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CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - Croton resident Audra McDonald received her fifth Tony Award Sunday night for her role as leading actress in the musical "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess."
"I was a little girl with a pot belly and afro puffs, hyperactive and overdramatic, and I found the theater and I found my home and I found a place to express myself and I was so grateful even at the age of 9," McDonald said during her acceptance speech. "And to think that the theater would be so good to me, it is mind blowing."
McDonald, who won her first Tony for leading actress, addressed her daughter directly at the end of her acceptance speech, saying, "My sweet little girl, I want you to know something, this is an amazing night for mommy, but Feb. 14, 2001, the day you were born is the best night ever, never forget that."
McDonald's role as Bess also garnered her recognition in the 2012 Drama Desk Awards. She was named "Outstanding Actress in a Musical" in those awards.
Alan Menken of North Salem also had a big night at the Tony's, winning "Best Original Score Written for the Theater," for his role as composer for the musical "Newsies." Menken also won the 2012 Drama Desk Award for the "Newsies" score.
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