Audra McDonald
Birth Place: Berlin, GERMANY
Interview: Grant Reynolds of MAMMA MIA! at Orpheum Theater (Apr 28, 2026)
From LaChanze to Audra McDonald: Inside Vivo Performing Arts’ 2026/27 Season (Apr 28, 2026)
Will Blum to Star in INTO THE WOODS at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre (Apr 28, 2026)
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
Awards and Nominations
winner
Audra McDonald, Gypsy
Audra McDonald, Gypsy
Audra McDonald, Gypsy
Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders
Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders
Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders
Audra McDonald, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
Audra McDonald, Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill
winner
Audra McDonald, Lady Day at emerson's Bar & Grill
winner
Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
winner
Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
winner
Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
winner
Audra McDonald, Porgy and Bess
winner
Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
winner
Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
winner
Audra McDonald, Porgy and Bess
winner
Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
winner
Audra McDonald, 11 in the Shad
Audra McDonald, 11 in the Shade
Audra McDonald, 11 in the Shade
winner
Audra McDonald, A Raisin In The Sun
winner
Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun
winner
Audra McDonald , A Raisin in the Sun
winner
Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun
winner
Audra McDonald
Audra McDonald, Marie Christine
winner
Audra McDonald, Marie Christine
Audra McDonaldRagtime
winner
Audra McDonald, Ragtime
winner
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
by Analisa Swerczek - Apr 28, 2026
BroadwayWorld Omaha representative Analisa Swerczek sat down with Grant Reynolds, currently starring as Sky in the Mamma Mia! tour arriving in Omaha this week, to talk about his Chicago roots, life on the road, and all things Mamma Mia!
by Team BWW - Apr 28, 2026
It’s not every season that features two voices so deeply woven into the fabric of American theater. This fall, Vivo Performing Arts welcomes LaChanze, the original Celie in The Color Purple, whose electrifying cabaret artistry has earned raves from BroadwayWorld and audiences alike. In spring 2027, six‑time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald returns to Symphony Hall for an intimate evening of song and storytelling.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 28, 2026
Broadway veteran Will Blum, currently starring in Papermill Playhouse's 1776, will join the cast of INTO THE WOODS as the Baker at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre in Missouri.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 27, 2026
The 92nd Street Y, New York will present An Evening with Adrienne Warren, a one-night-only event featuring songs from her Tony Award-winning performance as Tina Turner, musical theater favorites, pop covers and storytelling.
by - Apr 27, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 27, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2026
McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert announced its 2026-27 season, featuring Broadway productions including & JULIET, THE WIZ, and MAMMA MIA!, alongside concerts with Idina Menzel, Patti LuPone, and Audra McDonald, plus dance, comedy, and community events.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 24, 2026
Carnegie Hall will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its “Concert of the Century” with another once-in-a-lifetime convening of musical all-stars including Renée Fleming, Audra McDonald and many more.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 22, 2026
Raúl Esparza and Helen J Shen will announce the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards nominations next week. Learn more about the upcoming event and the awards ceremony here!
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 21, 2026
Performances are now underway for the Broadway production of Beaches, A New Musical. Audra McDonald and Bonnie Milligan recently paid a visit to the show, and posed with the cast backstage after the performance. Check out photos here!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 20, 2026
GQ (Gentlemen's Quartet) will perform genre-blending arrangements at Feinstein's at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel, IN. The four musicians have collectively performed over 10,000 shows alongside artists like Audra McDonald and Paul McCartney.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 17, 2026
Later this month, an extended version of Audra McDonald's London Palladium concert will be available to stream on National Theatre at Home. Watch a new trailer for the recording now.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2026
Theatre Tulsa invites audiences to experience one of the greatest musicals ever written as Gypsy takes the stage at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center April 24 through May 3.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 14, 2026
BroadwayWorld has your first look at the A-list lineup set to appear at The Broadway Festival this summer. Check out videos from today's preview featuring Tony Award-winnerAlex Newell, Talia Suskauer, and Tony-nominee Jenn Colella performing selections from stage and popular music.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 14, 2026
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts has revealed the Beyond Broadway 2026-2027 season. Beginning October 2026, the fourth season will include Tituss Burgess, Norbert Leo Butz, and Audra McDonald.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 14, 2026
Taye Diggs, Aiko Nakasone, and Mitch Wood will join the star-studded line-up for The Festival, the three-day outdoor event taking place at Kingston’s historic Hutton Brickyards.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 10, 2026
Ragtime will host a special post-show panel, titled “The Black Experience in RAGTIME” next week. Producer Lamar Richardson will moderate the conversation, featuring original RAGTIME stars Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 10, 2026
New casting has been announced for the West End production of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB. West End star and Olivier Award nominee Jamie Muscato will play Emcee and Tony and Grammy Award nominated Broadway star Joy Woods will play Sally Bowles.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 10, 2026
Grammy nominee Jordan Tyson, currently starring in HADESTOWN on Broadway, will perform her first solo concert at Chelsea Table & Stage in New York, with in-person and livestream tickets available.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 8, 2026
Three-time Tony nominee Joshua Henry will open Kean Stage's 2026-2027 season with two performances of Get Up, Stand Up! on September 13 at Enlow Recital Hall in Hillside, N.J.
by Atlantic Theater Company - Apr 7, 2026
When deciding whether to pause my life, travel 10,000 miles from Australia, and invest in the Atlantic Acting School Summer Intensive, a wise friend told me: “You’ll never regret a summer in New York City.” She was absolutely right.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Audra McDonald has appeared on Broadway in 18 shows.
Audra McDonald has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.
Audra McDonald's first West End show was Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill which opened in 2017
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.
Audra McDonald has received numerous awards for her performances, including: - Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Gypsy - 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 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 Achievement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards) - Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Marie Christine - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Ragtime - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Master Class
Videos