McDonald News

iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival Atlanta (#JTF) was held January 18-20, 2019 at The Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.

Get a first look below at the Austin debut of the 2014 Tony Award-winning incarnation of John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask's Hedwig and the Angry Inch at ZACH Theatre. Starring Daniel Rowan, this groundbreaking musical features an electrifying punk-fueled rock score, a live back-up band, and one of the most unique characters to ever hit the stage. 

Twenty years after they first performed the roles, Broadway stars Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell re-united to sing 'Wheels of a Dream' from Ragtime LIVE at the Kennedy Center at the et Freedom Ring! concert in collaboration with Georgetown University on January 21st, 2019. Check out the video below!

Following a 36-city world tour, Ailey II returns to NYU Skirball from March 13 – 17 for its annual New York season during Ailey's 60th Anniversary celebration. The renowned second company to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will inspire audiences in dynamic works by some of today's most revered choreographers. Premieres by Uri Sands, Bradley Shelver, Ailey Artistic Director Robert Battle, and Ailey II Artistic Director Troy Powell will grace the stage, along with returning crowd-pleasers by Juel D. Lane, Renee I. McDonald, and Darrell Grand Moultrie.

Jason Robert Brown's landmark musical Songs for a New World (New York City Center 2018 Encores! Off-Center Cast Recording) is released today, Friday, January 25, in streaming and digital formats, in addition to a two-CD set. This is the show's first recording since the world premiere album over 20 years ago. In the ensuing years, these songs have become staples of contemporary musical theater, including the modern standard "Stars and the Moon." The CD package includes a 12-page booklet with production photos and a note from Jason Robert Brown. To order the album, please visit: ghostlightrecords.lnk.to/songsforanewworld

Eagle Theatre will open their biggest blockbuster to date on January 25th, featuring the largest company and creative team ever assembled at the regional theatre.

Che bello! Theater RED proudly announces a new addition to the company! Eric Welch joins Theater RED as Artistic Associate following his collaboration with the company in June of 2018 for the Wisconsin premiere of I'LL EAT YOU LAST: A CHAT WITH SUE MENGERS. Eric Welch directed this one-woman comedic romp as a co-production with his theater company, Untitled Productions.

The Broadway Education Alliance announces that applications to participate in The 2019 Roger Rees Awards for Excellence in Student Performance are being accepted until Monday, February 4, 2019 at www.rogerreesawards.com.

Auckland Theatre Company (ATC) will launch its 2019 season in February with a tribute to one of New Zealand's most celebrated political journalists and cartoonists, Tom Scott.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! First, we'd like to wish a happy opening night to the company of True West!

World famous string quartet Well-Strung brings their brand new show A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES to THE MEZZ in downtown Orlando for one performance only on Wednesday, February 13 at 8 p.m.

In celebration of four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally's 80th birthday, producers Hunter Arnold, Debbie Bisno and Tom Kirdahy announce a new Broadway production of Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, starring Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Audra McDonald and two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, directed by Obie Award winner Arin Arbus.

San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock today announced repertory and casting for the Company's 97th Season, opening Friday, September 6, 2019, with a gala performance of Charles Gounod's Romeo and Juliet (Rom o et Juliette) starring tenor Bryan Hymel and soprano Nadine Sierra in Op ra de Monte-Carlo Director Jean-Louis Grinda's production. In keeping with the Company's time-honored tradition, the new season will be inaugurated with San Francisco Opera Guild's elegant, signature benefit and celebration, Opera Ball 2019.

Producer Mark Cortale has announced the season finale of his series at The Herbst Theatre  - two time Emmy Award winner Sarah Silverman will join Seth Rudetsky on Sunday, May 19th at 8:00 PM for one show only. In this unique series, music director and host Seth Rudetsky welcomes the greatest performers for up-close and personal conversations and singing. The format of the show will be a seamless mix of great comedy/singing by Silverman and hilarious conversation prompted by Rudetsky's funny, insightful and revealing questions. This evening will continue to raise funds this season for San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, Project Open Hand and Sandy Hook Promise. For tickets and information, please visit www.cityboxoffice.com/broadway or call (415) 392-4400.

Following a smash-hit international tour, the new, interactive theatrical event, DJEMBE! The Show, makes its U.S. debut at the Apollo Theater (2540 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago), for a strictly limited engagement starting performances on March 19, 2019 (with an official premiere on Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m.). DJEMBE! (JEM-bay) will engage audiences in a high-energy program of powerful storytelling and inspiring music, including iconic pop hits. Leading this lively musical journey will be the trio of Broadway talent Ben Hope (Once) as Emcee; critically-acclaimed Chicago musical theater artist Rashada Dawan (Caroline, or Change) on lead vocals; and Guinean master drummer and folklorist Fode Lavia Camara, backed by an ensemble of world-class musicians.

What are women to men? Nurturers, temptresses, muses? In chatting with Marcee Doherty-Elst of Theater RED, I've learned that this weekend's staging of the musical NINE will dive into that very question. Here, Marcee and fellow actress Jennifer Larsen share 9 things to know about NINE.

Facing Addiction with NCADD has partnered with MusiCares® to support the ninth annual MusiCares Teens Make Music Contest. The contest challenged young people to create an original song and/or music video that celebrates life without alcohol or drugs, bringing attention to the real-life consequences of substance misuse.

The critically acclaimed conversation series Speakeasy continues its fourth season with an episode featuring four-time Grammy Award-winning musician Lenny Kravitz and singer and songwriter Sean Lennon. The revealing conversation illuminates the duo's long standing friendship, Kravitz' career from choir boy to rock star, and the influence their parents have had on their lives.  Speakeasy airs on Public Television and public television's WORLD Channel. Air dates and times are available at www.speakeasytalks.com.

New Dramatists, Tony Honor recipient and the nation's premier playwright development laboratory, will honor three-time Tony Award winner, Nathan Lane, with its 2019 Distinguished Achievement Award at its 70th Annual Spring Luncheon Tribute on Tuesday, May 14th at the New York Marriott Marquis.