Center Theatre Group News & Blogs

'Women Laughing Alone...' Calendar Release

Center Theatre Group — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 22:28:00 -0800

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March – April 2016

EVENT:

“Women Laughing Alone With Salad”

by Sheila Callaghan

Directed by Neel Keller

West Coast premiere.

DESCRIPTION:

This madcap new play swirls around a man named Guy and three very different women in his life whose feral drives, distorted priorities and passionate love affairs with salad are driving Guy over the edge. Tossed with Callaghan's signature bite, humor and rambunctious theatricality, “Women Laughing Alone With Salad” explores our image-obsessed culture in a world saturated by social media and seductive marketing.

DATES/TIMES:

Previews Begin March 6, 2016. Opens March 13.

Through April 3.

Previews: Sunday through Saturday at 8 p.m. No Monday performances.

Opens Sunday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Regular Performances (March 15 through April 3):

Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. No Monday performances.

TICKET INFO:

Ticket Prices: $25-$55 (Ticket prices are subject to change.)

Tickets are available online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, by calling CTG Audience Services at (213) 628-2772, in person at the Center Theatre Group box office (at the Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles), or at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office two hours prior to performances. Hot Tix: $25 each may be purchased in advance or, subject to availability, on the day of performance at the box office (no checks). Groups: (213) 972-7231. Deaf community: information and charge, visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/ProjectDATE or call TTY (213) 680-7703.

LOCATION:

Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre

9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232.

Ample free parking and restaurants adjacent.

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December 21, 2015

'The Mystery of Love & Sex' Calendar Release

Center Theatre Group — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 19:23:00 -0800

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February – March 2016

EVENT:

“The Mystery of Love & Sex”

by Bathsheba Doran

Directed by Robert Egan West Coast premiere.

DESCRIPTION:

Insightful and compassionate, “The Mystery of Love & Sex” is the story of four people whose lives are inextricably intertwined. Charlotte and Jonny are two college students who have been friends since they were nine years old. Attending college together, they contemplate taking their relationship to a romantic level, but Charlotte’s parents don’t take the news very well, and an onslaught of uncomfortable truths about all four of them is unleashed.

DATES/TIMES:

Previews begin February 10, 2016. Opens February 21.

Through March 20.

Previews (February 10 – February 20): Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. No performances on Mondays or Tuesdays.

Exceptions: Added 2:30 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday, February 20.

Opens Sunday, February 21 at 7 p.m. Regular Performances (February 23 – March 20): Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2:30 and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. No performance on Mondays.

TICKET INFO:

Ticket Prices: $25 - $85 (Ticket prices are subject to change.)

Tickets are available online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, by calling Center Theatre Group Audience Services at (213) 628-2772, or in person at the Center Theatre Group box office. Hot Tix: $25 each may be purchased in advance or, subject to availability, on the day of performance at the box office (no checks). Groups: (213) 972-7231. Deaf community: Information & charge, visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/ProjectDATE or call TTY (213) 680-7703.

LOCATION:

Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum

At the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.

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December 18, 2015

'The Bridges of Madison County' Press Kit

Center Theatre Group — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 05:22:00 -0800

'The Bridges of Madison County' Opens at Ahmanson

Center Theatre Group — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 01:45:00 -0800

“THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY,” THE BROADWAY MUSICAL, OPENS AT AHMANSON

NEXT THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015, AT 8 P.M.

TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL HAS TWO PREVIEWS DECEMBER 8 AND 9

CONTINUES THROUGH JANUARY 17, 2016

“Gorgeous, powerful and rapturous. ‘Bridges’ is one of the few recent Broadway musicals to take up the challenges laid down by the great works of Rodgers and Hammerstein – to tell important stories and somehow make them sing,” New York Magazine

The national tour of “The Bridges of Madison County,” The Broadway Musical, opens at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre, next Thursday, December 10 at 8 p.m. The two-time Tony Award-winning musical will have two previews on Tuesday, December 8 and Wednesday, December 9 at 8 p.m. Performances continue through January 17, 2016.

The cast includes Elizabeth Stanley (“On the Town,” “Million Dollar Quartet”) as Francesca and Andrew Samonsky (“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “South Pacific”) as Robert Kincaid, and Cullen R. Titmas (“The Last Ship,” “Avenue Q”), Mary Callanan (“Mamma Mia!,” “Annie”), David Hess (“Sweeney Todd,” “Annie Get Your Gun”), Dave Thomas Brown (“The Legend of Georgia McBride,” “Heathers”), Caitlin Houlahan (“Parade” at Lincoln Center) and Katie Klaus (“The Bridges of Madison County” original Broadway cast member, “Bonnie & Clyde”).

The ensemble is comprised of Cole Burden, Caitlyn Caughell, Brad Greer, Lucy Horton, Amy Linden, Trista Moldovan, Jessica Sheridan, Matt Stokes, Tom Treadwell and Bryan Welnicki.

Based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller, “The Bridges of Madison County” tells the story of Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson and her life-changing, four-day whirlwind romance with traveling photographer Robert Kincaid. It’s an unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, as a chance encounter becomes a second chance at so much more.

The critically acclaimed musical of “The Bridge s of Madison County” features one of Broadway’s most accomplished creative teams with music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown (“Parade,” “The Last Five Years”), book by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Marsha Norman (“The Secret Garden,” “The Color Purple,” “‘night, Mother”) and direction by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher (“South Pacific,” “The King and I,” “The Light in the Piazza”), recreated by Tyne Rafaeli (“Fiddler on the Roof,” “The King and I”).

“The Bridges of Madison County” features scenic design by two‐time Tony Award‐winner Michael Yeargan (“The Light in the Piazza,” “South Pacific”), costume design by six‐time Tony Award‐winner Catherine Zuber (“The King and I,” “South Pacific,” “The Light in the Piazza”), lighting design by two‐time Tony Award‐winner Donald Holder (“South Pacific,” “The Lion King”), sound design by Jon Weston (“Les Misérables,” “The Color Purple”), wig and hair design by David Brian Brown, arrangements and orchestrations by Jason Robert Brown, music supervision by Tom Murray (“The Last Five Years,” “Parade”) and movement by Danny Mefford (“Fun Home,” “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson”).

The Ahmanson Theatre is the second stop on a 15-city tour, which began in Des Moines, Iowa home of the famous bridges of Madison County, after which the show is named.

To purchase tickets for the Ahmanson Theatre presentation, visit www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, call (213) 972-4400 or visit the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre. Ticket prices start at $25. The Ahmanson Theatre is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, 90012.

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December 4, 2015

'The Bridges of Madison County' Calendar Release

Center Theatre Group — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 01:28:00 -0800

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

December 2015 – January 2016

EVENT:

“The Bridges of Madison County”

The Broadway Musical

Based on the novel by Robert James Waller

Book by Marsha Norman

Music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown

Directed by Bartlett Sher

Direction Recreated by Tyne Rafaeli Movement by Danny Mefford.

DESCRIPTION:

The irresistible, two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical based on one of the most romantic stories ever written, “The Bridges of Madison County” is the second production in the 49th season at the Ahmanson Theatre. “The Bridges of Madison County” tells the story of Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson and her life-changing, four-day whirlwind romance with traveling photographer Robert Kincaid. It’s an unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, as a chance encounter becomes a second chance at so much more.

DATES/TIMES:

Previews December 8 and 9. Opens December 10, 2015. Through January 17, 2016.

Previews: Tuesday and Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Opens Thursday, December 10 at 8 p.m.

Regular Performances (December 11 – January 17, 2016):

Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. No Monday performances.

Exceptions: No 8 p.m. performance on Thursday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) or Fridays, December 25 (Christmas Day) and January 1 (New Year’s Day).

No 6:30 p.m. performance on Sunday, January 17, 2016.

Added 8 p.m. performance on Mondays, December 21 and 28. Added 2 p.m. performance on Thursday, January 14, 2016. Thursday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve) performance is at 7 p.m.

TICKET INFO:

Ticket Prices: $25 - $130 (Ticket prices are subject to change.)

Tickets are available online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, by calling Center Theatre Group Audience Services at (213) 972-4400, or in person at the Center Theatre Group box office. Hot Tix: $25 each may be purchased in advance by phone or, subject to availability, on the day of performance at the box office (no checks). Groups: (213) 972-7231. Deaf community: Information and charge, call TTY (213) 680-7703 or visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/ProjectDATE.

LOCATION:

Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre

At the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.

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September 24, 2015/Updated November 3, 2015/Updated December 1, 2015

"Straight White Men" Opens Release

Center Theatre Group — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 22:55:00 -0800

“STRAIGHT WHITE MEN” OPENS THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2015, AT 6:30 P.M.

WEST COAST PREMIERE HAS TWO PREVIEWS NOVEMBER 20 AND 21 AT DOUGLAS

CONTINUES THROUGH DECEMBER 20

“Straight White Men,” written and directed by Young Jean Lee, opens this Sunday, November 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre. The West Coast premiere of the production, presented in collaboration with Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA, will have two previews on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21 at 8 p.m. and will run through December 20, 2015.

In “Straight White Men,” Young Jean Lee offers a traditionally structured take on the classic American father-son drama. Ed and his three adult sons come together to celebrate Christmas. They enjoy cheerful trash-talking, pranks and takeout Chinese, but find themselves confronting a problem that even being a happy family can’t solve: when identity matters, and privilege is problematic, what is the value of being a straight white man?

The four-man cast features Frank Boyd, Richard Riehle, Brian Slaten and Gary Wilmes.

Lee is a renowned playwright who experiments with theatrical forms in a continual effort to, in her words, “get past audiences’ defenses against uncomfortable subjects and open people up to confronting difficult questions by keeping them disoriented and laughing.”

Including “Straight White Men” in his article about the “Best Theater of 2014,” Charles Isherwood of The New York Times wrote, “Is there anything ... the remarkably versatile and inquisitive playwright … Young Jean Lee cannot do?”

Lee has been called “the most adventurous downtown playwright of her generation” by The New York Times and “one of the best experimental playwrights in America” by Time Out New York.

“Straight White Men” was co-commissioned by Center Theatre Group (with a CTG completion grant made possible by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation), the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University, The Public Theater, steirischer herbst, Festival d’Automne à Paris and Les spectacles vivants du Centre Pompidou. It was produced by Young Jean Lee's Theater Company.

Funding support was generously provided by the Doris Duke Performing Artists Awards program; the New England Foundation for the Arts' National Theater Project, with lead funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; the MAP Fund, supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; the National Endowment for the Arts; and the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

“Straight White Men” was developed at Brown University's Department of Theatre Arts and Performance Studies, Providence, RI. Residency support was provided by the Park Avenue Armory, SPACE on Ryder Farm, Spaceworks NYC and Columbia University.

The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd. in Culver City, CA 90232. Ample free parking and restaurants are adjacent.

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November 16, 2015

"Straight White Men" Opens at the Douglas

Center Theatre Group — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 20:19:00 -0800

“STRAIGHT WHITE MEN” OPENS THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2015, AT 6:30 P.M.

WEST COAST PREMIERE HAS TWO PREVIEWS NOVEMBER 20 AND 21 AT DOUGLAS

CONTINUES THROUGH DECEMBER 20

The four-man cast features Frank Boyd, Richard Riehle, Brian Slaten and Gary Wilmes.

Lee has been called “the most adventurous downtown playwright of her generation” by The New York Times and “one of the best experimental playwrights in America” by Time Out New York.

Tickets are available online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, by calling CTG Audience Services at (213) 628-2772, in person at the Center Theatre Group box office (at the Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles) or at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office two hours prior to performances. The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd. in Culver City, CA 90232. Ample free parking and restaurants are adjacent.

# # # November 16, 2015

"Straight White Men" Press Kit

Center Theatre Group — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 22:45:00 -0800

'An Act of God' Calendar Release

Center Theatre Group — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 01:56:00 -0700

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January – March 2016

EVENT:

Sean Hayes in

“An Act of God”

Written By God

Transcribed By David Javerbaum

Directed By Joe Mantello.

DESCRIPTION:

The King of the Universe is tackling His greatest challenge yet: Live-Theatre in Los Angeles. God takes the form of Emmy Award-winner Sean Hayes in “An Act of God,” a 90-minute comedy where the Almighty and His devoted angels answer some of the deepest questions that have plagued mankind since Creation. He’s finally arrived to set the record straight … and He’s not holding back!

DATES/TIMES:

Previews begin January 30, 2016. Opens February 10. Through March 13.

Previews: (January 30 – February 9) Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 p.m.

Exceptions: Added 2 p.m. preview performance on Saturday, February 6.

Added 6:30 p.m. preview performance on Sunday, February 7. No Monday performances.

Opens Wednesday, February 10 at 8 p.m.

Regular Performances (February 10 – March 13, 2016):

Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. No Monday performances.

Exceptions: Added 2 p.m. performance on Thursday, March 10. No 6:30 p.m. performance on Sunday, March 13.

TICKET INFO:

Ticket Prices: $25 - $115 (Ticket prices are subject to change.)

Tickets are available online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, by calling Center Theatre Group Audience Services at (213) 972-4400, or in person at the Center Theatre Group box office. Hot Tix: $25 each may be purchased in advance by phone or, subject to availability, on the day of performance at the box office (no checks). Groups: (213) 972-7231. Deaf community: Information and charge, visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/ProjectDATE or call TTY (213) 680-7703.

LOCATION:

Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre

At the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.

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October 29, 2015

'Kansas City Choir Boy' Begins Performances Release

Center Theatre Group — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 00:41:00 -0700

“KANSAS CITY CHOIR BOY” FEATURING TODD ALMOND & COURTNEY LOVE

BEGINS PERFORMANCES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15

SPECIAL DOUGLASPLUS EVENT AT THE KIRK DOUGLAS THEATRE

OPENS OCTOBER 18 AND CONTINUES THROUGH NOVEMBER 8

“Kansas City Choir Boy,” with music and lyrics by Todd Almond, featuring Almond and rock icon Courtney Love, begins performances with three previews Thursday, October 15, through Saturday, October 17 at 8 p.m., and opens Sunday, October 18 at 6:30 p.m. The show, which is a special DouglasPlus event, will run through November 8.

Kevin Newbury directs this operetta, an “irresistible gem” said Joe Lynch of Billboard, which tells of lovers in small town America who become separated when the woman decides to travel to New York City in search of her destiny, and then she disappears.

Almond and Love will be joined by a chorus of sirens played by Kate Douglas, Angel Lin, Molly McAdoo, Barrie McLain, Angela Sclafani and Sylver Wallace, and a string quartet featuring Sarah Goldfeather (violin), Josh Henderson (violin), Sarah Elizabeth Haines (viola), Eric Allen (cello)and Rachel Iba (violin substitute) under the musical direction of David Bloom.

Will Hermes of Rolling Stone called “Kansas City Choir Boy” “unsurprisingly awesome” when it premiered at the Prototype Festival of new opera and musical theatre at the HERE Arts Center in January 2015.

Paula Mejia of Newsweek said, “The show, which sold out its entire run soon after it was announced … [has] music ranging from bouncy electro-pop to orchestral crescendos. It most closely resembles a Greek tragedy, with its chorus of six sprites, swells of elation and agony, and its dash of melodrama … Like Love, her character is feral and fearless alongside her onstage lover, the talented composer and actor Todd Almond, in this enchanting allegory about human resilience amid grief.”

Jayson Greene of Pitchfork said, “Love hasn’t found an outlet for her freakish preternatural charisma or vocal gifts this powerful in years.”

The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd. in Culver City, CA 90232. Ample free parking and restaurants are adjacent.

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October 8, 2015