1998–2007
New Theatre, New Leadership
The Kirk Douglas Theatre opened, Founding Artistic Director Gordon Davidson retired, and Artistic Director Michael Ritchie assumed leadership of Center Theatre Group in our fourth decade.
'Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde'
Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde written by Moisés Kaufman, marks the beginning of Center Theatre Group's relationship with Kaufman, who has directed six productions on our stages.
By breaking the rules, The Cider House Rules proves to be a powerful landmark piece of Los Angeles Theater.
'The Cider House Rules'
The two-part, six-hour epic The Cider House Rules, adapted by Peter Parnell from the novel by John Irving and conceived and directed by Tom Hulce and Jane Jones, plays the Taper following a Center Theatre Group workshop and five years of development.
'How I Learned to Drive'
Molly Ringwald and Brian Kerwin appear in Paula Vogel’s groundbreaking, Pulitzer Prize-winning How I Learned to Drive at the Taper, directed by Mark Brokaw.
Al Pacino stars in and directs Eugene O’Neill’s 'Hughie' at the Taper., June 27 – July 25, 1999
Al Pacino in 'Hughie.' Photo by Jay Thompson/Craig Schwartz
'Cinderella'
The American premiere of Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella at the Ahmanson.
The Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre was very proud to have ['Cinderella'] [first], and that showed in the way they cared about the piece.
David Suchet and Michael Sheen star in 'Amadeus' at the Ahmanson in a pre-Broadway production directed by Sir Peter Hall, October 10 – November 28, 1999
David Suchet and Michael Sheen in 'Amadeus.' Photo by Joan Marcus.
'The Dinner Party'
John Ritter and Henry Winkler in the World premiere of Neil Simon’s 'The Dinner Party' at the Taper.
Anjali Bhimani and Hallie Beaune Jacobson in 'Metamorphoses', April 6 – May 21, 2000
Anjali Bhimani (front) and Hallie Beaune Jacobson (rear) in 'Metamorphoses.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.
The myth is a public dream,
dreams are private myths.
Brian Dennehy in Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’ at the Ahmanson, September 12 – November 5, 2000
'King Hedley II'
August Wilson’s King Hedley II, the eighth work in his American Century Cycle, plays the Taper as part of its pre-Broadway developmental tour.
Harry Lennix in August Wilson's "King Hedley II", September 14 – Oct 22, 2000
Harry Lennix in 'King Hedley II.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.
Vanessa Williams in 'Into the Woods'
Vanessa Williams plays the Witch in the Broadway-bound revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into the Woods at the Ahmanson, directed by Lapine. The first major revival of this modern classic goes on to win the Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical and garners Williams and her co-star John McMartin nominations for Best Actress and Actor in a Musical.
'Flower Drum Song'
Flower Drum Song, the 1958 Rodgers & Hammerstein musical with a new book by David Henry Hwang, makes its World premiere at the Taper featuring Lea Salonga. The production heads to Broadway in 2002.
If we want to make something new, we must love what is old.
'Big River'
Center Theatre Group continues its long relationship with Deaf West Theatre by producing Big River, which moves to Broadway. It is also the first 99-seat play transfer in the Taper’s history.
'Chavez Ravine'
Latino performance trio Culture Clash premieres Chavez Ravine at the Taper, telling the story of the L.A. Mexican-American community that was displaced by Dodger Stadium.
The World premiere production of August Wilson’s 'Gem of the Ocean.' , July 31 – September 7, 2003
(L–R) John Earl Jelks, Yvette Ganier, and Phylicia Rashad in 'Gem of the Ocean.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.
'Homebody/Kabul'
Rita Wolf and Maggie Gyllenhaal in Tony Kushner’s Homebody/Kabul at the Taper.
'Topdog/Underdog'
Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog at the Taper, directed by George C. Wolfe.
Kirk and Anne Douglas contributed $2.5 million to help transform the Culver Theater, a former movie house, into the Kirk Douglas Theatre., September 30, 2004
Kirk and Anne Douglas at the Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre Dedication and Celebration. Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Commissioned and developed by Center Theatre Group, A Perfect Wedding sends the Douglas Theatre off to a fast, bold start.
'A Perfect Wedding', November 7 – 28, 2004
(L–R) John Fleck and Jim Anzide in 'A Perfect Wedding.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.
'The Paris Letter'
Before their roles on hit show How I Met Your Mother, Neil Patrick Harris and Josh Radnor appear in the second show at the Douglas, the World premiere of Jon Robin Baitz’s 'The Paris Letter.'
Neil Patrick Harris and Josh Radnor in 'The Paris Letter.', December 12, 2004 – January 2, 2005
(L–R) Neil Patrick Harris and Josh Radnor in 'The Paris Letter.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.
'Radio Golf'
The World premiere production of August Wilson’s Radio Golf at the Taper.
But in every way, [August Wilson's] 10-play saga documenting the black American experience through each decade of the 20th century has to rank as one of the greatest achievements in the history of American theater.
'Dead End'
Artistic Director, Michael Ritchie, opens his first Ahmanson season with the 70th anniversary revival of Dead End by Sidney Kingsley, directed by Nicholas Martin.
Sutton Foster in the 'The Drowsy Chaperone', November 18 – December 24, 2005
Sutton Foster and the cast of 'The Drowsy Chaperone.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.
'The Drowsy Chaperone'
The Broadway-bound The Drowsy Chaperone makes its U.S. premiere at the Ahmanson featuring Sutton Foster. It goes on to win five Tony® Awards, including Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score.
'The Cherry Orchard'
Annette Bening, Alfred Molina, and Sarah Paulson appear in Sean Mathias’ production of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard at the Taper.
Matt Lanter and Laurence Fishburne in Alfred Uhry's 'Without Walls', June 11 – July 16, 2006
(L–R) Matt Lanter and Laurence Fishburne in a scene from 'Without Walls.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.
'Curtains'
The John Kander/Fred Ebb musical Curtains makes its World premiere at the Ahmanson starring David Hyde Pierce before moving to Broadway, where Pierce wins a Tony® for Best Actor in a Musical.
'In the Continuum'
Center Theatre Group’s relationship with Danai Gurira begins with In the Continuum, written and performed by Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter at the Douglas.
The cast at the world premiere of Jason Robert Brown's musical '13.', January 7 – February 18, 2007
(Front, L–R) Tyler Mann, Emma Degerstedt, J.D. Phillips, Caitlin Baunoch, (Back, L–R) Ricky Ashley, Sara Niemietz, and Seth Zibalese in '13.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.
'13'
After a workshop at the Douglas, the Taper hosts the World premiere of 13, with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and book by Dan Elish, beginning Center Theatre Group’s relationship with Brown. 13 goes to Broadway in 2008.
'Yellow Face'
Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang makes its World premiere at the Taper and is a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.