Breaking Barriers on Broadway
In 1994, acclaimed director Nicholas Hytner made the bold decision to cast young soprano Audra McDonald as Carrie Pepperidge in his revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Carousel” at Lincoln Center. This groundbreaking casting made McDonald, then just 23 years old, the first African-American actress to play a role that had traditionally gone to white performers.
The move was initially met with some controversy, but McDonald quickly silenced critics with her show-stopping performance. As Carrie, the shy and lovable best friend to the female lead, McDonald wowed audiences with her gorgeous soprano voice and emotional depth. Her rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was hailed as a standout moment of the production.
McDonald earned rave reviews for her barrier-breaking performance. Ben Brantley of the New York Times wrote that McDonald imbued Carrie with “a bloom and dignity that make her less a sidekick than a guardian angel with operatic overtones.” Her success paved the way for more colorblind casting on Broadway in years to come.
A Star Is Born
McDonald’s star-making turn as Carrie Pepperidge earned her the first of her six Tony Awards to date. At just 29 years old, she made history again by winning Tonys for her first three Broadway roles, making her the first performer ever to accomplish that feat.
After winning for “Carousel,” McDonald went on to take home Tonys for featured roles in “Master Class” (1996) and “Ragtime” (1998). With her angelic soprano voice and emotional depth, she was quickly hailed as the next big thing on Broadway.
In an interview with “American Visions,” McDonald reflected on the pressure that came with such unprecedented early success. “They are an incredible honor, but they also create pressure,” she said of the Tonys. “Does that mean you have to win a Tony every time you step on stage? I hope that’s not what people think. It’s impossible to do.”
Continued Acclaim
While McDonald has not won a Tony for every role she’s played, she has certainly come close. In addition to her history-making wins for her first three roles, she earned nominations for performances in “Marie Christine” (2000), “110 in the Shade” (2007), “A Raisin in the Sun” (2014), and “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” (2016).
Along the way, McDonald has broken barriers by taking on lead roles that might traditionally have gone to white actresses, including the title role in the operatic musical “Marie Christine.”
On top of her commanding stage presence, McDonald has become acclaimed for her soprano voice, considered one of the finest in Broadway history. She has performed at renowned venues like Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, released two successful solo albums, and made various TV and film appearances.
