Audra McDonald talks California, Tony Awards and more ahead of McCallum Theatre show

Audra McDonald seems to do everything. Her work in musicals, plays, opera, film and television has garnered many accolades, including six Tony Awards, two Grammys and an Emmy.

With starring roles in classics like "Carousel," "Ragtime," "A Raisin in the Sun," and "Porgy and Bess," and a classically trained voice that brings out the character of any song, McDonald is known for captivating audiences. That's exactly what she aims to do when performing with a full symphony orchestra at the McCallum Theatre Annual Gala on Wednesday, Dec. 6.

The Desert Sun spoke to McDonald just as she was embarking on her current tour. The following conversation was lightly edited for clarity and conciseness.

The Desert Sun: I'm looking forward to your performance. What do you have in store?

Audra McDonald: A journey of the great American Theatre Songbook. Songs that people love and some they’re not that familiar with. Composers like Stephen Sondheim, Charlie Smalls, Jerry Herman.

DS: You were raised in Fresno, all the way through high school. Do you still consider yourself a California girl?

AM: I’ve lived in New York since 1988, but Fresno will always be a part of who I am. I feel very nostalgic when I step off a plane in California. Something about the landscape and the air. It always feels like home.

DS: With so many years on Broadway, you’re used to a bustling schedule. What’s your routine to handle the hours and the energy?

AM: I’ll use a sports analogy. Like baseball players having to do a game every night during the season, your life is dedicated to it. When you’re doing eight shows a week, you’re either performing or getting the show up and running. You’re taking care of your body, your voice. Keeping yourself healthy and in prime condition. It’s a bit of a monastic life. (Laughs.) Also, a lot of us have kids, so you’re committing to that schedule at night, but still get up at 6 a.m. to get them off to school.

DS: Your McCallum performance is a fundraiser for the venue. Raising money and increasing the size of  audiences post-pandemic have become more difficult. Why do you think that is?

AM: The whole medium was decimated, because so much of our work needs to be done in person.  It took a while to get people back in theaters. And, yes, we need to replenish the audience and continue to do outreach and get them in love with things that you can only experience in a live setting. We’ve got so much at our fingertips, all these easier options. It takes cultivating an audience and having an open mind about it and diversifying the types of people that you’re reaching out to.

DS: You’ve had a multi-faceted career. What draws you to projects? Has that changed through time?

AM: It really hasn’t. Well … maybe, based on what my body can do. Your body is an instrument. I can’t ‘play it’ like I did when I was 12. But I’m always still looking for things that will challenge and scare me a little. It’s about finding things that will help me evolve as an artist, no matter how small the part. I’ve been lucky. The right thing seems to come my way at the right time. And I know instinctively … almost immediately. I pay attention to what the universe presents me.

DS: Have you ever wanted a big pop hit or more mainstream success?

AM: I’m not looking for something that’s going to be a big hit. For that to happen, it would have to come by turning pop on its head, and be something that’s more geared towards who I am.

DS: Let’s go back to a specific time in your career. You starred in — and won a Tony for your acting in — "Masterclass" on Broadway with the great Zoe Caldwell, and it was a sensation. What do you remember most about that?

AM: Working with Zoe and Terrence McNally and Zoe’s husband, producer Robert Whitehead. It was all a great learning experience for me. I watched Zoe prepare every night for that role (as Maria Callas). It gave me a sort-of ‘education’ that allowed me to do "Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill" (as Billie Holiday, and another Tony Award for McDonald, Best Actress in a Play) many years later. I learned so much about being present on stage.

DS: Is there one Tony that means a little more to you, because of how you felt on that night?

AM: They are all unique and out-of-body experiences for me. They’re each filled with love. The most important part is always having my family and close friends with me.

DS: On a practical note, what does one do with 6 Tony awards?

AM: I have them all on a bookshelf, in various positions, and looking like they’ve been knocked over.  That’s how we decided to display them …

DS: Any symbolism there?

AM: Oh … it’s just fun.

DS: Here’s some quick questions. Singing or acting? Any preference?

AM: Not really. I find that I’m usually doing both at the same time. (Laughs.)

DS: In a dream duet, who are you singing with?

AM: Good question! Living or dead?

DS: We’re playing ‘dream’ here, so that’s up to you.

AM: It would be … Judy Garland.

DS: What’s the ideal Audra McDonald day look like?

AM: Spending time with my family, my husband, and making some fun cocktails!

DS: The perfect getaway?

AM: Portugal. Anywhere in Portugal.

DS: Lastly, has anyone ever suggested that you and Andra Day and Diana Ross record a song together? (All three have portrayed Billie Holiday on stage or screen.) Maybe “My Man”?

AM: No one’s ever asked that!

DS: Well, we just did, so let’s see if we can make that happen!

If you go

What: McCallum Theatre Annual Gala (starring six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald)

When: 5:30 p.m. sponsors cocktail hour and dinner, 8 p.m. public performance Wednesday, Dec. 6

Where: McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert

Tickets: $125-$175

More info: mccallumtheatre.org

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Audra McDonald talks Fresno upbringing ahead of Palm Springs area show