Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald reprises her acclaimed role as Billie Holiday for HBO’s version of “Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar and Grill”.
Michael Lombardo, president of HBO programming announced earlier this week that HBO will film “Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar and Grill.” The film will be directed by Lonny Price and produced by Allen Newman and Two Hands Entertainment. The play-turned -TV movie will be filmed in front of a live audience at Cafe Brasil in New Orleans this month. “Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar and Grill” was originally written by Lanie Roberston for off-broadway in 1987 and depicts Holiday’s life through her most notable songs including “Strange Fruit” and “God Bless the Child.” McDonald has said,“Playing Billie Holiday in ‘Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill’ on Broadway’ was one of the most challenging and artistically rewarding experiences of my career, and it is an absolute honor to be able to bring Lanie’s incredible work about this extraordinary woman to film, thanks to HBO.” McDonald has previously appeared on other HBO films such as “Wit,” for which she received an Emmy nominations. She’s also received Emmy nominations for her TV appearance in “A Raisin in the Sun” and the live telecast of “The Sound of Music.”
Earlier this year, Audra McDonald made history as Broadway’s most decorated performer by winning her sixth Tony Award for “Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar and Grill.” She’s also set the record for most competitive wins by an actor and became the first person to receive an award in all four acting categories. McDonald has also received five Outer Critics Circle Awards, five Drama Desk awards and the Drama League’s Distinguished Performance Award. Along with her acting achievements, McDonald is also a two-time Grammy recording artist. Check out a clip from the broadway performance to get a taste of what to expect from the HBO film:
-Nishat Baig
