Theater News

Audra McDonald and Will Swenson to Star in 110 in the Shade at Utah’s Hale Center Theater Orem

Audra McDonald and Will Swenson
(© Tristan Fuge)
Audra McDonald and Will Swenson
(© Tristan Fuge)

Four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald and 2009 Tony nominee Will Swenson will star in the Hale Center Theater Orem production of 110 in the Shade, according to the Deseret News. The production, which will be a fundraiser for the community theater, will run June 28-August 7, 2010.

Based on N. Richard Nash’s play The Rainmaker and set in Texas in the 1930s, the Tom Jones-Harvey Schmidt-N. Richard Nash musical tells the story of Lizzie Curry, a single woman on the verge of becoming an “old maid,” whose life changes when the charismatic rainmaker Starbuck comes to town.

McDonald, who will be reprising her Tony-nominated role of Lizzie Curry, won Tonys as Best Featured Actress for the musicals Carousel and Ragtime and the plays Master Class and A Raisin in the Sun. She also received a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for Marie Christine. She will appear in the Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night later this summer and currently stars in the ABC series Private Practice.

Swenson is Tony-nominated for his performance as Berger in Hair, and additional Broadway credits include 110 in the Shade with McDonald, as well as Lestat and Brooklyn. He also appeared in the Off-Broadway production of Rock of Ages. According to the Deseret News, HCTO is run by Swenson’s brother Cody, and his wife, Anne.

For more information, visit www.haletheater.org.