Audra McDonald, one of Broadway's brightest stars, is returning to the stage in the drama "Ohio State Murders."

The plot of the memory play revolves around a writer who visits Ohio State University, the college she attended in the 1940s, to discuss the violence in her writing. As she looks back on events, a murder mystery unfolds.

"It feels very relevant. It feels like a cautionary tale in a way," says McDonald of the play's exploration of the destructiveness of racism. "And for me to play Suzanne as both the 50-year-old woman and then to play her as the 18-year-old girl is a challenge."

"Ohio State Murders" is directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon and marks the first time a play written by Adrienne Kennedy will run on Broadway. Kennedy is 91 years old.

A reading of the play to raise money for the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly the Actors Fund) took place last year. It starred McDonald and was directed by Leon.

"Ohio State Murders" begins previews on Nov. 11.

Watch interviews with director Kenny Leon and actors Lizan Mitchell and Bryce Pinkham here: