I discovered Audra McDonald when she was in Ragtime in 1998. Initially it was just a performance on The Rosie O’Donnell Show and later Will and I saw the entire show on a trip to NYC. I was blown away by her voice and her acting. She’s won four Tonys–two for plays (Master Class and A Raisin in the Sun) and two for musicals (Carousel and Ragtime). She’s nominated again this year for the musical revival of 110 in the Shade, which I’m hoping we’ll see soon.
She’s also a recording artist who likes to do songs by new Broadway composers but also works by contemporary artists who she likes. I’ve yet to hear her take on a song she couldn’t sing to perfection.
Here’s a clip of Audra in concert singing one of the staples of her repertoire, “Stars and Moon.”