Download Audra McDonald 2013 Award Winner

Sarah Siddons Society
Contact: Sherry Hoel; 773.248.4860; [email protected]
www.sarahsiddonssociety.org
AUDRA MCDONALD NAMED SARAH SIDDONS SOCIETY 2013 AWARD WINNER
(Chicago, IL, May 9, 2013) — The Sarah Siddons Society of Chicago recently announced that
five-time Tony and two-time Grammy winner Audra McDonald will be the recipient of their 2013
Artist-of-the-Year Award. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel
in Chicago on Monday, June 17, 2013, beginning at 11:30 am.
McDonald won the 2012 Tony Award for her performance in PORGY AND BESS. Previously
she had received the Tony for her work in CAROUSEL, RAGTIME, RAISIN IN THE SUN and
THE MASTER CLASS, and was also twice nominated for performances in MARIE CHRISTINE
and 110 IN THE SHADE. Besides Ms. McDonald, only Angela Lansbury and Julie Harris have
been honored with five Tony Awards, each of whom also received the Sarah Siddons Award.
Ms. McDonald was also a featured actor in the television series “Private Practice.”
“There are few artists with greater accomplishments than Audra McDonald," said Siddons
Artistic Director Dominic Missimi. "She is, without a doubt, one of our great American actorsingers. To have accomplished so much at such a young age is astonishing!"
In July of 2012 Sarah Siddons Society presented this prestigious award to Barbara Cook,
legendary Broadway performer and concert artist. Ironically, McDonald had sung Till There Was
You at a Kennedy Center Honors tribute for Cook a few months before.
In addition to McDonald’s theatrical accomplishments, she enjoys a major career as a concert
and recording artist appearing with orchestras and opera companies worldwide, including the
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the New York and Berlin Philharmonics, as well as the Houston
Grand Opera. Her concert work has earned her two Grammy awards: Best Opera Recording
and Best Classical Album.
Celebrating 60 years, the Sarah Siddons Society has presented the award to America’s most
celebrated stage and film actors. Helen Hayes was the first recipient in 1953. Since then such
luminaries as Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall, Julie Harris, Geraldine Page, Carol Channing, Colleen
Dewhurst, Jessica Tandy, Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews, Bernadette Peters, and Patti LuPone
have received the award. Many of Chicago’s finest actresses have received the Society’s
Leading Lady Award including Hollis Resnick, Barbara Robertson, Rondi Reed, Mary Beth
Fisher, and E. Faye Butler.
President and CEO of the Ravinia Festival, Welz Kauffman, will be a special guest introducing
Ms. McDonald. Gary Griffin, Associate Artistic Director of the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre will
read congratulatory messages from directors from McDonald’s Tony winning performances.
Entertainment will be provided by three of Chicago’s most popular leading men: Devin De
Santis, Rob Lindley and Stephen Schellhardt. Goodman Theatre’s JUNGLE BOOK music
director, Doug Peck, will provide the music for the program and Michael Mahler will compose
an original song for Ms.McDonald.
Siddons’ Artistic Director Dominic Missimi will direct the Awards Celebration. Bill Zwecker,
Chicago radio and press personality, will return as Master of Ceremonies. Proceeds will benefit
the organization’s promising young actors’ scholarship fund. Along with the awards ceremony
and performances, the event will include a reception and luncheon. For ticket information and
reservations contact Sherry Hoel, 773.248.4860, [email protected].
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