Brian MacDonald News

Producing Artistic Director Chuck Tobin today announced the opening of the area premiere of John Patrick Shanley's new Irish comedy Outside Mullingar, which had its world premiere on Broadway last year. 

Producing Artistic Director Chuck Tobin today announced the July 1st opening of Jeffrey Hatcher's area premiere adaptation of Wait Until Dark, written by Frederick Knott at Saint Michael's Playhouse (tonight, July 1 - 11). Directed by Sarah Carleton the cast features Abby Lee as Susan, John D. Alexander as Roat, Christian Kohn as Mike, Bill Carmichael as Carlino, David Rossetti as Sam, and introducing Jillian Kenny as Gloria.

?Producing Artistic Director Chuck Tobin today announced the July 1st opening of Jeffrey Hatcher's area premiere adaptation of Wait Until Dark, written by Frederick Knott at Saint Michael's Playhouse (July 1 - 11).  Directed by Sarah Carleton the cast features Abby Lee as Susan, John D. Alexander as Roat, Christian Kohn as Mike, Bill Carmichael as Carlino, David Rossetti as Sam, and introducing Jillian Kenny as Gloria.

Rubicon Theatre Company of Ventura has just announced the director and cast for the company's mainstage production of The Last Five Years, Jason Robert Brown's emotionally powerful, intimate pop musical about two New Yorkers in their twenties who fall in love and try to hold on to each other when life leads them in opposite directions.

December 18, 2014 (Ventura, CA) - Rubicon Theatre Company of Ventura has just announced the director and cast for the company's mainstage production of The Last Five Years, Jason Robert Brown's emotionally powerful, intimate pop musical about two New Yorkers in their twenties who fall in love and try to hold on to each other when life leads them in opposite directions. Rubicon's production will be helmed by Rubicon Resident Artist Stephanie A. Coltrin, who won an Ovation Award for Miss Saigon in L.A. The role of up-and-coming novelist Jamie Wellerstein will be played by Louis Pardo, whose credits include the National Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley and work with South Coast Rep, San Diego Rep, and Musical Theatre Guild. Ashley Fox Linton stars opposite Pardo as Cathy Hiatt, an aspiring young actress. Fox Linton's credits include Glinda in the Broadway National Tour of Wicked and Cosette in Les Miserables.

Rubicon Theatre Company of Ventura has just announced the director and cast for the company's mainstage production of The Last Five Years, Jason Robert Brown's emotionally powerful, intimate pop musical about two New Yorkers in their twenties who fall in love and try to hold on to each other when life leads them in opposite directions.

According to published reports, Brian Macdonald, a Canadian dancer, choreographer, director of opera, theatre and musical theatre, passed away on November 29 in his Stratford home. He was 86 years old.

Molotov Theatre Group and Fantom Comics are workshopping a new play, "Gallery," in a free staged reading at Fantom's store on Sunday, September 28 at 8 PM. A reception will be held before the event at 7 PM.

The Canadian Opera Company's beloved production of Puccini's heartbreaking masterpiece of love, longing and loss, Madama Butterfly, comes to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts this October. An exquisite production by Canadian theatrical legend Brian Macdonald, designed by Susan Benson with lighting by Michael Whitfield, the COC'sMadama Butterfly has become a Toronto favourite, playing to sold-out audiences at its 1990 premiere and subsequent revivals in 1994, 1998, 2003 and 2009. Madama Butterfly is sung in Italian with English SURTITLESTM and runs for 12 performances on October 10, 11, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 31, 2014.

Nashville based trio Judah & the Lion is thrilled to share the first single and video from their debut album with the world this week!

Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Chuck Tobin today announced the opening of Richard Maltby, Jr.'s musical tribute to Johnny Cash, Ring of Fire (Wednesday, July 30 - Saturday, August 9, 2014).

Judah & the Lion is announcing their first ever US headlining tour following the news of the September 9th release of their debut album Kids These Days on Good Time Records. The US trek will kick off on October 1st in Ashville, NC at New Earth Music Hall and have the boys playing 200-400 capacity rooms with stops in several major cities along the way including Atlanta, GA/Masquerade on October 4th, New York City/The Studio at Webster Hall on October 8th, Denver, CO/Larimer Lounge on November 8th, Minneapolis, MN/7th Street Entry on November 13th and Chicago, IL/Schubas on November 15th. The nearly two month long trek will have the boys out until the week before Thanksgiving.

Nashville based trio Judah & the Lion is thrilled to announce the September 9th release of their debut full-length studio album Kids These Days via Good Time Records.

Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Chuck Tobin today announced the opening of the Playhouse's 2014 summer theater season with the new Mel Brooks Broadway Young Frankenstein (June 17 - 28, 2014). Young Frankenstein features a book by three-time Tony Award-winner Mel Brooks and three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Brooks. Young Frankenstein, directed by Keith Andrews with music direction by Thomas Cleary, will feature Matthew Crowle as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, Kathryn Markey as Frau Blucher, Christian Kohn as the Monster, Abby Lee as Elizabeth, Brett Figel as Igor, Ashley McKay as Inga, Bill Carmichael as Inspector Kemp/Hermit, and Zachary Pesner as Ziggy. The ensemble includes Eugenio Contenti, Shelby Davis, Danielle Diniz, Antoinette DiPietropolo, Ian Frazier, Christopher Holloway, Kate Kramitz, Kevin Metzger, Vincent Ortega, and Chelsey Whitelock.

Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Chuck Tobin today announced the opening of the Playhouse's 2014 summer theater season with the new Mel Brooks Broadway Young Frankenstein (June 17 - 28, 2014). Young Frankenstein features a book by three-time Tony Award-winner Mel Brooks and three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Brooks. Young Frankenstein, directed by Keith Andrews with music direction by Thomas Cleary, will feature Matthew Crowle as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, Kathryn Markey as Frau Blucher, Christian Kohn as the Monster, Abby Lee as Elizabeth, Brett Figel as Igor, Ashley McKay as Inga, Bill Carmichael as Inspector Kemp/Hermit, and Zachary Pesner as Ziggy. The ensemble includes Eugenio Contenti, Shelby Davis, Danielle Diniz, Antoinette DiPietropolo, Ian Frazier, Christopher Holloway, Kate Kramitz, Kevin Metzger, Vincent Ortega, and Chelsey Whitelock.

Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Chuck Tobin today announced the opening of the Playhouse's 2014 summer theater season with the new Mel Brooks Broadway Young Frankenstein (June 17 - 28, 2014). Young Frankenstein features a book by three-time Tony Award-winner Mel Brooks and three-time Tony Award-winner Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Brooks. Young Frankenstein, directed by Keith Andrews with music direction by Thomas Cleary, will feature Matthew Crowle as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, Kathryn Markey as Frau Blucher, Christian Kohn as the Monster, Abby Lee as Elizabeth, Brett Figel as Igor, Ashley McKay as Inga, Bill Carmichael as Inspector Kemp/Hermit, and Zachary Pesner as Ziggy. The ensemble includes Eugenio Contenti, Shelby Davis, Danielle Diniz, Antoinette DiPietropolo, Ian Frazier, Christopher Holloway, Kate Kramitz, Kevin Metzger, Vincent Ortega, and Chelsey Whitelock.

The Canadian Opera Company unveiled a season dominated by the most important, respected and talked-about artists working on the operatic world stage today at a public launch of its 2014/2015 season at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Jerry Ruiz (Love Goes to Press, Basilica) directs a cast that includes Cliff Bemis, Teddy Bergman, Bernardo Cubria, Carole Healey, Christine Toy Johnson, Kathryn Kates (replacing the previously announced Jennifer Harmon), Natalie Kuhn, Brian MacDonald, Jennifer McVey and Rachel Moulton. Philip Goes Forth will have scenic design by Steven C. Kemp, costume design by Carisa Kelly, lighting design by Christian DeAngelis, and sound design by Toby Algya. Performances began on August 24th and continue through October 20th. Opening Night is set for tonight, September 22nd at Mint's home (311 West 43rd Street). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Mint Theater today announced their current production, Philip Goes Forth by George Kelly will extend one additional week, through October 27h. Jerry Ruiz (Love Goes to Press, Basilica) directs a cast that includes Cliff Bemis, Teddy Bergman, Bernardo Cubria, Carole Healey, Christine Toy Johnson, Natalie Kuhn, Brian MacDonald, Jennifer McVey and Rachel Moulton. Opening Night is set for Sunday September 22nd at Mint's home (311 West 43rd Street).

Jerry Ruiz (Love Goes to Press, Basilica) directs a cast that includes Cliff Bemis, Teddy Bergman, Bernardo Cubria, Carole Healey, Christine Toy Johnson,Kathryn Kates (replacing the previously announced Jennifer Harmon), Natalie Kuhn, Brian MacDonald, Jennifer McVey and Rachel Moulton. Philip Goes Forth will have scenic design by Steven C. Kemp, costume design by Carisa Kelly, lighting design by Christian DeAngelis, and sound design by Toby Algya. Performances began on August 24th and continue through October 20th. Opening Night is set for September 22nd at Mint's home (311 West 43rd Street). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!