CMU School of Drama


Monday, October 01, 2012

Audra McDonald: Shaping 'Bess' On Broadway

NPR: Audra McDonald has starred in stage classics and on TV, where she played a leading role on the ABC drama Private Practice for four seasons. But the actress might be better known for her stunning voice and for her performances in the Broadway productions of Carousel, Master Class and Ragtime, which helped her rack up three Tony Awards before the age of 30. She won a fourth Tony for her performance in A Raisin in the Sun, putting her in the company of Broadway greats Gwen Verdon and Mary Martin.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Audra McDonald is a great example of a professional woman who carries herself with grace and is always honest and tactful. I am impressed by the way she addressed the Sondheim letter in this interview; I think she was wise to state the facts, speak only for herself, and express her respect for the opinions of all parties involved. I have followed Audra as an activist for quite some time now and I appreciate how she has used her fame to help others and to make the world a better place. If all celebrities could handle themselves like Audra and do as much work for others as she does, the world really would be a much better place. She sets a great example for young actors and theatre professionals.

rmarkowi said...

Audra is an amazing woman. I am shocked that she has received 3 tony awards before she was even 30. She seems to be sort of the ideal actress. She obviously can sing (and presumably dance, based on her involvement in Broadway). She also can switch between movies and live theatre, which is completely different style of acting.