James McDonald News

Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald turned to Twitter today to announce that she and husband, Tony nominee Will Swenson have welcomed Sally James McDonald-Swenson, born last night at 11:16pm.

Midtown Direct Rep (MDR) kicks off its 2016-17 newly renamed staged reading series, Theater at The Woodland, with a presentation of THE BURDENS, written by Matt Schatz and directed by Mark Armstrong.

Midtown Direct Rep (MDR) is excited to announce a new partnership with the Township of Maplewood. Beginning with the 2016-17 season, MDR will present its staged readings and other productions as the resident theater company of The Woodland (60 Woodland Rd. in Maplewood, NJ). MDR's newly named staged reading series, "Theater at The Woodland", will take place in the Parlor, and larger productions, such as the well-known annual event Listen To Your Mother, will be held in the Great Hall.

Imelda Staunton might be taking on another very strong personality on the London stage.

Midtown Direct Rep (MDR) concludes its 2015-16 Theater in the Loft series at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) with a staged reading of BLINK, written by Kate Moira Ryan and directed by Mark Armstrong.

Midtown Direct Rep (MDR) continues its 2015-16 Theater in the Loft series at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) with a staged reading of Evanston: A Rare Comedy, written by Michael Yates Crowley. This reading, directed by Michael Rau, will be performed for one night only on Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 7pm at SOPAC (One Sopac Way, South Orange, NJ, 07079). The reading is $15 and open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at www.sopacnow.org or by calling 973-313-ARTS (2787).

Midtown Direct Rep (MDR) will present LET IT SING! Broadway Comes Home for the Holidays, a one-night-only benefit concert on Monday, December 21, 2015 at 7:30pm at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC, One SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ 07079).

Here's your first look at the musical murder mystery 'SOMETHING'S AFOOT' that spoofs detective stories, most particularly Agatha Christie's, And Then There Were None (a.k.a. Ten Little Indians). The play involves a group of standard British mystery characters (the Cockney servants, the brash retired military man, the imperious dowager, the snoopy spinster, the ne'er-do-well nephew, the ingenue couple) who are invited to the lake estate of Lord Dudley Rancour. When the wealthy lord is found dead, it's a comical race against the clock and some outrageous booby traps to find out whodunit.

Midtown Direct Rep (MDR) continues its 2015-16 Theater in the Loft series at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) with a staged reading of WHAT GOD HATH WROUGHT ~ A TRANSATLANTIC FARCE, written by John Walch, with songs by Rachel Peters.

Once again, Vagabonds produces a heartwarming show full of laughs, props and loveable, resplendently costumed characters. If you're in the mood for a happy, snappy little musical with a measure of murder in the mix, SOMETHING'S AFOOT is your cosy cup of tea.

Here's your first look at the musical murder mystery "SOMETHING'S AFOOT" that spoofs detective stories, most particularly Agatha Christie's, And Then There Were None (a.k.a. Ten Little Indians). The play involves a group of standard British mystery characters (the Cockney servants, the brash retired military man, the imperious dowager, the snoopy spinster, the ne'er-do-well nephew, the ingenue couple) who are invited to the lake estate of Lord Dudley Rancour. When the wealthy lord is found dead, it's a comical race against the clock and some outrageous booby traps to find out whodunit.

The marvelous musical murder mystery, Something's Afoot, opens at the Vagabond Theatre in Fell's Point on Friday, October 16, and continues through November 15.* This production, with book, music and lyrics by James McDonald, David Vos, and Robert Gerlach, is directed by Eric J.Potter and features a dynamite cast of Baltimore's leading musical actors. The production is a revival of our 62nd Season (1978) production.

The marvelous musical murder mystery, Something's Afoot, opens at the Vagabond Theatre in Fell's Point on Friday, October 16, and continues through November 15. This production, with book, music and lyrics by James McDonald, David Vos, and Robert Gerlach, is directed by Eric J.Potter and features a dynamite cast of Baltimore's leading musical actors. The production is a revival of our 62nd Season (1978) production.

Cambrian James once again demonstrates his remarkable directorial gifts by elevating a light-hearted comedy, SOMETHING'S AFOOT, into a showcase of marvelous gags and surprises and demonstrating just how joyous and side-splitting melodrama can be. He is aided and abetted in this endeavor by a perfect and highly entertaining cast, extravagantly wrapped in Mary Atkinson's beautifully tailored garments.

The Vagabond Players have announced its historic 100th consecutive season for 2015-16. The centennial season is made up of revivals of past successful Vagabond productions. The Vagabonds first opened in 1916 as a part of the Little Theatre Movement that was sweeping the country at the time. Whereas most of those theatres eventually closed or went dark for several seasons, The Vagabonds has produced a season for 100 consecutive years earning it the title:

It was fitting that the World Premiere of "A Voice Among the Silent" was held in the only United States synagogue to be honored with a papal visit in 2008, when Pope Benedict XVI was hosted by the the congregation and Rabbi Arthur Schneier. This eye opening documentary about James McDonald, the son of Catholic immigrants, was almost lost to history until his meticulously kept diaries were discovered in 2003.

Caroline Sorokoff, Director of the Gold Coast International Film Festival announced today that 'A Voice Among the Silent: The Legacy of James G. McDonald,' a new documentary by Shuli Eshel about James G. McDonald, a U.S. diplomat who helped rescue Jewish refugees from the Nazis, will have its world premiere in New York with two showings on October 19th and 20th, 2014.

An homage to Agatha Christie, SOMETHING'S AFOOT rolls along merrily in the hands of a cast of Stoneham Theatre favorites.

Stoneham Theatre's upcoming Mainstage production of the musical mystery comedy Something's Afoot is a reunion of sorts. Director Caitlin Lowans has assembled a cast of Stoneham Theatre favorites who will be familiar to Stoneham Theatre audiences as well as audiences around the Greater Boston Area.

Stoneham Theatre's upcoming Mainstage production of the musical mystery comedy Something's Afoot is a reunion of sorts. Director Caitlin Lowans has assembled a cast of Stoneham Theatre favorites who will be familiar to Stoneham Theatre audiences as well as audiences around the Greater Boston Area.