Center Theatre Group News & Blogs

'A Play Is a Poem' Calendar

Center Theatre Group — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 11:06:00 -0700

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September – October 2019

EVENT:

“A Play Is a Poem”

By Ethan Coen

Directed by Neil Pepe

World Premiere

In Association with Atlantic Theater Company

DESCRIPTION:

“A Play Is a Poem” is a new collection of five one acts by Ethan Coen set in the hillbilly hollows of Appalachia, the executive suites of Hollywood, a New York tenement apartment, the smoke-filled office of a Los Angeles private eye and a magnolia-scented gazebo in Natchez, Mississippi. Each place holds a different story – together they offer an eccentric look at life across America that only Ethan Coen could deliver.

DATES/TIMES:

Previews begin September 11. Opens September 21. Through October 13, 2019.

Previews (September 11 – 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 Monday performance.

Opens Saturday, September 21 at 8 p.m.

Regular Performances (September 22 – October 13): Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. No Monday performances.

Exceptions: No 2:30 p.m. performance on Saturday, September 21.

TICKET INFO:

Tickets go on sale to the general public on July 24 (subject to change).

Ticket Prices: $25 – $110 (Ticket prices are subject to change.)

Tickets will be 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. 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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July 16, 2019

'On Beckett' Calendar

Center Theatre Group — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 11:06:00 -0700

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September – October 2019

EVENT:

“On Beckett”

Conceived and Performed by Bill Irwin

DESCRIPTION:

In the Irish Repertory Theatre production of “On Beckett,” Bill Irwin is haunted by the work of Samuel Beckett – language he learned over years as a performer and now finds himself considering and reconsidering. In this intimate 90-minute engaging, funny and illuminating evening, Irwin explores his own personal “actor’s relationship” to the Nobel Prize-winning Irish writer, mining the physical and verbal talents acquired from his years as a master clown and Tony Award-winning actor. Irwin’s approach to the comic, the tragic, to every side of Beckett’s work – including “Waiting for Godot” and “Texts for Nothing” – offers the opportunity to experience Beckett’s language through the lens of a uniquely skilled performer.

DATES/TIMES:

Previews begin September 13. Opens September 18. Through October 27.

Previews (September 13 – 17): Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.;

Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. No Monday performance.

Opens Wednesday, September 18 at 8 p.m.

Regular Performances (September 19 – October 27): Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.;

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

TICKET INFO:

Tickets go on sale to the general public on July 24 (subject to change)

Ticket Prices: $30 – $75 (Ticket prices are subject to change.)

Tickets will be 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. Groups: (213) 972-7231. Deaf community: Information and charge, visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/ACCESS.

LOCATION:

Center Theatre Group/ 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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July 17, 2019

'The Play That Goes Wrong' Begins at Ahmanson

Center Theatre Group — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 10:53:00 -0700

Broadway’s Tony Award-Winning Hit Comedy Will Begin Performances at the Ahmanson Theatre on July 9

Production Will Continue through August 11, 2019

The national tour of “The Play That Goes Wrong,” the hilarious Tony Award-winning hit Broadway comedy, will begin performances at the Ahmanson Theatre on July 9 with the opening set for Wednesday, July 10 at 8 p.m. Performances will continue through August 11, 2019.

The tour features Scott Cote as Dennis, Peyton Crim as Robert, Brandon J. Ellis as Trevor, Angela Grovey as Annie, Ned Noyes as Max, Jamie Ann Romero as Sandra, Evan Alexander Smith as Chris and Yaegel T. Welch as Jonathan. The cast also features Blair Baker, Jacqueline Jarrold, Sid Solomon and Michael Thatcher.

Co-written by Mischief Theatre company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, “The Play That Goes Wrong” is a riotous comedy about the theatre. The play introduces The ‘Cornley University Drama Society’ who are attempting to put on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong…does, as the accident-prone thespians battle on against all odds to get to their final curtain call.

Entertainment Weekly calls “The Play That Goes Wrong,” “Hilarious! Non-stop pandemonium.” The Huffington Post calls it, “The funniest play Broadway has ever seen!” And the New York Post says it’s “Broadway’s funniest and longest-running play! Nothing is as fall down funny. GO.” The Broadway production of “The Play That Goes Wrong” opened at the Lyceum Theatre on April 2, 2017 and by its closing on January 6, 2019 the Broadway production played 27 previews and 745 performances, making it the 2nd longest running show in the history of the Lyceum Theatre. Not yet done with New York, “The Play That Goes Wrong” officially opened Off-Broadway on February 20 at New World Stages – Stage 4. “The Play That Goes Wrong” received a Tony Award for Best Set Design, Broadway.com’s Audience Choice Award for Best Play and the Theater Fans Choice Award for Best Play.

Awarded the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, 2014 WhatsOnStage Best New Comedy and 2015 UK BroadwayWorld Best New Play Awards, “The Play That Goes Wrong” is now in its fourth year in the West End and is currently on a 30-week UK tour and playing on six continents. The producers have avoided Antarctica for fear of a frosty reception.

It is a remarkable rags-to-riches story for a play which started its life at a London fringe venue with only four paying members of the public at the first performance, and has gone on to play to an audience of over two million people around the world.

Mischief Theatre, the Olivier Award-winning theatre company led by Artistic Director Henry Lewis and Company Director Jonathan Sayer, was founded in 2008 by a group of graduates of The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and began as an improvised comedy group. Mischief Theatre performs across the UK and internationally with improvised and original scripted work.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” tour is directed by Matt DiCarlo with original Broadway direction by Mark Bell, featuring set design by Nigel Hook, lighting design by Ric Mountjoy, sound design by Andy Johnson and costume design by Roberto Surace.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, J.J. Abrams, Kenny Wax, Stage Presence Ltd., Catherine Schreiber, Ken Davenport, Double Gemini Productions / deRoy-Brunish, Damian Arnold / TC Beech, Greenleaf Productions / Bard-Roth, Martian Entertainment / Jack Lane / John Yonover, and Lucas McMahon.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayGoesWrong.com or follow “The Play That Goes Wrong” on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram: @BwayGoesWrong.

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 2100-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.

Bank of America is the season sponsor for Center Theatre Group’s 2018-2019 season the Ahmanson Theatre and Delta Air Lines is the official airline sponsor.

Tickets for “The Play That Goes Wrong” 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 – $135 (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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July 2, 2019

American Express Named Official Card of Center Theatre Group

Center Theatre Group — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 10:53:00 -0700

AMERICAN EXPRESS NAMED OFFICIAL CARD OF CENTER THEATRE GROUP

Card Members Can Receive Access to Presale Tickets, Preferred Seating and Exclusive Card Member Performances for the 2019 – 2020 Season at the Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Kirk Douglas Theatre

American Express has been named the Official Credit Card for Center Theatre Group’s 2019 – 2020 season at the Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Kirk Douglas Theatre. All Card Members will have access to ticket presales for every show next season, with specific dates listed below. Eligible Card Members can purchase American Express® Preferred Seating subject to availability at each performance. In addition, American Express will host exclusive Card Member Performances throughout the season, giving Card Members the opportunity to purchase special tours, talkbacks and other experiences to complement the onstage performance. All offers are subject to availability and other terms apply. More information on the specific benefits and Card Member eligibility is available at www.CTGLA.org/AMEX.

“We are excited to welcome American Express into the Center Theatre Group family next season,” said Deborah Warren, Center Theatre Group Director of Marketing. “We’re glad to be recognized by American Express for not only the work on our stages but for our ability to bring theatrical experiences to the widest audience possible in Southern California.”

The first American Express® Presale began July 10 at 10 a.m. Tickets are available for “Latin History for Morons” written and performed by John Leguizamo at the Ahmanson Theatre (performances run September 5 through October 20, 2019). Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public through Thursday, July 18 at 9:59 a.m. by visiting www.CTGLA.org/AMEX.

The full schedule of presale dates for the 2019 – 2020 season are as follows. Each presale event begins at 10 a.m. All presale times and dates are subject to change and availability.

Wednesday, July 10, 2019 thru Thursday, July 18 “Latin History for Morons” (Ahmanson Theatre, September 5 – October 20, 2019)

Wednesday, July 17, 2019 thru Wednesday, July 24 “A Play Is a Poem” (Mark Taper Forum, September 11 – October 13, 2019) “On Beckett” (Kirk Douglas Theatre, September 13 – October 27, 2019) “The New One” (Ahmanson Theatre, October 23 – November 24, 2019) August Wilson’s “Jitney” (Mark Taper Forum, November 22 – December 29, 2019) Matthew Bourne’s “Swan Lake” (Ahmanson Theatre, December 3, 2019 – January 5, 2020) “Until the Flood” (Kirk Douglas Theatre, January 24 – February 23, 2020)

Wednesday, August 21, 2019 thru Wednesday, September 4 Sting in “The Last Ship” (Ahmanson Theatre, January 14 – February 16, 2020)

Wednesday, September 11, 2019 thru September 18 “The Book of Mormon” (Ahmanson Theatre, February 18 – March 29, 2020)

Wednesday, October 9, 2019 thru October 16 “What the Constitution Means to Me” (Mark Taper Forum, January 12 – February 16, 2020)

Tuesday, November 12, 2019 thru March 11 Block Party (Kirk Douglas Theatre, March 18 – April 19, 2020) “The Antipodes” (Mark Taper Forum, March 25 – April 26, 2020) “Once on This Island” (Ahmanson Theatre, April 7 – May 10, 2020) “1776” (Ahmanson Theatre, July 21 – August 23, 2020) “King James” (Mark Taper Forum, July 29 – August 30, 2020) “Sakina’s Restaurant” (Kirk Douglas Theatre, Summer 2020)

Center Theatre Group, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations, is Los Angeles’ leading nonprofit theatre company, which, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Ritchie, Managing Director Meghan Pressman and Producing Director Douglas C. Baker, programs seasons at the 736-seat Mark Taper Forum and 1600 to 2100-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.

American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. More information is available at americanexpress.com, and connect with American Express on facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, Linkedin.com/company/american-express,twitter.com/americanexpress and youtube.com/americanexpress.

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July 15, 2019

Tickets Go On Sale for John Leguizamo's 'Latin History for Morons' at Ahmanson

Center Theatre Group — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 10:53:00 -0700

TICKETS GO ON SALE FOR JOHN LEGUIZAMO’S “LATIN HISTORY FOR MORONS” AT CENTER THEATRE GROUP/AHMANSON THEATRE JULY 18 AT NOON

Special On-Sale Event Includes Buy One Get One Free Ticket Offer at the Ahmanson Theatre Box Office for the First Eight Hours Only

Tickets for the Los Angeles engagement of “Latin History for Morons,” written by and starring John Leguizamo, at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre, will go on sale to the public at noon on Thursday, July 18, 2019. Tickets will be available online at CenterTheatreGroup.org or by phone at (213) 972-4400. Patrons who come to the Ahmanson Theatre Box Office between noon and 8 p.m. on July 18 only will qualify for a buy one get one free ticket offer (up to two free tickets) for performances September 5 – 15, 2019. “Latin History for Morons” runs September 5 through October 20, 2019, with the opening set for Sunday, September 8.

To kick off the day, from noon to 2 p.m., there will be food trucks on the Hope Street side of The Music Center (between First and Temple), Upstage Burger will be open and a DJ from K-LOVE (107.5 FM) will be playing music on the Music Center Plaza.

Inspired by the near total absence of Latinos from his son’s American history books, John Leguizamo embarks on an outrageously funny, frenzied search to find a Latin hero for his son’s school project. From a mad recap of the Aztec empire to stories of unknown Latin patriots of the Revolutionary War and beyond, Leguizamo breaks down the 3,000 years between the Mayans and Pitbull into 110 irreverent and uncensored minutes above and beyond his unique style.

Leguizamo began his work on “Latin History for Morons” with celebrated, sold-out development engagements at The Public Theater and Berkeley Repertory Theatre followed by a Tony-nominated run at Broadway’s Studio 54. Directed by Tony Taccone (“Wishful Drinking,” “Bridge & Tunnel”), “Latin History for Morons” is written and performed by Leguizamo, featuring scenic design by Rachel Hauck, lighting design by Alexander V. Nichols, and original music and sound design by Bray Poor.

“Latin History for Morons” is the sixth offering for theatre’s most prolific modern Latino playwright and his fourth to be produced on Broadway, joining “Ghetto Klown” (Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award), “Freak” (Drama Desk Award) and “Sexaholix…A Love Story”(Tony nomination). “Mambo Mouth” (Obie Award) and “Spic-O-Rama” (Drama Desk Award) each had successful off-Broadway runs. “Mambo Mouth,” “Spic-O-Rama,” “Freak” and “Ghetto Klown” all went on to be filmed for presentation on HBO. “Latin History for Morons” earned Leguizamo a 2018 Special Tony Award.

Ben Brantley of The New York Times called “Latin History for Morons” a “surprisingly poignant one-man show.” He went on to say, “the show slyly poses sharp and timely questions of what culturally defines American identity and who, in the nationalistic age of Trump, has ‘the right’ to be here.”

David Canfield of Entertainment Weekly concluded, “With ‘Latin History for Morons,’ Leguizamo isn’t merely teaching us what we’ve never been taught. He’s giving us a space to cheer and cry, to laugh and listen.”

Tickets for “Latin History for Morons” begin at $35 (ticket prices are subject to change). Subscriptions for the 2019 – 2020 Season at the Ahmanson Theatre, are available by phone at (213) 972-4400 and online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org/Ahmanson.

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July 9, 2019

'Latin History for Morons' Calendar

Center Theatre Group — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 10:53:00 -0700

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September – October 2019

EVENT:

“Latin History for Morons”

Written and performed by John Leguizamo

Directed by Tony Taccone

DESCRIPTION:

DATES/TIMES:

Previews September 5 through September 7 at 8 p.m.

Opens Sunday, September 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Through October 20, 2019.

Regular Performances (September 11 – October 20): Wednesday 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 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, September 14. No 1 p.m. performances on Sunday, September 22 and 29. Added 8 p.m. performance on Tuesday, September 24.

No 8 p.m. performances on Saturday, September 28 and October 12. No 6:30 p.m. performances on Sunday, October 6 and 20. Added 2 p.m. performance in lieu of an 8 p.m. performance on Thursday, October 10. No public performance on Thursday, October 17.

TICKET INFO:

Tickets go on sale to the general public on July 18 (subject to change) Ticket Prices: $35 – $145 (Ticket prices are subject to change.)

Tickets will be 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

July 15, 2019 # # #