1988–1997

Back-to-Back Pulitzer Prizes

Center Theatre Group continued to cultivate and build relationships with theatrical talent from around the world, from August Wilson to Matthew Bourne. A highlight of this decade came in 1992 and 1993, when Taper plays The Kentucky Cycle and Angels in America won back-to-back Pulitzer Prizes.

(L-R) Christine Lahti and Christopher Reeve star in 'Summer and Smoke' by Tennessee<br />
Williams at the Ahmanson Theatre.
February 19 – April 10, 1988

'Summer and Smoke', February 19 – April 10, 1988

(L-R) Christine Lahti and Christopher Reeve star in 'Summer and Smoke' by Tennessee
Williams at the Ahmanson Theatre. Photo by Jay Thompson.

Kathy Bates and Kenneth Welsh in Terrence McNally's "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" at the Taper.
November 17 – December 18, 1988

'Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune', November 17 – December 18, 1988

Kathy Bates and Kenneth Welsh in Terrence McNally's "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" at the Taper.

(L–R) Ray Oriel, Michael DeLorenzo, Anthony Barrile, Marcus Chong, Lance Slaughter, and Marvin Columbus in 'Stand-Up Tragedy.'
May 20 – June 25, 1989

'Stand-Up Tragedy', May 20 – June 25, 1989

(L–R) Ray Oriel, Michael DeLorenzo, Anthony Barrile, Marcus Chong, Lance Slaughter, and Marvin Columbus in 'Stand-Up Tragedy.' Photo by Jay Thompson.

Cynthia Nixon and John Lithgow in 'Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' at the Ahmanson.
October 5 – December 17, 1989

'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?', October 5 – December 17, 1989

Cynthia Nixon and John Lithgow in 'Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' at the Ahmanson. Photo by Jay Thompson.

August Wilson writing for 'The Piano Lesson,' which ran at the Ahmanson.

If music be the food of love, rarely has it been better used to illustrate its dismantling.

Sylvie Drake on 'The Lisbon Traviata', Los Angeles Times

Cycle Pulitzer proves N.Y. run not essential.

Kathleen O'Steen on 'The Kentucky Cycle's' success without a New York opening, Variety
(L–R) Ellen McLaughlin and Kathleen Chalfant in 'Angels in America.'
November 8 – December 6, 1992

'Angels in America', November 8 – December 6, 1992

(L–R) Ellen McLaughlin and Kathleen Chalfant in 'Angels in America.' Photo by Jay Thomspson.

Alan Alda stars in Neil Simon’s 'Jake’s Women' at the Ahmanson at the Doolittle.
April 15 – June 27, 1993

'Jake's Women', April 15 – June 27, 1993

Alan Alda stars in Neil Simon’s 'Jake’s Women' at the Ahmanson at the Doolittle. Photo by Jay Thompson.

In Bandido!, [Luis] Vasquez is a revolutionary without a revolution.

Laura Winer , Los Angeles Times
(L–R) Marabina Jaimes, Pamela Winslow, Patty Holley, Lettie Ibarra (seated front), A Martinez, Michele Mais, Linda Lopez, and Linda Kerns in 'Bandido!'
June 9 – July 24, 1994

Zoot Suit writer/director and El Teatro Campesino founder Luis Valdez returns to the Taper with the World premiere of the musical 'Bandido!', June 9 – July 24, 1994

(L–R) Marabina Jaimes, Pamela Winslow, Patty Holley, Lettie Ibarra (seated front), A Martinez, Michele Mais, Linda Lopez, and Linda Kerns in 'Bandido!' Photo by Jay Thompson.

(L–R) Roland Rusinek, Nancy Dussault, and Constance Hauman in Candide
November 8 – December 24, 1995

Gordon Davidson directs Leonard Bernstein’s 'Candide' to celebrate the reopening of the Ahmanson., November 8 – December 24, 1995

(L–R) Roland Rusinek, Nancy Dussault, and Constance Hauman in Candide Photo by Craig Schwartz.

(L - R) Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Tommy Hollis, Viola Davis, and Michele Shay in August Wilson's 'Seven Guitars,' directed by Lloyd Richards
January 17 – March 16, 1996

'Seven Guitars' , January 17 – March 16, 1996

(L - R) Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Tommy Hollis, Viola Davis, and Michele Shay in August Wilson's 'Seven Guitars,' directed by Lloyd Richards Photo by Joan Marcus.

The Company in a scene from 'Rent,' The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif
September 29, 1997 – January 18, 1998

The Ahmanson hosts the first national tour of 'Rent', featuring Neil Patrick Harris as Mark, September 29, 1997 – January 18, 1998

The Company in a scene from 'Rent,' The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif Photo by Joan Marcus.