Donna McKechnie News

2010 was a year filled with all sorts of exciting BroadwayWorld interviews - here's some of this year's highlights!

LIVE AT BARNES & NOBLE, has announced a series of special performing arts programming to showcase writers, composers, Broadway casts, recording artists, etc. on the occasion of book publications or CD/DVD street dates. These events will launch artist memoirs & bios, original cast recordings, companion books or special compendiums, solo albums and other related merchandise that is available for sale at Barnes & Noble. This is both a re-launch and expansion of the hugely successful series formerly know as 'Live at Lincoln' that will now span various Manhattan locations.

This past Wednesday and Thursday, host Jim Caruso and musical director Billy Stritch oversaw another Hollywood edition of Cast Party, the wildly successful open mic night, which tours the country celebrating local talent.

On December 4, in Santa Fe at the historic Lensic Performing Arts Center Kaye Ballard, Donna McKechnie and Liliane Montevecchi were greeted by an 'SRO' crowd in a one-night-only gala performance 'From Broadway with Love'. The Broadway performance benefited Animal Protection of New Mexico, a non-profit organization that has been challenging historic and widespreal cruelty in New Mexico for more than 30 years.

Songwriter Peter Mayer, lead guitarist of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, with musical guests Spiritus vocal ensemble and Voices in Unity, the 80 member choir of Unity of New York, will present the tenth anniversary presentation of Stars and Promises - The Story of Christmas at The Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, on Thursday, December 9th at 7:30 PM.

Peter Mayer, Billboard charting composer and guitarist from Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer, Spiritus vocal ensemble and Voices in Unity, the 85 member choir of Unity of New York, will present their 10th anniversary concert of Stars and Promises - The Story of Christmas at Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street on Thursday, December 9th at 7:30 PM. Peter Mayer whose music has topped the charts created, 'Stars and Promises' with his brother Jim Mayer 10 years ago. This is a celebration of that anniversary and introduces into it Spiritus, the close harmony vocal ensemble whose self titled album was recently released and Voices in Unity the Unity of New York choir whose musical diversity includes selections ranging from Gospel to Broadway and Pop to Jazz.

Last night in Santa Fe at the historic Lensic Performing Arts Center Kaye Ballard, Donna McKechnie and Liliane Montevecchi were greeted by an 'SRO' crowd in a one-night-only gala performance 'From Broadway with Love'. The Broadway performance benefited Animal Protection of New Mexico, a non-profit organization that has been challenging historic and widespreal cruelty in New Mexico for more than 30 years.

Following eight sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for a ninth installment, Friday, December 3 at 7pm.

Hollywood and Broadway legends Kaye Ballard, Donna McKechnie and Liliane Montevecchi will star in a one-night-only gala performance 'From Broadway with Love' at the historic Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Broadway performance will benefit Animal Protection of New Mexico, a non-profit organization that has been challenging historic and widespread animal cruelty in New Mexico for more than 30 years. Hilary Knight, internationally renowned illustrator, will design the art for the event.

Studio City's Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's, the most critically acclaimed, award-winning supper club of its kind in the greater Los Angeles area, has set Saturday December 11 and Sunday, December 12 as audition dates for the fifth anniversary of LA's Next Great Stage Star, it was announced today by producers Michael Sterling and Tony Monsour of of Michael Sterling & Associates (www.msapr.net). As of Wednesday, December 1, potential contestants may call Michael Sterling & Associates at 818 623-7300, Ext. 2 to schedule an audition appointment.

Linda Lane Smith performs 'From Cows to Cadenzas' at The Triad Theatre 158 West 72nd Street (bet. Broadway & Columbus) NYC this Wednesday, November 10th at 7:00 pm. The musical director is Phil Hall.

Following eight sold out shows, The Laurie Beechman Theatre will continue their hit series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED, for a ninth installment, Friday, December 3 at 7pm.

The 2010-2011 National Tour of A CHORUS LINE had a very special audience member on Saturday, November 6: original star Donna McKechnie. McKechnie, who created the role of 'Cassie' in the original Broadway production, was in South Bend, IN for the weekend performing her acclaimed solo show 'My Musical Comedy Life.'

One of the most beloved and enduring characters in the history of American popular culture is aiming to finally make her way to the Broadway stage. Hazel - the saucy maid whose wry attitude, infallible wisdom and heart of gold has captured the hearts of millions for more than 60 years - will be in the spotlight again in an exciting new Broadway musical with music by composer Ron Abel and lyrics by Chuck Steffan. The veteran duo has acquired the rights to Hazel from the estate of creator Ted Key and are hoping to bring the show to the Great White Way in 2011.

Linda Lane Smith in FROM COWS TO CADENZAS at The Triad Theatre 158 West 72nd Street (bet. Broadway & Columbus) NYC on Wednesday, November 10th 7:00 pm. The musical director is Phil Hall.

Linda Lane Smith in FROM COWS TO CADENZAS at The Triad Theatre 158 West 72nd Street (bet. Broadway & Columbus) NYC on Wednesday, November 10th 7:00 pm. The musical director is Phil Hall.

Linda Lane Smith in FROM COWS TO CADENZAS at The Triad Theatre 158 West 72nd Street (bet. Broadway & Columbus) NYC on Wednesday, November 10th 7:00 pm. The musical director is Phil Hall.

Linda Lane Smith performs 'From Cows to Cadenzas' at The Triad Theatre 158 West 72nd Street (bet. Broadway & Columbus) NYC this Wednesday, November 10th at 7:00 pm. The musical director is Phil Hall.

Donna McKechnie 'wowed' the capacity crowd at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on Wednesday night, Nov. 3rd when she returned for the second time with her show, MY MUSICAL COMEDY LIFE. She received multiple standing ovations throughout her expertly crafted act, which she and director Richard Jay-Alexander have been presenting across the country and around the globe.

At 7pm on November 7, Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning composer, Tom Kitt (Next to Normal) will kick off White Plains Performing Arts Center's Conversations @ 7 series. The Conversations series is structured as an intimate open forum, where the participating audience and guest artists share an evening discussing craft and life in the theatre. The spectrum of participating guests will range in their roles in theatre from creative to production to performing with the consistent factor of their level of achievement and a rare chance for audience to interact with these masters of theatre.