Center Theatre Group News & Blogs

Stephen D. Rountree Accelerates Retirement

Center Theatre Group — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 13:43:00 -0700

CENTER THEATRE GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO STEPHEN D. ROUNTREE ACCELERATES RETIREMENT

Stephen D. Rountree has accelerated his previously announced exit from Center Theatre Group, stepping down as Managing Director/CEO as of today.

Rountree joined Center Theatre Group as Managing Director in 2015 after serving as President and CEO of The Music Center from 2002 to 2014. Rountree was also CEO of the Los Angeles Opera from 2008 to 2012, a position he held concurrently with his role at The Music Center.

“I want to express the Board of Directors’ gratitude for Steve’s unflagging efforts to steward Center Theatre Group into a 21st-century organization,” said Center Theatre Group Board President Kiki Ramos Gindler. “We’ll be forever indebted to Steve for his work on behalf of our organization, as well as the many insights he has brought to the boardroom since he came to Center Theatre Group in January 2015.”

“I’ve known Steve for more than a decade and have greatly admired working with him over the past four years,” said Center Theatre Group Artistic Director Michael Ritchie. “It was clear from the moment Steve moved from The Music Center to Center Theatre Group that he was ready to help steer our organization toward a more robust future, including offering his strategic guidance through our 50th anniversary celebration. He continues to be one of the great leaders in the nonprofit cultural scene, and I’ve been proud to call him a colleague and friend.”

Center Theatre Group has engaged the services of Phillips Oppenheim, which specializes in international executive searches for the nonprofit sector, to lead a nationwide search for the next Managing Director/CEO. The executive search firm will work closely with Center Theatre Group’s Board of Directors and Artistic Director to identify the best candidate to lead the organization. Sarah James and Becky Klein of Phillips Oppenheim will manage the search. All inquiries should be directed to Ms. James or Ms. Klein at CTG@phillipsoppenheim.com.

At Center Theatre Group, Rountree supervised all management, financial, marketing, communications, institutional advancement, technology and human resources. Prior to his work at Center Theatre Group, The Music Center and LA Opera, Rountree served the J. Paul Getty Trust for 22 years, starting in 1980 as Deputy Director of the Getty Museum, then Director of the Getty Center Building Program, and in 1998, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Getty Trust. He currently serves as a trustee of Occidental College, The Ahmanson Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and Polytechnic School.

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.

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October 29, 2018

Performances Begin for 'Valley of the Heart' at Taper

Center Theatre Group — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 15:21:00 -0700

PERFORMANCES BEGIN FOR CENTER THEATRE GROUP’S PRODUCTION OF “VALLEY OF THE HEART” ON OCTOBER 30 AT THE MARK TAPER FORUM

Luis Valdez’s Latest Work Will Continue Through December 9, 2018

Performances for Center Theatre Group’s production of “Valley of the Heart” will begin on October 30 at the Mark Taper Forum. Written and directed by Luis Valdez (“Zoot Suit”) and presented in association with El Teatro Campesino, the production will run through December 9, 2018. The opening will be on Wednesday, November 7 at 8 p.m.

The cast of “Valley of the Heart” includes, in alphabetical order, Mariela Arteaga, Moises Castro, Justin Chien, Melanie Arii Mah, Randall Nakano, Joy Osmanski, Rose Portillo, Christy Sandoval, Scott Keiji Takeda, Daniel Valdez and Lakin Valdez. Theresa Murray will no longer be part of the production as was previously announced. Michael Naydoe Pinedo will now perform the part of Kurogo.

The creative team includes set design by John Iacovelli, costume design by Lupe Valdez, lighting design by Pablo Santiago, projection design by David Murakami and sound design by Philip G. Allen. The production stage manager is David S. Franklin.

The fight to maintain dignity, identity, family and faith are at the heart of this American story deeply rooted in the once-fertile farmland that is now known as the Silicon Valley. “Valley of the Heart” tells the story of the Yamaguchis and the Montaños, two immigrant families struggling to provide a future for their American-born children after the Great Depression on the farmland the two families share. The families’ oldest children secretly fall in love only to have the emotional stakes further heightened when the attack on Pearl Harbor throws these Mexican and Japanese American families into uncertainty.

When the Yamaguchis are interned along with thousands of other Japanese Americans, allegiances are tested, heroes are made, and the two young lovers must find a way to stay loyal both to their families, their country and each other.

Luis Valdez’s screen credits include “Zoot Suit” (featuring Edward James Olmos), “La Bamba” (starring Lou Diamond Phillips), “The Cisco Kid” (featuring Jimmy Smits and Cheech Marin) and “Corridos: Tales of Passion and Revolution” (with Linda Ronstadt). Awards include LA Drama Critic Circle Awards, Bay Area Critics Awards, the George Peabody Award for excellence in television, the Presidential Medal of the Arts, the Governor’s Award from the California Arts Council and Mexico’s prestigious Aguila Azteca Award given to individuals whose work promotes cultural excellence and exchange between the U.S. and Mexico. He was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. In 2007, he was awarded a Rockefeller Fellowship as one of the 50 U.S. artists so honored across the United States. Valdez was recently inducted into the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences as a director.

Tickets are 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 range from $30 – $99 (ticket prices are subject to change). The Mark Taper Forum is located at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.

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October 25, 2018

World Premiere of 'Quack' Opens at Douglas

Center Theatre Group — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 15:06:00 -0700

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF “QUACK” OPENS AT CENTER THEATRE GROUP’S KIRK DOUGLAS THEATRE

“Quack” Will Run Through November 18, 2018

The world premiere of “Quack” by Eliza Clark will open at Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre on Sunday, October 28 at 6:30 p.m. Directed by Neel Keller, “Quack” is currently in previews and continues through November 18, 2018.

The cast includes, in alphabetical order, Dan Bucatinsky (“Second Act,” Emmy winner for “Scandal”), Jackie Chung (“different words for the same thing”), Nicholas D’Agosto (“Trial and Error,” “Gotham”), Jessalyn Gilsig (“Scandal,” “Glee”) and Shoniqua Shandai (“I Am the Night”).

The creative team includes set design by Dane Laffrey, costume design by Raquel Barreto, lighting design by Elizabeth Harper, sound design by Robbin Broad and compositions by Michael K. Hooker. The production stage manager is Maggie Swing.

Millions of women across America rely on Dr. Irving Baer (played by Bucatinsky) and his daytime talk show to help them lose weight, manifest their destinies and take their health into their own hands. Then, a take-down piece of journalism goes viral leaving his career hanging in the balance, his marriage on the rocks and his carefully maintained public persona in peril. In the frenzy of crisis management that follows, one thing becomes clear: if Irving Baer is going to fall from grace, he’s bringing everyone else with him. Eliza Clark’s hilarious new comedy exposes the shaky foundations of the wellness industry, the fleeting nature of 21st-century fame, and the relationship between the powerful men who dole out advice and the women who are supposed to receive it with a smile. “Quack” was developed in Center Theatre Group’s L.A. Writers’ Workshop and is the recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award.

Eliza Clark has developed plays at Manhattan Theatre Club, the Studio at Cherry Lane Theatre, Page 73 Productions, Ensemble Studio Theatre and others. She has received commissions from South Coast Repertory and Yale University’s O’Neill Studio. Clark was a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre’s emerging writers group, Youngblood and was the 2010 Page 73 Playwriting Fellow. Most recently, she was a member of Center Theatre Group’s writers group, the L.A. Writers’ Workshop. Her play, “Edgewise,” was co-produced by Page 73 and The Play Company in 2010 and her play, “Recall,” was produced by Colt Coeur at The Wild Project in 2012. Her play, “Future Thinking,” was featured on The Kilroy’s List and commissioned and produced by South Coast Repertory in spring 2016. “Edgewise,” “Recall” and “Future Thinking” are published by Samuel French. Clark also has written for television including AMC’s “Rubicon” and “The Killing.” She is a writer and co-executive producer on “Animal Kingdom” for TNT.

Tickets for “Quack” 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. Tickets range from $25 – $72 (ticket prices are subject to change). 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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October 24, 2018

'Dear Evan Hansen' Opens Record-Breaking Engagement at Ahmanson

Center Theatre Group — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 14:20:00 -0700

“DEAR EVAN HANSEN” OPENS RECORD-BREAKING LA ENGAGEMENT AS HIGHEST WEEKLY GROSSING SHOW IN AHMANSON THEATRE HISTORY

Tony Award-Winning Musical Opens Tonight

A record-breaking show on Broadway and now on National Tour, “Dear Evan Hansen” opens its Los Angeles engagement tonight, October 19, having already shattered all weekly box office revenue records in Ahmanson and Center Theatre Group’s over 50-year history. Earlier this summer, the First National Tour of “Dear Evan Hansen” also made history as the fastest-selling show in the history of ASU Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, AZ.

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® winners Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (“La La Land,” “The Greatest Showman”) and direction by four-time Tony® Award nominee Michael Greif (“Rent,” “Next to Normal”). Currently in previews, “Dear Evan Hansen” continues through November 25 at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. An engagement at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa follows from January 1 to 13, 2019.

The “Dear Evan Hansen” first national tour cast features Ben Levi Ross in the title role. Stage and TV star Jessica Phillips plays Heidi Hansen. Tony Award nominee Christiane Noll plays Cynthia Murphy and Broadway veteran Aaron Lazar plays 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.

The cast also includes Stephen Christopher Anthony (as the Evan alternate) along with understudies Ciara Alyse Harris, John Hemphill, 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” 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.

Following its run in Los Angeles, “Dear Evan Hansen” will move to ASU Gammage in Tempe, Arizona (November 27 – December 2, 2018), The Curran in San Francisco (December 5 – December 30, 2018) and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa (January 1 – 13, 2019). The first year of the tour route will continue as follows, with additional cities to be announced at a later date:

Los Angeles, CA, Ahmanson Theatre 10/17/18-11/25/18

Tempe, AZ ASU Gammage 11/27/18-12/2/18

San Francisco, CA The Curran 12/5/18-12/30/18

Costa Mesa, CA Segerstrom Center 1/1/19-1/13/19

Las Vegas, NV The Smith Center 1/15/19-1/20/19

Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre 1/23/19-2/2/19

Des Moines, IA Des Moines Civic Center 2/5/19-2/10/19

Chicago, IL Oriental Theatre 2/12/19-3/10/19

Durham, NC Durham Performing Arts Center 3/12/19-3/17/19

Charlotte, NC Belk Theatre – Blumenthal Performing Arts 3/19/19-3/24/19

Ft. Lauderdale, FL Broward Center for the Arts 3/26/19-4/7/19

Tampa, FL Straz Center 4/9/19-4/14/19

Orlando, FL Dr. Phillips Center 4/16/19-4/21/19

Atlanta, GA The Fox Theatre 4/23/19-4/28/19

Cincinnati, OH Aronoff Center 4/30/19-5/12/19

Buffalo, NY Shea’s Performing Arts Center 5/14/19-5/19/19

Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh Cultural Trust – Heinz Hall 5/21/19-5/26/19

Minneapolis, MN The Orpheum 5/28/19-6/9/19

Cleveland, OH Playhouse Square – Connor Palace 6/11/19-6/30/19

Greenville, SC Peace Center 7/2/19-7/7/19

Boston, MA Boston Opera House 7/10/19-8/4/19

Washington, D.C. The Kennedy Center 8/6/19-9/8/19

For more information about the tour, please visit www.dearevanhansen.com.

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.

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.
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.

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 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” 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 $99 – $285 (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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October 19, 2018

The First National Tour of 'Dear Evan Hansen' Begins Los Angeles Engagement

Center Theatre Group — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 14:20:00 -0700

THE FIRST NATIONAL TOUR OF TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL “DEAR EVAN HANSEN” BEGINS LOS ANGELES ENGAGEMENT ON OCTOBER 17

Performances of the Los Angeles engagement of the first national tour of Tony Award-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen” begin Wednesday, October 17, at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. The opening is set for Friday, October 19. 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® winners Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (“La La Land,” “The Greatest Showman”) and direction by four-time Tony® Award nominee Michael Greif (“Rent,” “Next to Normal”).

The cast for the musical’s first national tour features Ben Levi Ross in the title role. 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.

“Dear Evan Hansen” is currently playing at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts through October 13 and will move to The Curran in San Francisco (December 5 – December 30, 2018) following its run in Los Angeles.

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

For more information about the tour, please visit www.dearevanhansen.com.

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, and 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.

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.

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. Ben studied at the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. He would like to thank his team at Abrams Artists Agency, his mom, dad, and sister, and every teacher he’s ever had. Hold on tightly, let go lightly.

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.

Ciara Alyse Harris is OVERJOYED to be making her First National Tour Debut! Ciara is a recent graduate of the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM). She thanks HCKR, her family and friends for their never-ending love and support, and God for reminding her to believe in the impossible!

John Hemphill. Broadway: “School of Rock,” “Mamma Mia!.” National Tour: “Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time,” “Mamma Mia!,” Off Broadway “Admissions” (Lincoln Center) Film: David Fincher’s Zodiac. TV: “Billions,” “House of Cards”, “Mr. Robot,” “The Blacklist,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Castle.” Special thanks to the Dear Evan Hansen Family, Tara Rubin, and especially to my parents and my beautiful wife Jenn.

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: “27sDresses” and "Elementary." Member of Ensemble Studio Theatre. Brown/Trinity MFA Program.

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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October 5, 2018

'Dear Evan Hansen' to Open Digital Lottery at Ahmanson

Center Theatre Group — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 17:33:00 -0700

“DEAR EVAN HANSEN” TO OPEN DIGITAL LOTTERY ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 15 AT 11 A.M FOR $25 TICKETS TO THE LOS ANGELES ENGAGEMENT OF ITS FIRST NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

The First North American Tour of “Dear Evan Hansen” will begin a digital lottery for the Los Angeles run at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre on Monday, October 15 at 11 a.m. Fans can submit for the chance to purchase a limited number of $25 tickets available per performance.

The digital lottery will begin accepting entries 48 hours prior to each performance and entries will be accepted until 9 a.m. local time the day before the performance. Fans who have been selected will be notified daily via email and can then purchase up to two (2) tickets at $25 each. The ticket lottery will continue on a rolling basis for every performance in the engagement. All entrants are encouraged to follow “Dear Evan Hansen” on Instagram (@dearevanhansen), Twitter (@dearevanhansen) and Facebook (@DearEvanHansen) for additional lottery news and information. The lottery will be hosted in each city on the First North American Tour.

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® winners Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (“La La Land,” “The Greatest Showman”) and direction by four-time Tony® Award nominee Michael Greif (“Rent,” “Next to Normal”). The production plays at the Ahmanson Theatre October 17 through November 25, with the opening set for October 19.

Entrants must be 18 years or older. A valid, non-expired photo ID that matches the name used to enter is required for pickup. Seat locations awarded by the lottery are subject to availability. Additional details and times will be announced in each tour city by the local theatre box office prior to the engagement. Additional lottery requirements can be found at www.luckyseat.com/dearevanhansen.

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 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, and 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.

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” 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 $99 – $285 (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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October 11, 2018

Rehearsals Begin for 'Valley of the Heart' at the Taper

Center Theatre Group — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 12:50:00 -0700

REHEARSALS HAVE BEGUN FOR CENTER THEATRE GROUP’S PRODUCTION OF “VALLEY OF THE HEART” BY LUIS VALDEZ AT THE MARK TAPER FORUM OCTOBER 30 THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2018

Rehearsals have begun for Center Theatre Group’s production of “Valley of the Heart,” which is written and directed by Luis Valdez (“Zoot Suit”). Presented in association with El Teatro Campesino, the production will play at the Mark Taper Forum October 30 through December 9, 2018. The opening will be on Wednesday, November 7.

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October 11, 2018