2008–Present

Broadest Range of Theatrical Entertainment in the Country

In Center Theatre Group’s most recent decade, the Kirk Douglas Theatre has thrived in Culver City, the Mark Taper Forum has hosted both critically acclaimed and popular productions, and the Ahmanson Theatre has brought Los Angeles a mix of Broadway’s best plays and musicals.

(L-R) Stephanie J. Block, Allison Janney, Dolly Parton, and Megan Hilty in '9 to 5: The Musical.'
September 20 – October 19, 2008

'9 to 5: The Musical' makes its World premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre before heading to Broadway, September 20 – October 19, 2008

(L-R) Stephanie J. Block, Allison Janney, Dolly Parton, and Megan Hilty in '9 to 5: The Musical.' Photo by Justin Stephens.

This production was willed into existence by the conviction and courage of the leading player behind the scenes, Michael Ritchie. Because of him, we return to a venue of special significance in the history of deaf theatre—the Mark Taper Forum, where Children of a Lesser God and Deaf West Theatre’s Big River were introduced to the world.

Ed Waterstreet, Artistic Director, Deaf West Theatre, 2009

[DouglasPlus is] a refreshing extension of Center Theatre Group’s artistic palette.

Los Angeles Times critic Charles McNulty on DouglasPlus, a program featuring readings, workshops, and in-progress works at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, 2009
Kirk Douglas in 'Before I Forget.'
March 6, 8, 13, and 15, 2009

Kirk Douglas in the World premiere of 'Before I Forget' at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, March 6, 8, 13, and 15, 2009

Kirk Douglas in 'Before I Forget.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Julia Stiles and Bill Pullman in 'Oleanna.'
June 5 – July 12, 2009

Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles in David Mamet's 'Oleanna' at the Taper, which transfers to Broadway, June 5 – July 12, 2009

Julia Stiles and Bill Pullman in 'Oleanna.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Jane Fonda in '33 Variations.'
January 30 – March 6, 2011

Jane Fonda stars in '33 Variations,' written and directed by Moisés Kaufman, at the Ahmanson, January 30 – March 6, 2011

Jane Fonda in '33 Variations.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.

Students in the August Wilson Monologue Competition.
2012

Center Theatre Group becomes the Southern California host of the August Wilson Monologue Competition, which invites high schoolers across the region to engage with Wilson’s work, 2012

Students in the August Wilson Monologue Competition. Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging.

Alfred Molina in 'Red.'
August 12 – September 9, 2012

Alfred Molina and Jonathan Groff star in 'Red' at the Taper, August 12 – September 9, 2012

Alfred Molina in 'Red.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.

(L–R) Glynn Turman, Gabriel Brown, Lillias White, Skye Barrett, and Keith David in 'Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.'
May 8 – June 9, 2013

August Wilson’s legacy at Center Theatre Group continues with 'Joe Turner’s Come and Gone' at the Taper, directed by Phylicia Rashad, May 8 – June 9, 2013

(L–R) Glynn Turman, Gabriel Brown, Lillias White, Skye Barrett, and Keith David in 'Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.

(L-R) Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood, and Vanessa Williams in 'The Trip to Bountiful.'
September 17 – November 2, 2014

Cicely Tyson, Vanessa Williams, and Blair Underwood star in Horton Foote’s 'The Trip to Bountiful,' directed by Michael Wilson at the Ahmanson, September 17 – November 2, 2014

(L-R) Cicely Tyson, Blair Underwood, and Vanessa Williams in 'The Trip to Bountiful.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.

'The Trip to Bountiful'

The legendary Cicely Tyson—after a 30-year absence from the stage—reprises her 2013 Tony Award® winning Broadway performance alongside Vanessa Williams and Blair Underwood as they take the stage by storm in the critically acclaimed revival of Pulitzer Prize winner Horton Foote's American masterpiece at the Ahmanson.

L-R: Susan Louise O’Connor (standing), Sandra Shipley, Charles Edwards, Angela Lansbury, Charlotte Parry and Simon Jones in 'Blithe Spirit.'
December 9, 2014 – January 18, 2015

Angela Lansbury stars in Noël Coward’s 'Blithe Spirit' at the Ahmanson, December 9, 2014 – January 18, 2015

L-R: Susan Louise O’Connor (standing), Sandra Shipley, Charles Edwards, Angela Lansbury, Charlotte Parry and Simon Jones in 'Blithe Spirit.' Photo by Joan Marcus

Clockwise from top center: Matthew Carlson, Jake Shears, Wyatt Fenner, Brionne Davis and Jonathan B. Wright in 'Bent.'
July 26 – August 23, 2015

'Bent' at the Taper, July 26 – August 23, 2015

Clockwise from top center: Matthew Carlson, Jake Shears, Wyatt Fenner, Brionne Davis and Jonathan B. Wright in 'Bent.' Photo by Craig Schwartz.

'Bent'

The Taper hosts the first major U.S. revival of Martin Sherman’s Bent, the story of two gay men’s struggle to survive in Nazi Germany, directed by Moisés Kaufman.

Adam Chanler-Berat and Phillipa Soo in 'Amlie, A New Musical.'
December 4, 2016 – January 15, 2017

Broadway-bound 'Amélie, A New Musical' plays the Ahmanson featuring Phillipa Soo in the title role, December 4, 2016 – January 15, 2017

Adam Chanler-Berat and Phillipa Soo in 'Amlie, A New Musical.' Photo by Joan Marcus.

Celebrating Gordon Davidson's Legacy

Gordon Davidson, Center Theatre Group's Founding Artistic Director, who passed away on October 2, 2016, was one of America's most renowned and beloved artistic visionaries. Center Theatre Group held a celebration in honor of Gordon Davidson on Monday, January 9, 2017 at the Ahmanson Theatre.

Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles’ flagship theater organization, contributed enormously in the last 50 years not only to the storehouse of new plays and musicals but to the decentralization of the art form in America.

Jennifer Hudson performs at Center Theatre Group's 50th Anniversary Celebration.
May 20, 2017

Center Theatre Group's 50th Anniversary Celebration, May 20, 2017

Jennifer Hudson performs at Center Theatre Group's 50th Anniversary Celebration. Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Center Theatre Group.

Center Theatre Group's 50th Anniversary Celebration

Center Theatre Group celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a performance on May 20, 2017 at the Ahmanson. The performance drew from the many landmark productions that have been brought to life on Center Theatre Group's stages, as well as its continuing role in creating new work and helping to define the role of theatre both in Los Angeles and beyond.