McDonald News

There's just two weeks left to vote for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Denver Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! The people have spoken nominations are set, and now you can vote to make sure your favorite local theatre's achievements and performers are recognized!

There's just two weeks left to vote for the 2019 BroadwayWorld Norway Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! The people have spoken nominations are set, and now you can vote to make sure your favorite local theatre's achievements and performers are recognized!

There's just two weeks left to vote for the 2019 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! The people have spoken nominations are set, and now you can vote to make sure your favorite local theatre's achievements and performers are recognized!

Due to popular demand, 2 PIANOS, 4 HANDS, staged in the round at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, has been extended to Jan. 12, 2020. Tickets to the added performances are on sale now. The additional shows are Friday, Jan. 10, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 11, 4 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 12, 2 p.m. More shows could be added as needed.

Current Broadway performers Layla Capers and Antonio Watson will be part of the Spotlight Kidz performance at Radio City Music Hall where the group will perform tonight prior to the start of the 5:00 p.m. 'Christmas Spectacular' featuring the Rockettes.

Director Brian McDonald does a nice job of keeping the actors rotating around the multiple microphones on stage (or having them add and remove costuming items) to distinguish between multiple characters. The staging is dynamic and the sight gags are clever, and the actors give pleasant and efficient performances, bringing out the warmth and hopefulness of this holiday tale. Ensemble's production highlights humor and heart for an agreeable, well-produced night of festive entertainment.

Berkshire Theatre Group and Artistic Director/CEO Kate Maguire are excited to announce the 2020 winter and spring season at The Colonial Theatre and The Garage. Tickets are now available for purchase by contacting the Colonial Ticket Office (111 South Street, Pittsfield) at 413-997-4444 or online at www.berkshiretheatregroup.org.

Variety reports that Audra McDonald and Geena Davis will be honored at this year's Artios Awards by the Casting Society of America.

Film submissions are now open for the American Black Film Festival (ABFF)'s 23rd Annual HBO Short Film Competition. The five filmmakers selected as finalists will receive a trip to the festival in Miami Beach, Florida (including airfare and hotel accommodations), which runs from June 17-21, 2020. The winning prize for the ABFF's HBO Short Film Award is $10,000 and each finalist will receive $5,000. In addition, all five films will be made available to stream on HBO.

The legendary bass-baritone returns to Chicago for his first performance at Lyric in nearly 15 years. Previously acclaimed here for his portrayals of Sweeney Todd, Don Giovanni, Leporello, and Falstaff, among others, the Welsh singer is also a successful recitalist of international renown. His russety and resonant voice, piercing interpretive insight, and demonstrative personality will make for an unforgettable experience.

Hot on the heels of their first annual Woodlands Music and Arts Festival in Charleston, SC, and gearing up for their first annual Rockjavik event in Reykjavik, Iceland, world-renowned improv-rockers Umphrey's McGee are ready to release new music. Earlier this year, on a show day in New Haven, CT, the band found themselves recording a studio version of live show fan-favorite, “Ride On Pony,” at Telefunken Recording Studio. First played live back on April 5th, 2009, and written by guitarist Jake Cinninger a dozen years before that, this recording marks the first official release of the country-tinged, Bob Seger inspired tune. Today, Rolling Stone Country featured “Ride On Pony,” calling it “Nostalgic country-rock,” and making mention of the “Earnest acoustic strumming uplifted by arena-ready distortion-soaked chords and anthemic organ swells.” 

This past Sunday, newly awarded Kennedy Center Honoree Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) was celebrated in a special tribute presentation at the 42nd annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala. The tribute included a performance by more than 40 alumni of the New World Symphony, America's Orchestral Academy (NWS), which MTT co-founded 32 years ago as a training ground for the next generation of classical musicians. Conducted by NWS alumnus and Louisville Orchestra Music Director Teddy Abrams, the alumni musicians paid tribute to MTT's wide-ranging artistry, performing a program that celebrated his acclaimed interpretations of modern masters, his advocacy for American music, and his own work as a composer. Joining the orchestra in performance were MTT's longtime friends and collaborators Audra McDonald and Yuja Wang, as well as Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, who recently collaborated with MTT as part of Metallica and San Francisco Symphony's S&M2 concert. Spoken tributes were also given by Mr. Ulrich and actress Debra Winger.

Park Avenue Armory presents Judgment Day-the world premiere of Christopher Shinn's new adaptation of ?-dön von Horváth's 1937 play.

2019 Tony Award Honoree Michael McElroy and the BROADWAY INSPIRATIONAL VOICES announce the addition of Alicia Graf Mack to their 2019 holiday concert, Seasons of Inspiration. Ms. Mack is the current Director of Juilliard Dance, and co-founder of D(n)A Arts Collective, an initiative created to enrich the lives of young dancers through master classes and intensives. Her distinguished career as a leading dancer includes Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and special performances with artists such as Alicia Keys, John Legend, and Beyoncé. She is a recipient of the Columbia University Medal of Excellence, and Smithsonian magazine named her an American Innovator of the Arts and Sciences.

Murder, secret identities, and a switchblade named Geraldine set the stage for a tale that will have you sleeping with the lights on! Lakewood Theatre Company continues its 67th season of live theatre with Wait Until Dark directed by Nancy McDonald.  

Chinese pianist Yi-Nuo Wang comes to Pepperdine University's Raitt Recital Hall at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 26, 2020 as part of the Recital Series for the 2019-2020 season.

Tomorrow, December 11, Fathom Events, TCM and Warner Bros. Pictures will present Meet Me in St. Louis returning to select theaters for a special 75th anniversary event. Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien star in this heartwarming tale of a colorful early 20th century St. Louis family who learn their father has been transferred--and they will have to move away from the town and friends they love to New York.

The one-night only NYC Debut of the new big band musical CHRISTMAS AIN'T A DRAG rocked the Cutting Room last Saturday night Dec. 7th with a sell-out crowd. The iconic music and cabaret venue was filled with theatre and music patrons, industry veterans, producers, directors and investors - all who have been eagerly awaiting the development of this cabaret musical revue.

The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO) and Chorus bring the spirit of the holidays to the Washington Pavilion this Saturday, Dec 14 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, Dec 15 at 2:30 PM in Christmas with the Symphony: 'Tis the Season!