Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald’s May 1 concert performance with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at David Geffen Hall will be released later this month as a live album by Decca Gold. Titled Sing Happy, the album marks McDonald’s first live solo recording, and her first solo album to feature a full orchestra.
Decca has announced a swift turn around for the album, which will be released digitally May 11 with a May 25 physical release to follow. McDonald performs a selection of material new to her repertoire, as well as songs she has never previously recorded, including “I Am What I Am” from La Cage aux Folles, “Vanilla Ice Cream” from She Loves Me, “Children Will Listen” from Into the Woods, “Being Alive” from Company, “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” from South Pacific, as well as the premiere of a new song from Tony Award winner Adam Guettel’s upcoming musical Millions.
McDonald also returns to musical moments from her acclaimed stage career, including “Simple Little Things” from 110 Degrees in the Shade and an un-amplified performance of “Summertime” from Porgy & Bess.
The concert was conducted by McDonald’s longtime music director, Andy Einhorn.
In addition to her six Tonys, McDonald has won two Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and several other accolades. Her Broadway appearances include Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, and The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. Movie and TV roles include Madame Garderobe in the live-action Beauty and the Beast and Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music Live!. In 2017 she was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame. She recently appeared in the film adaptation of the musical Hello Again.
McDonald is currently on a national concert tour. Visit Playbill Universe to see all of her upcoming dates across the country.
