Audra McDonald is Awesome
Five years ago, you may not have known too much about Audra McDonald if you weren’t a theatre aficionado. You might’ve seen her in a TV or film role here or there, but you may not have known her name then. By now, McDonald’s well known to many, and thank goodness for that. Though she’s most recognizable to the mainstream through her work on the Shonda Rhimes-helmed Grey’s Anatomy spinoff, Private Practice, I really wish everyone knew her for being a three-time Tony winner by the age of 28 (In total, she has seven nominations and four wins.) or her heart-stopping, gut-wrenching singing voice or for any of her four albums.
She’s also got great comedic timing, as is evidenced in this clip from The Colbert Report, where she performs the classic, “Summertime,” from her role in the current Broadway revival of Porgy & Bess (which has earned her that seventh Tony nod this year). Note her deadpan adlib and the crowd’s response around the 1:37 mark:
The Colbert Report
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Do you have a favorite Audra McDonald moment? Have you seen her perform live? Who’s your favorite Broadway actress?
I really like Audra….Nell Carter was hot in “Ain’t Misbehavin” — so many Blacks shine one Broadway.
I agree! I’m hearing a lot of great things about Nicole Ari Parker in A Streetcar Named Desire. I’ve also heard Condola Rashad, the great Phylicia Rashad’s daughter, is amazing.
**Waves @ Stacia** I was just watching “Ain’t MisBehavin” on Youtube and the ladies were amazing. I am going to check Ms. Rashad’s daughter out right now ;)!
Ms. Rashad’s daughter, Condola, has a Tony nomination for the play Stick Fly, there was a nice little write up in the NY Times about it a few months ago. Crossing my fingers while watching the Tony awards for Audra, David Allen Grier, and Condola! Love Theatre!
Audra’s does have a great voice. I was first introduced to her as a kid when I saw a TV film remake of ‘Annie’. I don’t know if Porgy & Bess is still running, but I’ve never had a chance to see her sing live. I would like to though. My father used to take my family & I to Broadway shows all the time, I don’t know what happened lol. Last show I saw was Man& Boy, which was like a year ago. But thanks for mentioning it, I think you’ve revived my interest.
I love Audra’s work. She doesn’t get enough props (outside the theatre world)..I’m so glad you brought her up Stacia. :)