Audra McDonald Honored at Roundabout Theatre Company Gala

Roundabout Theatre Company honored six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald with the Jason Robards Award for Excellence in Theatre at the organization's 50th-anniversary gala, held Monday, February 29, at the Waldorf-Astoria. The evening also honored Thomas E. Tuft, Roundabout's Chairman of the Board.

The event was hosted by Roundabout vet Nathan Lane, and included an all-star musical tribute celebrating Roundabout's musicals along with the Robards Award presentations. All proceeds benefit Roundabout Theatre Company's Musical Theatre Fund and Education programs.

Honoree McDonald has earned a record-breaking six Tony Awards for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, and Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill. The actress was also Tony-nominated for her starring turn in Roundabout Theatre Company's production of 110 in the Shade in 2007 as well as for playing the title role in the musical Marie Christine in 2000. She returns to Broadway this spring in Shuffle Along.

In celebration of the company’s anniversary, the board of directors has launched a $50-million campaign to increase its Board Designated Fund. Similar to a traditional endowment, the fund will provide funds for expanding programming in response to the evolving needs of our community of artists and audiences, while returning interest to support Roundabout’s annual work. Nearly $32 million has been raised thus far.

Roundabout's spring 2016 productions include the new Broadway revivals of Noises Off, She Loves Me, and Long Day’s Journey Into Night, as well as the new off-Broadway revival of The Robber Bridegroom.