How did she do that?

Astounded at Audra's ability to reproduce Billie Holiday's voice. She won a Tony for this so she did this night after night.
The deep thick, mucous laden voicing of the richer blues notes and then the pinched high squeek tones of Billie Holiday was amazing to me. I saw Sound of Music and was astounded at Audra's version of "Climb every mountain" as the mother superior. Such a different (and resplendent) voicing than the portrayal of the drunk, high and declining Billie Holiday.
My husband mentioned, he didn't know how an actress does that portrayal night after night, because she was so miserable and sad.
I agree with that as well.
Anyway,
my 2 sheckles.