PhotosIt’s This Lady’s Day! Audra McDonald Celebrates Her Birthday July 3
Look back at the six-time Tony winner's Broadway career thus far.
By
Michael Wiltbank
July 03, 2022
Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald celebrates her birthday July 3.
McDonald made her Broadway debut as a replacement for the role of Ayah in The Secret Garden. In the three decades since, she has enjoyed a history-making career, starring in an array of productions—from lush musicals like Carousel to searing dramas like A Raisin in the Sun. Known for her soaring soprano, McDonald has won a record-breaking six Tony Awards for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,A Raisin in the Sun, and Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. She was last seen on Broadway in a revival of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lunewith Michael Shannon.
In addition to her six Tonys, McDonald has won two Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and several other accolades. Some of her movie and TV roles include Madame Garderobe in the live-action Beauty and the Beast, Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music Live!, andSallyin Hello, Again. In 2017 she was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.
Look back at highlights from McDonald's career below.
Lupita Nyong'o, Katrina Lenk, Jelani Alladin, and more were on hand to celebrate the October 31 opening night of Michael R. Jackson and Anna K. Jacobs' new musical.