All material found in the Press Releases section is provided by parties entirely independent of Musical America, which is not responsible for content.
Press Releases
Orchestra Lumos 2026 Gala Concert to Feature Six-Time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald
STAMFORD, CT (October 21, 2026)—Orchestra Lumos, the pre-eminent orchestra in Fairfield County, Connecticut, will welcome six-time Tony Award winner and one of the most acclaimed performers of her generation, Audra McDonald, as the featured performer at its annual fundraising gala concert on Sunday, May 23, 2027, at the Palace Theatre in Stamford, CT. McDonald will be accompanied by her longtime Music Director Andy Einhorn.
McDonald will perform her signature mix of songs from Broadway, the Great American Songbook, and beyond, captivating audiences with her unmistakable warmth, artistry, and unparalleled gift for storytelling. (Please note: Orchestra Lumos will not be performing with Ms. McDonald.)
Following the concert, Orchestra Lumos will hold a glamorous gala dinner on the stage of the Palace Theatre. Orchestra Lumos’s season sponsor, PMI U.S. and two distinguished community leaders will be honored: Philip Morris International U.S. will be recognized for their exceptional partnership and financial support of the Orchestra and for their significant philanthropic impact throughout Stamford and the greater Fairfield County community. And Orchestra Lumos Board members Julie Forrester and Penny Young will be honored for their combined 40 years of philanthropic support, stewardship of the organization, and civic leadership. Their decades-long commitment reflects the lasting relationships, leadership, and community investment that have helped sustain the organization across generations. Highlights of the evening will include a silent auction and a live auction. Proceeds from the Gala will support the Orchestra’s performances, community engagement, and education programs throughout Fairfield County and beyond.
“Our annual Gala is a wonderful opportunity to honor the people, artists and our supporters who have been part of Orchestra Lumos’ journey, and we are so pleased to welcome Audra McDonald to Stamford to help us celebrate the occasion,” said Walker Beard, Susanah and Naeem Fayyaz President and CEO of Orchestra Lumos. “Our gala brings together the entire community to recognize and further support the role that music and arts education play in Fairfield County, and we are especially proud this year to honor PMI U.S. and our Board members Julie Forrester and Penny Young for their invaluable dedication and service.”
Tickets to the concert will start at $39 and will be available to the public beginning November 16, 2026, following a courtesy purchasing period for Orchestra Lumos subscribers and donors.
Tickets to the Gala celebration dinner include prime concert seating, a pre-performance cocktail reception, and the festive post-concert meal on the stage of the Palace Theatre featuring live and silent auctions.
Event Details:
Dates:
- Sunday, May 23, 2026 at 3:00pm
Location:
- The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT 06901
For tickets and additional information, please call 203-325-1407 x1 or visit: https://orchestralumos.org/
About Orchestra Lumos
Based in Stamford, Connecticut, Orchestra Lumos is the preeminent orchestra serving Fairfield County and representing the region beyond its borders. Led by Music Director Michael Stern, the Orchestra presents exceptional musical experiences, from awe-inspiring concerts with world-renowned soloists to family-friendly programs that captivate all ages. The Orchestra performs four main-stage subscription concerts annually at its home base, the historic Palace Theatre, and reaches audiences through dozens of intimate performances in smaller spaces and hands-on education programs in venues from Rye, New York to Bridgeport, Connecticut, including local libraries, schools, museums, breweries, places of worship, and community centers. Visit https://orchestralumos.org/ to learn more, or follow on social media: @orchestralumos
About Audra McDonald
Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actor. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, and an Emmy, in 2015 she received the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. She won Tonys for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, which also served as the vehicle for her Olivier-nominated West End debut, and in 2025 she became the acting categories’ most decorated individual in Tony history after earning an unprecedented eleventh nomination, for Gypsy. On television, McDonald won an Emmy as the official host of PBS’s Live From Lincoln Center, and is known for recurring roles on Private Practice (ABC), The Good Wife (CBS), The Good Fight (Paramount ), and The Gilded Age (HBO). Her film credits include Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast and MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect. A Juilliard-trained soprano, McDonald maintains a major career as a Grammy-winning recording and concert artist. Her latest solo album, Sing Happy, was recorded live with the New York Philharmonic for Decca Gold. She is a founding member of Black Theatre United, board member of Covenant House International, and prominent advocate for LGBTQIA rights, whose favorite roles are those performed offstage, as an activist, wife to actor Will Swenson, and mother to her amazing children.
Contacts:
Jessica Apicella, Associate Vice President
Buzz Creators, Inc.
Julia Kirchhausen
Communications@orchestralumos.org
(917) 453-8386
###
FEATURED JOBS
RENT A PHOTO
