McDonald News

Over the second weekend of February, thousands of students and educators from around the globe gathered at the 4th annual Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) West here in Sacramento. For many, the highlight was hearing the incredible voices that come to the Festival each year to share their experiences and hard-earned wisdom. One such voice was best-selling author Jodi Picoult, who believes in the mission of the Junior Theatre Festival so much that she strives to be at both the Atlanta and Sacramento events each year. This year, however, was even more special. The musical, Between the Lines, which is based on a book written by Picoult and her daughter, Samantha van Leer, opens Off-Broadway on April 21. Much of the talent responsible for bringing the novel to the stage was at JTF West talking about their journey and showcasing songs for the first time for the lucky young thespians. Included were composing team Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson, Tony-nominated director Jeff Calhoun, and book writer (and JTF founder) Timothy Allen McDonald. Broadway World Sacramento was able to sit down with Picoult and speak to her about the challenges of getting a show to Off-Broadway, women in theatre, and all things Between the Lines.

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to actor and comedian Drew Droege about Sylvester's 1982 album 'All I Need.' They also discuss Audra McDonald, Eddie Murphy, Sandra Bernhard, Diana Ross, Has Mar Superstar, Robyn, Chloë Sevigny, Annette Funicello, John Waters, Sinead O'Connor, Melissa McCarthy, RuPaul, Jane Fonda. Michael Patrick King, Latrice Royale, Dianne Wiest, Kathleen Turner, Glenn Close, Carol Burnett, 'The Comeback,' and Donna Murphy. Drew is currently performing his play 'Happy Birthday Doug' at SoHo Playhouse. His previous play 'Bright Colors and Bold Patterns' is available to stream on BroadwayHD.

A prestigious Blue Plaque has been unveiled at the childhood home of acclaimed author Helen Forrester, who penned a series of best-selling books including Twopence To Cross The Mersey.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Conductor John Morris Russell are pleased to announce the details of their 2020-21 season at Music Hall. Highlights of the new season include return appearances by Pops favorites Audra McDonald, Pink Martini and Cirque de la Symphonie; live-orchestra-to-film presentations; a comedic tribute to orchestras by The Second City; JMR's 10th anniversary celebration, featuring a world premiere by Grammy-winning composer Eric Whitacre; two Lollipops concerts for younger audiences; and four annual Cincinnati traditions: Red White & Boom at Riverbend on Independence Day, Holiday Pops with vocalists Aubrey Logan and Darius de Haas, New Year's Eve at Music Hall and Classical Roots.

Women's History Month is just around the corner in March. Our readers will enjoy the story of a woman who made her mark on New York and lives on through Winnie's Jazz Bar on 63 West 38th Street in the Refinery Hotel.

CLUE THE MUSICAL, presented by the Grand Prairie Arts Council, opens at the historic Uptown Theater on Friday, February 21, 2020, and runs through Sunday, March 1, 2020. The beautifully restored 1950's theater is located at 120 E Main St, Grand Prairie, TX 75050.

The Associates of the Boston Public Library announces the world premiere of ONWARD a?" VOTES FOR WOMEN, a documentary play honoring the fight for women's suffrage, created by Lisa Rafferty, with music arranged and composed by Adam R. McDonald. The second annual event in the Pierce Performance Series,

Tony winner Steve Kazee and Jenna Dewan have just announced their engagement! The couple, whois also expecting their first child together, made the announcement yesterday via Instagram. BroadwayWorld sends our congratulations to the happy couple!

The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) today announced its 2020 lineup of narrative and documentary features, shorts, and opening night gala event. The festival will be held from April 1st – 5th 2020.

Emerging French producer, vocalist and songwriter Oklou, born Marylou Mayniel, premieres her new single “entertnmnt” today on True Panther/Tap Records. Co-produced with British producer Mura Masa, the song comes accompanied with an Alexandra Green-directed visual.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Zoe Caldwell, four-time Tony Award-winning Broadway actress, died peacefully at the age of 86 at her home in Pound Ridge, New York, on Sunday, February 16, 2020. The cause of death was complications due to Parkinson's disease, according to her son, Charlie Whitehead. Today, we remember Caldwell with a look back at photos from our archives.

Today, The Strokes unveil a new song, “Bad Decisions.” Listen below!

Theatre444 will bring The Vagina Monologues to the stage, with all proceeds to benefit Safe Harbors of the Finger Lakes. Eve Ensler wrote the first draft of the monologues in 1996 (there have been several revisions since) following interviews she conducted with 200 women about their views on sex, relationships, and violence against women. In an interview with Women.com, Ensler said that her fascination with vaginas began because of growing up in a violent society. 'Women's empowerment is deeply connected to their sexuality.' Ensler states that in 1998, the purpose of the piece changed from a celebration of vaginas and femininity to a movement to stop violence against women. This was the start of the V-Day movement which has continued strong every year since, has turned into a worldwide phenomenon, and a very successful non-profit organization. The V-Day global activist movement to end violence against all women and girls is more active than ever. Every February women all over the world ban together in this movement and Theatre444 is proud to be a part of it.

Newly appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor David Charles Abell brings the fun and elegance of Oscar Hammerstein 2nd's masterworks to Philly in HAMMERSTEIN: The Song is You.

Forget that other show. I was in the REAL room where it happened last weekend at the 4th Annual Junior Theater Festival West (JTF), which celebrates youth theatre and encourages students and teachers to keep theatre alive in their community. Each year it follows the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, which just finished its 15th season. Over 2,200 people participated in the three-day festival, some coming from as far away as Australia, England, and South Korea. Students and educators benefited from the knowledge of top Broadway professionals in the form of adjudications, workshops, and a discussion panel entitled Pathways to Success, in which the featured guests shared how they forged their own paths to Broadway and beyond.

Flat Stanley has travelled all over the world, and now this delightful character is coming to Main Street Theater! From the book by Jeff Brown, this fun musical adaptation will play Sundays, March 1 and 8 at 12:30pm and 3:30pm; Spring Break performances March 16 - 18 at 10:30am and 1:30pm; Saturdays, March 21, 28 and April 4 at 10:30am & 1:30pm at MST's Midtown location, 3400 Main St. in Matchbox4. All tickets are on sale via phone at 713.524.6706 or online at MainStreetTheater.com. Tickets are $16 - $26. Group rates are available. No children under 3 are admitted in the theater (including sleeping babies). (Performances are also available for school matinees. Call 713.524.9196 ext 101 or 102 or visit the website.)

Mark Cortale, producer of the acclaimed Seth Rudetsky Broadway Concert Series, will present Stephanie J. Block, this year's Tony Award® winning Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her title role in The Cher Show, performing live at the Parker Playhouse on Saturday, February 22 at 8 PM. The series, co-presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, delivers intimate evenings of incredible music and hilarious conversations hosted and music directed by Sirius XM Radio star Seth Rudetsky, whom the New York Times dubbed 'The Mayor of Broadway.' Ms. Block follows her fellow Tony Award® winner Kelli O'Hara's recent January season opener. Next up on April 3 will be Santino Fontana, this year's Tony Award® winner as Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his starring role in Tootsie. For tickets and information, please visit ParkerPlayhouse.com and Ticketmaster.com; by phone at 954.462.0222; in person at the Parker Playhouse box office Tuesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Broward Center's AutoNation Box Office in Holiday Park at 707 N.E. Eighth Street in Fort Lauderdale.

Today, Feinstein's at the Nikko announced an exciting lineup of national and local artists who will take the stage at San Francisco's premier intimate nightclub this spring. Additional artists will be announced at a later date. Tickets for all shows are on-sale now by visiting www.feinsteinssf.com or calling 866-663-1063. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

Today's top stories: Lindsay Pearce and Sam Gravitte join Wicked, and more!