PS Classics’ original Broadway cast recording of Audra McDonald in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill has topped four Billboard charts in its first week of release, reaching #1 in Cast Albums, #1 in Jazz, #1 in Traditional Jazz, and #1 in Heatseekers. The album has already attracted a slew of rave reviews from the press. The New York Times wrote, “Onstage and in this two-disc cast album, Ms. McDonald ‘becomes’ Billie Holiday. Her performance transcends impersonation to become an indelible rite of spiritual communion between two great artists.” Entertainment Weekly agreed, stating, “It’s the performance everyone’s been talking about: six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald’s latest star turn. It’s a fully transportative experience for the audience, whose reactions help create the illusion carried by McDonald’s performance. The two-disc set offers an immersive translation of the show, a feat not reflected in several of this season’s recent cast albums.” Recorded live at the Circle in the Square Theatre during performances in late May, the album was produced by PS Classics co-founder Tommy Krasker and staff engineer Bart Migal. The album is available for purchase on Amazon and iTunes.

“Does vodka really kill bees and wasps?” This is one of several colorful questions that Audra and Jimmy Fallon answered last night in a reprise of their now signature segment for The Tonight Show, “Yahoo! Answers: Lounge Singers.” This time Audra and Jimmy were joined by actor Josh Charles, who was on hand to lend his vocals and surprisingly virtuosic pianism. You can watch the segment here:

Today PS Classics released the original Broadway cast recording of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. The two-disc set, which was recorded live at the Circle in the Square Theatre during performances in late May 2014, includes a complete rendering of the show.

Lanie Robertson’s musical play recounts Billie Holiday’s life story through the songs that made her famous. Among the songs featured on the recording are “God Bless the Child,” “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” “Strange Fruit,” and “Tain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do.”

Buy the album from Amazon or iTunes.

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill runs through September 21 at the Circle in the Square Theatre.

It was announced yesterday that Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill‘s limited engagement at the Circle in the Square Theatre has been extended for a third time and will now play through September 21, 2014.  Lanie Robertson’s musical play, which began previews on March 25 and opened on April 13, recounts Billie Holiday’s life story through the songs that made her famous. This news comes just one month after Audra won her record-breaking sixth Tony Award for her portrayal of the legendary jazz singer.

The production will be dark from September 1 through September 7 while Audra takes a previously scheduled vacation. ​Starting September 9, audiences will have a chance to catch Audra’s final 16 performances. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.