McDonald News

As part of the string quartet's 20th anniversary season, ETHEL returns to BAM with Circus: Wandering City, a multimedia musical journey into the history of the iconic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus that explores and honors the complex relationship between circus troupes, their performers, and the audiences they inspired. 

"The Music Man" is marching into town for a must-see theater experience for adults and children alike! L/A Community Little Theater announces the cast of "The Music Man". Tickets for this upcoming production opening October 19th and running through the 28th are available online and through the box office.

As part of the string quartet's 20th anniversary season, ETHEL returns to BAM with Circus: Wandering City, a multimedia musical journey into the history of the iconic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus that explores and honors the complex relationship between circus troupes, their performers, and the audiences they inspired. 

Today, Minneapolis Hip-Hop duo Atmosphere announces dozens of new tour stops added to their current North American headlining tour, in support of their new album, Mi Vida Local. The newly added dates will sprawl out west of the Mississippi River, and along the Pacific coastline, extending this run well into the Spring of 2019.

Tony Award Nominee and 'American Idol' finalist Constantine Maroulis (Rock of Ages, Jekyll & Hyde) and acclaimed Metropolitan Opera tenor James Valenti (Tosca, Madame Butterfly, Romeo and Juliet) will join previously announced rock icon and Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider in this fall's national tour of ROCKTOPIA

Playing On Air announced today the three winners of the inaugural James Stevenson Prize for comedic short plays. First Prize ($7,500, plus a Playing On Air recording for radio and podcast distribution) has been awarded to Hate Baby by Gracie Gardner. (Gardner is also the winner of the 2017 Relentless Award and author of the New York Times Critic's Pick Athena.) Second Prize ($2,000) has been awarded to Hedgehog Years by Lily Akerman. Third Prize ($1,000) has been awarded to Horse Latitudes (Who Wants to be an Equine Extra?) by Elizabeth Logun.

This year, a living legend of musical theatre turns 90: Lyricist-bookwriter Tom Jones (who also, under a stage name) appeared in the original company of his most famous and wildly successful record-breaking musical, The Fantasticks. His collaborator, composer Harvey Schmidt, just recently passed away. The production's record-breaking run closed, on January 13, 2002, after 17,162 performances. Their shows also include 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!, Philemon, Celebration and many more. And celebration is what it's about when Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, return to celebrate Jones & Schmidt. Demas and Rice have based the show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Tom and Harvey. With very special guest Broadway's Hal Robinson who is also a Fantasticks alumni.

Opening Night is set for Wednesday, October 17th for Keen Company's fourth musical, the first NY revival of Adam Gwon's acclaimed Ordinary Days, directed by Keen Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein. Whitney Bashor (The Bridges of Madison County), Marc delaCruz (If/Then), Sarah Lynn Marion (2013 Jimmy awards winner), and Kyle Sherman (Pete the Cat) star.  This limited Off-Broadway engagement will continue through November 17th only.

Producer Mark Cortale has announced a star-studded lineup for the sixth season of his celebrated Broadway @ NOCCA concert series in New Orleans. Three of Broadway's biggest names will share the marquee with one of opera's premiere stars in 2018-19.

The Houston Cinema Arts Society is pleased to announce the full lineup of films, guest artists, live performances, and interactive elements that will populate the 2018 Houston Cinema Arts Festival – as it celebrates its milestone 10th anniversary – from November 8 – 12 at Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Rice Cinema, White Oak Music Hall, Cafe? Brasil, and additional partner venues across the City of Houston.

Center Stage Jackson is opening its 2018-19 Season with The Music Man, Book, Music & Lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey.

SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS is an ambitious, thought-provoking, heart-warming, and funny play about six people at a silent retreat.

World premiere of Dracula: A Song of Love and Death at UMKC in co-production with KCAT. See Mitch Brian's adaptation and enter the hauntingly enchanted world of Dracula, bound in mystery, intrigue, and suspense. October 12-21st, 2018 at the Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus - a co-production of KCAT.

At the Bal du Paradis, 'La Mome' Pistache presents the Can Can.

Singer/songwriter and five-time Grammy Award winner Michael McDonald's new holiday compilation, Season of Peace: The Christmas Collection, is out now via BMG. The album features McDonald's most beloved Christmas recordings including “White Christmas/Winter Wonderland” (feat. Jonny Lang), “Oh Holy Night,” “Christmas on the Bayou” and “Children Go Where I Send Thee” (feat. Twinkie Clark), as well as a new version of “Winter Wonderland” featuring special guest Jake Shimabukuro. The album art hails from an original painting by McDonald himself; see below for a complete track list.

The Drama League (Executive Artistic Director, Gabriel Stelian-Shanks) has announced the roster of special guest performers for its 35th Annual Benefit Gala: A Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring film, television, theater icon and three-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane. The black-tie evening, which will also celebrate theater producer Fran Weissler for Visionary Leadership in American Theater, will take place on Monday, November 5, 2018 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in New York City at The Plaza (768 Fifth Avenue). The Gala Co-Chairs are Kathy Henderson, Janet M. Kagan, and Joseph Pizza.

Tonight, Carnegie Hall opened its 2018-2019 season with a sold out gala benefit concert featuring the San Francisco Symphony conducted by Music Director and Carnegie Hall Perspectives artist Michael Tilson Thomas. The program included Gershwin's Cuban Overture and An American in Paris as well as Liszt's Mephisto Waltz No. 1. Mr. Tilson Thomas and the orchestra were joined on this celebratory occasion by renowned sopranos Renee Fleming and Audra McDonald offering vocal selections by Gershwin, Rodgers, Villa-Lobos, Stephen Sondheim, and others.

Pittsburgh CLO is proud to announce the cast of the world premiere of GAME ON , November 9, 2018 - January 27, 2019 at the CLO Cabaret. GAME ON is the second musical to be given a world premiere from Pittsburgh CLO's inaugural SPARK festival, which showcased musicals designed to cultivate the next generation of small-cast shows that will thrive in small venues around the country. GAME ON is written by Pittsburgh CLO alums Marcus Stevens and David Dabbon. Tickets for this hilarious game show extravaganza are now available online at CLOCabaret.com, by phone at 412-456-6666 or in person at the Theater Square Box Office, and start at $31.25.

Peak Performances continues its galvanizing 2018-19 season with Liz Gerring Dance Company's field (October 18-21), the final installment in a trilogy of works Peak Performances has commissioned from the acclaimed choreographer.