LA's Ford Theatres Opens 2016 Season Tonight in Renovated Amphitheatre

Returned to use as part of a $65.8 million restoration project, the original 11'-4" front doors of the historic John Anson Ford Amphitheatre open to visitors today for the first time in 70 years, as the Los Angeles County Arts Commission welcomes audiences back to the Ford Theatres for the 2016 Summer Season.

After two years of renovations, the Ford now brings back perennial audience favorites, its Signature Series (pairing internationally renowned performers with Los Angeles County artists) and a dozen new participants in the Ford Theatres Partnership Program, in a season that celebrates Phase One of the renovation and upgrade of this beloved 1,200-seat venue, nestled in the Hollywood Hills within a 32-acre County regional park.

Laura Zucker, Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, said, "It is a deep pleasure to welcome the Los Angeles community back to the magical Ford Theatres for the 2016 season. We are confident that this will be a season to remember, thanks to everyone who has helped to restore and reopen this cherished landmark."

"Attending any performance at the Ford is guaranteed to surprise and delight," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. "The Ford's expansive embrace of LA County's cultural richness makes every performance one-of-a-kind and the celebratory 2016 Summer Season is no exception."

Opening weekend kicks off four months of music, dance, theatre and film that represent the diversity of the Los Angeles region. The opening weekend features:

· Concrete Saplings, a collaboration between Japanese drumming group TAIKOPROJECT and Grammy Award-winning Chicano rock band Quetzal, blending live taiko drumming and son jarochomusic;

· an acoustic concert with singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc with Los Angeles based- guitarist Woody Aplanalp, local Brazilian guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento, East LA-based son jarocho band Cambalache, soul/rock fusion group The Brothers Band and avant-classical punk power trio The Concentrates; and

· Broadway Under the Stars, an evening celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Tony Award-winning musical Dreamgirls with its original stars-independent Spirit Award-winner Sheryl Lee Ralph, Emmy Award-winner LorEtta Devine, and Tony Award-winner and 2-time Grammy Award-winner Jennifer Holliday-reuniting onstage for conversation and song.

The 2016 season continues through October.

An Ambitious Restoration Project

The $65.8 million Ford Theatres restoration project, designed by Levin & Associates Architects with Mia Lehrer + Associates landscape architects, involves a meticulous restoration and a careful reconstruction of the historic facility. The first task was to address the structure's original rudimentary irrigation system, which channeled water directly through and under the theater, causing erosion and damage to the foundation. A new irrigation system now forces rainwater away from the structure so that it flows around the amphitheatre, mitigating future erosion and water damage.

Mia Lehrer + Associates were brought into the project in the earliest days to address the stabilization and restoration of the fragile hillside that serves as the amphitheatre's beautiful natural backdrop.

Addressing the needs of today's Ford artists, especially those performing in larger productions with multiple cast members and complex equipment, involved a complicated process of digging into the hillside below and behind the theatre to add 1,800 square feet of much-needed backstage space, including dressing rooms and green rooms. These changes create a more professional and workable backstage, along with a state-of-the-art communications system and an array of new on-stage production facilities that improve lighting and sound. Construction of a new picnic terrace and concession stand will be completed during the season, with these facilities being dedicated in the fall.

The 2016 season concludes nearly 4 years of work that required a 22-month closure of the amphitheatre, during which time Ford programming was moved to off-site venues for the 2015 season. Audiences attending the re-opened 2016 Summer Season will enjoy improved lighting and sound, an array of new on-stage production capabilities and other amenities.

"It has been a privilege to lead the preservation and much needed expansion of this iconic structure and transform it into a state of the art performance venue for the decades ahead," said Brenda Levin of Levin & Associates Architects. "A very talented team worked with us to restore, enhance and revive this cultural jewel, carrying out the first new major construction at the hillside site in more than 75 years."

A Thrilling and Eclectic Season Under the Stars

Adam Davis, Managing Director of the Ford Theatres, said, "There's something for everybody to enjoy this season at the Ford. We've curated an extensive and highly diverse group of performances that reflect the vitality of our great region.

Through its Partnership Program, the Ford Theatres presents performances in partnership with LA County arts organizations and producers. Groups apply to be part of the summer season and, if accepted, receive significant front-of-house, production and marketing support.

The celebratory 2016 Summer Season will bring back perennial audience favorites such as a series ofOutfest film screenings and the Angel City Jazz Festival.

The Ford Signature Series, which pairs internationally renowned performers with Los Angeles County artists, will include Grammy winner Lila Downs with Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company and the inimitableUrban Bush Women with CONTRA-TIEMPO.

The season will also highlight a dozen new participants in the Partnership Program. Groups making their Ford Theatres debuts will include Cary Sullivan and Afro Funke'; the women artists and activists ofARTIVISTA; Libros Schmibros, with a special screening of Tiempo de Morir written by Gabriel García Márquez; Music Circle, with a marriage of North Indian and South Indian musical traditions by; Musicians at Play, with Michael Giacchino conducting his music from the TV series Lost; 52BLEND in an evening of Afro Latino music and spoken-art performances; Invertigo Dance Theatre in a new contemporary dance work; and the legendary Chester Whitmore presiding over an evening of '40s and '50s big-band swing.

The 2016 season will also see the return of the Ford's popular weekly free interactive events, Big World Fun and JAM Sessions.

The John Anson Ford Theatres is one of the oldest and most historically significant performing arts venues in Los Angeles, with a rich history dating back to the 1920s. Notable performances over the years includeThe Pilgrimage Play performed annually throughout the theatres' early years; a 1964 production of King Lear, and the Ramones and Red Hot Chili Peppers during the theatre's brief punk music stint in the late 1980s. For a complete history of the theatre, see here.

At 1,200 seats, the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre creates an intimate concert experience that is a favorite among Angelenos. Each summer, the Ford hosts a diverse roster of events representing music and dance styles reflective of the communities that comprise Los Angeles County. Ford summer season events are presented in partnership with Los Angeles County arts organizations and producers. Unlike a traditional presenting model, these organizations apply to be part of the season and receive significant marketing, front of house and production support while keeping the majority of box office proceeds. Located in a County regional park in the Hollywood Hills, the Ford is owned and operated by the County of Los Angeles through a three-way partnership between the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Ford Theatre Foundation.

The 2016 Summer Season at the Ford Theatres is presented with the support of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Additional support provided by the Office of Supervisor Sheila Kuehl along with The Boeing Employees Community Fund; Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles; Discover Hollywood; The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation; The James Irvine Foundation; KCRW; LA 18; L.A. Parent; LA Weekly; Macy's; The National Endowment for the Arts; NBC Universal; The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation; Sony Pictures Entertainment; Southern California Edison; Wells Fargo and Yelp.com.

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission fosters excellence, diversity, vitality, understanding and accessibility of the arts in Los Angeles County. The Arts Commission provides leadership in cultural services for the County, encompassing 88 municipalities, including funding and job opportunities, professional development and general resources. lacountyarts.org

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