Tickets Go on Sale 7/21 for THE SUNSHINE BOYS at the Ahmanson Theatre

Tickets for Danny DeVito and Judd Hirsch in Neil Simon's classic comedy "The Sunshine Boys" will go on sale Sunday, July 21, 2013, at 11 a.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre box office at the Los Angeles Music Center, through CTG's Audience Services at (213) 972-4400 and online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org.

Directed by Thea Sharrock, previews for "The Sunshine Boys" begin September 24, with the opening scheduled for October 2. Performances will continue through November 3.

DeVito and Hirsch are reuniting on the Ahmanson stage 30 years after they both starred in the landmark television series "Taxi." In "The Sunshine Boys," Willie Clark (DeVito) and Al Lewis (Hirsch) are former vaudevillian stars who, after a partnership of over 40 years, are no longer speaking to each other. When a lucrative television offer for one last show lures them into a grudging reunion, sparks fly in this classic comedy of showbiz and friendship.

DeVito starred (with the late Richard Griffiths) in the critically acclaimed production of "The Sunshine Boys" which played to packed houses in London's West End last summer. Ben Brantley of The New York Times said of that production that "The Sunshine Boys" "... celebrates the clown's classic gift for turning anger into art. Willie Clark ... has a carved-in-stone list of things that are funny. Words that have "k" sounds, for instance, like pickle and cake and cucumber. Might I add to that list the image of a tufted Danny DeVito in striped pajamas and a sports jacket? ... That's comedy, folks. And it's one of the reasons that Thea Sharrock's production of 'The Sunshine Boys' works so incredibly well." "Thea Sharrock directs a pitch-perfect production," said Charles Spencer of The Telegraph, "that beautifully captures fleeting moments of tenderness in the comedy without ever turning mushy... a golden evening. ..." Danny DeVito won both a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Louie De Palma in the hit comedy "Taxi." He co-starred in two Academy Award-winning films, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," in a role he also played on stage, and "Terms of Endearment." His other film credits include "The Ratings Game," "Throw Momma From the Train," "The War of the Roses," "Hoffa," "Death to Smoochy" and "Matilda." He also voiced the Lorax in the animated feature "The Lorax." He is currently starring in the eighth season of FX's acclaimed comedy "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," and recently wrapped production on his first horror feature, "St. Sebastian's," which he directed and produced.

Judd Hirsch made his Broadway debut in "Barefoot in the Park" and performed in Lanford Wilson's "The Hot l Baltimore" and "Talley's Folly" (off-Broadway, at the Mark Taper Forum, and then on Broadway, winning an Obie Award and a Tony Award nomination). He won Tony Awards for two of Herb Gardner's plays, "I'm Not Rappoport" and "Conversations with My Father," and most recently starred in "Freud's Last Session" at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Hirsch won two Emmys for the role of Alex Reiger in "Taxi." Other TV credits include "Dear John" (Golden Globe), "Numb3rs," "Damages" and "Maron." Film credits include "Ordinary People" (Oscar nomination), "A Beautiful Mind" and "This Must Be the Place."

Thea Sharrock won the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Revival for "After the Dance" at London's National Theatre where she has also directed "13," "Happy Now?" and "The Emperor Jones." She directed "Heroes" at the Geffen Playhouse, starring George Segal, Richard Benjamin and Len Cariou, and "Equus" with Richard Griffiths and Daniel Radcliffe on Broadway. Her other theatre credits include "The Misanthrope" with Keira Knightly at the Comedy Theatre, the musical of "The Bodyguard," and last year she directed "Henry V" for BBC TV.

"The Sunshine Boys" is produced by Richard Willis, Sonia Friedman Productions and Tulchin Bartner Productions.

Tickets for "The Sunshine Boys" range from $20 - $115 (ticket prices are subject to change). Ahmanson Theatre season subscribers were able to purchase tickets to "The Sunshine Boys" starting in March as part of their season package. For more information about season tickets to the Ahmanson, call the Exclusive Season Ticket Hotline at (213) 972-4444 or visit CTG online. For information regarding audio description and Project D.A.T.E. (sign language interpreted, open caption and audio description performances) call TDD (213) 680-4017 or voice (213) 972-4444.

The Ahmanson Theatre is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.

Photo Credit: Johan Persson