McDonald News

Today's episode features BroadwayWorld's very own Next on Stage host Brittney Johnson. Listen below as she tells the story of how she discovered her artistry as a child, the impact that movie musicals had on her career, and how playing Glinda changed her life.

While the second LYRICS FOR A CAUSE didn't happen in March as planned due to COVID-19 shutdowns, talented young performers joyfully sang in a virtual cabaret held Friday night live from their own homes. The cabaret, which was hosted by Spotlight Kidz (Pottsville, PA), was a benefit event for the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS).

The Theatre World Awards Board of Directors, Dale Badway, President, has announced, today, the 76th Theatre World Awards Ceremony will take place when Broadway returns. Hosted annually by theater journalist, Peter Filichia, the 76th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony will be produced by Theatre World Awards, Inc. Board of Directors.

The second LYRICS FOR A CAUSE will be held tomorrow and will have a different look as talented performers with broadway and national tour credentials, as well as other very talented youth, spread holiday joy in this virtual cabaret as they raise money for the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS).

Today's top stories: Moulin Rouge! announces new tour dates, Laura Osnes sings from Carousel, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Audra McDonald sing from Ragtime, Lin-Manuel Miranda on the future of theatre, and more!

10 WEEKS IN JAMAICA: Theatre Conversations from Jamaica to the World! is a series of lively weekly discussions with Jamaica's leading theatre artists exploring the histories and memories of—and future visions for—the Jamaican stage.

The Educational Theatre Foundation will honor award-winning director, producer, and actor Kenny Leon with its second annual Craig Zadan Theatre for Life Award on January 28 at 8:30 p.m. (EST).

Producer Mark Cortale has announced that five award-winning stars of the stage and screen will join the January 2021 line-up of The Seth Concert Series, the live weekly series based on Seth Rudetsky’s international Broadway series that began at The Art House in Provincetown ten years ago.

In this exclusive clip from the upcoming PBS special “United in Song: Celebrating the Resilience of America,” Tony winners Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell perform “Wheels of a Dream” from “Ragtime.”

Need something new to read, watch, or listen to? Check out this week's list of new and upcoming releases! This week's list includes the CD edition of soundtrack to the Netflix film adaptation of The Prom, new album from Jason Robert Brown, a song from Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of Cinderella, and more!

On Site Opera, New York's pioneering opera company rooted in site-specific storytelling and the immersive experience, is taking music to the mail with The Beauty That Still Remains: Diaries in Song beginning this November and available for purchase through February.

This December, Ensemble Theatre Company will offer two holiday events the entire family can enjoy. First, ETC welcomes back Porgy and Bess cast members Elijah Rock and Frank Lawson for a rockin' musical Christmas variety show LIVE from Las Vegas.

It's the next best thing to having the popular Andy Williams and Bing Crosby Christmas television specials of yore playing as family and friends are gathered around the Yule tube to share the joys of the season! 

Read what theatre stars from across social media are saying about the passing of Ann Reinking.

Actor, Singer and Teaching Artist Vanessa Spica has turned her love for Christmas music into a benefit for Ronald McDonald House. Vanessa created the album We Need a Little Christmas to inject some much needed holiday spirit into 2020. As more and more people requested CDs, Vanessa decided to turn her labor of love into a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Today's top stories: London theatres to shut down again, Hamilton light display inspires donation from Lin Manuel Miranda, Jason Robert Brown to release an album with Ariana Grande and Shoshana Bean, and more!

New York City Center’s 2020 Gala, An Evening with Audra McDonald, hosted by Michael Urie, is now available on-demand through Sunday, January 3, 2021. This special benefit performance features more than an hour of classic songs from the Golden Age of Broadway by Leonard Bernstein, Jerry Herman, Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim, and more.

Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley, alongside Audra McDonald, director Schele Williams, and Broadway Inspirational Voices’ Joseph Joubert and Michael McElroy, announced today that they have released a very special recording and music video of “Georgia On My Mind” to mark the first day of voting for the January 5th Georgia Senate runoff elections.  

Watch as Richard Ridge chats with Darius de Haas, who streams his new concert, Let Me Carry You This Christmas, from Radio Free Birdland starting December 10 (7pm ET).

This New Year's Eve. PBS will present a concert, United In Song: Celebrating The Resilience Of America, premiering Thursday, December 31, 2020 from 8:00-9:30 p.m. ET.