A headshot of Audra McDonald, an African-American woman with long, dark, wavy hair, looking directly at the camera. She is wearing a black turtleneck and an ornate silver earring with a dark blue or purple stone. She is posing with her right hand gently touching her neck, and the background is a solid, deep navy blue. She has dramatic eye makeup and a neutral lip color.
Audra McDonald, who plays Morsani Hall inside Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida on Feb. 28, 2026. Credit: The Tyler Twins

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.

After spending the better part of this year portraying Gypsy Rose Lee in the Broadway revival of the burlesque legend’s semi-eponymous life story, McDonald (who’s one Oscar away from achieving EGOT status) will join the likes of Sting and Josh Groban in an exclusive club of artists that have fronted the charity event. And along with the inevitable set of showtunes, don’t 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’s mother Barbara in 2021’s “Respect.”

At the Florida Orchestra’s most recent gala—which featured cello legend Yo-Yo Ma—two $1 million donations were announced, one from longtime patron Edward Kaloust, and the other from an anonymous donor.

Tickets to see Audra McDonald and The Florida Orchestra at Morsani Hall inside Tampa’s Straz Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Feb. 28 are now on sale and start at $75.

Audra McDonald

Time Sat., Feb. 28, 8 p.m.

Location David A. Straz Center – Carol Morsani Hall, 1010 N W C Macinnes Pl, Tampa

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This article appears in Oct. 16 – 22, 2025.

Josh 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...