An Evening with Audra McDonald
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Experience the unparalleled talent of Audra McDonald in concert with music director Andy Einhorn in a spellbinding evening of songs, from theater classics to new works and seldom-heard gems. Audra is widely regarded as one of the greatest performers in modern American theater, celebrated for a voice of extraordinary range and emotional depth and for an acting style that combines technical mastery with profound humanity. Over the course of her career, McDonald has built a reputation for inhabiting characters with remarkable nuance, whether in musical theater, opera-inspired works, or dramatic plays.
McDonald’s Broadway career is historic: she is the most decorated performer in the history of the Tony Awards, with six competitive wins across both musical and play categories—an unprecedented achievement that reflects her extraordinary versatility. Her performances in landmark productions such as Carousel, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, Porgy and Bess, and Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill have been praised for their emotional intensity and vocal brilliance. Critics and audiences alike have marveled at her ability to move seamlessly between soaring musical numbers and intimate dramatic moments, making each role feel deeply personal. She’s also a two-time GRAMMY® Award winner, an Emmy Award winner, and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2015, in addition to receiving the National Medal of Arts – America’s highest honor of achievement in the field – from President Barack Obama.
Beyond Broadway, McDonald has built a multifaceted career spanning television, film, and concert stages around the world. She has appeared in several acclaimed series, while also performing with leading orchestras and releasing several solo albums that highlight her command of classical, jazz, and Broadway repertoire. A passionate advocate for arts education and social justice, McDonald uses her platform to champion diversity and access in the performing arts. With a career defined by excellence, intelligence, and fearless artistry, she continues to shape the landscape of American theater and inspire audiences across generations.
Of all her many roles, McDonald’s favorites are the ones performed offstage, as an activist, wife to actor Will Swenson, and mother to her amazing children.
McDonald’s Broadway career is historic: she is the most decorated performer in the history of the Tony Awards, with six competitive wins across both musical and play categories—an unprecedented achievement that reflects her extraordinary versatility. Her performances in landmark productions such as Carousel, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, Porgy and Bess, and Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill have been praised for their emotional intensity and vocal brilliance. Critics and audiences alike have marveled at her ability to move seamlessly between soaring musical numbers and intimate dramatic moments, making each role feel deeply personal. She’s also a two-time GRAMMY® Award winner, an Emmy Award winner, and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2015, in addition to receiving the National Medal of Arts – America’s highest honor of achievement in the field – from President Barack Obama.
Beyond Broadway, McDonald has built a multifaceted career spanning television, film, and concert stages around the world. She has appeared in several acclaimed series, while also performing with leading orchestras and releasing several solo albums that highlight her command of classical, jazz, and Broadway repertoire. A passionate advocate for arts education and social justice, McDonald uses her platform to champion diversity and access in the performing arts. With a career defined by excellence, intelligence, and fearless artistry, she continues to shape the landscape of American theater and inspire audiences across generations.
Of all her many roles, McDonald’s favorites are the ones performed offstage, as an activist, wife to actor Will Swenson, and mother to her amazing children.
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Where is it happening?
The Folly Theater, 300 W 12th St,Kansas City,MO,United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherHarriman-Jewell Series
