Ahmanson Theatre News

Currently in previews, the world premiere of Ngozi Anyanwu's new play 'Good Grief' will open at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre on Sunday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. Directed by Patricia McGregor, Anyanwu also performs in 'Good Grief,' which runs through March 26, 2017. This is the first of Anyanwu's plays to receive a full professional production. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Center Theatre Group enters its second half century at the Ahmanson Theatre with the 2017-2018 season announced today by Artistic Director Michael Ritchie. The new season features two Tony-nominated musicals, a Tony-winning play, the world premiere of a Center Theatre Group commission and the American premiere of an exciting new work. An additional production for the subscription season will be announced at a later date.

Finally an extraordinary musical that is high on substance and heart as well as entertainment value! 2015's Tony Winning Best Musical Fun Home is based on Alison Bechdel's graphic novel Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic. The Bechdels are an atypically dysfunctional family living in Pennsylvania. Cartoonist Alison (Kate Shindle) is trying to draw her father Bruce (Robert Petkoff) and to understand why he committed suicide. Currently onstage at the Ahamsnon Theatre through April 1, Fun Home with its emotionally engaging book by Lisa Kron and curiously vibrant music score by Jeanine Tesori, boasts seamless direction from Sam Gold and a wonderfully sensitive cast. 

The Tony Award-winning musical 'Fun Home' opened last night, February 22, at the Ahmanson Theatre and continues through April 1, 2017. BroadwayWorld has photos from the starry opening festivities below!

The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle (LADCC) has announced its nominations and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles, Orange County and Ventura County theatre for the year 2016 (Dec. 1, 2015 - Nov. 30, 2016).

Stephen Karam's four-time Tony Award-winning Broadway play THE HUMANS will be the centerpiece of the Ahmanson Theatre's 2017-18 season at Center Theatre Group next June, along with David Henry Hwang's new commission SOFT POWER.

Center Theatre Group is announcing five judges from varying professions that will participate in the 2017 August Wilson Monologue Competition (AWMC) Regional Finals taking place at the Mark Taper Forum on Monday, February 27.

The Tony Award-winning musical "Fun Home" opens February 22 at the Ahmanson Theatre and continues through April 1, 2017. "Fun Home" has one preview performance on February 21.

Due to continued extraordinary ticket sales and resounding critical response, Center Theatre Group is announcing a third and final one-week extension for the run of Luis Valdez's "Zoot Suit' at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum.

Abingdon Theatre Company welcomes Alexa Shae Niziak (Matilda, A Christmas Story) to the cast of THE MOTHER OF INVENTION tonight, February 21.

The Music Center, L.A.'s performing arts destination, welcomes Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on March 8 - 12, 2017 as part of the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center 2016-2017 season at The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The company will perform three different programs during the five-day engagement.

The Music Center continues its 2016-2017 season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center with performances by Jessica Lang Dance (February 17-19, 2017) at The Music Center's Ahmanson Theatre, including the West Coast premiere of Tesseracts of Time, created in collaboration with world renowned architect Steven Holl. The three-day engagement also includes Thousand Yard Stare, a new work created by choreographer Jessica Lang in 2015, audience favorite, Droplet, and Lang's iconic gem, The Calling. The program highlights Lang's keen ability to create emotionally accessible work using modern themes. From incorporating architecture, shapes and patterns into her work, to developing pieces based on veterans' battle experiences, Lang offers a fresh perspective on contemporary dance for the 21st century.

Maestro Luke Frazier and The American Pops Orchestra - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - will continue their lunchtime concert series "THIRD THURSDAYS" to highlight the unique musical personalities and special talents of the members of their acclaimed ensemble at Live! at 10th and G (First Congregational, UCC Washington - 945 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001) - this Thursday, February 16 at 12:15 PM.

Abingdon Theatre Company welcomes Alexa Shae Niziak (Matilda, A Christmas Story) to the cast of THE MOTHER OF INVENTION on Tuesday, February 21.

A private memorial service for Gordon Davidson, a longtime friend of The Public Theater and former Artistic Director of the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles for 38 years, will be held at The Public on Sunday, February 12. The Public Theater will also dim the lights on Sunday at approximately 6:00 p.m. in honor of Davidson and his enormous contributions to the American Theater.

Abingdon Theatre Company presents the world premiere of THE MOTHER OF INVENTION, a new play by Academy Award, Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award-winner James Lecesne (The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, Word of Mouth, Trevor). The official press opening is tonight, February 9, in Abingdon's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street). Artistic Director Tony Speciale, who also directed The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey is set to direct.

Center Theatre Group will host six Community Conversations for 'Zoot Suit,' which returns to the Mark Taper Forum to celebrate Center Theatre Group's 50th Anniversary. This series of panel conversations on selected nights throughout the run will be open to the public and feature local thought leaders in dialogue about the context, issues and ideas finding voice on our stages.

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced new casting for the national tour of Sam Mendes (Spectre, American Beauty) and Rob Marshall's (Into the Woods and Chicago, the films) Tony Award-winning production of CABARET.

In anticipation of 'Fun Home' coming to the Ahmanson Theatre, Center Theatre Group will host a Sing Out 'Ring of Keys' Contest. Individuals and non-professional choirs are invited to submit video of themselves singing the song 'Ring of Keys' from the musical 'Fun Home.'

Daryl Roth, Elizabeth Ireland McCann and Cody Lassen, the producers of Indecent -- the newest work by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel (HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE) -- have announced that the entire original Off-Broadway ensemble will travel to Broadway when the production begins previews at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues), on April 4, prior to its official opening night on April 18.