McDonald News

Dust off your suits, gladiators!  Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley announced today that the cast of “Scandal” will come together again for another for a very special episode of “Stars In The House” which will livestream on PEOPLE’s social platforms Saturday, February 6 at 8pm ET.  

Rochester Fringe Festival, Inc.  has been approved for a $30,000 Grants for Arts Projects award to support its 2021 festival, the largest National Endowment for the Arts award in the Fringe's history.

The New York Choral Society, New York's pioneering symphonic chorus that explores unique collaboration and dynamic repertory, presents the third installment of their virtual season, Our Voices with the premiere of Alice Parker's God is Seen on February 23.

The Cliburn announces the line-up for the spring 2021 season of Cliburn at Home, featuring regular new episodes of two series: Cliburn Masterpiece (biweekly), which examines the who, what, when, where, and how of the greatest piano works; and Cliburn Kids (weekly), which brings fun musical breaks to kids, their parents, and anyone who loves music and learning.

Attention Snackers- Mooch and Taylor are back! The theater-foodie-favorite SECOND ACT SNACKS returns! Matt Mucha and Taylor Okey met on the first national tour of BANDSTAND in 2019. When faced with 20-minutes of downtime in Act 2, they knew what they had to do– SNACK. Being on tour allowed them to try different local foods wherever they were performing, and provide ratings and commentary on Instagram Live. As more and more fans started tuning in, Second Act Snacks was born.

In honor of Black History month, Stars in the House is dedicating all Tuesday episodes to Black Theatre United. Tonight at 8pm, the first guest host, NaTasha Yvette Williams, invited a prestigious group of talented women to celebrate the legacy of Cicely Tyson- Linda Twine, Jordin Sparks, Angela Robinson, Rhonda Ross, and Dr. Traci Gardner.

Stratagem Artists has announced its bold venture into Canada’s energetic operatic scene. Building on its robust history of artist-driven representation, Stratagem welcomes seven new Canadians to its roster: Soprano Lucia Cesaroni, soprano Aviva Fortunata, mezzo-soprano Reilly Nelson, baritone Phillip Addis, composer Cecilia Livingston, and more.

Opening night of the second play of the Shoreside’s 25th Summer Shakespeare in the Park  – and it’s a comedy through and through.

iTheatrics is postponing its 2021 Junior Theater Festival West, originally scheduled for May 7, 8, and 9, 2021 in Sacramento, CA, until 2022 due to local regulations and advisories preventing large gatherings of people. The announcement was made today by Timothy Allen McDonald, founder and CEO of iTheatrics and the Junior Theater Group, and executive producer of the Junior Theater Festivals.

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall announces changes to the 2020-2021 season.

THE SPOTLIGHT SERIES, a bi-monthly live streamed concert series created by A LITTLE NEW MUSIC will return to “spotlight” the music of multi-talented composer/lyricist Rob Rokicki on February 2nd.  The evening will be co-hosted by ALNM co-producers Luke H. Klipp and Kila Packett. 

JM Productions and its youth “Rising Stars” program announce an on line singing competition for students in 6th to 12th grade. Interested students are asked to submit a video link of themselves singing by February 15, 2021.

Teacher, writer, and LGBTQ rights advocate Chasten Buttigieg will participate in the virtual Educational Theatre Foundation gala in support of theatre education. The event will be streamed on January 28 at 8:30 p.m. (EST).

Today, Williamstown Theatre Festival and Audible Theater announced casting as rehearsals and recording sessions commence for Wish You Were Here, part of the unprecedented collaboration to bring Williamstown Theatre Festival’s season to Audible. Additionally, release dates for the final three productions in the season have been announced.

Notables from President Bill Clinton and Whoopi Goldberg to musicians Wynton Marsalis and Sting joined together on Sunday, Jan 24th to 'Save Birdland'.

Notables from President Bill Clinton and Whoopi Goldberg to musicians Wynton Marsalis and Sting joined together on Sunday, Jan 24th to “Save Birdland”.  During the fundraising concert the Broadway community was treated to “All That Jazz” starring the original Velmas of Chicago, Chita Rivera and Bebe Neuwirth.

Around this time last year, thousands of students flocked to the round at Music Circus for a weekend of singing, dancing, encouragement, and camaraderie.  The Junior Theater Festival West (JTF) drew in groups from places as far away as the U.K. and South Korea.  This year, during the weekend of January 15-17, the venue was much different but the sentiment was the same.  Theatre groups from all over the globe participated in a virtual JTF that highlighted all of the magic that makes JTF such an unforgettable experience.  

The fundraising campaign for Birdland Jazz Club will conclude on January 24th with a free streaming concert titled Save Birdland: A Celebration of Music, History and Community.

Los Angeles Opera was the first to launch original programming in response to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Because of the success of its online  programming, LAO decided to make that feature a permanent part of its offering and to give it a name that reflects fresh and innovative interpretations of the art form. Welcome to LA Opera On Now.

Today, Nashville-based alt-rock band Moon Taxi has released their sixth full-length album, Silver Dream. The band, who has amassed over 350 million total U.S. streams to date, will be performing songs from the album