Star Headliner - Donna McKechnie

 

Donna McKechnie, the Tony Award winning star of A CHORUS LINE, is regarded internationally as one of Broadway’s foremost dancing and singing leading ladies.


She has just completed filming a feature role in 36 SAINTS, which will be released next year, and was currently appearing in John Doyle’s TEN CENTS A DANCE at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Some of Ms. McKechnie’s Broadway credits include: HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM,(NAT’L TOUR), THE EDUCATION OF H*Y*M*A*N-K*A*P*L*A*N, SONDHEIM- A MUSICAL TRIBUTE(which she also choreographed),ON THE TOWN, PROMISES-PROMISES, COMPANY and STATE FAIR, for which she received the Fred Astaire Award for Best Female Dancer for the 1996 Season.

 

She has starred in numerous productions in London’s West End, including PROMISES-PROMISES, COMPANY, NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY(which she also choreographed), Cole Porter’s CAN-CAN and Stephen Sondheim’s FOLLIES.


Bob Fosse invited Ms. McKechnie to play the lead in his last production, a National tour of SWEET CHARITY, for which she was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award. Donna’s regional credits include ANNIE WARBUCKS, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES, IRMA LA DOUCE, CABARET, THE IMAGINARY INVALID, THE THREE PENNY OPERA, THE GOOD-BYE GIRL, FOLLIES, MACK AND MABEL, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, GYPSY, I DO-I DO!, MISALLIANCE, STEPPING OUT, GIRL’S ROOM, and INSIDE THE MUSIC, (her one woman musical with text by Christopher Durang).


The New York Times review of her cabaret show, GYPSY IN MY SOUL, compared her to “legends Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon as a brass- knuckled trouper with a heart of gold in a breezy, happy to be here celebration.

 

Donna’s one woman musical, MY MUSICAL COMEDY LIFE received unanimous raves from New York theatre critics, won a Mac Award Nomination for Best Female Singer and the Bistro Award for Outstanding Major Engagement. She also received a nomination for an Ovation Award for Best Featured Actress (MACK AND MABEL) by the Los Angeles Theatre Alliance League. She made her Opera debut in 1996, guest starring in the San Francisco Opera’s production of DIE FLEDERMAUS.


Donna has also performed extensively on the concert stage and with symphony orchestras. She has appeared as guest star in numerous television specials and dramatic series including HBO SHOWSTOPPERS, FAME, CHEERS, FAMILY TIES, HULLABALOO, TWIRL, and DARK SHADOWS. She also portrayed THE ROSE in the film THE LITTLE PRINCE.


One of the highlights of her recent professional life was to choreograph the highly acclaimed GUYS AND DOLLS at the Hollywood Bowl directed by Richard Jay-Alexander.


Last year, she opened the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and completed her first tour of Australia performing My MUSICAL COMEDY LIFE, also directed by Mr. Alexander.


Ms . McKechnie’s memoir, TIME STEPS- My Musical Comedy Life, was published and released by Simon and Schuster.


Donna was featured in the documentary film, EVERY LITTLE STEP.

 

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