) when he was asked whether SWEENEY TODD was an opera or a musical: “If it’s done in a theatre, it’s a musical; if it’s in an opera house, it’s an opera.”
Six-Time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald Will Play bergenPAC In A One-Night-Only Concert
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 5, 2025
Audra McDonald will appear in a one-night-only concert at bergenPAC this spring. The performance will feature selections from across her stage and recording career. Tickets are now available through the venue’s website and box office.
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 5, 2025
Audra McDonald will appear in a one-night-only concert at bergenPAC this spring. The performance will feature selections from across her stage and recording career. Tickets are now available through the venue’s website and box office.
Audra McDonald Will Play bergenPAC This Spring
by Stephi Wild - Dec 4, 2025
Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald will play a one-night-only concert at bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) in May. Learn more and get tickets here!
by Stephi Wild - Dec 4, 2025
Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald will play a one-night-only concert at bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) in May. Learn more and get tickets here!
Christine Ebersole, JOE ICONIS CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA, Matthew Morrison, Norm Lewis & More Headline December At 54 Below
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 26, 2025
54 Below, Broadway’s supper club and private event destination, will present a full month of concerts in December featuring Christine Ebersole with Billy Stritch, the 15th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Extravaganza, Darius de Haas, Norm Lewis, Matthew Morrison, Charles Busch, Joy Woods, and more.
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 26, 2025
54 Below, Broadway’s supper club and private event destination, will present a full month of concerts in December featuring Christine Ebersole with Billy Stritch, the 15th Annual Joe Iconis Christmas Extravaganza, Darius de Haas, Norm Lewis, Matthew Morrison, Charles Busch, Joy Woods, and more.
Review: SETH RUDETSKY AND FRIENDS Sets Carnegie Hall on Fire
by Sharon Ellman - Nov 26, 2025
Seth Rudetsky as he united with Molloy University to present his Broadway friends on 11/25. The songs, the vocals and the performers all had this reviewer craving more by the end of the night.
by Sharon Ellman - Nov 26, 2025
Seth Rudetsky as he united with Molloy University to present his Broadway friends on 11/25. The songs, the vocals and the performers all had this reviewer craving more by the end of the night.
Feature: REFLECTIONS ON RUSSIA: GMU CAST MEMBERS ON AN EPIC COLLEGE THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE
by Elliot Lanes - Nov 26, 2025
Every once in awhile you go to see a show not knowing what the final product is going to be. The epic musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 was one of those musicals that was very specific to its original staging because of it’s tent location. It was totally immersive. When the show moved to Broadway, it didn’t have the same effect.
by Elliot Lanes - Nov 26, 2025
Every once in awhile you go to see a show not knowing what the final product is going to be. The epic musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 was one of those musicals that was very specific to its original staging because of it’s tent location. It was totally immersive. When the show moved to Broadway, it didn’t have the same effect.
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.
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
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
Videos