Donna McKechnie News

Nikki MacCallum is returning to The Duplex with her new cabaret titled Familiar Things, which highlights the music of Kander & Ebb. With music direction and arrangements by Mark Hartman and direction by Kelvin Moon Loh, the show takes us from familiar childhood memories that one-day become unfamiliar to the unfamiliar challenges of adulthood that one-day become familiar. Throw in a middle school performance of Mr. Cellophane and Sara Lee as an eleven o'clock snack number and you have Familiar Things. The piece began development at the Eugene O'Neill Cabaret Conference this past summer, which was under the direction of John McDaniel.

The audiences in the next Philly POPS concert series will certainly be 'feeling groovy' as music director Michael Krajewski introduces Philadelphians to a concert he helped develop - The Sounds of Simon and Garfunkel. After singing with symphonies throughout the country, AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle, who hail from Bethlehem, PA, will perform such favorites as 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' 'The Sound of Silence,' 'The Boxer,' 'Mrs. Robinson', 'Feeling Groovy' and 'Scarborough Fair.'

From One Singular Sensation to The Way We Were, composer Marvin Hamlisch left a legacy of hits that have brightened Broadway and the musical catalogue of America forever. And, now, The Philly POPS is proud to present 'Marvin Hamlisch - A Musical Tribute' conducted by Larry Blank, Hamlisch's conductor, and three of his favorite singers ... Donna McKechnie, Jodi Benson and Doug LaBrecque. Taking place on Friday, March 14 (8 p.m.), Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16 (3 p.m.) in Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center, Blank and the guest artists will not only present wonderful musical memories with the audience, they'll share personal recollections of Marvin Hamlisch as well.

The audiences in the next Philly POPS concert series will certainly be 'feeling groovy' as music director Michael Krajewski introduces Philadelphians to a concert he helped develop - The Sounds of Simon and Garfunkel. After singing with symphonies throughout the country, AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle, who hail from Bethlehem, PA, will perform such favorites as 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' 'The Sound of Silence,' 'The Boxer,' 'Mrs. Robinson', 'Feeling Groovy' and 'Scarborough Fair.'

Eddie Shapiro will discuss his latest book 'Nothing Like a Dame: Conversations With the Great Women of Musical Theater' at Barnes & Noble on Monday, February 10, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the 86th & Lexington location (150 East 86th Street, New York, NY).

Birdland Jazz Club announces its February 2014 schedule, featuring: 4 Generations of Miles with Jimmy Cobb, Mike Stern, Buster Williams & Sonny Fortune; Reflections of Monk with Tom Harrell, Greg Osby, Melissa Aldana, Aaron Goldberg, Ben Allison & Matt Wilson; Quest with Dave Liebman, Richie Beirach, Ron McClure & Billy Hart; Joey DeFrancesco Organ Trio; Cyrille Aimee; Barbara Carroll; Christina Bianco's Birthday Bash; Jay Leonhart Duo; Tim Rosser and Charlie Sohne; Anne Tofflemire; Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include a look at the cast of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY in previews, Broadway Bares coverage, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN - the opera , and more!

When those with musical know-how think Carl Topilow, they conjure--Cleveland Pops Orchestra, multi-hued clarinets, a virtuoso who is equally at home in both classical and popular music modes, Cleveland Institute of Music, guest conductor of over 110 orchestras in the US, and such countries as Canada, China, England, Korea, Mexico, Switzerland and Venezuela. Yes, Topilow is a very talented and renowned person in the field of music.

Nothing Like a Dame: Conversations with the Great Women of Musical Theater, a new book by Eddie Shapiro featuring interviews with 20 female musical theatre stars, launched earlier this week at the headquarters of Oxford University Press at 198 Madison Avenue. Attendees got to meet some of the dames of Dames including Laura Benanti, Judy Kaye, Debra Monk, Donna McKechnie, Donna Murphy, Lillias White and Karen Ziemba. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there to chat with the ladies about their stories and you can check out what they had to say below!

Nothing Like a Dame: Conversations with the Great Women of Musical Theater, a new book by Eddie Shapiro featuring interviews with 20 female musical theatre stars, launched last night at the headquarters of Oxford University Press at 198 Madison Avenue. Attendees got to meet some of the dames of Dames including Laura Benanti, Judy Kaye, Debra Monk, Donna McKechnie, Donna Murphy, Lillias White and Karen Ziemba. Check out photos from the special event below!

The Cleveland POPS Orchestra with Carl Topilow pays tribute to the musical genius of Marvin Hamlisch in a special concert at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21st in Severance Hall. The concert will feature three of the performers who worked with Hamlisch and knew him well. Broadway legends Donna McKechnie, Jodi Benson, Doug LaBrecque, along with POPS conductor Topilow, will share behind-the-scenes experiences and personal conversations they had with Marvin.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

A fascinating and rare vintage documentary tracing the final weeks of the original Broadway production of legendary multi-award-winning musical juggernaut A CHORUS LINE is now available to view in full.

Birdland Jazz Club announces its February 2014 schedule, featuring: 4 Generations of Miles with Jimmy Cobb, Mike Stern, Buster Williams & Sonny Fortune; Reflections of Monk with Tom Harrell, Greg Osby, Melissa Aldana, Aaron Goldberg, Ben Allison & Matt Wilson; Quest with Dave Liebman, Richie Beirach, Ron McClure & Billy Hart; Joey DeFrancesco Organ Trio; Cyrille Aimee; Barbara Carroll; Christina Bianco's Birthday Bash; Jay Leonhart Duo; Tim Rosser and Charlie Sohne; Anne Tofflemire; Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!

TONY and EMMY Award winner Leslie Uggams has replaced Faith Prince for the performance of 4 Girls 4 at the State Theatre in Easton on Friday, April 4. The announcement was made by the show's producer. Uggams will appear with Andrea McArdle, Maureen McGovern and Donna McKechnie. John McDaniel is the Music Director.

The book launch for Nothing Like a Dame: Conversations with the Great Women of Musical Theater, a new book by Eddie Shapiro featuring interviews with 20 female musical theatre stars, will take place January 27, 2014 from 6-8 pm at the headquarters of Oxford University Press at 198 Madison Avenue.

2013 was an incredible year of theater!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud present the premiere of Donna McKechnie's new Talk/Variety show just last week. Tony-winning choreographer/director Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots) was Donna's Very Special Guest for the evening, with singers Nick Adams and Nikki MacCallum singing songs from Mitchell's hit shows. Donna and Jerry discussed life, love, careers and even ended the evening with a good, old-fashioned soft-shoe, after Mitchell demonstrated his most successful audition tune, 'I Love A Piano!' BroadwayWorld brings you highlights below!

Today we are talking to an instantly recognizable stage and screen performer known for a variety of powerful and memorable roles, including those which have earned her two Tony Awards as well as two Emmys - the elegant and cool Bebe Neuwirth. Talking all about the songs and stories that play a part in her fantastic new live solo album STORIES… IN NYC: LIVE AT 54 BELOW, the versatile triple-threat opens up about many of her masterful collaborations over the years - including working with Michael Bennett on A CHORUS LINE and Bob Fosse on SWEET CHARITY, not to mention her iconic portrayal of Velma Kelly in the original cast of the still-running revival of Kander & Ebb's CHICAGO. Plus, Neuwirth shines a light on some of her most celebrated screen roles, as well, including offering a candid behind the scenes story from her unforgettable scene in Woody Allen's CELEBRITY and more. Plus, Neuwirth comments on some of her current and upcoming projects, including her recurring role on CBS hit BLUE BLOODS and her recent appearances on THE GOOD WIFE as well as much, much more in this career-spanning conversation with one of Broadway's best.