Women in Theatre: Audra McDonald

Actress Audra McDonald talks about her Tony Awards for Carousel, Master Class, and Ragtime and her most recent roles in Raisin in the Sun and Marie Christine, as well as unconventional casting and her rule to “never do fluff.”
Tape Date: 11/12/2004
The acclaimed television series 'Women in Theatre' provides a unique look into the lives of some of the gifted women who create and sustain theatre in the United States -- with major directors, designers, actors, lyricists, composers and producers -- conducted by Linda Winer, theatre critic for Newsday. The series' theme song is "The Glamorous Life" from 'A Little Night Music' by Stephen Sondheim, performed by Alex Rybeck, noted pianist and music director. Watch more at www.cuny.tv/ser...

[@bvespertine]

Just look at the glare Audra gives the interviewer at 14:52. She'd been making little passive-aggressive jabs at her throughout and I think she was finally like "look, lady..."

[@songthief9560]

Audra McDonald is such an elegant, dignified and intelligent woman, I felt several of the comments Ms Winer made describing her life were in poor taste like "you were off making a baby" and "you're a party favor about to pop," as well as just not really funny. I felt it was also somewhat belittling when she labelled Ms. McDonald's mother's work on behalf of education as "the affirmative action program," to hear Audra describe it, it sounds much more complex than this. (Not to mention the host seemed to be just confused about where she was working.) Then opening a new conversation about Marie Christine all over again toward the end of the program began to seem like this critic was taking glee in discussing a show she felt was unsuccessful, though upon hearing Audra speak about it more in depth it appears to have been a victory in many, more subtle ways. . In spite, of ways in which I think the interview could have been handled, Audra answered everything in a way that was rich and meaningful. She is just wise and grounded, like a tree of knowledge sharing total truth with us. I especially enjoyed hearing about her operatic range, and her associations with other great women in arts, like Shakespearean actress Zoe Caldwell and legendary falcon soprano Shirley Verrett, these artists, like Audra, are some of my favorite people. Audra also is if serious also really approachable and unpretentious, when she talks I can really relate to her. I would have loved for Winer to talk more about The Human Voice, and Jean Cocteau (my very favorite artist-- jack of all trades,film director,sculptor) as well as some of the other monumental women who have been in various adaptations on this subject matter from Ingrid Bergman to Jeysse Norman. It was interesting hearing Audra discuss her time at Julliard and that she needed to step back from at all at point, its those moments of human vulnerability that make me really love her, as much as on an over-achiever as she is, she is like us too. Audra is really an inspirational to all men and women I think. Bless her!

[@MrVernonCampbell]

I love Audra, I remember her 60 minutes interview when she talks about fainting during the audition for Carousel. Then got up cleared her head and continued on with the audition. What a master.

[@chinto1984]

her hair looks amazing here. i love her curly.

[@mihaelamars]

Audra is great at so many things, but I'm always amazed by how great of a listener she is. She always listens so intently.

[@snugglebear09]

How great is it that she mentions not being cast for Beauty in the Beast (@ 22:00) and later on, ten plus years later, in 2015 she finally is cast for the live action film!

[@RaphaelGama]

I`m waiting for Audra in Sunset Boulevard... Come on Broadway, make it HAPPEN!!

[@TheKitty1952]

Audra is indeed, a party favor. she gives a pop to the otherwise mundane and livens all aspects of stage and song, I first saw her in premier production of "Ragtime" December 1998 in NYC...I was gobsmacked.

[@sylvialane6071]

I feel "Stuck behind the ironing board of life" sometimes. That is a great expression, I must remember it.

[@songthief9560]

Watch this interview with Broadway royalty Audra McDonald!

[@corgisrule21]

Fresno now isn’t one of the most “cultural places” to be😂😂