Audra McDonald became the most Tony-nominated performer in history Thursday.
McDonald earned her 11th Tony nomination for her star role as Rose in Gypsy on Broadway. She had previously held the title in a tie with the late Julie Harris and Chita Rivera, who had 10 nominations each.
The actress is already the most-awarded performer in Tony history, with six Tony Award wins for her roles in 1994’s Carousel, 1996’s Master Class, 1998’s Ragtime, 2004’s A Raisin in the Sun, 2012’s Porgy and Bess and 2014’s Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.
And yet, when McDonald was told by her husband, fellow actor Will Swenson, that she had been nominated and learned she had set a new record, she was in a state of disbelief.
“I’m so grateful, and that’s overwhelming to think about. I’m so lucky. The one thing I always wanted to do growing up, one thing that gave me joy and kind of gave me purpose and made me feel most like myself was to perform theater...READ MORE