Audra McDonald has six Tony Awards and a voice that will make you believe in angels. That combination puts her in a place where she can be choosy when selecting her next job.
But, she got a call about a job a couple of years ago she accepted without hesitation.
“I said yes the minute that Disney called because you say yes when Disney calls. If they told me that you were gonna sell churros in the park, I’d be like, yeah, I’m there,” says McDonald, who grew up in Fresno, California. “Also, it’s Disney and I have kids.”
The call was for the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast. McDonald plays Madame Garderobe, the opera singer-turned-furniture piece. She appears both in human form and then is the voice for the animated wardrobe.
McDonald’s no stranger to the recording studio, but she’s never done voice-over work.
“It could have been hard but that incredible team, headed by (director) Bill Condon, was with me every step of the way. Bill makes you feel so comfortable and is so collaborative, we just played in the recording studio,” McDonald says. “It just felt like make believe.”
McDonald’s long career on the stage was a big help in her doing the voice work. Each time she steps in front of the audience, she must imagine the area as a big world without a crowd of people watching.
Voice recording was also easier than stage work because McDonald didn’t have to worry about what to do with her hands or if her body language was getting across the emotions of a scene. She was freed from having to worry about her body. McDonald laughs and says that’s particularly true when you are playing a wardrobe.
The film gave McDonald a chance to work two acting roles. Along with the scenes as the wardrobe, she appears in human form. And, her look is a little shocking because of the massive wigs — decorated with birds — she wears. She calls the look genius because her human look is reflected in the wardrobe.
McDonald’s introduction to Beauty and the Beast came through the 1991 animated film. She was on tour with The Secret Garden when a friend suggested they see it.
“I was a little sceptical because it was a cartoon,” McDonald says. “But, I walked out in tears. I was so moved by it. I was also excited because they had used Broadway voices and the movie was a real homage to musical theatre up there on the big screen with animation the likes we had not seen before.”
The Oscar-winning music is another reason McDonald loves being part of the movie. McDonald has performed music by some of the top composers. She’s not certain exactly what it is about the music of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken that has made their work so memorable.
“I think resonate is the right word,” McDonald says. “I don’t know what it is but there is something about the chemistry between those two that resonates.”
McDonald’s participation in Beauty and the Beast gives the new version another connection to Broadway. That’s something her co-stars appreciated. Josh Gad, who plays LeFou calls working with McDonald “the stuff that dreams are made of.”
The feeling was mutual. McDonald was excited to work with Emma Watson, who plays Belle, because the actor has been such an inspiration to young women. McDonald also loved getting to work with Emma Thompson, the film’s Mrs. Potts, again. They have worked together on several projects, from the movie Wit to a recent performance of Sweeney Todd with the New York Philharmonic.
Beauty and the Beast was also a reunion of McDonald and Kevin Kline, who plays Belle’s father. They played husband and wife in the feature film Ricki and the Flash. —The Fresno Bee (Fresno, California)/TNS
Time as mother happiest years of my life, says Rani
Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji says the time she has spent being a mother so far is the happiest period of her life.
Rani is married to filmmaker Aditya Chopra. They have a daughter, Adira, who was born in 2015.
In a Facebook chat, Rani answered a bevy of questions from her fans.
When asked how it feels to be a mother, she said: “It feels great. The last two and a half years — nine months of pregnancy and one and a half years of motherhood — have been the happiest years of my life. I enjoy seeing Adira grow, reach new milestones each day.”
Rani added that there’s nothing more important for a woman than being a mother.
She also said life has started anew post Adira’s birth.
“It’s amazing being a mother; you change overnight because the experience teaches you on a daily basis. I have become stronger and I have also mellowed down. But a lot of things come with being a mother. I’m looking forward to my journey of raising Adira, so it’s going to be fun,” she said.
Asked why she isn’t present on social media, Rani said, “I’m not on social media. I don’t post pictures of my daughter because my husband is a very private person and I respect that. Also, I don’t like saying no to my fans, especially when they ask me to post pictures.”
Last seen in 2014 action-thriller Mardaani, Rani said she will next be seen in Hichki, and the project will kick-off in April.
Asked about her birthday plans, she said she will spend it at home with her daughter and husband. — IANS
STRAIGHT-FORWARD: “I said yes the minute that Disney called because you say yes when Disney calls,” says Audra McDonald. Right: CONTENTED: Rani Mukerji
STRAIGHT-FORWARD: u201cI said yes the minute that Disney called because you say yes when Disney calls,u201d says Audra McDonald. Right: CONTENTED: Rani Mukerji
