McDonald News

Five-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer, actress, television host and former United Nations Global Ambassador Dionne Warwick, has released “Dionne Warwick & The Voices of Christmas,” on BMG.  The album features stunning duet performances with legends across all genres of pop music.   Ms. Warwick recently filmed a video with John Rich, The Oak Ridge Boys and Ricky Skaggs in Nashville for “Jingle Bells.”

On Site Opera, an organization dedicated to presenting site-specific opera productions in non-traditional venues throughout New York City, will present the return of Gian Carlo Menotti's perennial one act opera Amahl and the Night Visitors at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen December 4-8, following its critically acclaimed run in 2018.

Have you ever wanted to see a Tony Award-winning musical where the audience chooses the ending each night? Where the outcome is deliciously thrilling, fresh and unexpected each time?

La Jolla Playhouse announces four of six productions for its 2020/2021 season, including the world premieres of Bhangin' It, book by Mike Lew (Tiger Style!) and Rehana Lew Mirza (DNA New Work Series' Child of Colonialism), music and lyrics by Sam Willmott, directed by Amy Anders Corcoran, co-produced with McCarter Theatre Center; and Mother Russia, by UC San Diego MFA alumna Lauren Yee (Cambodian Rock Band), directed by Tyne Rafaeli (The Coast Starlight); along with What the Constitution Means to Me, the acclaimed work by Pulitzer Prize finalist Heidi Schreck, directed by Oliver Butler; and the previously-announced, Broadway-bound musical Lempicka, book and lyrics by Carson Kreitzer, music by Matt Gould, directed by 2019 Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin (Broadway's Hadestown).

Paines Plough have today announced casting for the transfer of Sam Steiner's YOU STUPID DARKNESS! to Southwark Playhouse, a co-production with Theatre Royal Plymouth. An urgent play about the struggle for optimism and community amid the chaos of a collapsing world, the production is directed by former Paines Plough co-Artistic Director James Grieve and the cast includes: Andrew Finnigan; Jenni Maitland; Lydia Larson; Andy Rush. The show opened at Theatre Royal Plymouth earlier this year and will run at Southwark Playhouse from 16 January - 22 February with a Press Night on Monday 20 January.

Four-time GRAMMY Award winners and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees The Doobie Brothers today announced a 30-city North American tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the band's founding. TOM JOHNSTON, MICHAEL MCDONALD, PAT SIMMONS and JOHN MCFEE will be back on tour together for the first time in nearly 25 years. The announcement came at the conclusion of the band's performance at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, in which they played two of their iconic albums, Toulouse Street and The Captain and Me. MICHAEL MCDONALD took to the stage during the band's encore and gave a surprise performance of The Doobie Brothers' smash hit single, “Takin' It To The Streets,” before Pat Simmons announced that the entire band would be teaming up for a North American tour.

BBC AMERICA today announced Anna Chancellor, James Fleet, Ingrid Oliver, Ruth Madeley, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, and Bianca Simone Mannie have joined the cast of the network's disruptive original series, The Watch, premiering in 2020. Co-produced by BBC Studios and Narrativia, The Watch is inspired by Sir Terry Pratchett's bestselling “Discworld” novels.

Before one of the hottest shows, the 20th Latin GRAMMY Awards, performers, nominees, and presenters are awarded some of the coolest items at the Official Backstage Talent Gift Lounge presented by FOREO.

Much loved songwriters Amanda McBroom and John Bucchino will appear together on stage for the very first time in New York City on Dec.16th at the legendary Birdland Jazz. The show is titled a?oeSweet Dreams and Roses,a?? with a repertoire of mainly their own compositions, including some they wrote as a team.

San Francisco Opera presents Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, November 15–December 7.

Falling in the middle of their 2019 fall tour, this September marked the 20th Anniversary of award­-winning Colorado bluegrass band, Yonder Mountain String Band's critically acclaimed debut album, Elevation. Out of print for years and considered by decades-long fans to be the band's career-defining album, it only seemed natural for YMSB to celebrate this milestone with a 20th-anniversary 180g double vinyl re-release. Originally released on the band's own independent Frog Pad Records, Elevation features founding members Dave Johnston, Ben Kaufmann, Adam Aijala, and Jeff Austin, along with guest musicians Mike Marshall, Darol Anger, Sally Van Meter, and Celeste Krenz. The 20th Anniversary release of Elevation is available now in limited quantities at the merch table and online.

Shea's Performing Arts Center announced Six-Time Tony Award-Winning Broadway Star, Audra McDonald will be headlining Shea's Black-Tie Gala on Saturday, April 25, 2020!

Pittsburgh CLO is announced casting for the 28th annual production of A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL, December 6-22 at the Byham Theater. This year's production will feature lavish costumes, thrilling effects and a talented ensemble of both new and returning performers. Broadway star Mark Jacoby returns to Pittsburgh CLO to lead the cast as Ebenezer Scrooge. Tickets are now available by calling 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or at the Theater Square Box Office.

ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY (ETC) presents the second show of its 2019-20 Season, the can't-miss, holiday event of the season, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY, adapted by Joe Landry, from the screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra & Jo Swerling and directed by ETC's Director of Education and Outreach, Brian McDonald.

BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL PLAYS WITH MUSIC (Splendidly) at Feinstein's / 54 Below

The Sydney Opera House today announced the 2020 suite of shows for its acclaimed Kids and Families program. Featuring exciting new works including homegrown and international theatre shows, circus and live music performances, the diverse, humorous and poignant 2020 program will inspire children of all ages and their families to learn how friendships, being brave and stepping into someone else's shoes can change the world.

A new rock'n cabaret musical inspired by the big band era, celebrating the love, romance & acceptance people find at Christmas time. With original rock, blues, and jazz music & lyrics performed by the Christmas Ain't A Drag Orchestra.

Midtown Direct and Triple Birch Media present an exclusive preview reading of NOVEL: An Audio Drama Series, created by Aimee Parrott and William Bienes.

Slow Burn Theatre Company celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a donor reception hosted by American National Bank. This night of philanthropy and fun resulted in more than $50,000 in pledges from loyal supporters and other arts enthusiasts.

Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) is now accepting applications for its third Annual Young Playwrights Festival for aspiring writers ages 13-19. This five-month-long program gives young writers a safe and nurturing forum to learn about the craft of playwriting and develop a 10-minute play to be produced and staged with professional directors and actors for public audiences.