McDonald News

Local audiences are looking forward to another season of thought-provoking, professional theatre at Open Book Theatre Company (OBTC) in Trenton as they gear up for their sixth season. Open Book theatre was named Trenton Business of the Year for 2019, has won several Michigan theatre awards, and is quickly becoming a key player in the cultural scene Downriver. The theatre hires professional actors, directors, and designers from the Metro Detroit area. With so many wonderful, local eateries nearby many patrons go out for dinner or drinks before or after the show, making it a full night out with friends or a wonderful date.

Presented by Sir David Attenborough, Extinction: The Facts, a 1x60' for BBC One, investigates what the future holds for our planet.

Beloved Los Angeles band that dog. -- comprised of guitarist/vocalist Anna Waronker, drummer Tony Maxwell, and bassist/vocalist Rachel Haden -- will release their first new album in twenty-two years on October 4th, 2019 via UMe.  The record, entitled Old LP, was recorded over the last three years in Los Angeles, and features guest appearances from Maya Rudolph, Randy Newman, Graham Coxon (Blur), Josh Klinghoffer (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Charlotte Caffey (The Go-Go's), Tanya Haden (The Haden Sisters), violinist Kaitlin Wolfberg, Andrew Dost (fun.), and Steve McDonald (Redd Kross).  A first taste of the album, a totally classic that dog. song, titled 'If You Just Didn't Do It,' picks up beautifully where the band left off in the late 90's.

​​​​​​​Amazon Prime Video announced that Australian actress, writer and producer Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect, The Hustle, Isn't It Romantic) has signed on to host and executive produce the first Australian Amazon Original series, LOL: Last One Laughing. The comedy-variety series, produced with Endemol Shine Australia, will feature a star-studded cast of ten Australian comedic actors and stand-ups competing to make each other laugh first. The final comedian left standing will win the grand prize of AUD$ 100,000. This first Australian Amazon Original series will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories in 2020.

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces R&B artist Dwele and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Friday, August 23 at noon. All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago.

Marin Shakespeare's SPAMALOT is an altogether delightful and uproariously zany production that has their audiences laughing almost non-stop throughout the show. Playing its final week now through August 25, SPAMALOT is a not-to-be-missed, hugely enjoyable show.

Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach is now a musical for the whole family to enjoy! When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach... and launches a journey of enormous proportions.

Award winning Book Writer/Lyricist, Stephen Cole, announces the Debut of two Musical theater creations, 'Merman's Apprentice' written with David Evans; and 'Casper the Friendly Musical, ' written with Matthew Martin Ward. 

Casting for American Ballet Theatre's 2019 Fall season at the David H. Koch Theater was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie.

Eight classic rock tribute shows will perform at The Grove Theatre in September, including tributes to the Eagles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac and a Madonna vs. the Go Gos showdown. 

SketchFest Seattle celebrates its twenty year opening on September 5, 2019 at 8:30. SketchFest showcases the talents of local favorites and unique sketch teams from throughout North America.

Firestone Theatre's new season of plays and musicals sets the bar pretty high with a variety of student opportunities and outstanding guest directors.

PrismHouse Theatre Company presents the East Coast Premiere of ABLAZE: an a cappella musical thriller with a Book, Music, and Lyrics by Matthew B. Zrebski this August at The New Ohio Theatre. Performances begin this Friday August 16th and run through August 24th.

Bertolt Brecht's LIFE OF GALILEO is given a modern makeover in Tom Wright's adaptation, directed by Eamon Flack for Belvoir St Theatre.

The Acting Company (Founded by John Houseman and Margot Harley; Ian Belknap, Artistic Director; Elisa Spencer-Kaplan, Executive Director) today announced casting for the final reading in the 23rd John McDonald Salon Reading Series, Letters from Prison, a curated evening from adapter Dakin Matthews (To Kill a Mockingbird) that collects the original letters of acclaimed literary and historic figures to explore the nature of justice and imprisonment, from the Bible to the present day. The reading will take place on Tuesday, August 13 at 7 PM at the Duke on 42nd Street (229 W. 42nd Street, New York, NY). Tickets are available now online at www.theactingcompany.org or by phone at (212) 258-3111. The reading will be followed by a complimentary reception with the cast.

Snowfall has been renewed for a fourth season on FX, it was announced today by Nick Grad and Gina Balian, Presidents, Original Programming, FX Entertainment. The acclaimed drama series created by John Singleton & Eric Amadio and Dave Andron will return to FX in 2020.

Following a wildly successful run at the New York Theatre Festival, producers Keena McDonald and Patricia Tierney, in association with Michael Sgouros, announce the Off-Broadway Premiere production of a new, deeply-relevant musical, Humanity's Child: A Musical for Today!

a?oeThe Bachelorettea?? favorite Andi Dorfman will sit down with a?oeGleea?? co-stars turned besties Kevin McHale and Jenna Ushkowitz for the first live version of their hit podcast, a?oeShowmancea?? on August 15 at WeWork Now (902 Broadway). The event is part of the TodayTix Presents live events series

The Warner Theatre will welcome comedian JIM BREUER to the Main Stage on October 12 at 8 pm. Tickets will go on sale to Warner Members on Thursday, August 8 at 12 pm and to the General Public on Friday, August 9 at 10 am.