Pregnant Audra McDonald to temporarily leave 'Shuffle Along'

NEW YORK -- Audra McDonald soon will be stepping away from her new Broadway show for the best of reasons: The six-time Tony Award-winner is pregnant.

McDonald on Tuesday announced she is expecting and will take maternity leave from "Shuffle Along" beginning July 24. She will return to the Tony Award-nominated musical this winter.

McDonald also had to postpone taking her "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill" to London.

In her absence, the role of Lottie Gee will be played by Grammy Award winner Rhiannon Giddens. The production also said Savion Glover, the show's choreographer, will step into the show.

McDonald, 45, and her husband, actor Will Swenson, married in 2012. She has a daughter, and he is a father to two sons from previous marriages.

Her show explores the groundbreaking 95-year-old musical "Shuffle Along," one of the first Broadway shows starring, written and directed by African-Americans and the first show with a jazz score.

"Who knew that tap dancing during perimenopause could lead to pregnancy? Will and I are completely surprised -- and elated -- to be expecting a new addition to our family," she said.

She added she looked "forward to setting up a 1920s-themed nursery in my dressing room when I return to the show."