Christopher Ashley News

Tony nominee Raul Esparza will play the recurring role of "DA Rafael Barba" on Law & Order: SVU beginning on Wednesday, October 10. The episode, titled "Twenty-Five Acts," centers on the author of a best-selling erotic novel (Anna Chlumsky) who accuses a high-profile talk show host (Roger Bart) of rape. The SVU detectives face an uphill battle when they find that her account of the rape is exactly like the chapters in her book, and along with the DA's office (Esparza), they struggle to keep the case from turning into a media circus.

Producers Broadway Across America (John Gore, Thomas B. McGrath, Beth Williams), Barbara Whitman, Latitude Link, Dede Harris, Sharon Karmazin, and Howard and Janet Kagan have just announced that the La Jolla Playhouse production of the new American musical HANDS ON A HARDBODY will open Thursday, March 21, 2013 at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street), following a preview period that begins Saturday, February 23, 2013. Ticket information will be announced shortly.

La Jolla Playhouse has Audience Engagement events for their show GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS playing at the Potiker theatre through October 21st!

La Jolla Playhouse presents the next production in its acclaimed Without Walls (WoW) series this fall, featuring award-winning actor Luke Macfarlane (ABC's Brothers and Sisters) in Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir, by Keith Bunin, directed by Mark Rucker.

The producers of the new musical HANDS ON A HARDBODY announced today that Benjamin Millepied has withdrawn from the production due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts and that, going forward, Sergio Trujillo (Memphis, Jersey Boys) will assume musical staging responsibilities for the show. Theatre, dates, and ticket information for the Broadway production of HANDS ON A HARDBODY will be announced shortly.

La Jolla Playhouse previously announced the cast and creative team for its upcoming production of David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning Glengarry Glen Ross, directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley, running tonight, September 18 - October 21, 2012 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.

La Jolla Playhouse presents its upcoming production of David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning Glengarry Glen Ross, directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley, running September 18 - October 21, 2012 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the rehearsals below.

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, a world-premiere musical featuring a story by The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne and Playhouse Director Emeritus Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar), music and lyrics by The Flaming Lips, and direction by Des McAnuff. The show will run November 6 - December 16, 2012 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre.

La Jolla Playhouse previously announced its final production of the 2012/2013 season: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, a world-premiere musical written and directed by Playhouse Director Emeritus Des McAnuff (Jesus Christ Superstar, Jersey Boys), with music and lyrics by The Flaming Lips. According to the Globe and Mail, the musical will be lead by Paul Nolan, who previously played the title role in McAnuff's recent Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar. The show will run in November/December 2012 (dates TBA) in the Mandell Weiss Theatre.

La Jolla Playhouse brings back the hilarious The Second City for a return engagement March 20 - 23, 2013 in the Playhouse's specially-designed cabaret-style performance space in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.

MEMPHIS, the 2010 Tony® Award Winner for Best Musical, and the show that had its pre-Broadway run at the Silicon Valley's own THEATREWORKS, opens at BROADWAY SAN JOSE performing at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 for a limited engagement.

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for its upcoming production of David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning Glengarry Glen Ross, directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley, running September 18 - October 21, 2012 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.

The 2010 Tony Award-winning Best Musical MEMPHIS played its final performance on Broadway on August 5, 2012, after 30 previews and 1,166 regular performances. MEMPHIS opened on October 19, 2009 at Broadway's Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street), having begun previews on September 23rd. The tour cast of MEMPHIS, which is currently playing around the country, saluted the Broadway company with a rendition of 'Walking in Memphis.' See it below!

La Jolla Playhouse presents An Iliad, a one-man adaptation of Homer's classic tale, adapted by Denis O'Hare (Tony Award-winning actor in Take Me Out) and Lisa Peterson (director of The Playhouse's Surf Report and Be Aggressive), based on a translation by Robert Fagles, directed by Lisa Peterson. A co-production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, An Iliad features Henry Woronicz as the "Poet," with Brian Ellingsen as the "Musician" and runs now through September 9 in the Mandell Weiss Forum. Get a first look Woronicz and more on stage below!

While overly melodramatic and a bit cliched, MEMPHIS--the winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical now performing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through August 12--is, overall, a rousing, electrically-charged show that rightfully triumphs because of its slick production values and its incredible, top-notch cast. If you want to hear some honest-to-goodness, kick-ass singing, then you must see this show... NOW!

MEMPHIS is currently playing at the Pentages Theatre in Hollywood, CA through August 12, 2012. The story is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, MEMPHIS, which played pre-Broadway at the La Jolla Playhouse, features a Tony-winning book by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) and a Tony-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. Directing is Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu), and choreography is by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys).

The 2010 Tony Award-winning Best Musical MEMPHIS will play its final performance on Broadway today, August 5, 2012, after 30 previews and 1,166 regular performances. MEMPHIS opened on October 19, 2009 at Broadway's Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street), having begun previews on September 23rd. BroadwayWorld takes you on a journey through the birth of rock 'n roll on Broadway with highlights from MEMPHIS' incredible run!