Audra McDonald

A luminous soprano, Audra McDonald’s breadth and versatility is unparalleled. With “a voice that will make you believe in angels” (Tribune News Service), she is radiant on Broadway and the world’s great opera stages, as well as in film and television. McDonald was a three-time Tony Award winner by age 28 for her performances in Carousel, Master Class and Ragtime, and her 2014 performance as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill earned her a sixth Tony award and made her the first person to win all four acting categories. McDonald recently shone as part of the star-studded cast in the live-action twist on Disney’s timeless classic Beauty and the Beast. She has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and received a National Medal of Arts.

 Seth Rudetsky is the afternoon host on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio's On Broadway as well as the host of Seth Speaks on Sirius/XM Stars. As an author, he penned My Awesome/Awful Popularity Plan and the sequel The Rise And Fall Of A Theater Geek(Random House) as well as three volumes of Seth's Broadway Diary featuring inside scoop and hilarious stories from all of the stars he's worked with. He co-wrote and co-starred in Disaster! (NY TIMES “critics pick") last season on Broadway. Disaster! which also premiered to rave reviews in London's West End. In June 2016, he and his husband, James Wesley, co-produced a recording of What The World Needs Now with stars like Idina Menzel, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Carole King, Audra McDonald which went to number one on iTunes and raised $100,000 for the Orlando shooting victims (and is still raising money. Buy it!). On Inauguration Day 2017, he and James started Concert For America, a monthly series around the country (including S.F.!) helping 5 non-profits being hurt by the current administration. Stars such as Kelli O'Hara, Barry Manilow, Stephanie Mills, Vanessa Williams, Andy Cohen and more have performed and you can watch the next one streamed live on ConcertsForAmerica.com. For more information visit www.sethrudetsky.com.