DONNA McKECHNIE comes directly from the Gershwin Theatre in New York, having performed a successful run of Madam Morrible in the award-winning Broadway show, WICKED.

Ms. McKechnie received a Best Actress Tony Award for her performance in A CHORUS LINE and is regarded internationally as one of Broadway’s foremost singing and dancing leading ladies.

 Other Broadway shows include HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, THE EDUCATION OF HYMAN KAPLAN, SONDHEIM: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE (also choreographed), PROMISES- PROMISES, COMPANY, ON THE TOWN, STATE FAIR, (Fred Astaire Award) THE VISIT and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (National tour).

Bob Fosse invited Donna to play the lead in his last production, a national tour of SWEET CHARITY, (Helen Hayes Award Nomination). Other regional productions include: FOLLIES, MACK AND MABEL, GYPSY, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, THE IMAGINARY INVALID, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, I D0 - I DO, CABARET, THE THREE PENNY OPERA, Chris Gattelli’s IN YOUR ARMS, Warren Carlyle’s CAREFREE, John Doyle’s TEN CENTS A DANCE, HALFTIME and PAJAMA GAME at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.  Donna was also featured in the New York productions of ANNIE WARBUCKS, and LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE.

Donna has starred in numerous productions in London’s West End including PROMISES-PROMISES, COMPANY, NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY (also choreographed), Cole Porter’s CAN-CAN, Stephen Sondheim’s FOLLIES, and Michael John La Chuisa’s THE WILD PARTY. A few seasons ago she choreographed SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, starring LESLIE CARON, and GUYS AND DOLLS at the Hollywood Bowl.

She has appeared at 54 Below in New York and at London’s Crazy Coqs with her cabaret shows and continues to tour all over this country with her highly acclaimed one woman show, TAKE ME TO THE WORLD: THE SONGS OF STEPHEN SONDHEIM.

Donna has also performed extensively on the concert stage and with symphony orchestras all over the country. She has appeared as a guest star in numerous television specials and dramatic series including HBO’s SHOWSTOPPERS, FAME, CHEERS, FAMILY TIES, HULLABALOO, TWIRL, and DARK SHADOWS.  Her memoir, TIME STEPS; MY MUSICAL COMEDY LIFE, was published by Simon and Schuster.

Donna was featured in the documentary film, EVERY LITTLE STEP and played the Rose in the film,  THE LITTLE PRINCE.

In 2019, Ms. McKechnie was inducted into the Theatre Hall Of Fame.

The American dream came true for Catalina Popescu in October of 1986 when she and her husband Bob created a supper club devoted to serving an experience of superb eats and the shared magic of live performance. That grand experience began at the door where every night her mother Maria would greet each guest as family and share in their love of music. Housed in Hollywood and decked out in a timeless charm, the club offers a cozy ambience under sparkling stage lights garnished with its signature concoction — Jazz. The first artist to grace the stage was the masterful flutist and saxophonist Buddy Collette, and ever since then, over the past 36 years, the Catalina Jazz Club has hosted the most illustrious legends of all time — from the powerful puffers of Dizzy Gillespie to the electrified fingers of McCoy Tyner, the bubbly belt of Dee Dee Bridgewater and Lynda Carter, the flirtatious saxophone of Joshua Redman, the slick strumming of Kenny Burrell, the insane drum clinic of Steve Gadd, the romance of Steve Tyrell, and the masterclass of Mike Stern.

For Catalina, Jazz is our way of life. It breathes pain. It knows love. It dreams hope. It bleeds courage. Whether we’re showcasing Broadway, Soul, R&B, or stand-up comedy, the lesson learned from all the greats who have serenaded our spirits is how to connect to one another. And that’s why the Catalina Jazz Club will always have a table ready for you.

The Catalina Jazz Club has been honored by A.S.M.A.C., California Jazz Foundation, Los Angeles Jazz Society, and a City of Los Angeles Certificate of Appreciation on their 25th Anniversary, which was awarded by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the LA City Council which included then City Council member and current Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.