Audra McDonald and Sondheim

[binau]

Posted: 4/12/21 at 3:31pm

Apologies again if this sounds like a stupid question. In the what feels like now iconic 2010 Birthday concert we had Bernadette Peters, Patti Lupone, Elaine Stritch, Donna Murphy, Marin Mazzie and Audra McDonald all in red dresses giving amazing performances - it's very clear to me what relationship all (except Audra) have with Sondheim, starring in original productions or revivals or incorporating Sondheim in their concert work. Can anyone recommend their favourite Audra Sondheim performances to me? (even if never 'officially' recorded). I'm less familiar with her work with Sondheim. Both roles or specific songs performed outside shows. Looking to find new art!

Updated On: 4/12/21 at 03:31 PM

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 4/12/21 at 3:46pm

She was featured in the HBO documentary Six by Sondheim where she did a wonderful rendition of Send in the Clowns. You can find it on YouTube.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 4/12/21 at 3:49pm

To my knowledge, Audra McDonald has played the following Sondheim roles:

Cora - Anyone Can Whistle

Dot - Sunday in Park 

Clara - Passion 

Beggar Woman - Sweeney Todd 

 

All of which were either concert productions, or at the Ravinia festival in Chicago. I didn't get to see any of them live, but I've seen/heard all of them, either officially or "unofficially." It's hard to say which is her best, since this is Audra McDonald we're talking about. But Dot is the best role out of those, so I imagine it would've been her best performance. 

When you put it that way, I suppose it's a bit odd that Audra would've been included in that group of women. But again, this is Audra. Can anyone really complain? Even if her work with Sondheim is limited, she's certainly in that same tier of high-caliber artists who mesh well with Sondheim's work. 

 

Updated On: 4/12/21 at 03:49 PM

[JSquared2]

Posted: 4/12/21 at 4:04pm

I'm sure it's just a matter of time until we see her as The Witch in ITW.  Especially since "Children Will Listen" is a staple of her concert repertoire.

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/12/21 at 5:26pm

I know that myself and many many more are PRAYING she’ll be The Witch in the City Center revival happening potentially later this year.

[wiggum2]

Posted: 4/12/21 at 6:57pm

I was one of those people who never understood Audra until I saw her in person as Fay at Ravinia. I thought she was excellent but I will agree, it shocks me that she has never done a major Sondheim show on Broadway

 

thanks jv92!

Updated On: 4/12/21 at 06:57 PM

[jv92]

Posted: 4/12/21 at 7:35pm

The character of the nurse that Audra played is Fay. Cora (Hoover Hooper) is the Mayoress. Small... well, really big... correction. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 4/12/21 at 8:07pm

Now that makes more sense.

Of all the references to McDonald's performances, her Send in the Clowns sounds like pure bliss. Must look it up...

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 4/12/21 at 8:20pm

I have also heard her sing "Moments in the Woods" in concert, before which she gave an anecdote where she stated that Sondheim himself personally recommended to her that she sing that song.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 4/12/21 at 10:34pm

She also recorded a beautiful rendition of "Somewhere" on her How Glory Goes album that segued seamlessly into "How Glory Goes."

[binau]

Posted: 4/13/21 at 3:35am

She’d also probably make a really good Sally (with Laura Benanti as Phyllis).

[BJR]

Posted: 4/13/21 at 8:37am

Was just thinking the other day how she's now the same age as the original leads in FOLLIES.

Wild.

(Also wild how much our concept of age has changed.)

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/13/21 at 9:46am

Audra’s “Too Many Mornings” with Nathan Gunn has become my favorite version of the song.

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 4/13/21 at 9:50am

In Sunday in the Park with George Audra used her Billie Holiday voice to sing "Children and Art". It's quite amusing to listen to it now after she did Lady Day.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/13/21 at 10:38am

The 4 Sondheim roles she played were all directed by Lonny Price, who also directed the 2010 concert. So that about explains it. That, and she's a legend whose performance was a highlight of that concert.