Mary Bridget Davies
Stars as: Janis Joplin in “A Night with Janis Joplin”
“I based my dressing room on [photos from Janis’ life]: tapestries, candles, 1930s lamps, two of my father’s portrait paintings from his youth — one of Billie Holiday, the other Joe Cocker — and hippie rugs. I think Janis would’ve dug it!”
Audra McDonald
Stars as: Billie Holiday in “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill”
“One of the most helpful tools has been speaking with people who actually knew Billie, like the late Dr. Maya Angelou. Also, before I go on stage, I spray Tweed, a perfume Billie used to wear. It’s important audience members smell Billie, not Audra.”
Jessie Mueller
Stars as: Carole King in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”
“[I found the character] the day when I first got to try the long, ‘I’ve always sort of hated my curls, but I’m finally learning to embrace them’ wig. It’s the iconic Carole look. I put that on every night, and I feel like a very lucky lady.”