Center Theatre Group News & Blogs

'Sweat' Calendar Release

Center Theatre Group — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 11:51:00 -0700

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August – October 2018

EVENT:

“Sweat”

Written by Lynn Nottage

Directed by Lisa Peterson

DESCRIPTION:

Filled with warm humor and tremendous heart, “Sweat” tells the story of a group of friends who have spent their lives sharing drinks, secrets and laughs while working together on the factory floor. But when layoffs, promotions and picket lines begin to chip away at their trust, the friends find themselves pitted against each other in a heart-wrenching fight to stay afloat.

DATES/TIMES:

Previews begin August 29. Opens September 5. Through October 7, 2018.

Previews (August 29 – September 4): Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

No Monday performance.

Opens Wednesday, September 5 at 8 p.m.

Regular Performances (September 6 – October 7):

Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 8 p.m., Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

No Monday performances.

Exceptions: No 1 p.m. performance on Sunday, September 30.

TICKET INFO:

Ticket Prices: $30 – $99 (Ticket prices are subject to change.) Individual tickets go on sale in July and will be available online at CenterTheatreGroup.org, by calling Audience Services at (213) 628-2772 or in person at the Center Theatre Group Box Office (at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles). Tickets are currently available by season ticket membership only. For season tickets, call the Exclusive Season Ticket Hotline at (213) 972-4444 or visit www.CenterTheatreGroup.org/Taper. Groups: (213) 972-7231. Deaf community: Information and charge, visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/ACCESS.

LOCATION:

Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum At The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012

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June 26, 2018

Center Theatre Group Launches Inaugural Writers' Workshop

Center Theatre Group — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 17:20:00 -0700

CENTER THEATRE GROUP LAUNCHES THE L.A. WRITERS’ WORKSHOP FESTIVAL: NEW PLAYS FORGED IN L.A. ONE DAY EVENT ON SATURDAY, JUNE 23 THE FIRST PUBLIC OUTLET OF THE L.A. WRITERS’ WORKSHOP CENTER THEATRE GROUP’S LONG-RUNNING NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Plays By Three Writers’ Workshop Participants From Throughout The Program’s Thirteen Year History Have Been Selected for the Festival’s Inaugural Year

Center Theatre Group has announced the launch of the inaugural L.A. Writers’ Workshop Festival: New Plays Forged In L.A., to celebrate some of the freshest and most exciting voices in modern American theatre coming out of Los Angeles and Center Theatre Group’s long-standing L.A. Writers’ Workshop. To be held annually at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, the festival will feature readings of three new plays by three L.A. Writers’ Workshop participants from throughout the program’s thirteen year history. The inaugural festival will be on June 23 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with readings of “A Kind of Weather” by Sylvan Oswald, “New Life” by Dan O’Brien and “How To Raise A Freeman” by Zakiyyah Alexander.

“The talent-level of writers who live and work in L.A. is unmatched,” said Center Theatre Group Literary Manager and Artistic Engagement Strategist Joy Meads. “For more than a decade, Center Theatre Group has nurtured many of these exceptional voices through our Writers’ Workshop – offering them the space and community to research and write new plays. Now, through our L.A. Writers’ Workshop Festival, we can continue to support the excellence of the playwrights who call Los Angeles home by sharing their compelling new works with the public.”

The festival begins at 11 a.m. with a breakfast reception and there will be a closing reception at 7:30 p.m.

The first reading at 12 p.m. will be “A Kind of Weather” by Sylvan Oswald. “A Kind of Weather” is the story of Kid, whose grieving father shows up at his Brooklyn doorstep, asks to move in and puts a cramp in his sex life. An obsessive-compulsive, time-jumping tragi-comedy, Oswald’s play explores gender transition, its effect on family relationships and how we learn to be who we are.

Readings continue at 3 p.m. with “New Life” by Dan O’Brien, which follows a war reporter in Syria and a playwright in treatment for cancer as they try to sell a TV show. The conclusion to O’Brien’s trilogy of poetic memoirs-for-the-stage (which include “The Body of An American” and “The House in Scarsdale”), “New Life” dares to dream of healing after trauma, and of telling the truth of war as entertainment.

The festival’s final reading at 5.30 p.m. is “How To Raise A Freeman” by Zakiyyah Alexander. “How To Raise A Freeman” is a dark comedy that asks how a middle-class, African American family can keep their son alive in a world where every 28 hours a black man is killed by law enforcement.

Since 2005, local playwrights have been invited to spend a year with Center Theatre Group’s L.A. Writers’ Workshop researching and writing new works with the feedback of their fellow writers and artistic staff. Membership in the Writers’ Workshop begins with a residency year and continues with events and activities designed to build community and support professional and artistic development. The program is designed to foster new voices, inspire playwrights to create their best work, encourage bold writing and build relationships among local playwrights, Center Theatre Group and the Los Angeles theatre community. The current cohort includes Jeff Augustin, Marcus Gardley, Aleshea Harris, Laura Jacqmin, Matthew Paul Olmos, Jiehae Park and Molly Smith Metzler. In the thirteen years since its founding, the Writers’ Workshop community has grown to 89 playwrights, including Sheila Callaghan (“Shameless,” “Casual,” “Women Laughing Alone with Salad”), Jennifer Haley (“The Nether”), Dominque Morisseau (“Shameless,” “Pipeline”), Qui Nguyen (“Vietgone”) and Marco Ramirez (“The Defenders,” “The Royale”).

Sylvan Oswald is an interdisciplinary artist and assistant professor of playwriting at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television. His work has been produced/developed at About Face Theatre, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor, Center Theatre Group, New Georges, Portland Center Stage, St. Ann's Warehouse and Undermain Theatre among others. He has received a Thom Thomas Award from the Dramatists Guild, Soho Rep's Dorothy Strelsin Fellowship, a Jerome Fellowship from the Playwrights' Center, and residencies at MacDowell, Yaddo and Sundance/Ucross. His most recent project is “High Winds,” co-created with graphic designer Jessica Fleischmann and published by X Artists’ Books; and his lo-fi, semi-improvised web series about trans identity is available at outtakestv.com. He is an affiliated artist with Clubbed Thumb and an alum of New Dramatists.

Dan O’Brien is an internationally produced and published playwright and poet, whose awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship in Drama & Performance Art, the inaugural Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History, the Horton Foote Prize for Best New American Play, the PEN Center USA Award for Drama, and, for poetry, the Fenton Aldeburgh First Collection Prize. His most recent play, “The House in Scarsdale: a Memoir for the Stage,” premiered at The Theatre @ Boston Court in 2017. His docu-drama about the haunting of war reporter Paul Watson, “The Body of an American,” has been produced in recent years off-Broadway, in London, and regionally in Chicago, Washington DC, Denver, Hartford, Portland and elsewhere. O’Brien’s poetry collections are “War Reporter” (CB Editions 2013, Hanging Loose Press 2013), “Scarsdale” (CB Editions 2014, Measure Press 2015) and “New Life” (CB Editions 2015, Hanging Loose Press 2016). “Dan O’Brien: Plays One” was published in 2017 by Oberon Books in London.

Zakiyyah Alexander’s work has been seen and/or developed all around the country, including the world premiere of “10 Things To Do Before I Die” (Second Stage) and the musical “GIRL Shakes Loose” (Penumbra). She is the winner of numerous awards and residencies; including the Helen Merrill Emerging Playwriting Award, ACT New Play Award/Lorraine Hansberry Prize, amongst others. She is also an alumna of New Dramatists and past participant in Center Theatre Group’s Writers’ Workshop. Past commissions include Second Stage, Philadelphia Theatre Company and the Children’s Theatre of Minneapolis. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama (MFA in playwriting), for four years she was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Bard College where she taught undergraduate playwriting. Television credits include “24: Legacy” and “Grey's Anatomy.”

Center Theatre Group, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations, is Los Angeles’ leading nonprofit theatre company, which, under Artistic Director Michael Ritchie, programs seasons at the 736-seat Mark Taper Forum and 1600 to 2000-seat Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles, and the 317-seat Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. In addition to presenting and producing the broadest range of theatrical entertainment in the country, Center Theatre Group is one of the nation’s leading producers of ambitious new works through commissions and world premiere productions and a leader in interactive community engagement and education programs that reach across generations, demographics and circumstance to serve Los Angeles.

Tickets for the L.A. Writers’ Workshop Festival: New Plays Forged In L.A. are $30 for all three readings or $15 for individual readings. Starting Wednesday, May 2, tickets will be available by calling (213) 628-2772, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, at the Center Theatre Group Box Office at the Ahmanson Theatre or at the Kirk Douglas Theatre Box Office two hours prior to performance. The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd. in Culver City, CA 90232. Free three hour covered parking at City Hall with validation (available in the Kirk Douglas Theatre lobby).

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May 1, 2018

Casting Announced for Inaugural L.A. Writers' Workshop

Center Theatre Group — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 17:06:00 -0700

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR CENTER THEATRE GROUP’S INAUGURAL L.A. WRITERS’ WORKSHOP FESTIVAL: NEW PLAYS FORGED IN L.A. A ONE DAY EVENT ON SATURDAY, JUNE 23

Center Theatre Group has announced casting for the inaugural L.A. Writers’ Workshop Festival: New Plays Forged In L.A., a one day event at the Kirk Douglas Theatre celebrating some of the freshest and most exciting voices in modern American theatre. The festival will take place on June 23 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with readings of three new plays by three L.A. Writers’ Workshop participants from throughout the program’s 13-year history. The readings include “A Kind of Weather” by Sylvan Oswald, “New Life” by Dan O’Brien and “How To Raise A Freeman” by Zakiyyah Alexander.

The cast for “A Kind of Weather” includes Sam Anderson, Jer Adrianne Lelliott, Sandra Tsing Loh, Jasika Nicole, Scott Turner Schofield and Rodney To. The creative team includes director Eric Hoff, music director James Lent and dramaturg Lydia Garcia. The stage manager is Alyssa Escalante.

The cast for “New Life” includes Cristina Frías, Tim Guinee and Brian Henderson. The creative team includes director Neel Keller and dramaturg Joy Meads. The stage manager is Kirsten Parker.

The cast for “How To Raise A Freeman” includes Malcolm Barrett, Jon Chaffin, Jason Dirden, Aric Generette Floyd, Ben Horwitz, Elyse Mirto and Tamberla Perry. The creative team includes director Monty Cole and dramaturg Joy Meads. The stage manager is Lia Metz.

The festival begins at 11 a.m. with a breakfast reception and there will be a closing reception at 7:30 p.m.

Since 2005, local playwrights have been invited to spend a year with Center Theatre Group’s L.A. Writers’ Workshop researching and writing new works with the feedback of their fellow writers and artistic staff. Membership in the Writers’ Workshop begins with a residency year and continues with events and activities designed to build community and support professional and artistic development. The program is designed to foster new voices, inspire playwrights to create their best work, encourage bold writing and build relationships among local playwrights, Center Theatre Group and the Los Angeles theatre community. The current cohort includes Jeff Augustin, Marcus Gardley, Aleshea Harris, Laura Jacqmin, Matthew Paul Olmos, Jiehae Park and Molly Smith Metzler. In the 13 years since its founding, the Writers’ Workshop community has grown to 89 playwrights, including Sheila Callaghan (“Shameless,” “Casual,” “Women Laughing Alone with Salad”), Jennifer Haley (“The Nether”), Dominque Morisseau (“Shameless,” “Pipeline”), Qui Nguyen (“Vietgone”) and Marco Ramirez (“The Defenders,” “The Royale”).

Sylvan Oswald is an interdisciplinary artist and assistant professor of playwriting at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television. His work has been produced/developed at About Face Theatre, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor, Center Theatre Group, New Georges, Portland Center Stage, St. Ann's Warehouse and Undermain Theatre among others. He has received a Thom Thomas Award from the Dramatists Guild, Soho Rep's Dorothy Strelsin Fellowship, a Jerome Fellowship from the Playwrights' Center and residencies at MacDowell, Yaddo and Sundance/Ucross. His most recent project is “High Winds,” co-created with graphic designer Jessica Fleischmann and published by X Artists’ Books; and his lo-fi, semi-improvised web series about trans identity is available at outtakestv.com. He is an affiliated artist with Clubbed Thumb and an alum of New Dramatists.

Dan O’Brien is an internationally produced and published playwright and poet, whose awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship in Drama & Performance Art, the inaugural Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History, the Horton Foote Prize for Best New American Play, the PEN Center USA Award for Drama and, for poetry, the Fenton Aldeburgh First Collection Prize. His most recent play, “The House in Scarsdale: a Memoir for the Stage,” premiered at The Theatre @ Boston Court in 2017. His docu-drama about the haunting of war reporter Paul Watson, “The Body of an American,” has been produced in recent years off-Broadway, in London, and regionally in Chicago, Washington DC, Denver, Hartford, Portland and elsewhere. O’Brien’s poetry collections are “War Reporter” (CB Editions 2013, Hanging Loose Press 2013), “Scarsdale” (CB Editions 2014, Measure Press 2015) and “New Life” (CB Editions 2015, Hanging Loose Press 2016). “Dan O’Brien: Plays One” was published in 2017 by Oberon Books in London.

Zakiyyah Alexander’s work has been seen and/or developed all around the country, including the world premiere of “10 Things To Do Before I Die” (Second Stage) and the musical “GIRL Shakes Loose” (Penumbra). She is the winner of numerous awards and residencies; including the Helen Merrill Emerging Playwriting Award, ACT New Play Award/Lorraine Hansberry Prize, amongst others. She is also an alumna of New Dramatists and past participant in Center Theatre Group’s L.A. Writers’ Workshop. Past commissions include Second Stage, Philadelphia Theatre Company and the Children’s Theatre of Minneapolis. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama (MFA in playwriting), for four years she was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Bard College where she taught undergraduate playwriting. Television credits include “24: Legacy” and “Grey's Anatomy.”

Tickets for the L.A. Writers’ Workshop Festival: New Plays Forged In L.A. are $30 for all three readings or $15 for individual readings. Tickets are available by calling (213) 628-2772, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, at the Center Theatre Group Box Office at the Ahmanson Theatre or at the Kirk Douglas Theatre Box Office two hours prior to performance. The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd. in Culver City, CA 90232. Free three hour covered parking at City Hall with validation (available in the Kirk Douglas Theatre lobby).

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June 19, 2018

'School Girls' Calendar Release

Center Theatre Group — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 14:08:00 -0700

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September 2018

EVENT:

“School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play”

By Jocelyn Bioh

Directed by Rebecca Taichman

DESCRIPTION:

The MCC Theater production of “School Girls” follows Paulina, the reigning queen bee at Ghana’s most exclusive boarding school, who has her sights set on the Miss Universe pageant. But the arrival of Ericka, a new student with undeniable talent and beauty, captures the attention of the pageant recruiter—and Paulina’s hive-minded friends. Jocelyn Bioh’s buoyant and biting comedy explores the universal similarities (and glaring differences) facing teenage girls across the globe.

DATES/TIMES:

Previews Begin September 2. Opens September 8. Through September 30, 2018.

Previews (September 2 – September 7): Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.

Opens Saturday, September 8 at 8 p.m.

Regular Performances (September 9 – 30): 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 public performances on Tuesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 20. No 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, September 22.

TICKET INFO:

$25 – $72 (Ticket prices are subject to change.)

Individual tickets go on sale in July and will be available online at CenterTheatreGroup.org, by calling 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.

Tickets are currently available by season ticket membership only. For season tickets, call the Exclusive Season Ticket Hotline at (213) 972-4444 or visit www.CenterTheatreGroup.org/Douglas. Groups: (213) 972-7231. Deaf community: Information and charge, visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/ACCESS.

LOCATION:

Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre

9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232

Free three hour covered parking at City Hall, with validation (available in the Kirk Douglas Theatre lobby)

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June 13, 2018

'The Humans' Begins Performances at Ahmanson Theatre

Center Theatre Group — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 17:07:00 -0700

THE TONY AWARD-WINNING BEST PLAY “THE HUMANS” BEGINS PERFORMANCES AT CENTER THEATRE GROUP / AHMANSON THEATRE JUNE 19 – JULY 29, 2018

Reed Birney and Jayne Houdyshell Will Reprise Their Tony-Winning Roles for Los Angeles Engagement Only

Center Theatre Group will present Stephen Karam’s Tony Award-winning Best Play “The Humans” at the Ahmanson Theatre June 19 through July 29, 2018, with the official opening set for June 20.

Led by two-time Tony Award-winning director Joe Mantello, Reed Birney and Jayne Houdyshell will reprise their Tony Award-winning performances in “The Humans” for the last stop of the national tour at the Ahmanson. The cast will also include previous Broadway company members Cassie Beck, Lauren Klein, Nick Mills and Sarah Steele.

The entire creative team of the Broadway production returns for the national tour, including Tony Award-winning scenic designer David Zinn, costume designer Sarah Laux, Tony Award-nominated lighting designer Justin Townsend and Drama Desk Award-winning sound designer Fitz Patton.

“The Humans,” the 2016 Tony Award-winning Best Play, garnered the most ecstatic reviews of any play in recent memory and was heralded as “The Best Play of the Year” by The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, The Record, Time Out New York, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline and The Wrap.

The angst, anguish and amity of the American middle class are first coaxed—then shoved—into the light in this uproarious, hopeful and heartbreaking play that takes place over the course of a family dinner on Thanksgiving. Breaking with tradition, Erik Blake (Birney) has brought his Pennsylvania family to celebrate and give thanks at his daughter’s apartment in lower Manhattan. As darkness falls outside the ramshackle pre-war duplex, and eerie things start to go bump in the night, the Blake clan’s deepest fears and greatest follies are laid bare. Our modern age of anxiety is keenly observed, with humor and compassion, in this new American classic.

After transferring from Off-Broadway’s Laura Pels Theatre, the Broadway production began performances on Sunday, January 24, 2016, and officially opened on Thursday, February 18 at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Sweeping the 2016 awards season, the limited engagement was extended and moved on August 9 to the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, thereby doubling its capacity. At the time of its closing, “The Humans” had played 502 performances in New York.

“The Humans” is the recipient of four 2016 Tony Awards including Best Play (Author, Stephen Karam), Best Featured Actress in a Play (Jayne Houdyshell), Best Featured Actor in a Play (Reed Birney) and Best Scenic Design of a Play (David Zinn) and four Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Play, Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play (Justin Townsend), Outstanding Sound Design in a Play (Fitz Patton) and a 2016 Special Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble. In 2016, “The Humans” was named the Best Play of the Year by the New York Drama Critics’ Circle, the Outer Critics Circle and the Drama League. The Obie Awards honored Stephen Karam with a 2016 Award for Playwriting and Jayne Houdyshell with a 2016 Award for Performance.

“The Humans,” a 2016 Pulitzer Prize finalist, is Stephen Karam’s second play commissioned by Roundabout Theatre Company following his Pulitzer Prize finalist “Sons of the Prophet” (his first Roundabout commission; 2011) and the hugely acclaimed premiere of “Speech & Debate” (2007).

“The Humans” is produced by Scott Rudin, Barry Diller, Fox Theatricals, James L. Nederlander, Roy Furman, Jon B. Platt, Eli Bush, The John Gore Organization, Jack Lane, Barbara Whitman, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Sonia Friedman, Amanda Lipitz, Peter May, Stephanie P. McClelland, The Shubert Organization and Diana DiMenna. Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner and John Johnson serve as Executive Producers.

Center Theatre Group is one of the nation’s leading producers of ambitious new works through commissions and world premiere productions and a leader in interactive community engagement and education programs that reach across generations, demographics and circumstance to serve Los Angeles.

Tickets for “The Humans” are available by calling (213) 972-4400, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, or by visiting the Center Theatre Group Box Office located at the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets range from $30 – $130 (ticket prices are subject to change). The Ahmanson Theatre is located at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, 90012.

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June 12, 2018

Casting Set for "Dear Evan Hansen" at the Ahmanson

Center Theatre Group — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 12:31:00 -0700

TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL “DEAR EVAN HANSEN”ANNOUNCES CASTING FOR FIRST NATIONAL TOUR

MAGGIE MCKENNA, JESSICA PHILLIPS, CHRISTIANE NOLL, MARRICK SMITH, AARON LAZAR, JARED GOLDSMITH AND PHOEBE KOYABE JOIN BEN LEVI ROSS

TOUR TO LAUNCH SEPTEMBER 2018 IN DENVER AND PLAY MORE THAN 50 U.S. CITIES

“Dear Evan Hansen” producer Stacey Mindich is pleased to announce complete casting for the Tony Award-winning musical’s First National Tour, beginning performances this September in Denver. Stage and TV star Jessica Phillips will play Heidi Hansen, Tony Award nominee Christiane Noll will play Cynthia Murphy and Broadway veteran Aaron Lazar will play Larry Murphy. Marrick Smith and Maggie McKenna round out the Murphy family (as Connor and Zoe, respectively), while Jared Goldsmith as Jared Kleinman and Phoebe Koyabe as Alana Beck complete the on-stage company. They join the previously announced Ben Levi Ross in the title role.

The cast also includes Stephen Christopher Anthony (as the Evan alternate) along with understudies Ashley De La Rosa, Noah Kieserman, Jane Pfitsch, Coleen Sexton and Maria Wirries. Maggie McKenna is appearing with the permission of Actors’ Equity Association. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors’ Equity Association for its assistance of this production.

“Dear Evan Hansen” will begin performances in September 2018 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (September 25 – October 13, 2018), followed by engagements in Los Angeles (October 17 – November 25, 2018) and San Francisco (December 5 – December 30, 2018). Tickets for these three cities go on sale tomorrow, June 8 (10:00 a.m. PT / 11:00 a.m. MT). For ticketing information, please go to www.dearevanhansen.com.

The first year of the tour route is as follows, with additional cities to be announced at a later date:

Denver, CO Denver Los Angeles, CA Ahmanson Theatre Tempe, AZ ASU Gammage San Francisco, CA The Curran Costa Mesa, CA Segerstrom Center Las Vegas, NV The Smith Center Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre Des Moines, IA Des Moines Civic Center Chicago, IL Oriental Theatre Durham, NC Durham Charlotte, NC Belk Theatre Blumenthal Performing Arts Ft. Lauderdale, FL Broward Tampa, FL Straz Center Orlando, FL Dr. Phillips Center Atlanta, GA The Fox Theatre Cincinnati, OH Aronoff Center Buffalo, NY Shea’s Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh Minneapolis, MN The Orpheum Cleveland, OH Playhouse Greenville, SC Peace Center Boston, MA Boston Opera House Washington, D.C. The Kennedy Center Center for the Performing Arts 9/25/18-10/13/18 10/17/18-11/25/18 11/27/18-12/2/18 12/5/18-12/30/18 1/1/19-1/13/19 1/15/19-1/20/19 1/23/19-2/2/19 2/5/19-2/10/19 2/12/19-3/10/19 Performing Arts Center 3/12/19-3/17/19 3/19/19-3/24/19 Center for the Arts 3/26/19-4/7/19 4/9/19-4/14/19 4/16/19-4/21/19 4/23/19-4/28/19 4/30/19-5/12/19 Performing Arts Center 5/14/19-5/19/19 Cultural Trust – Heinz Hall 5/21/19-5/26/19 5/28/19-6/9/19 Square – Connor Palace 6/11/19-6/30/19 7/2/19-7/7/19 7/10/19-8/4/19 8/6/19-9/8/19

For more information about the tour, please visit www.dearevanhansen.com. In addition to the touring production and the record-breaking Broadway production, “Dear Evan Hansen” will launch its first international production in Canada in March 2019 at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre.

The winner of six 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Dear Evan Hansen” features a book by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson, a score by Academy, Tony and Grammy Award-winning composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif. The Grammy Award-winning Original Broadway Cast Recording of “Dear Evan Hansen,” produced by Atlantic Records, was released in February 2017, making an extraordinary debut on the Billboard 200 and entering the chart at #8 – the highest charting debut position for an original cast album since 1961– and went on to win the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Declared “One of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by The Washington Post’s Peter Marks, “Dear Evan Hansen” opened at the Music Box Theatre to rave reviews on December 4, 2016, where it’s broken all box office records and has struck a chord with critics and audiences alike. In addition to winning six Tony Awards, “Dear Evan Hansen” has won numerous other awards, including the 2017 Drama League Award for Outstanding Musical Production and for the off-Broadway production, two Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, two Outer Critics Circle Awards and two Helen Hayes Awards. The show’s original cast recently won a Daytime Emmy Award for Best Musical Performance on a Daytime Talk Show for their April 2017 performance of “You Will Be Found” on NBC’s “Today Show,” only the second Broadway show in history to win that category.

A special edition coffee table book authored by Levenson, Pasek and Paul, “Dear Evan Hansen: through the window” (Grand Central Publishing / Melcher) is now available, offering an in-depth, all-access look at the musical, including never-before-seen production photos and cast portraits, behind-the-scenes stories and a fully annotated script by the authors.

“Dear Evan Hansen” features scenic design by David Korins, projection design by Peter Nigrini, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Nevin Steinberg and hair design by David Brian Brown. Music supervision, orchestrations and additional arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire. Ben Cohn is the Associate Music Supervisor. Vocal arrangements and additional arrangements are by Justin Paul. Danny Mefford is the choreographer. U.S. Casting by Tara Rubin Casting/Lindsay Levine. Adrienne Campbell-Holt, Sash Bischoff and Adam Quinn are the Associate Directors. Judith Schoenfeld is the Production Supervisor.

The touring production of “Dear Evan Hansen” is produced by Stacey Mindich. The co-producers are Mickey Liddell, Hunter Arnold, Caiola Productions, Double Gemini Productions, Fakston Productions, Roy Furman, Harris Karma Productions, On Your Marks Group, Darren Bagert, Roger & William Berlind, Bob Boyett, Colin Callender, Caitlin Clements, Freddy DeMann, Dante Di Loreto, Bonnie & Kenneth Feld, FickStern Productions, Eric & Marsi Gardiner, Robert Greenblatt, Jere Harris and Darren DeVerna, The John Gore Organization, Mike Kriak, David Mirvish, Eva Price, Zeilinger Productions, Adam Zotovich, Ambassador Theatre Group, Independent Presenters Network, and the Shubert Organization, in association with Arena Stage, Molly Smith and Edgar Dobie, and Second Stage Theatre, Carole Rothman, and Casey Reitz. Wendy Orshan and Jeffrey M. Wilson are Executive Producers.

Tickets for “Dear Evan Hansen” begin at $75 (ticket prices are subject to change). Subscriptions for the 2018 – 2019 Season at the Ahmanson Theatre, are available by phone at (213) 972-4400 and online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org/Ahmanson.

CAST BIOS

Ben Levi Ross (Evan Hansen) joins the touring company of “Dear Evan Hansen” direct from the Broadway cast, where he made his Broadway debut.

Maggie McKenna (Zoe Murphy) made her professional theatre debut in 2017 as Muriel Heslop in the Sydney Theatre Company’s award-winning stage show, “Muriel’s Wedding The Musical,” for which she won the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Newcomer. Maggie began acting, singing and songwriting from a very young age, and at 11 she was the winner of the NAB/Mushroom Records National Songwriting competition. Maggie trained in many aspects of the arts throughout high school and was cast in the 2014 Victorian “High School Spectacular” as a lead performer & vocalist. After graduating high school, Maggie moved to Los Angeles to continue her training at the American Musical & Dramatic Academy (AMDA) and graduated in 2016. Maggie’s television work includes the ABC TV drama series “The Doctor Blake Mysteries” in the featured guest role of Roslyn Kerr, and in 2015 she wrote and performed music parodies for the FOXTEL comedy series, “Open Slather.” Most recently, Maggie performed a cover of “Xanadu” as part of the 2018 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony. Maggie McKenna is appearing with the permission of Actors’ Equity Association. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors’ Equity Association for its assistance of this production.

Jessica Phillips (Heidi Hansen). Broadway credits include “Leap of Faith” opposite Raul Esparza, “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” “Next to Normal,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” (25th anniversary revival) and “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” She also starred in the Williamstown Theatre Festival production of Michael Friedman’s “Unknown Soldier” in 2015. On television, she has appeared as recurring guest star ADA Pippa Cox on “Law and Order: SVU” for the past four seasons. Other TV credits include "Royal Pains," "Bronx Warrants" (pilot), “Elementary” and “Unforgettable.” In addition to stage and screen, Jessica's voice can be heard as one half of the country duo, 10th & Carlisle.

Christiane Noll (Cynthia Murphy). Broadway/Tours: “Elf” (MSG), “Chaplin” (Drama Desk Nom), “Ragtime”– Kennedy Center Revival (Tony & Drama Desk Nom, Helen Hayes Award), “Urinetown” (Ovation Award), “The Mambo Kings” (pre-Broadway), “It Ain’t Nothin But The Blues,” “Jekyll & Hyde” (FANY Award), “Grease,” “Miss Saigon,” “City of Angels,” “South Pacific” (Australia/Thailand). TV/Film: “Madam Secretary” (CBS), “Law & Order SVU” (NBC), “The Sound of Music Live” (NBC), “The Good Fight” (CBS), “The King & I” (Animated - Singing Anna). Favorites: “Next to Normal” (CCC award),“Snow Child”(Arena Stage), “October Sky, ”Follies” (STL Circle award), “1776 Encores!,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Mary Poppins,”“Closer than Ever” (Off-Bway Alliance award), “The King & I,” “The New Moon Encores!,” “Ace”(Helen Hayes award nom), “The Witches of Eastwick,” “Mack & Mabel” (CCC Award), “The Sound of Music”(Salzburg Marionette Th.), “Frankenstein,” “Little By Little,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “The Baker’s Wife,” “Lizzie Borden,” “Into the Woods,” “The Student Prince,” “Carousel” and Lincoln Center’s “American Songbook Series” – Frank Loesser. Guest soloist with over 100 symphony orchestras around the world. Opera with Plácido Domingo and Hollywood Bowl/O2 Arena with Julie Andrews. Solo Recordings: “Christiane Noll – A Broadway Love Story,” “Live At The Westbank,” “The Gershwin Album,” “My Personal Property,” “Gifts-Live at 54 Below.”

Marrick Smith (Connor Murphy) is an actor-musician from Staten Island, New York. Broadway: “Fun Home” (OBC); Off Broadway: “Pretty Filthy,” “Wild Goose Dreams,” “The Underclassman.” Film/TV: “The Lennon Report,” “The Big Dogz”; Music: The Entropy EP, “Pretty Filthy” (original cast recording).

Aaron Lazar (Larry Murphy) has starred in 10 Broadway productions: he debuted in “The Phantom of the Opera;” originated roles in the world premieres of “A Tale of Two Cities,” “Impressionism” and “The Last Ship;” starred in the revivals of “A Little Night Music” and “Les Miserables;” and romanced audiences in “The Light in the Piazza” at Lincoln Center and Live from LCT on PBS. On film, Mr. Lazar has worked with acclaimed directors including Clint Eastwood, Mary Harron, Shawn Levy, Martin Scorsese and the Russo brothers. Television guest star roles include NBC's “The Blacklist;” CBS's “Blue Bloods,” “The Good Wife” and “Bull;” and FOX's “The Following.” In addition, Aaron has recurred on Disney's “Girl Meets World,” FX's “The Strain,” and IFC’s “The Onion News Network.” Mr. Lazar has been a guest artist with some of the world's finest symphonies including The New York Philharmonic, The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, The National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center, The Boston Pops, The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra at Masada, The English National Opera Orchestra and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. He can be heard on dozens of Broadway cast albums and television commercials, and his critically acclaimed solo show, “Broadway to Hollywood,” continues to play cabarets and PACs around the country.

Jared Goldsmith (Jared Kleinman) is over the MOON to join the “Dear Evan Hansen” family and originate the role of Jared Kleinman on the National Tour. Born and raised in New Jersey, Jared attended Elon University where he earned his BFA in Music Theatre. But, don’t be fooled, Jared isn’t just an actor. Currently, he’s co-writing and developing an original musical: “MAZKAPAN.” @jaredbgoldsmith

Phoebe Koyabe (Alana Beck) was born in rural France and raised in the suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona. She is thrilled to be making her professional debut in the first national tour of “Dean Evan Hansen.” Playing Alana in “Dear Evan Hansen” is a dream come true.

Stephen Christopher Anthony (Evan Hansen alternate) is so excited to be joining the “Dear Evan Hansen” family! Most recently he was in “Book of Mormon” on Broadway (u/s Elder McKinley). Prior to “Mormon,” he starred as con-man Frank Abagnale Jr in the national tour of “Catch Me If You Can.” Favorite regional credits include “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “Hairspray,” “Carousel,” “Lend Me A Tenor.” Stephen is a proud graduate of Florida State University.

Noah Kieserman is ecstatic to be part of the first national touring company of “Dear Evan Hansen” after graduating from the University of Michigan (B.F.A Musical Theater Program, Class of 2018). Regional: “1776,” “Newsies” (Connecticut Repertory Theatre); “Grease,” “How To Succeed…” (Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts). An avid writer as well, Noah’s musical theatre compositions have been workshopped in Ann Arbor, DC, San Francisco, New York, Calgary and Charlotte. He is also a proud recipient of the Actors' Equity Association's Alan Eisenberg Award.

Jane Pfistch Broadway: “Angels in America” (2018 revival), “Cabaret” (2014 revival), “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” (2008 revival) and “Company” (2007 revival). Off-Broadway: “Peer Gynt” and “Allegro” at CSC, “The 39 Steps” (New World Stages), “Pumpgirl” (MTC). Regional credits include The Huntington (IRNE Nominations), Barrington Stage Company, The Old Globe, Williamstown Theatre Festival. Arena Stage (Helen Hayes nomination), McCarter Theatre Center, San Jose Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Alley Theater, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Capital Repertory Theatre, Virginia Stage Company. Film/TV: “27 Dresses” and "Elementary." Member of Ensemble Studio Theatre. Brown/Trinity MFA Program.

Ashley De La Rosa is so proud to be a part of the cast of “Dear Evan Hansen.” Recent credits include “Beautiful The Carole King Musical” (swing, 1st National Tour), “Rent” National Tour (swing u/s Mimi, Joanne). TV: Top 12 on NBC’s “The Voice” (Season 2). Instagram: @ashdelarosa. Twitter: @ashleydelarosa

Coleen Sexton. Broadway: “Jekyll and Hyde,” “Wicked,” “Chicago,” “Legally Blonde.” Off-Broadway: “Spamalot,” “Dames at Sea,” “Joseph,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “End of the Rainbow,” “Mamma Mia” TV: “Law and Order,” “Third Watch,” “As the World Turns” and “Guiding Light.”

Maria Wirries is a recent graduate from the musical theatre program at Penn State. She most recently was seen in the Broadway revival workshop of “Once on This Island.” Other theatre credits include The Artist Series’ “Hot and Cole,” Penn State School of Theater’s “Be More Chill,” “Sweet Charity,” “Hair,” “Titanic” and The Players Theater’s “Master Class.” She also performs solo cabarets and often collaborates with the Sarasota Orchestra on their Master Works series. Maria has a huge appreciation for new work and has performed newly commissioned pieces by composers and artists James Grant, Dick Hyman, Alex Rybeck, Sheridan Seyfried. This last fall at Penn State she participated in a commission project of a new theatre piece written by Mike Reid and Sarah Schlesinger. As well as participating in the world premiere of “Love in Hate Nation,” a Joe Iconis musical. Maria also writes her own songs that can be heard on her SoundCloud account.

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June 7, 2018

Dear Evan Hansen On Sale

Center Theatre Group — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 12:24:00 -0700

TICKETS FOR “DEAR EVAN HANSEN” AT CENTER THEATRE GROUP/AHMANSON THEATRE GO ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FRIDAY, JUNE 8 AT 10 AM PACIFIC

The Six-Time Tony-Winning Best Musical Comes to Los Angeles October 17 through November 25, 2018

Tickets for the Los Angeles engagement of “Dear Evan Hansen” at Center Theatre Group / Ahmanson Theatre, running October 17 through November 25, 2018, will go on sale to the public on Friday, June 8 at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available at the Ahmanson Theatre Box Office, online at CenterTheatreGroup.org and by phone at (213) 972-4400.

Currently available to subscribers only, an exclusive pre-sale opportunity begins on June 6 for patrons who have signed up at CenterTheatreGroup.org/DearEvanHansen by June 5 at 11:59 p.m.

The winner of six 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Dear Evan Hansen” features a book by Tony Award winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy, Tony and Academy Award-winning composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif. The original Broadway cast recording of “Dear Evan Hansen,” produced by Atlantic Records, was released in February 2017, making an extraordinary debut on the Billboard 200 and entering the chart at number eight – the highest charting debut position for an original cast album since 1961 – and went on to win the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. “Dear Evan Hansen” is the deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it.

Declared “One of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history,” by The Washington Post, The New York Times called “Dear Evan Hansen” “a gut-punching, breathtaking knockout of a musical” and NBC News said the show is “an inspiring anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond.”

“Dear Evan Hansen” opened at the Music Box Theatre to rave reviews on December 4, 2016, where it has broken all box office records and has struck a chord with critics and audiences alike. In addition to winning six Tony awards, “Dear Evan Hansen” has won numerous other awards, including the 2017 Drama League Award for Outstanding Musical Production and, for the off-Broadway production, two Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, two Outer Critics Circle Awards and two Helen Hayes Awards.

“Dear Evan Hansen” is produced by Stacey Mindich. Co-producers are Mickey Liddell, Hunter Arnold, Caiola Productions, Double Gemini Productions, Fakston Productions, Roy Furman, Harris Karma Productions, On Your Marks Group, Darren Bagert, Roger & William Berlind, Bob Boyett, Colin Callender, Caitlin Clements, Freddy DeMann, Dante Di Loreto, Bonnie & Kenneth Feld, FickStern Productions, Eric & Marsi Gardiner, Robert Greenblatt, Jere Harris and Darren DeVerna, The John Gore Organization, Mike Kriak, David Mirvish, Eva Price, Zeilinger Productions, Adam Zotovich, Ambassador Theatre Group, Independent Presenters Network and the Shubert Organization. Executive Producers are Wendy Orshan and Jeffrey M.Wilson, in association with Arena Stage, Molly Smith and Edgar Dobie, and Second Stage Theatre, Carole Rothman and Casey Reitz.

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June 5, 2018

'Ain't Too Proud' Calendar Release

Center Theatre Group — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 11:40:00 -0700

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August – September 2018

EVENT:

“Ain’t Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations”

Book by Dominique Morisseau

Music and Lyrics from The Legendary Motown Catalog

Choreographed by Sergio Trujillo

Directed by Des McAnuff

DESCRIPTION:

“Ain’t Too Proud” is a new musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one. A tale of friendship and betrayal amid the civil unrest that tore America apart, their moving and personal story still resonates five decades later.

DATES/TIMES:

Previews begin August 21. Opens August 24. Through September 30, 2018.

Previews (August 21 – 23): Tuesday through Thursday at 8 p.m.

Opens Friday, August 24 at 8 p.m.

Regular Performances (August 25 – September 30): 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, September 27. No 1 p.m. performance on Sunday, September 30.

TICKET INFO:

Ticket Prices: $30 – $130 (Ticket prices are subject to change.)

Tickets are available online at CenterTheatreGroup.org, by calling Audience Services at (213) 972-4400 or in person at the Center Theatre Group Box Office. Groups: (213) 972-7231. Deaf community: Information and charge, visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/ACCESS.

LOCATION:

Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre

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

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June 6, 2018