McDonald News

Today's top stories: Audra McDonald and Bobby Cannavale will lead A Streetcar Named Desire at Williamstown Theatre Festival this summer, and more!

On the heels of a successful world tour to over 30 cities, Ailey II, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's junior company that serves as a bridge between The Ailey School, will return to its home, The Ailey Citigroup Theater, for a highly anticipated two-week season featuring 14 exhilarating performances from March 25- April 5.

After 17 years of dreaming, the Diego Symphony has announced the inaugural season lineup and official name for the highly-anticipated permanent outdoor concert venue, The Shell. Opening in July, The Shell-a symbolic name inspired by the venue's dramatic shape and unique waterfront location-will be an acoustically superior and architecturally captivating structure within a newly upgraded public park. The Diego Symphony's first season at The Shell expands upon its wide range of musical genres -from classical concerts to Broadway, Jazz to R&B-that highlight the city's world-class orchestra, showcase the acoustical excellence of the venue, and will attract a wider range of audiences.

Next to Normal is not to be taken lightly but it's also not to be missed. The cast delivers pure emotion and the audience, in turn, is moved to new sensations. The show runs at Germantown Community Theatre until February 16th, making it the perfect addition to Valentine's Day weekend plans.

Direct from the Apollo Theater, A Celebration of Ella Fitzgerald will bring singing greats Patti Austin, Kurt Elling, Monica Mancini, Wé McDonald and Ledisi to the McCallum Theatre for a fantastic night of music by one of the most revered vocalists of our time, at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 29. Each performer embodies a different era of the jazz legend's life, intertwined with stories from her debut as a teenager at New York's Apollo Theater to the peak of her fame. The music highlights Ella's greatest hits, including a?oeA Tisket a Tasket,a?? 'Blues in the Night,a?? a?oeMiss Otis Regrets,a?? a?oeYou'll Have to Swing Ita?? and more. The show features the Ella All-Star Band with Shelly Berg, Nathan East, Brian Nova and Gregg Field.

The comedy 2 Pianos 4 Hands has been added to the current Olney Theatre Center schedule as a special event for a limited run on the Historic Stage, May 8 - 24, 2020. Written and originally performed by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt; Jefferson McDonald and Matt McGloin take the stage for this production to portray Ted and Richard from their very first piano lessons as they strive to become professional concert pianists. Directed by Tom Frey, each actor plays a piano in this comic look at what happens when we chase our dreams and come up short. Tickets are on sale today via olneytheatre.org and the box office (301-924-3400).

Zubin Varla and Robert Tripolino will join the cast of ZORRO in concert at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 23 February as Don Alejandro and Ramon respectively. They join the previously announced Ricardo Afonso (Jesus Christ Superstar, We Will Rock You) as the titular role and Diego, Olivier Award-winning actress Lesli Margherita (Matilda on Broadway, Dames At Sea on Broadway, Zorro original West End cast) reprising the role of Inez and four-time Olivier-nominated actress Emma Williams (Half A Sixpence, Mrs Henderson Presents, Zorro original West End cast) who will also reprise the role of Luisa.

The Actors Fund announced today that following a membership pre-sale period for our Actors Fund members, tickets to the Ragtime Reunion Concert (April 27 at the Minskoff Theatre) will go on sale to the general public today at 12pm. Concert-only tickets will start at $150, for purchase online (actorsfund.org/Ragtime) or over the phone.

Antony McDonald's production of Gerald Barry's hurtling dash through Wonderland and behind the Looking Glass is a delight from start to finish - or it will be for some.

On the heels of winning her fourth Grammy Award, Angélique Kidjo concludes her Perspectives series with Daughter of Independence on Saturday, March 14 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium/ Perelman Stage.

Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center (Dance at The Music Center), programmed by TMC Arts, marks the return performances by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion from March 18-22, 2020.

Sian Reeves has kept Coronation Street viewers on the edge of their seats since rolling up as Charlie Wood, the deluded wife Tim Metcalfe didn't know he had. But viewers will have to wait to see how it all pans out for Tim, Sally and Charlie as she takes a break from the cobbles of Weatherfield to star in the brand new stage play adaptation of Helen Forrester's, By The Waters Of Liverpool which is coming to Darlington Hippodrome Theatre on 9 April for a short run.

Country hitmakers LONESTAR will return to TV screens nationwide this Saturday (2/1) when they appear on 'The Song-Recorded Live @ TGL Farms,' a new show dedicated to the songwriting craft (check local listings here). The group performs their smash #1 hits 'Amazed' and 'I'm Already There,' then they welcome special guest JIM MESSINA in for a performance of his 1972 hit 'Your Mama Don't Dance.'

As BroadwayWorld reported last night, Casting Society of America honored excellence in casting across feature films, television and theatre at the 35th Annual Artios Awards held on Thursday, January 30 at ceremonies in New York, Los Angeles, and London. The New York ceremony was hosted by Michelle Buteau at Stage 48, Ron Funches hosted in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton, and Jason Isaacs hosted in London at the Four Seasons Hotel at Ten Trinity Square.

The 26th Slamdance Film Festival today announced the winners of their annual Sparky Awards in Audience, Jury, and Sponsored categories. The festival also announced the recipients of their AGBO Fellowship from Slamdance alumni Joe and Anthony Russo, the CreativeFuture Innovation Award, and a curated Acting Award. All winners were announced at a ceremony at the Treasure Mountain Inn in Park City, Utah on Thursday evening, January 30.

Watermill Ensemble's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (directed by Paul Hart) offers up a wonderful reimagining of one of Shakespeare's most well-loved plays.

Seattle Theater Writers Seattle's theater reviewers circle announces the Winners of Excellence in Seattle theatrical productions. Spanning dozens of theater companies and productions, from large and prominent to small and humble, the Gypsy Rose Lee Awards honor the excellence found across the area.

Shugoll Research, a Bethesda, MD based national full service marketing research firm today announced that its 24th season of presenting ArtSpeak! will continue with Broadway stars Megan Hilty and Cheyenne Jackson.  They will appear at Watkins Mill High School in Gaithersburg, MD on Feb. 15 at noon.  The program is free and open to the public.  No tickets are required. 

Casting Society of America honored excellence in casting across feature films, television and theatre at the 35th Annual Artios Awards held on Thursday, January 30 at ceremonies in New York, Los Angeles, and London. The New York ceremony was hosted by Michelle Buteau at Stage 48, Ron Funches hosted in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton, and Jason Isaacs hosted in London at the Four Seasons Hotel at Ten Trinity Square.

Signature Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for the world premiere of Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes by DC playwright Dani Stoller.