Audra McDonald will most likely star in Michael John LaChiusa's new musical Marie Christine , set to play at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center in fall 1999.

That the three-time Tony winner should appear in the show seems only natural. According to Charles Koppelman, La Chiusa's agent, the title role was written with her in mind. What's more, McDonald has participated in two workshops of the musical. That she will star in the Lincoln Center premiere "is the plan," said Koppelman.

Lincoln Center publicist Brian Rubin told PBOL casting for Marie Christine had not been determined. A call to McDonald's agent, Bill Butler, was not returned at press time.

The omnipresent McDonald is currently starring as Sarah in Ragtime , for which she won her third Tony (the previous two were for Master Class and Carousel ). She has also recently been making the rounds in the concert world, participating in a George Gershwin tribute at Carnegie Hall and performing in the newly-opened Joe's Pub at the Public Theater.

LaChiusa, who earned a cult following with his Hello Again Off- Broadway and Chronicle of a Death Foretold on Broadway, is again collaborating with director-choreographer Graciela (Ragtime) Daniele on Marie Christine, which is described as "a quasi-operatic version of Medea, set in 1880s New Orleans and Chicago."