Audra's Life in the Theatre

[mitchern]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 11:32am

The best episode of the series 

 

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 1:19pm

This was a treat.

If the mark of a "Star" is their generosity in speaking well of other "Stars," then Audra McDonald is a SUPER STAR !

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 1:37pm

A glorious 37 minute listen, and the best thing you'll hear this week. Just essential. 

[Idiot]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 3:58pm

God, this woman.  She's the gold standard in so many categories. 

[marytylermoore]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 4:50pm

Love how she elegantly sidestepped any mention of Sean Combs during the Raisin section. 

Do you think her mentioning a Shuffle Along cast recording is an easter egg or just wishful thinking? God, I PRAY we finally get a proper recording. 

[getatme]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 8:05pm

There's class act, and then there's Audra. The way she speaks with such joy, admiration, and respect about her peers, her colleagues, and her superiors is so beautiful. The deep love she has for the artform is wonderful to see. Only mentioning her first Tony win and not the other 5, too? Not an ounce of ego.

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 8:41pm

I say this at least once a week, but I genuinely can't wrap my head around how this woman isn't a household name while the Kardashians are.

[FolliesCabaret]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 8:46pm

She is just effortlessly open-hearted. A true star.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 8:47pm

I loved this episode so much that I’ve watched it five times. 

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 9:32pm

I haven't watched this yet, I look forward to it. But just came on to say that if anyone from Playbill is reading this, keep doing these! Every single one is so interesting. I especially loved Christian Borle and David Hyde Pierce.

[Birdie Boy]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 9:34pm

They stole this from Vogue who started doing A Life in Looks.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 9/3/25 at 9:37pm

Audra is such a class act. I just love her.  I have seen most of her shows but I have a special spot in my heart for Lady Day. I specifically remember playing hooky from work on a Wednesday.  You know when you just need a mental health day? At the last minute I decided to go to the matinee. I remember being transported to another place by her performance. Theater heals. It’s the truth.
 

[GirlFromOz68]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 5:28am

HenryTDobson said: "I say this at least once a week, but I genuinely can't wrap my head around how this woman isn't a household name while the Kardashians are."

It's also ridiculous that her only role in a major mainstream movie musical ( Annie on TV doesn't count) is as a singing wardrobe. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 6:52am

It's also ridiculous that her only role in a major mainstream movie musical ( Annie on TV doesn't count) is as a singing wardrobe.

Though no one saw it, she played Sally in the 2017 fiasco feature film adaptation of the musical HELLO AGAIN: 

 

[DAME]

Posted: 9/4/25 at 1:25pm

CarlosAlberto said: "I loved this episode so much that I’ve watched it five times."

Loca,  That’s what happens when you smoke those funny little cigarettes before watching .

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 9/5/25 at 11:43am

I have enjoyed all of these episodes, but I agree that this was an especially good one. And you can see how touched she was by every experience. I was anxious to see her commentary on Shuffle Along because I found the musical to be so memorable, leaving the theatre with a huge smile and looking around at the audience members who were equally pleased with what we had just experienced. I remember a couple of critiques it received but I didn’t completely agree. I loved it from start to finish. 
And I still say Savion was robbed of the Tony for choreography that year.
There was no way that many were going to overcome the juggernaut that was Hamilton though. Choreography being one of the majors I figured Hamilton probably had that in the bag too, but in my opinion I think Glover deserved it. 
But back to Audra, and speaking of movies, I remember her popping up briefly as the wedding singer in Object of My Affection back in ‘98 when my friend and I went to see it at the movies. My friend didn’t know her but having seen her on Broadway it was a treat. Hard to believe how long ago her first Tony was. It seems like just yesterday. But 31 years.  Wow. 

Updated On: 9/5/25 at 11:43 AM