{"id":12777,"date":"2025-10-20T19:27:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T19:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/12777\/"},"modified":"2025-10-20T19:27:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T19:27:10","slug":"audra-mcdonald-headlines-florida-orchestra-gala-event-in-tampa-next-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/12777\/","title":{"rendered":"Audra McDonald headlines Florida Orchestra gala event in Tampa next year"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AAudra McDonald, who plays Morsani Hall inside Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida on Feb. 28, 2026. Credit: The Tyler Twins<\/p>\n

The Florida Orchestra is a month into its 2025-26 season already, and Broadway veteran Audra McDonald was just confirmed to be at the forefront of its annual gala benefit concert.<\/p>\n

After spending the better part of this year portraying Gypsy Rose Lee in the Broadway revival of the burlesque legend\u2019s semi-eponymous life story, McDonald (who\u2019s one Oscar away from achieving EGOT status) will join the likes of Sting<\/a> and Josh Groban<\/a> in an exclusive club of artists that have fronted the charity event. And along with the inevitable set of showtunes, don\u2019t be too surprised if the 55-year-old lyric soprano takes on a little bit of Aretha Franklin, as a look back on starring as the soul legend\u2019s mother Barbara in 2021\u2019s \u201cRespect.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the Florida Orchestra\u2019s most recent gala\u2014which featured cello legend Yo-Yo Ma\u2014two $1 million donations were announced, one from longtime patron Edward Kaloust, and the other from an anonymous donor.<\/p>\n

Tickets to see Audra McDonald and The Florida Orchestra at Morsani Hall inside Tampa\u2019s Straz Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Feb. 28 are now on sale and start at $75.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p>\n

\"YouTube<\/p>\n

Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow us:\u00a0Google News<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NewsBreak<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Reddit<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Facebook\u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0BlueSky<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Stories<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Geddy\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Q&A:\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Chicago-born singer supports Renee Rapp for a portion of her \u2018Bite Me\u2019 tour.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Clearwater\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tTampa Pig Jig, Pre-Fest 9, Fangsgiving, and the Crooked Thumb Anniversary are all happening, too.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

This article appears in Oct. 16 \u2013 22, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJosh Bradley is Creative Loafing Tampa’s resident live music freak. He started freelancing with the paper in 2020 at the age of 18, and has since covered, announced, and previewed numerous live shows in…\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMore by Josh Bradley\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n