CENTER THEATER GROUP - Worst Season Ever?

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/2/19 at 10:36am

Apparently the tour of TORCH SONG was too good to be true, I guess it's not coming to LA after all.  Too bad  - also - why did they announce it was?   A long line of failed shows announced the Ahmanson that never materialized.

 Ahmanson just announced their new season and it's pretty awful. Certainly love John Leguizamo and Mike Birbila but having both of those one person shows in a HUGE theater like the Ahmanson is a major disservice.  These shows would be great in the Taper.

Why on earth are they programming yet another tour of BOOK OF MORMON?  It's a genius show - but it's toured extensively here in LA.

I love Sting - but I saw the pre Broadway tryout of THE LAST SHIP - and well - it wasn't exactly my cup of tea.  I will get tickets to this just to see Sting.

And why on earth do we need yet another Matthew Bourne?

And the Customer Service at CTG is just awful - that place is going down hill which is just a shame

 

Updated On: 3/2/19 at 10:36 AM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/2/19 at 10:41am

It is a REALLY lousy season... I saw Latin History for Morons here in NYC, and I thought it was dreadful and offensive beyond belief. Didn't see The New One, so I cannot comment on that. I was not a fan of Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake or Once On This Island either. They are definitely lacking a "Big Title" in the season to help sell subscriptions...

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/2/19 at 10:46am

I will say I am excited to see ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (I hear Michael Arden's take is brilliant - it certainly was for SPRING AWAKENING which is one of the best pieces of theater I've ever seen)

The obnoxious arrogant staff in the Subscription Services aren't doing themselves any favors either.  Answering questions they act like they're doing you a favor.

A Pathetic anemic season - save for ONCE and the fact that Sting happens to be in THE LAST SHIP.  That is worth the ticket

[Wildcard]

Posted: 3/2/19 at 10:51am

I will definitely not be subscribing this season. I loved Once on This Island on Broadway so I’ll be watching that just to see if it will work on a proscenium stage. Then again, this should have gone to the Taper. Or I now wish the Pantages got this just so more people would have seen it. I’m somewhat interested in The Last Ship so I’ll see that too. Everything else is lackluster, especially those one-man shows. Why couldn’t they have brought any of those new shows trying out like Diana or Marie: Dancing Still in? Or Transfer a West End show like Jamie? Such a disappointing season!

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/2/19 at 11:31am

I wonder what the TBA show is

[HereAndThere2]

Posted: 3/2/19 at 11:44am

I called twice yesterday and spoke to two different agents.  Shortly after my second call, the first agent called me to follow up with my original question.  Both gentlemen were courteous, patient, helpful and just plain nice.  The only attitude they displayed was positive.  Couldn't haven't received better service, which has been my experience every time I have called over the past many years.  

And if I lived in L.A., I definitely would be subscribing to this season.  But for present, I will be more than happy to see only "Swan Lake".  

Updated On: 3/2/19 at 11:44 AM

[conealpetterson]

Posted: 3/2/19 at 12:14pm

I have to agree that it is a pretty lackluster season - especially after the last couple of seasons. I generally go to the Ahmanson to see musicals and plays - not one-person shows and ballets. The only thing I am excited for is Once on This Island. As much as I enjoy the Book of Mormon, I don’t need to see it again. I am surprised that the Jesus Christ Superstar tour isn’t going there.

In terms of phone staff at the Ahmanson, I have always had very good experiences with them. They have been courteous to me and followed up. Sorry you had a bad experience.

I hope the Taper and the Douglas have better seasons than this.

[RemlapLBC]

Posted: 3/2/19 at 12:21pm

I’m going to disagree with OP on Mathew Bourne and Swan lake. I’m glad that is part of the season.

That said two one-man shows, one of which is already on Netflix?
Ahamnson used to pull off Pre Broadway engagements of musicals and remounts of Broadway plays with the original broadway cast. How did this poor season get put together.

I have had no issues with customer service although admittedly I don’t call often since you can exchange tickets for free online. I’m sure they know they have a lemon of a season but the hourly telephone rep didn’t put it together.

I know I won’t be adding any contribution to my subscription renewal. Just renewing is enough of

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 3/2/19 at 2:02pm

When I received the email, I had to double check to make sure it was coming from Center Theater Group and not La Mirada or 3D Theatricals.

I've seen shows at both La Mirada and 3D. They're often quite good.

Still, a really disappointing new season for Center Theater Group.

 

[emo_geek]

Posted: 3/2/19 at 3:32pm

I'm shocked that the same show (Book of Mormon) that is playing the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza this year is included in my subscription at the Ahmanson. Sounds like a filler show to me...

 

Could Torch Song go to the Taper? 

[BalconyClub]

Posted: 3/2/19 at 3:33pm

I loved the pre-Broadway run of FOSSE at the Ahmanson when it was a 3-act show. The applause from the hometown audience when the initial image of Fosse appeared was strong and long lasting:

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 3/2/19 at 4:50pm

I was actually shocked that Band's Visit didn't end up at the Ahmanson, as I think it'll just get swallowed up by the Dolby, but I guess they wanted to sell more tickets.  I do wonder whether that last slot is going to be another touring show like Jesus Christ Superstar or Bandstand, or if it would be another pre-Broadway tryout kind of show.  Does Matthew Bourne have some sort of partnership with CTG?  I think that's three seasons in a row that they've had one of his shows.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/4/19 at 1:17am

that la mirada comment is genius 

yeah, this is an awful season

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 3/4/19 at 8:28am

as a long time Ahmanson theatre goer, i too am very disappointed in the just announced season...but the Dolby in Hollywood stole the thunder by getting MY FAIR LADY, and THE BANDS VISIT...both shows that should have been in the Ahmanson...seems like the Pantages Theatre is now the preeminent Broadway house in LA.

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 3/4/19 at 9:04am

The Pantages has BEEN the premiere Broadway house in LA. Its the only theatre in LA which Ive had season tickets to for 10 years now. All other theatres you can snag cheap tickets for. The pantages is never cheap.

I wont happen but Id still to see Sunset Boulevard with Glenn Close even is its only a short run.

[Dusoleilcanwhistle]

Posted: 3/4/19 at 9:39am

Agreed - I've been a subscriber for the last few years, but as soon as I saw this season I knew that would not be continuing this year. Already switched my subscription money over to the Geffen who actually has a pretty exciting season this year. 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 3/4/19 at 12:01pm

When I read the announcement, I was sure I missed something and started over. That's it? That's all they got? I feel bad for you guys that have or were planning to subscribe. 

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 3/4/19 at 12:17pm

Heads up, LA theatergoers-- I just saw RAGTIME last night at the Pasadena Playhouse. For a knockout production of this beloved musical, read my review over on the Ragtime thread, or just go straight to the Pasadena Playhouse website and grab seats now. It closes this Sunday the 9th. (And no, I'm in no way connected to the production. Just a huge fan.)

[emo_geek]

Posted: 3/4/19 at 12:39pm

Someone in a Tree2 said: "Heads up, LA theatergoers-- I just saw RAGTIME last night at the Pasadena Playhouse. For a knockout production of this beloved musical, read my review over on the Ragtime thread, or just go straight to the Pasadena Playhouse website and grab seats now. It closes this Sunday the 9th. (And no, I'm in no way connected to the production. Just a huge fan.)"

I agree!! I saw Cinderella at the Ahmanson Tuesday, and Ragtime Wednesday. After the incredible production of Ragtime- I thought to myself this was more (more) worthy to be at the Ahmanson. Such a shame it's not extended even longer or doing a tour. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/4/19 at 7:21pm

Anyone know who does their casting? Will "the Last Ship" be more La-based actors or nyc?

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/4/19 at 8:30pm

I'd like to know who is personally responsible for booking such a lackluster season?

 

[Bwayornoway]

Posted: 3/4/19 at 9:21pm

I have a feeling that Dear Evan Hanson will be the TBD show that comes back - after this season they are going to need a show that makes them money.  

[Tom5]

Posted: 3/4/19 at 10:33pm

One person shows arn't really plays to begin with. So scheduling two of them in a theater as large as the Ahmanson is a pretty nasty trick that is being played on their subscribers.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 3/4/19 at 11:10pm

Fully agree with your assessment that CTG is being nasty by programming one person shows (did someone mention that John's show is already on Netflix?)

The Mike Birblia show got strong buzz but again - in a vast theater like the Ahmanson that could get swallowed up.  The last one person show I saw at the Ahmanson - it was either Christopher Plummer's or End Of The Rainbow - at least that had strong radiant actors at the helm.

And if they bring back DEH after it already played last year - along with Book Of Mormon - CTG is going to fully alienate not only their old subscription base but that of emerging theater goers..

That Taper season better be pretty friggin stellar - perhaps thats where they will decide to mount TORCH SONG

I will say that between LINDA VISTA and SWEAT - Taper had a very strong season - and quite frankly this season is quite exciting with FALSETTOS, INDICENT and PLAY THAT GOES WRONG

[conealpetterson]

Posted: 3/5/19 at 1:46am

Not that their announcements are reliable lately, but they said that Dear Evan Hansen was going to return in the 2020/21 season, so I don't think that's the 7th show.