Lady Day at Emmerson’s Bar & Grill is an award-winning hit that most play enthusiasts love to watch. But things aren’t looking so good this summer. Reportedly, the play’s star, Audra McDonald is expectant, and will be off the stage for quite a while.

Lady Day, a Broadway hit, had been scheduled to show at Wyndham’s theater starting 25th June. Since this is not happening, though, produces will announce dates for a later run anytime soon.

McDonald has bagged multiple Ton Awards, with her latest (sixth) recognizing her for an excellent performance portraying music legend Billie Holiday in New York. McDonald is very happy about the little miracle that has come into her life. She was quoted saying, “Who knew that tap dancing during perimenopause could lead to pregnancy? Will and I are completely surprised—and elated—to be expecting a new addition to our family. I am so very grateful…”

“Of course, I’m disappointed I have to postpone my West End debut in Lady Day, but I look forward to rescheduling as soon as possible.”

McDonald is currently featuring on Broadway production Shuffle Along. She was set to make the West End debut in London for the highly acclaimed drama that highlights the life, love and loss of Holliday’s staggering story for audiences across the world.

The reception for the London show has already been very warm, with plummeting ticket purchases. However, individuals who had already bought tickets have been advised to get in touch with their Box Office towards arranging a refund. Apparently, the high-placed opportune to witness Audra McDonald perform many of the singer’s most iconic hits will have to wait a little bit longer for theater aficionados.

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill is one of the most popular modern-time plays there is. Created by Lanie Robertson, it recounts events in the life of legendary singer Billie Holiday. The play premiered at the Alliance Theatre in George back in 1986, before playing Off-Broadway. Lady Day opened on Broadway more recently in April 2014, directed by Lonny Price. Actress Audra McDonald starred Billie Holiday, featuring Shelton Becton as pianist Jimmy Powers. Sets were created by James Noone, with Esosa taking care of the costumes.

Actress & Recent Updates

By the time the play was closed in October 2014, Audra McDonald garnered six record-breaking Tony Awards for the show. She also became the first person to prosper in all four categories for the acting awards, not to forget winning for the Best Actress in a Play. The Play scored an award for the Best Sound Design. It was filmed at New Orleans’s Café Brasil and broadcast on HBO starting March 12th, 2016. More recently, McDonald was scheduled to re-appear in West End at Wyndham’s Theatre between June 15^th and September 3^rd this year. However, appearance was postponed since McDonald and her husband (Will Swenson) are expecting a baby.

The Plot

Lady Day takes place in South Philadelphia starting March 1959. In the scene, Billie Holiday performs in a run-down bar before she met her death in July of the same year. As she sings, she is telling stories about her life and has Jimmy Powers at the piano.