Good news if you're worried that you may miss Audra McDonald's Tony-winning performance as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. The new production has extended its limited Broadway run once again, and will now play through September 21 at Circle in the Square Theatre. The play with music, starring the six-time Tony winner, officially opened on April 13. The production will be dark from September 1 through September 7 while McDonald takes a previously scheduled (and well-earned!) vacation, and the final 16 performances will begin starting September 9.
Directed by Lonny Price, the play by Lanie Robertson tells the life story of the legendary jazz singer through the songs that made her famous. Set in 1959, in an intimate bar in Philadelphia, Holiday (McDonald) puts on a show that, unbeknownst to the audience, will leave them witness to one of the last performances of her lifetime.
Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill features 18 musical numbers, including “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” “Tain't Nobody’s Biz-ness” and “God Bless the Child.”
The River, starring Hugh Jackman, begins performances in the venue on October 31.