'Gypsy in My Soul' Donna McKechnie in cabaret at Le Jazz Au Bar

Howard Stein and Le Jazz Au Bar will present Gypsy in My Soul: Donna McKechnie in cabaret from the 20 Apr - 1 May 2005.

Ms McKechnie will present her all new show Gypsy in My Soul, featuring memories and songs she performed while on the road. The show features show-stopping numbers from 'Gypsy,' 'Follies,' 'Bye Bye Birdie,' 'Can Can' and 'A Chorus Line.'

Her first solo show, 'My Musical Comedy Life', played at Arci's Place in 2002. When asked to describe the inspiration for her new solo show, Ms. McKechnie remarked, "My whole dream as a young dancer in Detroit was to come to New York and be in a Broadway show, and that happened. Then I spent practically the rest of my 40 years in the business on the road. This is my musical road journey." Ms. McKechnie will be accompanied on piano by her musical director Eugene Gwozdz.

Donna McKechnie recently starred as 'Little Ames' in the revival of 'Mack and Mabel' at Goodspeed Opera House. This production comes on the heals of her starring role in the concert version at Lincoln Center. Ms. McKechnie is the recipient of the 2002 Backstage Bistro Award for Outstanding Major Female Entertainer. Her her full length autobiographical theatrical show 'Inside The Music' (with text by Christopher Durang) has been released on CD by Fynsworth Alley.

On Broadway, Donna McKechnie appeared in the Theatre Guild's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'State Fair' for which she received the Fred Astaire Award for Best Female Dancer. She is best known for her Tony Award-winning (Best Actress in a Musical) performance as 'Cassie' in 'A Chorus Line'. She recreated the role in the first English speaking companies in Tokyo and Paris.

Regionally, Ms. McKechnie has played most of the memorable musical leading ladies, from 'A Little Night Music' to 'Gypsy' to 'Mack and Mabel' for the Reprise Series in California. Donna has the distinction of playing the three major female characters in 'Follies'. She played 'Phyllis' at The Drury Lane in London, 'Sally' at The Paper Mill Playhouse, and most recently, 'Carlotta' for the Reprise Series in Los Angeles.

Donna McKechnie's other Broadway credits include 'How To Succeed', 'Sondheim: A Musical Tribute', 'On The Town', 'Promises, Promises' and 'Company'. She was invited by Bob Fosse to star in his last production, an American tour of 'Sweet Charity'.