Audra McDonald Wins Tony Award for Lead Actress in “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess”

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Congratulations to Audra McDonald, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her performance as Bess in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. This marks her fifth Tony Award—tying the record held by Angela Lansbury and Julie Harris—and her first for Leading Actress, following four earlier Tony Awards for Featured roles. Watch her acceptance speech from last night here.

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Congratulations to Audra McDonald, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her performance as Bess in the current Broadway revival of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. She gave a beautifully heartfelt acceptance speech at last night’s ceremony, broadcast live from the Beacon Theatre in New York City, which you can watch below. McDonald recently won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for the role.

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, which also took home the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical, marks Audra McDonald's tenth turn in a Broadway production. Last night's win marks her fifth Tony Award—tying the record held by Angela Lansbury and Julie Harris—and her first for Leading Actress, following earlier Tonys for Featured roles in Carousel (1994), Master Class (1996), Ragtime (1998), and A Raisin in the Sun (2004). McDonald has recorded four solo albums for Nonesuch Records: Way Back to Paradise (1998), How Glory Goes (2000), Happy Songs (2002), and Build a Bridge (2006).

Watch Audra McDonald's 2012 Tony Award acceptance speech here:

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Audra McDonald: Tony Awards 2012
  • Monday, June 11, 2012
    Audra McDonald Wins Tony Award for Lead Actress in “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess”

    Congratulations to Audra McDonald, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her performance as Bess in the current Broadway revival of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. She gave a beautifully heartfelt acceptance speech at last night’s ceremony, broadcast live from the Beacon Theatre in New York City, which you can watch below. McDonald recently won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for the role.

    The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, which also took home the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical, marks Audra McDonald's tenth turn in a Broadway production. Last night's win marks her fifth Tony Award—tying the record held by Angela Lansbury and Julie Harris—and her first for Leading Actress, following earlier Tonys for Featured roles in Carousel (1994), Master Class (1996), Ragtime (1998), and A Raisin in the Sun (2004). McDonald has recorded four solo albums for Nonesuch Records: Way Back to Paradise (1998), How Glory Goes (2000), Happy Songs (2002), and Build a Bridge (2006).

    Watch Audra McDonald's 2012 Tony Award acceptance speech here:

    Journal Articles:Artist News

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