Audra McDonald and Will Swenson to Star in Utah 110 in the Shade

Four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald will reprise her Tony-nominated performance as Lizzie Curry in 110 in the Shade at Utah’s Hale Center Theater Orem in summer 2010. The community theater production, which will run June 28 through August 7, will also star current Tony Award nominee and Hair star Will Swenson, a Utah native, as Bill Starbuck. The two Broadway powerhouses will appear for the first two weeks of the run, donating their time to the production, which benefits the nonprofit Hale Center Foundation for the Arts and Education.

McDonald and Swenson both appeared in Roundabout Theater Company’s Tony-nominated revival of the classic musical in 2007, with McDonald starring as Curry and Swenson understudying Starbuck, then played by Steve Kazee.

"I grew up doing community theater, it's very dear to my heart,” McDonald told the local Deseret News of the decision to appear at Hale. “I wouldn't be where I am today without community theater."

The theater, founded by the late Ruth Hale and husband Nathan, is currently run in part by Swenson’s brother, Cody, and his wife, Anne.

"I'm just really looking forward to it, it will be fun for me," McDonald added. "Will and I had so much fun playing opposite each other last time, I'm looking forward to revisiting Lizzie, and anytime I can be on stage, I'm happy."