Audra McDonald Biography

Born in Berlin, Germany on July 3, 1970, McDonald grew up in Fresno, CA. McDonald, the older of two daughters, began her life in theatre at a young age as a way to counteract a diagnosis of "hyperactive." McDonald performed in many productions as a youth and regionally as Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, in addition to other regional roles. McDonald is a 1993 graduate of Julliard., where she earned the nickname "Muffy," for her bubbly personality. She admits that, while she struggled at Julliard, it proved to be the best foundation for her. While in Julliard, McDonald received her first major role as a replacement Ayah in Secret Garden. McDonald was cast as Carrie Pepperidge in the Nicholas Hytner production of Carousel in 1994, the first time an African-American woman has performed the role. McDonald received her first Tony for this portrayal. She followed up this success as Sharon in Master Class in 1995. This role won McDonald her second Tony award, as well as a mentor in Zoe Caldwell, who portrayed Marie Callas in the play. Her third Tony award came for her performance in 1998 as Sarah, the love interest of Brian Stokes Mitchell's Colehouse Walker Jr. McDonald became a three time Tony winner by the age of 28, placing her alongside Shirley Booth, Gwen Verdon and Zero Mostel in accomplishing this feat within five years.

In 1999, McDonald performed as Marie Christine L'Adrese in Michael John LaChiusa's Marie Christine, a retelling of Medea set in New Orleans. She received a Tony nomination for this role. In 2001, McDonald portrayed Deena Jones in the 20th Anniversary Benefit Concert for the Actor's Fund of Dreamgirls alongside Lillias White and Heather Headley. The following year, McDonald switched roles in the Carousel in Concert production, portraying Julie Jordan alongside Hugh Jackman as Billy Bigalow. 2003 saw McDonald's return to full-scale productions on Broadway as she portrayed Lady Percy in the Lincoln Center production of Henry IV. She received her fourth Tony award for her performance as Ruth Younger in the revival of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. McDonald has also performed in various regional festivals, recently in the Williamstown Theatre Festival production of R Shomon in 2004, and the Ravinia Festival production of Sunday in the Park with George in 2004 and Passion in 2003.

In addition to her impressive stage work, McDonald has acted in film and on television. McDonald had guest appearances on "Homicide: Life on the Streets," and "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit," as Audrey Jackson. She portrayed Jackie Brock on the short-lived, but critically praised NBC series "Mister Sterling" in 2002. McDonald also did the pilot of the CBS series "Cosby," as Bill Cosby's daughter. Her TV-movies include "Having Our Say—The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years," as Bessie in her twenties; "The Last Debate," as a journalist; the ABC production of the musical "Annie," as Grace; and "Wit," the adaptation of Margaret Edson's play, for which McDonald received an Emmy nomination. She also was in the short film, "Tea Time with Roy and Sylvia," directed and written by her sister, Alison McDonald.

McDonald has released three solo albums, "Way Back to Paradise," "How Glory Goes," and "Happy Songs." In these albums, McDonald frequently performs the works of the new generation of Broadway theatre composers, particularly Michael John LaChiusa, Adam Guttel, and Jason Robert Brown. She has performed concerts worldwide in the most prestigious of venues and with the most impressive of orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall, Joe's Pub, Atlanta Symphony, Harvard University, and the Lincoln Center. She has also performed in numerous PBS specials: "Leonard Bernstein's New York", "A Capitol Fourth", "Audra McDonald in Concert", and "On Stage at Kennedy Center", as well as "Great Performances" three times: "Some Enchanted Evening—Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II", "Carnegie Hall Opening Night 1998", and "My Favorite Broadway—The Leading Ladies".

In her personal life, McDonald, a Cancer, married bassist Peter Donovan,also a Julliard graduate, in 2000. They have a daughter, Zoe Madeline, named after Zoe Caldwell and Madeline Kahn.