Ahmanson Theatre News

Foothill Music Theatre cracks the case with its summer production of CURTAINS, the hilarious musical whodunit. With music and lyrics by the immortal John Kander and Fred Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret) and book by Rupert Holmes, CURTAINS was nominated for eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score.

Rehearsals began this week for 'Poor Behavior,' Theresa Rebeck's new play making its world premiere at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum with previews beginning September 7 and opening set for September 18, 2011.

Rehearsals began this week for 'Poor Behavior,' Theresa Rebeck's new play making its world premiere at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum with previews beginning September 7 and opening set for September 18, 2011. Directed by Doug Hughes, the cast for 'Poor Behavior' includes Johanna Day, Sharon Lawrence, Reg Rogers and Christopher Evan Welch (in alphabetical order).

Multi-award winning Rogue Machine is extending the performance schedule for David Harrower's critically acclaimed play, Blackbird (CRITIC'S CHOICE-LA Times; GO - LA Weekly, CRITIC'S PICK-Backstage, Ovation RECOMMENDED), staged in Los Angeles for the first time. The company's recently extended run of Small Engine Repair (CRITIC'S CHOICE-LA Times; GO - LA Weekly, CRITIC'S PICK-Backstage, Ovation RECOMMENDED) runs through August 27th (moved to the Beverly Hills Playhouse).

It was recently announced that Lauren Ambrose, the 'Six Feet Under Star,' has landed the leading role in the revival of FUNNY GIRL, stepping into a role made famous by Barbra Streisand in the 1960s.

'Les Misérables' broke box office records at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre for the final four weeks of its run, beginning the week of July 4, 2011, and continuing through the closing week ending July 31. The closing week gross was $1,530,099, the highest for a single week in Ahmanson history.

Johanna Day, Sharon Lawrence, Reg Rogers and Christopher Evan Welch (in alphabetical order) have been cast in the world premiere of "Poor Behavior," a new play about lust and deception, marriage and fidelity opening at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum September 18, 2011. Written by renowned playwright Theresa Rebeck and directed by Doug Hughes, "Poor Behavior," begins previews September 7; performances will continue through October 16.

High-flying original musical comedy 'Bring It On: The Musical' launches its national tour with a six-week engagement at the Center Theatre Group / Ahmanson Theatre from November 1 through December 11, 2011, with opening night set for November 11. 'Bring It On: The Musical' will open the Ahmanson's 2011-2012 season.

Stage and screen star Brooke Shields will extend her run as Morticia in the hit musical THE ADDAMS FAMILY for an additional two months through Saturday, December 31 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street). Shields had originally planned to end her limited engagement on Sunday, October 30. 'I am having the time of my life playing Morticia with this wonderful company of actors. Morticia is such a delicious role and THE ADDAMS FAMILY is such a fantastic and iconic piece of entertainment that I just couldn't resist the invitation to extend,' said Shields.

BroadwayWorld announced yesterday that Lauren Ambrose has landed the coveted role of Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL in the first Broadway production of the musical since it originally opened in 1964. FUNNY GIRL, which features music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill and book by Isobel Lennart, will be directed by Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher. The news came as a surprise to many, as Ambrose - while a screen favortie and sometimes stage star - is not a regular in the big musical circuit. In fact, the announcement had many asking...can she sing? Ambrose, in fact, has powerhouse vocals and has been singing since childhood. She is the lead singer of jazz, swing and ragtime-style Leisure Class band, and in trained in opera at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Many may also recall Ambrose's famous belt-out of the 'Rainbow of Reasons' gag in a 2006 episode of Six Feet Under. The theater world certainly has a lot to look forward to when this soulful songstress reimagines Fanny onstage.

It's just been announced that Lauren Ambrose will star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL, in the first Broadway production of the musical since it originally opened in 1964. FUNNY GIRL, which features music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill and book by Isobel Lennart, will be directed by Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher.

As speculated about online and confirming BWW's previous reports that the actress was in negotiations, it's now official that Lauren Ambrose will indeed star as Fanny Brice in the new revival of FUNNY GIRL. The show will open in LA at the Ahmanson Theater on February 1, 2012, and is expected to transfer to Broadway thereafter. The new production will be directed by Bartlett Sher.

The all new production of 'Les Misérables,' featuring glorious new staging and spectacular re-imagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, will play its final performance at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre on July 31, 2011.

This by Melissa James Gibson is directed by Daniel Aukin

Based on the popular children's book series by P.L. Travers that Disney shaped into an even more renowned movie musical, the stage iteration's current touring company has temporarily taken up residence at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in Orange County for an extended four-week limited engagement through August 7. Joyfully engaging but oddly peculiar, this stage version of MARY POPPINS--which weaves peppy elements from the much-beloved Disney movie with less-bouyant passages from Travers' darker, moodier books--is easily likable, but can be challenging to really love.

Fox Valley Repertory's fall Broadway musical by Neil Simon about the real life romance of Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Singer is ready to be performed by off-stage lovers, award-winning Chicago actor Michael Mahler and wife Dara Cameron.

On Saturday, August 20th, East West Players (EWP), the nation's largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theatre of color in the country, will kick off its 46th season with One Night Only: On Broadway.