McDonald News

You're stressed, I'm stressed, and who knows what scary news the future might bring. OK, everyone, time for a Fats Waller break.

Darren Lee Cole, producing director of the not-for-profit, SoHo Playhouse (15 Van Dam Street) is proud to announce this year's selections for this year's Fringe Encore Series, featuring the "Best of the Fests" from around the globe. This year's selections come from Fringe Festivals at Brighton, Edinburgh, Hollywood, Limerick, Orlando, Toronto and New York (to be announced in October) and will take place between November 6 - December 16, 2018. Tickets are $39/$25 and can be purchased by visiting www.fringeencores.org.

Yellow Sound Label has announced the release of 77th Street, the compelling and heartfelt debut solo album from MARGO SEIBERT

Signature Theatre continues its commitment to new work and developing local talent by presenting the fourth season of SigWorks: Monday Night New Play Reading Series at Ali's Bar. This season Signature is proud to present five plays - Mermaid by Andrew Rosendorf, The Reapers on Woodbrook Avenue by Mardee Bennett, Wire in the Garden by Alona Bach, Torgus & Snow by Christine Evans, and Soldiers of the Cross by Caleen Sinnette Jennings.

Pride Films and Plays will host the first Chicago screening of the documentary EVERY ACT OF LIFE, a feature-length documentary film by Jeff Kaufman about Terrence McNally, one of theatre's most important and prolific playwrights of the last half-century. EVERY ACT OF LIFE profiles McNally's pioneering five-decade career in the theater, focusing on the struggle for LGBT rights and his pursuit of love and inspiration at every age. The 93-minute film features Angela Lansbury, F. Murray Abraham, Larry Kramer, Nathan Lane, Audra McDonald, Edie Falco, Christine Baranski, Patrick Wilson, Billy Porter, and many more artists who have worked with McNally over his career.

Managing to find time amid a hectic tech week, actor Brett Mutter - who plays Beadle Bamford - graciously agreed to submit to The Friday 5(+1) and to answer our questions, hopefully, intriguing potential audience members with some background about his theatrical career and to explain why he thinks you should reserve your tickets now for Sweeney Todd.

As the "Ailey Ascending" 60th Anniversary celebration gets underway, Ailey II embarks on a 38-city world tour this Saturday, September 15, continuing through May 18 (schedule below). The renowned 12-member ensemble will inspire audiences in nearly two dozen cities across the U.S., including a stop in Atlanta as part of Ailey's Destination Dance initiative, which uses dance as a centerpiece for engagement through partnerships with cultural, civic, and educational institutions. Ailey II will reach international audiences in Canada, Poland, Germany, France and Luxembourg, and will return home for its annual New York season, taking place at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts March 13 - 17, 2019.    

Golden Globe winner Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea, My Week with Marilyn, Blue Valentine) and Emmy nominee Rupert Friend (Pride and Prejudice, 'Homeland,' The Young Victoria) are the latest film & stage stars to perform on the Playing on Air podcast. Released this weekend, John Patrick Shanley's LAST NIGHT IN THE GARDEN I SAW YOU features Williams and Friend in an explosive audio play, directed by Shanley.

The Kentucky Center presents Chuck Brymer - From Main Street to Madison Avenue: How Kentucky Launched a Global Advertising Star, Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at the Brown Theatre, 315 W. Broadway.

A great night of theatre, a complimentary drink, supper and a singing performance from one of Gore's popular entertainment groups.

For the eighth season in a row, WQXR and CARNEGIE HALL proudly unite to present "Carnegie Hall Live," a series of live broadcasts from the 2018-19 season.

Theater Latte Da offers a first look at the regional premiere of Once. Winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Once features a book by Enda Walsh with music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Theater Latte Da Artistic Director Peter Rothstein directs the production with Music Director Jason Hansen and choreography by Kelli Foster Warder.

For the eighth season in a row, WQXR and CARNEGIE HALL proudly unite to present “Carnegie Hall Live,” a series of live broadcasts from the 2018-19 season

Wheaton Drama is proud to present Roald Dahl's WILLY WONKA, in production September 14 through October 7, 2018! Showtimes are Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays @ 8pm; Sundays @ 3pm. All performances will take place at Wheaton Drama's Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale Street, Wheaton, IL 60187.

You're stressed, I'm stressed, and who knows what scary news the future might bring. OK, everyone, time for a Fats Waller break.

Ted Sperling, Artistic Director of MasterVoices, announced details of the acclaimed ensemble's 77th season, celebrating the power of the human voice to unite, inspire and connect since 1941. The upcoming season will be framed by two major musical events, the New York premiere of a multi-media version of Handel's oratorioIsrael in Egypt performed at Carnegie Hall, and a new adaptation of the Kurt Weill-Ira Gershwin-Moss Hart avant-garde musical, Lady in the Dark, starring Victoria Clark at New York City Center. Lady in the Dark has not been seen in New York since it was presented at New York City Center in 1994 as part of the inaugural Encores! season.

The multi-Tony Award-winning, international sensation that took Broadway and the world by storm, makes its Northeast premiere at the Ogunquit Playhouse, on stage through October 28. Get a first look at the cast in action below!

The fourth annual Broadway Back to School, benefitting theatre education programs for underserved schools, takes place September 23 at Feinstein's 54 Below in New York City.

Vassar and Lonestar announce 'The Not So Silent Night Tour.' To celebrate, Vassar and Lonestar are releasing their Christmas single, 'Not So Silent Night,' on Nov. 2 with a music video to follow. In true holiday spirit, the fan-favorite acts will support The Salvation Army with their tour and single release. For dates and tickets, visit PhilVassar.com and LonestarNow.com.

With just 12 weeks to go until its 18th edition, the Whistler Film Festival (WFF) is offering a sneak peek of what audiences can expect at this year's fest including the first wave of confirmed films plus a roster of BC talent that will be honoured at Almost WFF, its' annual benefit in Vancouver. From November 28th to December 2nd, the Whistler Film Festival will welcome both fans and filmmakers to experience fresh films, special guests, epic events, unique industry and talent programs, and time to play in North America's premier mountain resort destination.