Three-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald will perform at Hershey Theatre on October 14, and if you’re lucky enough to be in the audience, be prepared to be wowed by the virtuosity and magnificent beauty of this soprano-and-then-some vocalist. Her voice has been compared to those of Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, and, among others, God.

Susan Fowler, executive director of the Hershey Theatre, said she feels lucky to bring one of the American music theatre’s most acclaimed talents to the area. "I happened to speak with the right person at the right time and mentioned that if I ever had the opportunity, I would love to present her." Fowler recognized McDonald’s talent when she saw her on Broadway. "I was thrilled by her performance," she said.

Audra McDonald is the only theatrical artist under the age of 30 to capture three Tony Awards, the first of which she won in 1993 for her endearing performance as "Carrie" in Nicholas Hytner’s production of "Carousel." In 1996, she received another for her role as an aspiring voice student in Terrance McNally’s "Master Class." She recently won her third Tony for "Ragtime," the musical adaptation of the E.L. Doctorow novel.

Last season, McDonald performed her first lead role in "Marie Christine," where she portrayed a modern day Medea. Off-Broadway, the actress graced the stage in "The Vagina Monologues," the controversial play written by Eve Ensler. She has also appeared in numerous television shows, including NBC’s "Law and Order," a CBS television movie, "Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years," an ABC Walt Disney Television production of the Broadway musical, "Annie," and has been featured on "60 Minutes." McDonald is also featured in a PBS broadcast of the 1998 Carnegie Hall event "My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies."

McDonald has collaborated on her solo recordings with Broadway musicians. Michael John LaChiusa, who wrote "Marie Christine" for McDonald, also worked with her on her first solo album, Way Back To Paradise, which The New York Times named Adult Record of the Year. Her second album, How Glory Goes, features contemporary composers Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, and Leonard Bernstein. In addition to solo recordings, McDonald also sang on the soundtrack for the film The Cradle Will Rock.

More than just an on-stage diva, McDonald uses her talent to help others, as well. She has contributed to several benefit performances in support of Broadway Cares/Equity fights AIDS, a non-profit organization, which draws on the American Theatre community’s resources and talents to raise money for care of those with the disease. Her other support causes include Partnership for the Homeless, Harlem School for the Arts, Planned Parenthood, and the acclaimed school where she received classical voice lessons, The Juilliard School, despite receiving an acting scholarship to the University of California at Los Angeles.

Busy with both her personal and professional life, McDonald is currently performing only a handful of dates around the country. She just wrapped up shooting "The Last Debate," a television movie scheduled for release on Showtime in November.

Audra McDonald will be on stage at the Hershey Theatre on October 14.