Donald McKayle News

Passion, piety, and the enticement of power sparks a once in a lifetime historic event. Based on the enduring account of a young scholar's rise to the papacy, and brought to life by the original producer of HAIR on Broadway, this musical extravaganza unleashes one of the most controversial stories in the history of mankind. A cast of 26 professionals, an award winning team, and live music create this stunning premiere, for a limited run at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood.

Cabrillo Music Theatre continues its 2008-2009 season with the grandest and most spectacular musical of all, 42ND STREET. Directed and Choreographed by original Broadway cast member and Dance Captain, Jon Engstrom, 42ND STREET features a cast of 40, a full professional orchestra, and some of the greatest songs and dances ever to hit the great white way.

Award winning choreographer Lula Washington brings her riveting mix of athletic choreography, imaginative costumes and captivating theatricality to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m. The performance is part of the 2008-09 planet Ordway Target World Dance Season.

Award winning choreographer Lula Washington brings her riveting mix of athletic choreography, imaginative costumes and captivating theatricality to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m. The performance is part of the 2008-09 planet Ordway Target World Dance Season. In this single Ordway presentation, Lula Washington Dance Theatre promises to take the audience on an emotional journey that explores the human condition through a mix of propulsive movement, honest expression and humor. Founded in 1980 with a $25 loan and a dream, the ensemble has risen to become one of the largest and most admired African-American dance companies in the West. Lula Washington is the main choreographer and the artistic 'voice' of the company. She augments her own work with choreography by famous artists such as Donald Byrd and Donald McKayle, and with the work of talented young choreographers, including Bernard Gaddis and soon, Christopher Huggins (both formerly of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater). The company is known for exploring theatrical, entertaining, and energetic works that are accessible to all audiences. Choreography is set to a range of music from experimental to blues, including: Taj Mahal, Vivaldi, Bach, Chopin, John Coltrane, Bob Marley, and Duke Ellington. The company is composed of young, athletic dancers, many of whom were groomed in Lula's inner city dance studio where she works with children starting as young as three years old in a program called: 'I Do Dance, Not Drugs!' While Lula encourages her dancers to be excellent performers, she also instills in them a desire to teach and to engage the community of children and adults around them.

RETURN, a new musical about the secret rescue of 8,000 Ethiopian Jews will premiere at Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica on June 5th and run through July 20th. The book and lyrics are by Sonia Levitin, with music by William Kevin Anderson and direction and choreography by Donald McKayle.

The Music Center of Los Angeles County announces the sixth season of the Dance at the Music Center series. The season opens with the return of Miami City Ballet led by Artistic Director Edward Villella, performing the much anticipated, West Coast premiere of NIGHTSPOT a Twyla Tharp and Elvis Costello collaboration, October 24-26. Known for her innovation and creativity, Twyla Tharp has created some of the most memorable dances in modern repertory.

Broadway legend Chita Rivera is coming to Boston to be honored for her stage and screen achievements at Boston Youth Moves' annual fundraising gala, Swellegance. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bebe Neuwirth and Rob Marshall will be on hand to honor Ms. Rivera and her illustrious career. The Eighth Annual Boston Youth Moves fundraising gala, Swellegance, will take placeon Saturday, March 8, at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton St.

Michael Riedel of the New York Post reports Usher, who made his Broadway debut last season as Billy Flynn in Chicago may be headed back to The Rialto as the Golden Boy.

The much anticipated new musical Roller Derby, being presented as part of this year's New York Musical Theatre Festival, is rolling uptown to a new venue.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), now in its fourth year, is a three-week event in NYC that has premiered over 90 musicals in its first three years, becoming the largest musical theatre event in America. Tickets for NYMF productions are available at www.nymf.org or by calling 212-352-3101. This year's Festival will run from September 17 through October 7 with the following schedule of events...

The new musical Roller Derby, which will be presented at this year's New York Musical Theatre Festival, has finalized its cast.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival, Dale Olson & Eugene Harbin will present Roller Derby, an original musical about the hard-hitting sports phenomenon, born in Chicago from the Dance Marathons and Walkathons of the Great Depression

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) has announced 12 additional new musicals to join the 18 musicals previously announced as part of the 4th annual Festival from September 17 through October 7, 2007 in New York City.