You’ve seen them on the red carpet looking like a literal dream, but there’s a lot more to the story of Audra McDonald and husband Will Swenson than just Tony Awards and designer gowns. Most people think they’re just another pair of famous actors who met at an after-party. Honestly? It was way more professional—and a lot more complicated—than that.
They met back in 2007. Broadway revival of 110 in the Shade. Audra was the star, Lizzie Curry. Will was in the cast too, playing Cody Bridger and understudying the lead. At the time, they were both coming off previous marriages. They weren't looking for a "showmance."
But theatre has a funny way of making things happen.
The Slow Burn and That "Wee Posse"
It wasn't an overnight thing. They didn't even make their red carpet debut until 2009 at the American Theatre Wing’s Spring Gala. By then, the rumors were swirling, but they kept it pretty low-key.
When they finally got engaged on New Year’s Day in 2012, it wasn’t some massive Hollywood production. It happened while they were on vacation in Puerto Rico. Simple. Private. Very them. They got married later that October at their home in Croton-on-Hudson.
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They call their blended family the "wee posse."
It’s a big crew. Audra had her daughter, Zoe Madeline, from her first marriage to Peter Donovan. Will brought his two sons, Bridger and Sawyer, from his previous marriage to Amy Westerby.
Then came the surprise.
The "Little Miracle" Nobody Expected
In 2016, Audra was starring in Shuffle Along on Broadway. She was 45. She famously tweeted that she thought she was just dealing with perimenopause, but it turned out she was pregnant.
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"Who knew that tap dancing during perimenopause could lead to pregnancy?" she joked.
Sally James McDonald-Swenson was born in October 2016. She’s named after Will’s late mother, Sally, and Audra’s late father, Stanley James. It’s one of those details that really hits home when you realize how much they value their roots.
Why Their Marriage Actually Works
Let’s be real for a second. Being married to another performer is hard. The schedules are brutal. One person is in rehearsals while the other is doing eight shows a week. You basically pass each other like ships in the night.
Will once admitted to People that he still gets nervous when Audra comes to see his shows. He wants her to like him that much. That’s wild, right? A guy who can perform in front of thousands of people at the Imperial Theatre gets butterflies because his wife is in the audience.
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They’ve found ways to work together to stay close.
- They starred in Eugene O’Neill’s A Moon for the Misbegotten at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2015.
- They’ve done benefit concerts together, like the "Stars In The House" series during the pandemic.
- They even went back to Utah—where Will grew up—to perform 110 in the Shade again at the Hale Center Theater.
Will’s background is actually pretty interesting. He grew up in a Mormon home in Provo, Utah. His family owned the Hale Theater. While he’s no longer a practicing member of the LDS church, he’s said he’s still "culturally Mormon." It’s a far cry from the Juilliard-trained world of Audra, but maybe that’s why they balance each other out.
What to Keep in Mind About the Swenson-McDonald Dynamic
If you’re looking at their relationship as a blueprint for success, there are a few things that stand out. It’s not about being the "perfect" couple. It’s about the work.
- Prioritize the "Posse": They are very protective of their kids. You don’t see them selling family photos to every tabloid. They keep the home life separate from the stage life.
- Humor is Mandatory: If you follow them on social media, you know they roast each other. A lot. You can’t survive Broadway—or marriage—without a thick skin and a sense of humor.
- Respect the Craft: They are each other's biggest fans. Audra is often there on Will's opening nights, whether it was Hair, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, or his recent run as Neil Diamond in A Beautiful Noise.
Moving Forward With the Power Couple
If you want to keep up with what they’re doing, keep an eye on the 2026 theatre season. Will is slated for a run of Sweeney Todd in California early in the year, and there’s always talk about what Audra will tackle next.
If you're a fan, the best way to support them isn't just following the gossip—it's seeing the work. Check out the cast recordings of 110 in the Shade or A Beautiful Noise to hear the talent that brought them together in the first place.
Watch for their upcoming charity work too; they are both heavily involved with the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), which helps industry professionals in times of need. It’s a great way to see the impact they have beyond just being a famous couple.