Audra McDonald to Appear in First Lady Suite by Michael John LaChiusa May 2-3

Broadway and TV actress Audra McDonald will star in a special two performance concert of the Transport Group's Drama Desk nominated production of the OBIE award-winning musical First Lady Suite by Michael John LaChiusa, Tony Award nominated composer-lyricist ("Marie Christine" and "The Wild Party") on Monday, May 2nd & Tuesday, May 3rd, 7:00 p.m. at the New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West at 77th Street.

Ms. McDonald, a four-time Tony Award winner, ("Carousel," "Ragtime," "Master Class", "A Raisin in the Sun") will star as Marian Anderson, the renowned African-American singer who was banned from singing at Constitution Hall in 1939 because of her race, but then, thanks to the intervention of Eleanor Roosevelt, performed before 75,000 in front of the Lincoln Memorial. The four-vignette musical is about the inner lives of four 20th century First Ladies, (Jacqueline Kennedy, Mamie Eisenhower, Bess Truman and Eleanor Roosevelt) and the impact of other important women such as Anderson, Lorena Hickock and Amelia Earhart on their lives. Also starring: Judy Blazer, Donna Lynne Champlin, Ruth Gottschall, Jim Hindman, Robyn Hussa, Mary Beth Piel, Cheryl Stern, Diane Sutherland and Mary Testa. The performance will be directed by Jack Cummings III.

The event compliments two fascinating exhibitions on First Ladies that are on view at N-YHS until June 5th. "First Ladies: Political Role and Public Image" is a traveling exhibit produced by the Smithsonian and "Eleanor Roosevelt and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: First Ladies of New York and the Nation" is a special look at the private lives and childhoods of New York's most prominent First Ladies, and contains such personal items as Onassis' report cards as a child studying at the Chapin School. Tickets must be purchased in advance for First Lady Suite, and the public can call 212-817-8215 or e-mail continuinged@gc.cuny.edu.

WHAT: Audra McDonald AND OTHERS IN FIRST LADY SUITE

WHEN: MONDAY, MAY 2ND & TUESDAY, MAY 3RD -- 7:00 P.M.

WHERE: NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
AUDITORIUM
170 CENTRAL PARK WEST AT 77TH STREET

ADMISSION: $35

Directions: To get to The New-York Historical Society take B or C trains to 81st Street or M10 bus to 77th Street; M79 to 81st and CPW.