Audra McDonald in Light in the Piazza

[chess12]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 11:34am

Anybody else think that she'd be a glorious Clara? I was listening this morning on the way to work to Kelli O'Hara and it hit me: My God, what if Audra was singing this. I love my OBC and I'm certain Kelli O'Hara must be wonderful, but I, for one, would like to hear Audra's take on "The Beauty Is". I think, then, I could die.

[robbiej]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 11:37am

Audra did sing the title song in her Seven Deadly Sins concert at Carnegie Hall. It was astounding.

[Tirso de Molina]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 12:14pm

As gloriously as she'd sing Clara in concert, I can't picture her playing a childlike 25-year old girl onstage -- her affect is much more womanly than girlish at this point in her life. I'd rather wait for the revival and see her as Margaret, a part she would also be marvelous in.

[sweetiedarlinmia]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 6:23pm

I would LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE to hear her perform as Margaret. She did do the title song gloriously at Carnegie though, but you're right she's not quite right for Clara.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 6:25pm

Has she or will she be recording any Piazza songs?

[bjivie2]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 6:28pm

It will never happen.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 6:39pm

there's an up statement

[NYadgal]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 8:50pm

I don't see her as Clara.

[Born2cthelightsofbway]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 9:10pm

I think she would be amazing in either role.

Posted: 8/24/05 at 9:37pm

I think she is too old for the role of Clara, in all honesty. That being said, it doesn't mean that she couldn't sing the songs beautifully in her own way, but it wouldn't convince me that she was a young girl onstage.

[Princeton78]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 9:38pm

I dont' think it would go well with Audra. While she is a wonderful performer, I don't think she'd be able to touch Kelli's performance.

[yipper]

Posted: 8/24/05 at 9:39pm

Just Curious, bjivie2. Why won't it ever happen. Do you know something we don't... go on, spill the beans.

Updated On: 8/24/05 at 09:39 PM

Posted: 8/24/05 at 9:42pm

I didn't make the comment... but I am going to say it's never going to happen because Kelli is staying till the end of the run.

Sorry for butting in
--korenglish

[chess12]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:58pm

Isn't that the point that Clara is older (I know, 28 or so)? And Audra McDonald is an actress. She plays womanly now. Who is to say she can't "act" younger? She's got 4 Tonys. The woman can do just about anything she wants. Besides, I just would really love to HEAR her take on Clara songs. And, yes, Margaret's songs, too. She can sing Fabrizio's songs if she wants to.

[Barihunk]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 2:00pm

This has been posted before, but below is a link to the NPR broadcast of Audra's Carnegie Hall recital. Click on Hour 2. I highly recommend the whole hour, but if you advance to about 54minutes in, you can hear her sing title song to "The Light in the Piazza".
Audra sings

[chess12]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 4:09pm

Thanks Barihunk. I can't wait to go home and give a listen. Heck, I'll probably listen to the whole thing.

[gustof777]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 4:18pm

OMG that was amazing....people in case you haven't realized it. Audra is not of this earth and can do whatever she wants. I would sit and listen to this woman sing my US history book and she would blow me away. If you were like me and had the great pleasure of watching her perform Dot in Sunday...you know that she is more than capable of performing roles people think don't fit. I'm sure she could play Clara or Margaret and be AMAZING and like someone said above she could be fabrizio and be amazing. have an open mind listen to her performance and be amazed

[Thenardier]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 4:53pm

Barihunk - you rock.

See What I Wanna See is an awesome song.
I would love to hear Kelli sing that, I know she has.

[sweetiedarlinmia]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 6:11pm

I wrote the book on "Audra is Superwoman." I would listen to her sing the obituaries and then instructions on how to unclog a toilet. And her recording of Piazza is fantastic. That said, I still think that she's not perfect for Clara. Doesn't mean that wouldn't pay to see it if it did happen. Like I've said before, I would give my liver to see her perform any role.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 6:20pm

wait. where is this recording, please?

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 1:53pm

I did a search and couldn't find anything on this - but has anyone else here seen the Video of Audra Live at the Donmar Warehouse in London? I'm listening to/watching it right now and she is simply fantastic - this is something every Audra lover should own.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 1:55pm

Too old for Carla, too young for Margaret.

[Barihunk]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 1:57pm

Redhot - I remember PBS broadcasting that! I know I taped it and for the life of me (several years and household moves later now) I cannot find it. I agree with you - it's a stellar performance. I can't believe it has not yet been released on DVD. Anyone know why?

[Pippin]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 1:58pm

threadjack- I would love to see Marin Mazzie take on Margaret.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/1/06 at 1:59pm

I have her concert on tape. They need to put it on DVD. It is an amazing concert, and she is in great voice.