Earning an unprecedented three Tony Awards before the age of 30 (Carousel, Master Class, and Ragtime) and a fourth in 2004 (A Raisin in the Sun), singer and actress Audra McDonald is in a class all her own. Like all great artists, she is a unique force, blending a luscious, classically-trained soprano with an incomparable gift for dramatic truth-telling.
In addition to her theatrical work (her current Tony-nominated performance in 110 In The Shade continues on Broadway), she maintains a major career as a concert and recording artist appearing regularly on many of the great stages of the world. Her latest solo album – Build a Bridge – looks beyond her usual repertoire and explores music written by contemporary singer/songwriters including Elvis Costello, Nellie McKay, John Mayer, Randy Newman, Laura Nyro, Neil Young, Rufus Wainwright, and two songs by her longtime collaborator, musical-theater composer Adam Guettel. In 2004 we were honored to present McDonald in her Eugene--and Oregon-- premiere at the Hult Center's Silva Concert Hall. The next time, we promised, it would be in the intimacy and the sonic vibrance of the Jaqua Concert Hall.