Broadway is back at Scottsdale Arts

The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is again hosting performances from legendary Broadway performers. The Seth Rudetsky Concert Series continues this season with Audra McDonald and Patti LuPone.

“Broadway fans in the community have been loud and clear about artists they desire to see return to our stage,” said Abbey Messmer, programming director for Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. “Audra McDonald and Patti LuPone are undoubtedly all-time favorites, so we are thrilled to be able to present these incredible performers for a concert between their projects and awards.”

The Seth Rudetsky Broadway Concert Series invites audiences to an intimate concert and conversation with Rudetsky — musician, actor, author and radio host — and McDonald, who was recently nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for her work on “The Gilded Age.” McDonald reunites with Rudetsky for the show Saturday, March 23. Together, they will perform her most iconic songs and share exclusive behind-the-scenes stories.

Later this season will be only one opportunity to hear LuPone’s voice Tuesday, April 16, as she celebrates her career through a “personal musical memoir.” Titled “Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes,” it is a program of songs that reflect on her life, growing up in America through the rock ‘n’ roll 1950s and the socially turbulent ’60s to success in career and family.

“We hope it's not true that Patti might be done with Broadway for good, but between her television, movie and podcast projects, she’s astonishingly busy,” Messmer said. “We are so fortunate to welcome her in April as one of only 13 concert dates, shared with venues such as Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center.”

Acclaimed Broadway performer Kelli O’Hara was originally scheduled to perform with Rudetsky this spring, but due to scheduling conflicts, that concert was moved to the center’s fall lineup. O’Hara will now perform Oct. 19 with Rudetsky.

The Seth Rudetsky Concert Series starring McDonald with Rudetsky as music director and host is sponsored by Hotel Valley Ho, Ethelyn Cohen and Sacks Tierney P.A.