Well, it seems that Lincoln Center wants to transform us all early this year, because they've engaged McDonald and friends to open the American Songbook series's 2006-07 season. On October 11 and 12 at 8 pm, in the Allen Room at Rose Hall (Jazz at Lincoln Center's headquarters in the Time-Warner Center), the divine Audra will sing music by regular collaborators Adam Guettel and Ricky Ian Gordon as well as Elvis Costello, Laura Nyro, Rufus Wainwright, Neil Young and others. Ted Sperling will lead the instrumental ensemble.

The October 12 concert will be broadcast on PBS's Live From Lincoln Center at 8 pm US Eastern time (check local listings).

Some of the songs on the program come from Build a Bridge, McDonald's latest CD, to be released by Nonesuch Records next month.

Information on and tickets for Lincoln Center's "American Songbook" series are available at www.lincolncenter.org.