McDonald News

Jennifer Hudson appeared on The View today to discuss her performance as Aretha Franklin in the recent Respect biopic. Watch Hudson discuss the singer's impact and Franklin's friendship with Martin Luther King, Jr. in the new interview now!

With BFA programs in Acting, Musical Theatre, and Theatre Design & Production, Shenandoah Conservatory excels as a training ground for young theatre professionals. Intensive training with inspiring and well-connected educators paired with the immersive experience of sharing the hallways with fellow artists in music and dance prepares students to engage with their craft on the deepest levels.

Dear Marie, the newest episode in award-winning playwright/director Sharon Yablon's A Garden of Terrible Blooms “short plays of the weird and surreal set in Los Angeles” podcast series, is set to launch on Valentine's Day. To date, ten episodes are available for listening at www.terribleblooms.net.

The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts today opened its highly anticipated Steinmetz Hall, a modern, architectural marvel distinguished by its incredible acoustics and unique ability to transform in shape, size and seating to accommodate a variety of performing arts and events, from operas to symphonies to modern rock.

American Repertory Theater has released an archival video clip of the song “Bess, You Is My Woman Now” from its 2011 production of The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess.

The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts) Theatre Department will present Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov, January 14-16, 2022. The production is directed by Diane Wagner and features an exceptional cast of young actors with lead roles played by Taylor Blose, Reilly Leisher and Alyzah Shea-Avila.

Keen Company has announced its first musical commission: a new musical by Adam Gwon (Ordinary Days, Scotland, PA). Keen presented Gwon’s Ordinary Days in Fall of 2018 to great acclaim, including a nomination for the 2019 Drama League Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway).

Composer-lyricist, songwriter and performer Shaina Taub has been signed to Atlantic Records.

Ensemble Theatre Company, Santa Barbara's professional theater, is now accepting applications for its 5th Annual Young Playwrights' Festival for aspiring writers aged 14-19.

PDX Playwright's presents PDXP Short Plays, produced by Alisha Christiansen & Amanda Kelner. Digital streaming debut to begin January 28 at noon.

Kairos Italy Theater, the main Italian theater company in New York, has announced the finalists for the 2021 KIT International 10 minute plays series on Political Theater. The theme was chosen as KIT celebrated the famous Italian writer Leonardo Sciascia, on the occasion of Sciascia's 100th birthday.

Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and actor. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, and an Emmy Award, she was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2015. She received a 2015 National Medal of Arts—America's highest honor for achievement in the arts—from President Barack Obama.

Although it may be a new year, several classics are returning to streaming services, giving Broadway fans the perfect throwback binge list, along with HBO's star-studded The Gilded Age series and new additions to Seth Rudetsky's online concert series. Check out what you should stream this January!

Winners have been announced for the 2021 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards. The 2021 Regional Awards honor productions which had their first performance between October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.

Nominations were announced today for the Sydney Theatre Awards for 2021, which will be presented at an industry gala ceremony on Monday 31 January 2022 at 7pm at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre.

Groundlings alum/Oscar winner Jim Rash will be guesting in The Groundlings’ January 6th edition of COOKIN’ WITH GAS. The actor/comedian/filmmaker took a moment from the set of Bros to answer a few of my Groundlings and Oscar queries.

Due to multiple positive COVID-19 cases in the company and staff, New 42 announced that all remaining performances of Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas have been canceled. Performances were scheduled to play through January 2, 2022. 

THE DJANGO, downtown Manhattan’s premier jazz club, will continue to host today’s jazz legends and rising stars. On February 3, The Django celebrates the fifth anniversary of the Brooklyn-based record label, La Reserve, with special performances by the label’s artists.

This is the last chance to vote for the 2021 BroadwayWorld Philadelphia Awards! The 2021 Regional Awards honor productions which had their first performance between October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.

This is the last chance to vote for the 2021 BroadwayWorld Nashville Awards! The 2021 Regional Awards honor productions which had their first performance between October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.