The second evening of McDonald's American Songbook concerts will be aired live on PBS stations around the country. The concert will air in the metropolitan area on WNET Channel 13 from 8-9:30 PM ET; check local listings.
McDonald will present her televised concert in the Frederick P. Rose Hall's Allen Room, where she will be joined by several friends, including Tony and Olivier Award winner Patti LuPone, recent Threepenny Star Nellie McKay and Tony-winning composer Jason Robert Brown. Tony Award winner Ted Sperling will lead an ensemble of musicians.
McDonald — whose latest album, "Build a Bridge," is now in stores — will perform many songs from that Nonesuch Records disc during the PBS performance. TV watchers can expect to hear tunes by Neil Young, Elvis Costello, Nellie McKay, Rufus Wainwright, Laura Nyro, Ricky Ian Gordon and Adam Guettel.
A four-time Tony Award winner for her work in A Raisin in the Sun, Master Class, Carousel and Ragtime, Audra McDonald was also seen on Broadway in Henry IV. The singer-actress made her solo Carnegie Hall concert debut in an evening of songs scored for big bands, performing several tunes from her Nonesuch CD "Happy Songs." McDonald's other solo recordings, "Way Back to Paradise" and "How Glory Goes," are also on the Nonesuch label. The acclaimed actress also co-starred in the NBC series "Mister Sterling” and was recently seen in the WB series "Bedford Diaries." McDonald also made her Houston Grand Opera with a double bill of Send (who are you? I love you) and La Voix Humaine.
McDonald will return to Broadway this season in the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of 110 in the Shade. Tickets for McDonald's concert, priced $60-$140, are available by calling (212) 721-6500 or by visiting www.lincolncenter.org.