Playbill UniverseThe Verdict: Critics Review Audra McDonald in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and GrillFive-time Tony Award-winning actress Audra McDonald returns to Broadway as Billie Holiday in Lanie Robertson's play with music, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, which officially opened April 13 at the Circle in the Square.
By
Playbill Staff
April 14, 2014
Audra McDonald
Directed by Tony Award nominee Lonny Price (110 in the Shade, Sweeney Todd, Company), Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill began previews March 25. The Broadway production is a limited, 10-week engagement.
The 1959-set play, which centers on one of Holiday's final public appearances, takes place in Philadelphia four months before the singer's death. The 90-minute show includes such songs as "God Bless the Child," "Strange Fruit," "What a Little Moonlight Can Do," "When a Woman Loves a Man," "Foolin' Myself," "Don't Explain," "Somebody's On My Mind," "Taint Nobody's Bizness," "Baby Doll" and more. A cast album is planned.
McDonald is joined by Shelton Becton as pianist Jimmy Powers. The musical team also includes bassist George Farmer and drummer Clayton Craddock. Michael Keller is the music coordinator.
The critics have filed their reviews and Playbill.com has collected them for our readers. Playbill.com will continue to update our list as the reviews come in.
PHOTO RECAP: Audra McDonald Is Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill
PHOTO RECAP: Audra McDonald Is Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill
Audra McDonald returned to Broadway in 2014 as Billie Holiday in Lanie Robertson's play with music, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. HBO announced Dec. 17 that it will film Audra in her sixth Tony Award-winning performance for future broadcast.
The Fred Ebb Award recognizes excellence in musical theatre songwriting, by a songwriter or songwriting team that has not yet achieved significant commercial success.
