Acclaimed entertainer Audra McDonald will perform at the Arkansas Best Performing
Arts Center on Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m., highlighting Season of Entertainment 33, a year-long
lineup of entertainment sponsored by the 91老司机 - Fort Smith.
McDonald has been hailed by critics for her versatility and talent as an actress and a singer, talents which have earned her five Tony and two Grammy awards.
The New York Times called McDonald 鈥渁 one-of-a-kind musical super-talent,鈥� and The Boston Globe praised her as 鈥渙ne of the most consummate performers there is.鈥�
A Juliard graduate, McDonald has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including 鈥淎 Raisin in the Sun鈥� -- where she earned an Emmy nomination and co-starred alongside artist Sean Combs -- and 鈥淭welfth Night.鈥�
She has also forged a successful career in television, having starred as Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC鈥檚 hit drama 鈥淧rivate Practice.鈥�
鈥淪he鈥檚 one of the most talented performers I鈥檝e ever seen,鈥� said Stacey Jones of Fort Smith, associate vice chancellor for campus and community events. 鈥淪he is literally a super star in her field.鈥�
McDonald has also released five solo albums, most recently 鈥淕o Back Home,鈥� and has performed with numerous prominent orchestras, including the Boston, San Francisco, and Chicago Symphonies, as well as the Los Angeles and New York Philharmonics.
In 2009, McDonald won Grammy awards for Best Opera Recording and Best Classical Album for her performance in the opera 鈥淩ise and Fall of the City of Mahogany.鈥�
鈥淲e are ecstatic that she is coming, especially because she鈥檚 in such hot demand,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淪he was a featured singer at the Tony Awards this year and is currently hosting PBS鈥� 鈥楲ive from the Lincoln Center鈥� program.鈥�
The star has made appearances on The Colbert Report and The Rosie O鈥橠onnell Show, in addition to co-hosting The View. She has been profiled by 60 Minutes and The Today Show, and is currently the host of the Emmy Award-winning PBS series 鈥淟ive From Lincoln Center.鈥�
Season of Entertainment 33 features theatrical productions, musicals, and a slew of jazz and choral concerts. Notable performances include the musicals 鈥淢emphis鈥� and 鈥淏ring It On,鈥� as well as the Theatre @ 91老司机 production of 鈥淟end Me a Tenor.鈥�
鈥淭o me, McDonald is what sets Season 33 apart from the other seasons,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淪he is such a dynamic entertainer.鈥�
Tickets for the performance are $55 for first-tier seating and $52 for second-tier seating. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 479-788-7300 or visit .