Audra McDonald Wins Record-Breaking Sixth Tony Award, For Lead Actress In "Lady Day At Emerson's Bar And Grill"

New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Congratulations to Audra McDonald, winner of the 2014 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her unforgettable performance as Billie Holiday in Lanie Robertson's musical play Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill. This marks a historic sixth Tony Award win for McDonald, the most ever won by a performer. She gave a beautifully heartfelt acceptance speech at last night's ceremony, broadcast live on CBS from Radio City Music Hall in New York City, which you can watch below.

Audra McDonald's Tony Award win comes on the heels of her Drama Desk Award (her fifth and her first in the category of Outstanding Actress in a Play) and Outer Critics Circle Award win for her portrayal of the legendary jazz singer.

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, which also earned the Tony Award for Best Sound Design of a Play for Steve Canyon Kennedy, marks Audra McDonald's eleventh turn in a Broadway production. Her record-breaking sixth Tony Award follows the 2012 Tony Award for Leading Actress in a Musical for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess and earlier Featured roles in Carousel (1994), Master Class (1996), Ragtime (1998), and A Raisin in the Sun (2004).

Audra McDonald released her latest solo album on Nonesuch Records last year with Go Back Home, her first such album in seven years. "As usual," said the Los Angeles Times, "she stuns upon entrance, exit and everything else." New York raved: "It's entirely possible that Audra McDonald is the greatest singer alive." The album is her fifth solo album for Nonesuch Records, following Way Back to Paradise (1998), How Glory Goes(2000), Happy Songs (2002), and Build a Bridge (2006).

Watch Audra McDonald's 2014 Tony Award acceptance speech here: