On the heels of Janet Jackson’s big pregnancy announcement and only two days after Mother’s Day, Broadway actress Audra McDonald announced on Twitter that she and her husband, Will Swenson, are expecting their first baby together.
READ: Audra McDonald Shines The Spotlight On ADHD
The six-time Tony winner who is currently starring in the Broadway production, Shuffle Along, gushed to fans in a May 10 tweet, “Who knew that tap dancing during perimenopause could lead 2 pregnancy? @thewillswenson & I are completely surprised but elated 2 b expecting.”
Who knew that tap dancing during perimenopause could lead 2 pregnancy? @thewillswenson & I are completely surprised but elated 2 b expecting
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) May 10, 2016
McDonald and Swenson have been married since 2012 and this will be the couple’s first child from the union. McDonald has a daughter from a previous marriage and Swenson has two children from his.
USA Today reports:
In addition to starting maternity leave from Shuffle Along July 24, McDonald will have to postpone her West End debut in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, which earned her a Tony for her portrait of Billie Holiday, In Shuffle Along, McDonald plays another real-life (if lesser-known) artist, the ’20s stage performer Lottie Gee —a role that will be played in McDonald’s absence by Rhiannon Giddens.
READ: Pregnancy After 40: What Are The Risks?
In an official statement McDonald shared, “I’m glad I’ll be able to spend a little more time in Shuffle Along this summer and will look forward to setting up a 1920s-themed nursery in my dressing room when I return to the show.”
A beautiful surprise all around! Congratulations!