Audra McDonald

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Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/19/07 at 5:35pm

I was recently brought into the wonder of which is Audra McDonald, and I was wondering what music of hers I should pick up. It can be solo CDs or cast recordings. Any ideas?

One time, Patti LuPone punched me in the face...

It was awesome. - theaterkid1015

Updated On: 5/19/07 at 05:35 PM

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/19/07 at 5:37pm

I'm obsessed with Audra on the Ragtime CR. I've never bought any of her solo stuff even thought I should.

Audra's newest album, "Build a Bridge", is quite enjoyable. It's a departure from her standard showtune fair and really highlights a seldom heard side of her.

I'd definetly recommend it (and any of her material for that matter.)

Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Updated On: 5/19/07 at 05:39 PM

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/19/07 at 5:39pm

WELL... as far as CR's go, you should own
-Ragtime
-Marie Christine
-Carousel

You should get all her solo cds, because they're amazing but if you have to pick just a few, i'd say:
-Happy Songs
-Way Back to Paradise
-Build a Bridge

she's also on a bunch of random other cds, like
-Dreamgirls in Concert
-Sweeney Todd in Concert (divine!)
-Bright Eyed Joy (a collection of Langston Hughes poems set to music by Ricky Ian Gordon)
-George Gershwin, 100th bday celebration

hope this helps!

"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/19/07 at 5:42pm

Thanks everyone. Any others?

One time, Patti LuPone punched me in the face...

It was awesome. - theaterkid1015

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/19/07 at 5:46pm

Her other solo CD, How Glory Goes, is also wonderful. definitely check them all out.

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/19/07 at 6:02pm

You must get Ragtime.

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/19/07 at 6:11pm

I'm planning on it.

One time, Patti LuPone punched me in the face...

It was awesome. - theaterkid1015

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/19/07 at 8:43pm

Marie Christine is a must.

I could listen to her (plus this score) forever.

#10

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/19/07 at 8:48pm

The Annie (tv version) she was so good as Grace. I mean the woman could sing me the phonebook.

for fierce, fabulous and fun times visit eric mathew's world. http://ericmathew.blogspot.com/

#11

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/20/07 at 12:14am

My favorite solo CD is still her first one, Way Back to Paradise.

It has fantastic material.

Marie Christine is perfection and divinity.

Personally, I think I have too much bloom.

#12

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/20/07 at 12:19am

gotta add to the Marie Christine love...she is beyond words on the recording!

as far as solo CD's Way Back to Paradise is my personal favorite with Build a Bridge a very close second. Both very contemporary and both have beautiful haunting selections

RIP Natasha Richardson. ~You were a light on this earth ~

#13

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/20/07 at 1:06am

I think she also sings on the film soundtrack for THE CRADLE WILL ROCK but anything she's on is really a must have. I've been following her career since she played Carrie in the 1994 revival of CAROUSEL and just saw her in 110 IN THE SHADE. She's just so incredibly gifted.

#14

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/20/07 at 1:42am

She's in the soundtrack for THE CRADLE WILL ROCK indeed.

"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"

#15

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/20/07 at 1:59am

I saw Build A Bridge at Wal Mart and decided to buy it, only knowing that Audra gets a lot of praise around here. I fell in love with that CD, it's fantastic. I would definetley recomend that one, even if its is different from her other releases.

#16

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/20/07 at 10:02am

My favorite of her solo CDs is Happy Songs, but you can't go wrong with any of them

Cast reecording-wise, I'd say Marie Christine

There wouldn't be lights bright enough!

#17

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/20/07 at 10:11am

Joe Worker from Cradle Will Rock is orgasm enducing.

Audra's chest voice is perhaps my favorite sound in the whole world.

Personally, I think I have too much bloom.

#18

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/20/07 at 11:09am

Online sales for 110 in the Shade CDs start on tuesday!! so I would definitely get that CD as well.

#19

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/21/07 at 2:27pm

I saw that they were pre-ordering CD's in the lobby of the theater for 110.

Audra was incredible, I'm so glad I got to watch her live at least once.

#20

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/21/07 at 2:43pm

Add me to the list of people obsessed with Audra. Ragtime is a must-have (and not just for Audra, it's an amazing show).
Of her solo CD's I like How Glory Goes best, although I have not heard Build a Bridge yet.

#21

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/21/07 at 3:47pm

Well the Audra-holic in my is going to say buy everything. Buy every cd, every dvd, every movie. EVERYTHING.

Now that said, Way Back to Paradise and Happy Songs are my fav of her solo cds.

Cast Recordings: Marie Christine- Michael John LaChiusa's music is the absolute perfect showcase for her voice. You truly understand the peaks and valleys of her range with his music.

Welcome to the world of Audra fans!

#22

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/21/07 at 4:02pm

All 4 of her solo discs are must haves. Happy Songs is my favorite.

#23

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/21/07 at 4:59pm

I love her already! Too bad I missed her solo show in SF pre-110 after RITS.

Updated On: 5/21/07 at 04:59 PM

#24

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/21/07 at 5:03pm

If you want to see a great film rent WIT. She does a remarkable job in a wonderful film. She does not sing but it proves she is a solid actress. She got a deserved emmy nom out of it as well.

#25

re: Audra McDonald

Posted: 5/21/07 at 5:08pm

The woman can do no wrong. I highly recommend everything she's recorded, but I'd start with Way Back to Paradise and Marie Christine, just to support those fabulous composers.

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