Today Dishing: Audra McDonald Concert

Photo courtesy of Google and Getty Images.

Saturday evening  the five time Tony Award winner, Audra McDonald graced the stage of Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center delivering what was, for me, the most moving concert of my life.
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Expecting her to sing songs from Ragtime or Porgy and Bess she surprised by singing no songs from either. Instead she sang some familiar songs as well as several I’ve never heard. One such song “I’ll Be There” is a song telling the story of a loss from Sept. 11. A moving song and a heartfelt performance left few dry eyes in the audience.

When she sang songs I knew it was as though I was hearing them for the first time. She delves into the words of the songs and shines new light on them. Both “Make Someone Happy” and “Over the Rainbow” will never be the same for me. Her performance transcends mere music or maybe that is how music is meant to be delivered and I am just now getting the memo.

I pass this on only to say that if the opportunity to hear her live ever presents itself, run, sprint, race for tickets. I believe you may find Audra McDonald’s performance not only life affirming but perhaps life changing.

Thanks to Marianne for a birthday experience I will long remember.