By Spotlight Central, Photos by Love Imagery
originally published: 05/13/2026
There’s magic in the air this Sunday, May 3, 2026 at bergenPAC in Englewood, NJ as fans of musical theater ready themselves for a performance by singer and actress, Audra McDonald. The Tony, Grammy, and Emmy-award winning artist is here this evening to headline a fundraiser for arts education which supports the venue’s nonprofit mission.
The lights dim and the students of The bergenPAC Broadway Youth Ensemble Choir take the stage to perform a medley of songs about New York including “New York, New York” from On the Town, “N.Y.C.” from Annie, and “Theme from New York, New York.” They follow up with a medley of Michael Jackson tunes featuring “We Are the World” and “Heal the World” to enthusiastic applause.
bergenPAC executive director Alexander Diaz welcomes the crowd to tonight’s fundraiser and reminds the audience that the star of Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, Rachel Zegler, got her start performing as a young girl on the bergenPAC stage.
Diaz introduces Audra McDonald and the crowd cheers as she takes the stage with her musical director, Andy Einhorn. Launching into “I Am What I Am” from La Cage aux Folles, McDonald, 55, sings with passion, “I am what I am/I am my own special creation/So come take a look/Give me the hook or the ovation,” deftly accompanied by Einhorn on the piano.
The crowd cheers and McDonald responds, “I’m so happy to be here! It’s always so inspirational to see the next generation finding themselves,” prior to thanking the audience for coming out tonight to support the arts.
Moving on to “a song from my childhood and, maybe, from your childhood, also,” McDonald’s voice soars on “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. She follows up by crooning, “I’ll give you stars and the moon and a soul to guide you,” on “Stars and the Moon,” a thoughtful ballad from Jason Brown’s Songs for a New World.
After talking about her musical background growing up in Fresno, CA, McDonald performs a number she sang in a competition at age 14 — the jazzy “Cornet Man” from Funny Girl. She continues with a commanding interpretation of “Summertime” from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess which inspires extended cheers and applause.
McDonald presents a tribute to one of her mentors, actress/singer Barbara Cook, by performing the operatic ballad, “Will He Like Me,” from She Loves Me. Continuing with a number she says, “I don’t like — because everyone sings this song,” she gives a rousing performance of “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady where concertgoers happily join her in singing the “I could have danced, danced, danced all night” coda.
McDonald reveals that, because she and Einhorn will appear at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, “we need to practice the songs.” Here, the duo expertly takes the audience through Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies” where McDonald captivates the audience with her tone and presence. Next up is McDonald’s tribute to the late conductor, Michael Tilson Thomas, in the form of an upbeat interpretation of George and Ira Gershwin’s “Fascinating Rhythm.”
After announcing, “This is a song about those who are made to feel othered, less than, and not worthy” and lets them know they are “beautiful” and “are enough,” McDonald croons, “It’s not easy bein’ green/Having to spend each day the color of the leaves,” on a reflective rendition of Kermit the Frog’s “Bein’ Green.”
McDonald continues with “two songs from different eras, both with the same message.” Here, she presents an intriguing mash-up of “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught” from South Pacific and “Children Will Listen” from Into the Woods. She follows up with a breathtaking performance of “Crazy He Calls Me” from Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill where — alternately sounding like Billie Holiday and Audra McDonald — she performs a “duet” with herself which receives a standing ovation from the crowd.
McDonald chokes up as she introduces another tribute to the musician who taught her “how to sing with an orchestra” — Michael Tilson Thomas — and steps into a powerful medley of Leonard Bernstein songs including “Some Other Time” from On The Town and “Somewhere” from West Side Story.
Recalling that, after 9/11, when she was forced to think about “what matters most,” McDonald suggests, “This song answers the question,” prior to earnestly crying out, “Love is the answer/Someone to love is the answer,” on a passionate rendition of Do, Re Mi’s “Make Someone Happy.”
Concertgoers cheer and McDonald responds, “Thank you, you’ve been a beautiful audience, and thank you for supporting the arts, our connection to humanity,” before concluding tonight’s concert with a powerful performance of “Cabaret” which elicits cheers, applause, and a standing ovation.
McDonald takes a bow and she and Einhorn exit the stage. They soon return and McDonald laments, “The world is a mess; it’s horrific. We just want to live our lives, and this song suggests you claim your joy — you demand it, hold on to it, spread it around.” Here, McDonald and Einhorn perform a rousing mash-up of “Get Happy” and “Happy Days Are Here Again” where Einhorn sings, “Forget your troubles, come on get happy,” while McDonald simultaneously croons, “Happy days are here again/The skies above are clear again,” touching audience members who respond by standing, cheering, and applauding one last time.
As concertgoers make their way out of the theater, several share their thoughts on tonight’s performance by Audra McDonald. Comments Linda from Ridgefield Park, “Audra was incredible in terms of her voice, her range, and her personality.” Bridget from Ridgefield Park agrees, adding, “She was amazing! She’s one of a kind — a great song interpreter who makes you feel everything she’s feeling.”
Remarks Subiya from Hackensack, “It was my first time seeing Audra McDonald in person and her show was just beautiful. She sang so many standards and classics and being here listening to her message about love and community was so uplifting and grounding.”
Patricia from Bayonne asserts, “It was a breathtaking performance! I loved how she put her own spin on all of the classics she performed and made you feel what she was feeling.” Trevohn from Bayonne concurs, noting, “It was an incredible show! I felt like I was almost hearing a different artist for each song, and the Billie Holiday-Audra ‘duet’ sounded like two different people — I wouldn’t have been surprised if I started hearing both voices at the same time!”
Anna from Ridgewood insists, “Audra was incredible! Her voice is unbelievable and her storytelling is great, which made for a fabulous evening.” Joyce from Fort Lee agrees, explaining, “She was absolutely terrific! Her voice is amazing, but the best part is that she incorporates the audience into her show — she wants you to be a part of it, and I loved it. She’s special!”
Lastly, Carol from Ocean County reveals, “Audra’s performance tonight brought me to tears. Her words and heart really struck a chord with me. Her music was full of positive messages and the stories she wove into her performance touched my heart,” before Betty from The Bronx concludes, “She’s amazing — there’s just no one else like her!”
To learn more about Audra McDonald, please go to audramcdonald.com. For info on upcoming events at bergenPAC — including The Sergio Mendes band on June 14, Buddy Guy on August 4, and Kenny G on September 19 — please click on bergenpac.org.
Photos by Love Imagery
