Leslie McDonel News

Author/director Billy Mitchell brings monthly performances of his comedy whodunit Villain: DeBlanks, to The Laurie Beechman Theatre beginning February 18.

This Valentine's weekend, cozy up at the Kimmel Center for a series of performances that will spice up your romance. With a dash of cabaret, a pinch of funky soul, and a sprinkling of deft dance moves, the Kimmel Center cooks up a Valentine's recipe for love both couples and singletons can enjoy.

Author/director Billy Mitchell brings monthly performances of his comedy whodunit Villain: DeBlanks, to The Laurie Beechman Theatre beginning February 18.

Tonight, December 18th, Broadway Sessions will celebrate the holiday season with it's 6th annual all star holiday concert.

BROADWAY SESSIONS is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway guest each week. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida and Footloose) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano. This Thursday, December 18th, Broadway Sessions will celebrate the holiday season with it's 6th annual all star holiday concert.

The National Music Theater Institute (NMTI) students have just returned to campus from two weeks training in New York City; scroll down for photos from the visit! NMTI is the newest credit-earning, semester-long intensive from the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. Utilizing the O'Neill's 50-year experience in training young theater artists and history of developing new musicals (including Nine, Avenue Q, In The Heights, [title of show], and Violet), NMTI offers broad-based training in all areas of musical theater: acting, singing, directing, writing, dance, composition, and choreography. In addition to the semester's rigorous curriculum-classes 14 hours a day, 7 days a week with emphasis on collaboration and the creation of original work- two weeks of the semester are spent learning in the epicenter of American music theater.

The National Music Theater Institute (NMTI) is the newest credit-earning, semester-long intensive from the National Theater Institute. Utilizing the O'Neill's experience and excellence in training young theater artists and history of developing new musicals (including Nine, Avenue Q, In The Heights, [title of show], and Violet), NMTI offers broad-based training in all areas of musical theater: acting, singing, directing, writing, dance, composition, and choreography.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

Undie-rock pop duo The Skivvies, featuring Broaday's Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley, just welcomed Perez Hilton, Orfeh (Legally Blonde), Andy Karl (Rocky), Kate Rockwell (Legally Blonde), Leslie McDonel (American Idiot), Greg Hildreth (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) and Rebecca Naomi Jones (American Idiot) for their latest show at 54 Below on August 2. Check out highlights from the show below!

Undie-rock pop duo The Skivvies, featuring Broaday's Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley, will welcome Perez Hilton, Orfeh (Legally Blonde), Andy Karl (Rocky), Kate Rockwell (Legally Blonde), Leslie McDonel (American Idiot), Greg Hildreth (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) and Rebecca Naomi Jones (American Idiot) for their latest show at 54 Below tonight, August 2.

Craving a show after the show? 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, is expanding its popular late-night series with fresh faces and hot new performances to keep the party buzzing into the wee hours. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551. 54 BELOW welcomes you to loosen your tie and embrace the night at its upcoming events:

This August and September 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street.

Undie-rock pop duo The Skivvies, featuring Broaday's Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley, will welcome Perez Hilton, Orfeh (Legally Blonde), Andy Karl (Rocky), Kate Rockwell (Legally Blonde), Leslie McDonel (American Idiot), Greg Hildreth (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) and Rebecca Naomi Jones (American Idiot) for their latest show at 54 Below on August 2. Tickets are $30-40 cover charge, with a $25 food & beverage minimum.

'I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.' - Jack London

Tomorrow night, July 31, is the second of three performances of 'Villain: DeBlanks' benefitting BC/EFA. Written by Billy Mitchell, "Villain: DeBlanks" is a late-night fundraiser where the cast needs the audience as much as the audience loves the cast.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

As Transcendence Theatre Company prepares to open "Fantastical Family Night" of the Broadway Under the Stars concert series, I wanted to let you in on some of the fun that we've been having. Along with leading an incredibly special Broadway Kids Camp that was more inspiring than I could ever have imagined (see previous blog), I've loved every second of making magic with this uniquely amazing group of TTC artists.

Last night 'Villain: DeBlanks' made its New York debut at 54 Below, and the photos say it all. Beginning the night collecting words from the audience, and then reading the resulting script - unedited and unrehearsed - the uproarious first night cast included Bobby Cronin, Bernard Dotson, Barrett Foa, Lesli Margherita, Nancy Opel, Ryann Redmond, and Heather Shisler. Check out a first look below!

Craving a show after the show? 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, is expanding its popular late-night series with fresh faces and hot new performances to keep the party buzzing into the wee hours. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551. 54 BELOW welcomes you to loosen your tie and embrace the night at its upcoming events:

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents three benefit performances of 'Villain: DeBlanks,' a fill-in-the-blanks whodunnit, at 11:30 pm tonight, July 24 and July 31, and August 7. The performances will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Written by Billy Mitchell, 'Villain: DeBlanks' is a late-night fundraiser where the cast needs the audience as much as the audience loves the cast.