McDonald News

Broadway unites tonight in a new edition of CONCERT FOR AMERICA, starring Jorge Avila, Tina Fey, Mandy Gonzalez, Jeremy Jordan, Audra McDonald, Idina Menzel, Olga Merediz, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Andrew Rannells, Chita Rivera, Keala Settle, Shaina Taub and Patrick Wilson.

Waiting in line under the sun in hopes of landing a theatre ticket is no one's idea of fun, but for over 60 years people have been doing just that as they lounge in Central Park hoping to see performers like Anne Hathaway, Audra McDonald or Meryl Streep in one of the Public Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park productions. This year, they've recently closed Othello, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, and a musical version of Twelfth Night with music and lyrics by Shaina Taub will play the Delacorte from July 17 to August 19.

With what is arguably the largest production in Maine State Music Theatre's history, the company brings a level of opulence, sophistication, and magic to the Pickard stage that makes this production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast a fitting jewel in the Diamond Jubilee Crown. It is no secret that the company has used every single ounce of its resources (and overcome a number of unforeseen obstacles along the way) to create this magnificent production, but the result has been entirely worth the effort. This beloved fairytale dazzlingly comes to life in all its heartfelt beauty.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in the Berkshires (Pittsfield, MA) under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd, is pleased to announce additional casting for the 2018 Season.

YouTube Premium premieres the official trailer for its new original dating comedy series, SIDESWIPED, a multi-generational comedy about relationships - both romantic and familial. Based on a true story from Carly Craig, this eight-episode comedy series about dating in the digital age will debut on YouTube Premium July 25, 2018.?

Corkscrew Theater Festival presents Desarrollo, written by Juliany Taveras and directed by Manny Rivera. Running July 27-August 5, Desarrollo follows three queer and trans Bronx natives as they grow from exuberant 13-year olds to yearning, unmoored young adults. The creative team and cast consists entirely of queer and trans people of color, bringing the sights and sounds of the Bronx to the stage while wrestling with the disorienting changes that gentrification has brought to the neighborhood.

Yael Silver, Robin Carus and Van Dean today released “We Are The World,” a music video featuring an all-star roster of theater artists and calling for healing and unity in the world today. Participating artists include Christy Altomare, Kelli Barrett, Andrew Burns, Nikki Renee Daniels, Jordan Donica, Rachel Eskenazi-Gold, Justin Guarini, Derek Klena, Jeff Kready, Sydney Lucas, Beth Malone, Lesli Margherita, Constantine Maroulis, Bebe Neuwirth, Orfeh, George Psomas, Anthony Rapp, Courtney Reed, Chita Rivera, Kate Rockwell, Jarrod Spector, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ephraim Sykes, Jenna Ushkowitz and Ben Vereen.

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) announces new entertainment offerings that will arrive at the newly refurbished Emerson Colonial Theatre this fall following this summer's world premiere pre-Broadway engagement of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

ZACH Theatre is proud to announce the cast for the worldwide smash hit musical, Disney's Beauty and the Beast featuring the animated film's Academy Award-winning score with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, with additional songs composed by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton. Disney's Beauty and the Beast plays ZACH's Topfer Stage from July 11-September 2, 2018 under the direction of Associate Artistic Director Abe Reybold with musical direction by Allen Robertson and choreography by Sara Burke.

Nickelodeon is bringing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, INVADER ZIM and more to life at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2018 through one-of-a-kind virtual and real-world experiences that will have fans saying, 'Cowabunga'! Headquartered at its 1,800 square-foot booth (#4113) on the convention floor, Nickelodeon will showcase: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the all-new, reimagined series that follows the band of brothers as they seek to unlock the mystical secrets of New York City; the upcoming INVADER ZIM original TV movie; the return of Double Dare, a reboot of the iconic game show; the hit animated series The Loud House, which follows 11-year-old Lincoln Loud's life with his 10 sisters; and Reptar from Rugrats, who will tower over Nick's space.

This summer the talented teens of CTYP's Teen Shakespeare Program bring one of Shakespeare's best-loved plays to the outdoor stage on Granville Island. A delightful tale about friendships, fairies, mischief and magic is a sure delight for all the family!

Friday night in Jones Beach, NY, history was made when IAN McDONALD of HONEY WEST and fellow originalForeigner member Al Greenwood joined the band – Mick Jones (lead guitar), Kelly Hansen (lead vocals), Tom Gimbel (rhythm guitar, sax, vocals), Jeff Pilson (bass, vocals), Michael Bluestein (keyboards), Bruce Watson (guitar) and Chris Frazier (drums) – for an impromptu performance on “Hot Blooded” as part of its North American “Juke Box Heroes” Tour.

R.R.R.E.D., a new musical with music and lyrics by Katie Thompson and a book by Adam Jackman, Katie Thompson and Patrick Livingston, has announced complete casting for its Off-Broadway premiere.

The 2018 winners of the New York International Piano Competition (TheNYIPC), under the auspices of the Stecher & Horowitz Foundation, were announced at an Awards Ceremony at Manhattan School of Music on Friday evening (June 22). Prizes and awards totaling $50,000 were presented.  Robert Sherman served as Master of Ceremonies.  The week-long event began on June 18.

Casting has been announced for CONCERT FOR AMERICA starring Jorge Avila, Tina Fey, Mandy Gonzalez, Jeremy Jordan, Audra McDonald, Idina Menzel, Olga Merediz, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Andrew Rannells, Chita Rivera, Keala Settle, Shaina Taub and Patrick Wilson. Additional casting will be announced later this week.

Your Kids, Our Kids presents the latest installment in the Concert For America series next Saturday, June 30.

There are over 35,000 high schools in the United States of America. At every school, there's at least one kid who's obsessed with musical theater, who has memorized every single line of Hamilton, Rent, and Wicked, and who dreams of working on Broadway one day.

Music Mountain, America's longest running summer chamber music festival, welcomes first time guests! Escher String Quartet performs Webern, Schubert, and Schumann on Sunday, July 15 (3pm). Helen Sung Quartet brings her energized and spirited jazz to Music Mountain on Saturday, July 14 (6:30pm). Concerts are scheduled through September 23.

With so many things to worry about or be sad about in 2018, there is no shortage of people searching for solace wherever they can find it. Thankfully, six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald provided that and more during her one-night-only concert with the National Symphony Orchestra last Tuesday. Ms. McDonald, whose limitless abilities have made her the most awarded Broadway performer, gives all she has to those in attendance. The final result is the closest thing to a religious experience one may have in a theater or concert hall.

This summer, Sierra Stages is proud to present the musical "Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach" featuring words and music by the Tony and Academy Award-winning songwriting team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and book by Timothy Allen McDonald, based on the book "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl. "Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach" plays for four weekends only from July 12 through August 4 at the historic Nevada Theatre in Nevada City.