Audra McDonald - Definition and Overview

Audra McDonald is an American singer and actress.

McDonald was born on July 3, 1970 in Berlin, Germany, and was raised in Fresno, California.

The older of two daughters, she began to study acting at a young age to counteract her diagnosis as "hyperactive." She is a 1993 graduate of Juilliard.

McDonald became a three-time Tony Award winner by the age of 28, placing her alongside Shirley Booth, Gwen Verdon, and Zero Mostel by accomplishing this feat within five years.

In addition to her long list of stage credits, McDonald has acted in film and on television. She has also recorded three solo albums, in which she performs the works of the new generation of Broadway theatre composers, particularly Michael John LaChiusa, Adam Guttel, and Jason Robert Brown. She frequently appears in concert and has performed with a number of the most prestigious orchestras worldwide.

McDonald married bassist Peter Donovan in 2000. They have one daughter, Zoe Madeline, named after Zoe Caldwell and Madeline Kahn.

Broadway Productions

• A Raisin in the Sun (2004)
• Henry IV (2003)
• Carousel in Concert (One Night Benefit) (2002)
• Dreamgirls (One-Night Benefit) (2001)
• Sweeney Todd (Three Night Benefit) (2000)
• Marie Christine (1999)
• Ragtime (1998)
• Master Class (1995)
• Carousel (1994)

National Tour

• The Secret Garden (1992)

Films

• Best Thief in the World (2004)
• It Runs in the Family (2003)
• Cradle Will Rock (1999)
• The Object of My Affection (1998)
• Seven Servants (1996)

Notable Television Credits

• Mister Sterling (2003)
• Wit (2001)
• Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (2000)
• (1999)
• Annie (1999)
• (1999)

Notable Recordings

• Happy Songs (2002)
• Dreamgirls in Concert (Concert Cast Recording) (2001)
• Bright Eyed Joy: The Songs of Ricky Ian Gordon (2001)
• How Glory Goes (2000)
• Sweeny Todd Live at the New York Philharmonic (2000)
• Marie Christine (Original Cast Recording) (1999)
• Ragtime (Original Cast Recording) (1998)
• Carousel (Broadway Revival Cast Recording) (1994)

Awards and Nominations

• 2004 Drama League Award (A Raisin in the Sun) (nomination)
• 2004 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (A Raisin in the Sun) (winner)
• 2004 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (A Raisin in the Sun) (winner)
• 2004 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (A Raisin in the Sun) (winner)
• 2001 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (Wit) (nomination)
• 2001 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special (Audra McDonald in Concert) (nomination)
• 2001 Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical (Marie Christine) (nomination)
• 1998 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Ragtime) (winner)
• 1996 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (Master Class) (winner)
• 1995 Ovation Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (Master Class) (winner)
• 1994 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Carousel) (winner)
• 1994 Theatre World Award (Carousel) (winner)
• 1994 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Carousel) (winner)
• 1994 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical ( Carousel) (winner)