McDonald News

Last night, Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti hosted and performed at the 17th annual BROADWAY STANDS UP FOR FREEDOM concert. She was joined by Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara (Kiss Me Kate), Tony Award nominees Montego Glover (Memphis), Judy Kuhn (Fun Home), Phillipa Soo (Hamilton), and Eva Noblezada (Hadestown) as well as Broadway performers Krystina Alabado (Mean Girls), Julia Murney (Wicked), Jeannette Bayardelle (Hair), Shoba Narayan (The Great Comet), and Emmy nominee Shaina Taub (Public Works' Twelfth Night), along with Starr Busby (Octet), L Morgan Lee (A Strange Loop), We McDonald (NBC's The Voice), Liana Stampur, and the BROOKLYN YOUTH CHORUS.

From Audra McDonald to Liza with a a?oeZ,a?? the Alphabet Song turns into a showstopper in this magical new musical theater production created by 92Y's Page to Stage creative team and based on the new book of the same name by John Robert Allman.

Coming on November 12, Penguin Random House will release A Is For Audra: Broadway's Leading Ladies from A to Z - the new children's picture book written by John Robert Allman and illustrated by Peter Emmerich. 

Model Child, aka LA-based songwriter and musician Danny Parker, is featured on the latest track from DJ, producer and artist Gryffin, “If I Left The World.” Also featuring pop darling MARINA of Marina & The Diamonds, the song is from Gryffin's recently released album Gravity, with previous singles such as “OMG” (featuring Carly Rae Jepsen) and “Hurt People” (collaboration with Aloe Blacc, co-written by Bastille frontman Dan Smith).

Broadway veteran and regional theater actress Farah Alvin returns to her roots with her first solo nightclub act in many years, as The Green Room 42 invites her to their stages to do some of her favorite 70s tunes.

Today, Hailey Whitters announced that she will support Jordan Davis on his Trouble Town Tour in 2020. Whitters will join the tour on February 20, 2020 in Council Bluffs, IA and fans can purchase tickets beginning this Friday, November 1.

Acclaimed singer and voice teacher Corinna Sowers Adler returned to The Laurie Beechman Theatre with a new show titled SECOND STORIES and fans old and new have been delighting in her musical storytelling.

James Evans' (Director) contemporary presentation of Shakespeare's MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING gives the late 16th Century romantic comedy a modern sound and style while reinforcing that modern society is still battling with toxic masculinity and archaic views on women.

Ursae is a Brooklyn-via-Bay Area indie-pop project by artist/singer Andy Campbell. Campbell's earnest songwriting, coupled with his experience as a producer, results in a left-of-center pop sound that blends DIY guitars with glittery synths and rolling 808s. The arrangements are meticulous and clean but far from sterile, tactfully walking the line between RnB-pop and indie-rock. Ursae, Latin for 'bears' (of which Andy is enamored), wants to be as direct as possible with his message; to Andy, it's all about efficient storytelling. Ursae confidently turns out something refreshingly honest: pop that comes from someone who isn't a perfect pop star.

Luke Evans has released the official audio for his cover of Conrad Sewell's 'Changing' off of his debut album 'At Last.' The album features covers of Les Misérables, Cher, and more, and will be released out November 22.

In a touching tribute to the Canadian Armed Forces, the Cosmopolitan Music Society (CMS) fills the Winspear Centre (9720 102 Ave) with music, ceremony, and colour. Presented by The Royal Canadian Legion, the annual Lest We Forgeta?? A Musical Tribute concert on Sunday, November 3 marks the beginning of remembrance week. During this time leading up to November 11, Canadians remember and pay tribute to those who served the Canadian forces in World War I, World War II, Korea, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and as peacekeepers around the world.

Jay Armstrong Johnson, Emily Cates and Danny Marin present I Put A Spell On You: The Return of the Sanderson Sisters!

On this day we celebrate legendary composer of stage and screen, the great Marc Shaiman!

The Drama League has revealed more of the artists who will be celebrating Sutton Foster at the organization's 36th Annual Benefit Gala next week. The black-tie evening honoring Foster a?" a two-time Tony Award, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Fred Astaire, and Gracie Award winner and star of TV Land's hit television series a?oeYoungera?? -- will take place on Monday, October 28, 2019 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in New York City at The Plaza (768 Fifth Avenue). As previously announced, EY is the 2019 recipient of The Drama League's Arts Ally Award, to be accepted by Herb Engert at the Benefit Gala.

The Broadway Artists Connection (BAC) presents the 2019 Cabaret Benefit for the Matsiko World Orphan Choir hosted by Broadway's Bronson Norris Murphy (PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) on Monday, October 28th at 7:00pm (doors open at 6:00pm).

Producer Mark Cortale and The Broward Center will present the South Florida debut of Tori Scott, named a?oeThe Bette Midler of the new millenniuma?? by Provincetown Magazine and among the Top 10 Cabaret Performers in NYC by Time Out New York, with her holiday show Vodka Is The Reason For The Season on November 30. The performance is directed by Seth Sklar-Heyn with musical direction and arrangements by  Jesse Kissel. For tickets and information, please visit www.browardcenter.org or call 954 462-0222. 

On Sunday, November 3rd at 2 pm, Opera at Florham presents 'La Bella Musica di Bel Canto' in the beautiful and historic Lenfell Hall at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Baritone Samuel McDonald, soprano Brenna Markey and tenor Ian Matthew Castro perform Bel Canto opera selections emphasizing the beauty of the human voice by composers such as Donizetti, Rossini and Bellini. After a short intermission with light refreshments, the artists further explore 'beautiful singing' from the worlds of art song and Broadway. Artistic Director Mary Pinto provides piano accompaniment while narration by Mariana Karpatova provides insight into the history and meaning behind 'Bel Canto' and the relevant composers and operas of the period.

MGM and Bron Studios have announced the final casting for the upcoming Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, starring Jennifer Hudson, according to Deadline.

For the sixth­ holiday season, Big League Productions' brings their critically acclaimed national tour of A Christmas Story, The Musical, to eight cities across the U.S., opening in Sacramento, CA on November 8, 2019.

Internationally acclaimed jazz singer/pianist Brenda Earle Stokes performs at Pangea NYC in support of her latest album Solo Sessions Volume 1. Recorded in a single 4-hour session, the album showcases Stokes' talent as both pianist and vocalist in an authentic and intimate setting. Stokes will be showcasing music from the album, as well as material from past recordings. She is both an insightful and engaging performer, drawing her audience in with her honesty and quit wit.