Finally Time to Defy Gravity

I've been waiting for this day since October 2009. I was a freshman in college walking through the heart of Times Square. My mind was blown into a million tiny musical pieces. I'd just experienced my first Broadway show and I've been a theatre nerd ever since. I stood at the gates of Oz and I followed the yellow brick road until my heart was bursting with joy. If you couldn't tell by now I saw Wicked and I was changed for good (I'm sorry I'll stop now I swear).

After years of movie buzz Universal's Wicked now has a release date of December 20th.....2019. It's still a few years away but a date means we're one step closer!! The next big question is casting. The OBC (original Broadway Cast) is nothing short of iconic. Idina Menzel (Enchanted, Frozen) snagged the 2004 Tony for her portrayal of Elphaba a.k.a. The Wicked Witch of the West and Kristen Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies, Glee) scored a Tony nom for Glinda.

Watch below as Idina and Kristen sing For Good after 12 years.  I'm so ready.

Audra McDonald: Queen of the Tony's

Congratulations go out to the legendary Audra McDonald who now holds the title for the most Tony Awards held by an actor.  McDonald has won previously for Carousal, Ragtime, Master Class, The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, and now for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill. McDonald is also the first actor to win in all four acting categories.  See her speech below!

Audra McDonald Shines as Lady Day

Each generation has their Broadway stars.  There's the incomparable Patti Lupone, Bernadette Peters, and the magical Julie Andrews.  This generation is no exception with stars like Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, whom many refer to as a Broadway Living Legends.  That being said there are very few who fully capture the essence of a true Broadway star, one who changes from character to character, performance to performance, one whom you can never forget.  For this generation Audra McDonald is that star which she proves night after night as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill. 

The show takes place in Philidelphia about four months prior to Holiday's tragic death due to alcohol and drug abuse.  McDonald's speaking and singing voice changes drastically as she sings some of Holiday's greatest songs (Strange Fruit, God Bless the Child) and performs what is essentially a 90 minute monologue.  When the show opens one who knows Holiday's history will see instantly that she's drunk and as she continues to drink throughout the show the audience members are treated to audience participation.  McDonald asks an audience member to help her down the stairs, to hold her drink, and to light a cigarette.  The audience becomes so used to this that as Holiday stumbles down the stairs many reach out to assist her. Her language throughout the show is no holds barred and through that she paints a vivid picture of the times. Billie Holiday led a tragic life which McDonald portrays beautifully. I have been to many Broadway shows and I have never seen such a transformation.  Her body movements, her facial expressions were all Billie Holiday.  (I was lucky enough to meet Audra after the show and she is hands down one of the nicest, most down to earth people I've ever met).

Audra McDonald is a five-time Tony Award winner (Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess), tied with Julie Harris and Angela Lansbury for the most Tonys won by an actor. She is also known for playing Dr. Naomi Bennett on Shonda Rhimes hit show Private Practice.  If all is right in the world McDonald should win her record breaking sixth Tony for playing Holiday.  If nominated it will be in the category for Best Actress in a Play, the one category McDonald has not yet won.

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill has a limited run, closing on August 10th.  If you have to opportunity to see it please go, it will be a performance you'll remember for a lifetime.