Audra McDonald brings Billie Holiday to HBO

Ann Oldenburg | USA TODAY

Tony dynamo Audra McDonald will transform into Billie Holiday for an HBO special.

As announced today by the network, McDonald will film her hit Broadway show, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, before a live audience at Cafe Brasil in New Orleans this month.

The original show, written for off-Broadway in 1987, tells Holiday's life story through the songs that made her famous, including God Bless the Child, What a Little Moonlight Can Do, Strange Fruit and Taint Nobody's Biz-ness.

McDonald is shown here with her co-star, Roxie, who played the role of Holiday's dog, Pepe. No word on whether Roxie will reprise her role for the HBO special.

"Playing Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill on Broadway was one of the most challenging and artistically rewarding experiences of my career," says McDonald in the announcement.

The star made history earlier this year and became Broadway's most decorated performer when she won her sixth Tony Award for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.