Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Starring Tony Nominee Audra McDonald, Will Release Live Cast Recording

From a Philly bar to your own living room! PS Classics will record a live performance of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, starring five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald as Billie Holiday, during the week ending May 31. The two-disc set will be released on July 15.

Directed by Lonny Price, the play by Lanie Robertson tells the life story of the legendary jazz singer through the songs that made her famous. Set in 1959, in an intimate bar in Philadelphia, Holiday (McDonald) puts on a show that, unbeknownst to the audience, will leave them witness to one of the last performances of her lifetime. The Broadway production officially opened on April 13 and McDonald has been nominated for a Tony for her performance in the show.

The live album will feature signature Holiday numbers performed by McDonald in the play, including “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” “Tain't Nobody’s Biz-ness” and “God Bless the Child.”