Signature Theatre to Honor Audra McDonald with 2019 Stephen Sondheim Award

On March 4, 2019, Signature Theatre will honor Broadway star Audra McDonald with the company's tenth Stephen Sondheim Award. The Stephen Sondheim Award will be presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit at the Embassy of Italy and will benefit Signature Theatre's artistic, education, and community programs.

"It is a great thrill to honor Audra and her amazing talents with this year's Stephen Sondheim Award," said Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer. "Her contributions to the American musical theatre have had a major impact on many of our lives. Her performances are iconic. Her passion is true. And her kindness is real. We look forward to celebrating Audra with this special award."

Audra McDonald's six Tony Award-winning performances include Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, and Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill. She was also named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2015 and received a 2015 National Medal of Arts-America's highest honor for achievement in the arts-from President Barack Obama.

Stephen Sondheim has hailed Audra McDonald's voice as "one of the glories of the American theater." She has memorably interpreted the work of Mr. Sondheim in the PBS concert stagings of Passion, Sweeney Todd, Sondheim! The Birthday Concert and HBO's Six by Sondheim. She has recorded Sondheim's music and lyrics on many of her solo albums including Go Back Home, Sing Happy, and How Glory Goes.

Gala sponsors and performances will be announced at a later date. Table sponsorship for the 2019 Sondheim Award Gala ranges from $10,000 to $100,000 and includes rewarding, year-long visibility and entertainment benefits. Individual tickets are $1,000. For more information about sponsorship and tickets contact Ashley Richardson, Donor Services Manager at (571) 527-1828 or events@sigtheatre.org.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos