Donna Drake News

Just as Dolly Gallagher Levi makes a stunning entrance to the unforgettable strains of her signature song, so MSMT's new production of the Jerry Herman classic HELLO, DOLLY! takes command of the Pickard stage with a joie de vivre and heartwarming tenderness and delivers an evening sparkling with laughter, love, and life. In a production directed by Donna Drake, choreographed by Rhonda Miller and performed by an ensemble of true stars, HELLO, DOLLY! offers the audience a magnificently memorable score, daring and dazzling dancing, and a cast of embraceable characters whose story unfailingly tugs at the heartstrings.

"There's a quote from Thornton Wilder that I love. He writes, 'Anyone can make a comedy which is cruel; it is very hard to make a comedy which is kind. To give a fellow feeling between young and old - that's art. HELLO, DOLLY! is one of those old gems. It has some of the best of the best material in all of musical theatre." Actor Matt Gibson is enthusing about his upcoming performances as Cornelius Hackl in Maine State Music Theatre's HELLO, DOLLY!, which runs from July 17 - August 3 at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick. "He might be my favorite character in the traditional canon," Gibson says of the innocent young man from Yonkers. Gibson has played the part twice before at the Virginia Music Theatre and Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatres, and he is thrilled to revisit the role in Maine, where he is just finishing a run of TREASURE ISLAND, playing the ill-fated sailor, Mr. O'Brien.

"My favorite line in musical theatre history is the one where Irene says, 'Dolly, the world is full of wonderful things!' When I said it in rehearsal the first time to Charis [Leos], I broke down in tears. It's a thought I repeat to myself if I am down. Irene is saying, 'Take risks, go enjoy this wonderful world!'" Actress Lauren Blackman is talking enthusiastically about her upcoming portrayal of Irene Malloy in Maine State Music Theatre's new production of HELLO, DOLLY!, which runs July 17 - August 3, 2019, at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick. Blackman returns not only to a beloved role, but also to friends and a theatre company and community she calls "home." Last season, she appeared briefly in the gala 60th Anniversary Concert, but it has been almost four years since she graced the stage in a major role - last in 2015 as Marion in THE MUSIC MAN and before that in 2013 in MARY POPPINS. Those intervening years have, indeed, been fruitful ones for Blackman - filled with all kinds of wonderful things!

Maine State Music Theatre is going to Yonkers for its third show of the season, Hello, Dolly! from July 17 - August 3.

Classic plays and musicals that illuminate the world of today highlight the 2019/2020 Syracuse University Department of Drama season. From Shakespeare to Arthur Miller to Rodgers and Hammerstein, the season is a feast of great language, great music, big ideas and big entertainment. Subscriptions and Flex Packs are available now.

Coming off their recent performance at the Singer-Songwriters of Cape May Conference and Showcase and announced as the new House Band for WLNY/CBS TV'S “Live It Up! With Donna Drake”, psychedelic funk rockers The Chris Ruben Band are getting ready to drop their next brand new single “Cold Shoulder”! They'll release the new tune along with a live show filming for RiseUp TV on Saturday, May 11th at The Rail (281 W Main St, Smithtown, NY 11787). Chris Ruben himself will also be a featured character on Season Two of the series.

'It's always hard to follow an anniversary season, where you've pulled out all the stops for that special celebration,' confides Maine State Music Theatre's Artistic Director, Curt Dale Clark, as he sits down with Broadway World Maine to preview the company's upcoming 61st season. 'It's a bit scary because after the anniversary, then, what next? But the beautiful thing about what we do for a living [in the theatre] is that every year seems like an anniversary. MSMT has carved out a niche here in Brunswick where we pull out all the stops year after year. Our public expects it, and it is pour job to do it!'

Following a year that's already seen them hit the stages of the 2019 Millenium Music Conference, famed NYC venue PIANOS and more - The Chris Ruben Band recently announced they will begin performing as the house band for WLNY/CBS TV'S “Live It Up! With Donna Drake”! Known for “Delivering Hope, Motivation & Inspiration” on air and on the web with a following in 25 countries, the program recently won two National Telly Awards and will now feature CRB performing their unique brand of psychedelic funk/rock between segments.

Syracuse Stage announced the shows that will make up the 2019/2020 season: six plays and musicals on subscription plus a special world premiere directed by TV, stage and film actor Taye Diggs. 

When a young “Chopped Junior” and “MasterChef Junior” contestant lost use of one of her most important cooking appliances--her oven--following the events of Hurricane Sandy, little did she know a friend and inspirational TV host would come to her aid. But that was just the case for Junior Chef AJ Espinoza when “Live It Up!” Host Donna Drake gifted the young professional a brand new oven with the help of Sub Zero Group E earlier this year. That heartwarming segment, along with Drake's continued efforts to champion empowerment and positivity throughout the show have earned it TWO National Telly Awards for the 39th Season!

The Syracuse Stage and Syracuse University (SU) Department of Drama Holiday production is an annual tradition for many Central New Yorkers. This year, the family friendly holiday show Elf the Musical is the perfect start to the Holiday season. The production features fabulous SU drama students, local child performers, and accomplished equity actors. Director Donna Drake, last season's director of The Wizard of Oz, brings the comedy, the heart, and the holiday cheer to life with her fun and festive direction.

The good news from Syracuse Stage is that there are still excellent seats available for the holiday family show "Elf The Musical," scheduled to run Nov. 23 - Jan. 6. While many performances are full or near capacity, the Syracuse Stage Box Office recommends patrons check dates after Dec. 28 as performances with good availability.

ADDY & UNO, the hit family musical, returns on Sunday, Nov 18th to Theatre Row after its summer hiatus. The show will play every Sunday at noon until January 6th. With an original score, heartwarming story, and hilariously adorable puppets, the 50 minute musical comedy tells the story of a young boy with autism as his friends help him compete in his school's math competition. As featured on CBS National News, NBC Sunday in New York, and Fox 5's Good Day New York, the musical aims to educate typically developing children about peers with differing abilities, while allowing those children to see themselves represented on stage.

It's Christmas in July at Syracuse Stage with a special offer to the first 10 performances of the holiday favorite 'Elf the Musical' and the release of single tickets for sale to all shows in the 2018/2019 season.

The Syracuse University Department of Drama announced the six plays and musicals that will make up the 2018/2019 season. With an emphasis on contemporary work, the season addresses a variety of current issues and concerns as experienced from intimately personal points of view. The season celebrates stories of consequence, while at the same time investigating and challenging the process, implications and impact of storytelling itself.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature BRIGHT STAR, ALADDIN, THE MUSIC MAN and More!

I never saw Sister Act, the Musical when it was on Broadway, but now this is my second Westchester go round with this musical. It certainly makes sense for Westchester Broadway Theatre especially to mount it since it gives a unified group of nuns the chance to belt and let their habits down to a 60's themed score.

SISTER ACT, based on the Touchstone Motion Picture, tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva, whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won't be found - a Convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of the Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music.

SISTER ACT, based on the Touchstone Motion Picture, tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva, whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won't be found - a Convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of the Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music.

SISTER ACT, based on the Touchstone Motion Picture, tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva, whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won't be found - a Convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of the Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music.