Broadway Shockers 2016: Audra McDonald's Amazing Mid-Pregnancy Tap Performance
(© Julieta Cervantes)
The short-lived Broadway run of Shuffle Along, an ambitious new musical based on the creation of 1921's landmark African-American musical, was notable for many reasons. It was the rare blockbuster musical with an all-black cast (the company boasted a total of 30 performers) and it brought an all-but-lost groundbreaking show back into the public eye. But in retrospect, perhaps the most the amazing aspect of the three-month run was six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald's stellar tap-dancing and eye-high kicks — which happened to occur while she was several months' pregnant.
"Who knew that tap-dancing during perimenopause could lead to pregnancy?" McDonald tweeted on May 10.
Who knew that tap dancing during perimenopause could lead 2 pregnancy? @thewillswenson & I are completely surprised but elated 2 b expecting
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) May 10, 2016
We certainly didn't know. But we also weren't aware that it's humanly possible to hoof it so hard while with child. The event proved, once again, that McDonald just doesn't live by the rules that apply to mere mortals.
