Ahmanson Theatre News

In response to popular demand, The Blank Theatre Company has announced the return of Nicholas Brendon in 'The Santaland Diaries' by David Sedaris. Once again directed by Michael Matthews, 'Santaland' begins preview performances on Friday, November 19, and opening night is set for Saturday, November 27 at 8:00 at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood. Last year's entire engagement of this show at The Blank's 2nd Stage Theatre sold out before performances began.

Celebration Theatre is thrilled to announce that the critically-acclaimed (LA Weekly GO!, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK!) second show in its 2010-2011 Season of Shows, the Tony Award-winning play, TAKE ME OUT, written by Richard Greenberg and directed by Michael Matthews and produced for Celebration Theatre by Nicholas Caprio, Michael C. Kricfalusi, Todd Milliner and Christopher Sepulveda, is a grand-slam, home-run.

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed classical repertory theatre company, presents Noel Coward's timeless comedic gem Blithe Spirit, directed by Damaso Rodriguez, which opens Saturday, October 9 and closes Friday, December 17, 2010 (previews begin Saturday, October 2).

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell Bernard, Trustee) has announced that its 2010 donation to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS will total $1 million dollars, marking the largest single donation in BC/EFA history. The foundation, which is funded by royalties from the late award-winning lyricist Fred Ebb's vast catalogue of work, makes an annual donation to BC/EFA.

On Monday, December 6, cast members from the first national tour of NEXT TO NORMAL--now performing a limited engagement at the Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles through January 2, 2011--performed a brief set at 'Musical Mondays,' the Broadway-centric live performance showcase hosted by Scott Nevins and Ryan O'Connor at the Eleven Nightclub in West Hollywood.

Actors Zach Grenier, Samantha Mathis, Don Amendolia, Susan Kellermann, Greg Keller, Grant James Varjas, Scott Barrow and Caitlin O'Connell will join the previously announced Jane Fonda in the Tectonic Theater Project production of '33 Variations,' opening February 9, 2011, at the CTG/Ahmanson Theatre. Previews begin January 30 for the compelling new play, written and directed by Moisés Kaufman, and performances continue through March 6.

Sh-K-Boom has announced that Broadway favorite Alice Ripley will realease a new album, Daily Practice - Volume 1 on February 15, 2011.

The Center Theatre Group / Mark Taper Forum's 2011 season opens with John Lithgow's 'Stories by Heart,' a special one-man theatrical memoir, January 4 through February 13, 2011. The opening is January 5.

Since 1985, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles has been a vibrant hub of unique programs and events designed to make Shakespeare accessible and engaging in Los Angeles. At last April's annual "Simply Shakespeare" fundraiser, Helen Hunt read the role of Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing."

Lyle Lovett joins the cast of 'Much Ado About Nothing' beginning December 10 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. The performing company of 18 actors and musicians include Chris Butler, Ramon De Ocampo, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Grace Gummer, Helen Hunt, Tom Irwin, Brian Joseph, Greta Jung, Geoffrey Lower, Anthony Manough, Dakin Matthews, Stephen Root, Jared Sakren, Fred Sanders, David Ogden Stiers, Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins.

The world premiere of Randy Newman's 'Harps and Angels' opened at the Center Group/Mark Taper Forum at the Los Angeles Music Center on Sunday, November 21. Performances continue through December 22, 2010. Click below for a look at the production onstage!

Casting has been completed for the Broadway premiere of Rajiv Joseph's play BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO - set to begin previews March 11 and open March 31 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 W. 46 St.), starring Robin Williams in his Broadway acting debut - it has been announced by the play's producers Robyn Goodman, Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Center Theatre Group.

Celebration Theatre is thrilled to announce that the critically-acclaimed (LA Weekly GO!, Backstage CRITIC'S PICK!) second show in its 2010-2011 Season of Shows, the Tony Award-winning play, TAKE ME OUT, written by Richard Greenberg and directed by Michael Matthews and produced for Celebration Theatre by Nicholas Caprio, Michael C. Kricfalusi, Todd Milliner and Christopher Sepulveda, is a grand-slam, home-run. smash-hit - and is EXTENDING AGAIN through Sunday, January 30 at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

Alice Ripley, Asa Somers, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey talk about Next to Normal - playing NOW at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, through January 2nd only!

Hollywood heavyweight Rob Reiner is eager to turn the Pulitzer and Tony-winning musical, Next to Normal into a movie musical. Says Reiner to The Malibu Times: 'I'd love to do Next to Normal...It's about ordinary people, but set to music. It's funny and dark and uplifting. You know, about real stuff.'

Lyle Lovett joins the cast of "Much Ado About Nothing" beginning December 10 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. The performing company of 18 actors and musicians include Chris Butler, Ramon De Ocampo, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Grace Gummer, Helen Hunt, Tom Irwin, Brian Joseph, Greta Jung, Geoffrey Lower, Anthony Manough, Dakin Matthews, Stephen Root, Jared Sakren, Fred Sanders, David Ogden Stiers, Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins.

Lyle Lovett joins the cast of 'Much Ado About Nothing' beginning December 10 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. The performing company of 18 actors and musicians include Chris Butler, Ramon De Ocampo, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Grace Gummer, Helen Hunt, Tom Irwin, Brian Joseph, Greta Jung, Geoffrey Lower, Anthony Manough, Dakin Matthews, Stephen Root, Jared Sakren, Fred Sanders, David Ogden Stiers, Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins.

Next to Normal, with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, is making its west coast premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.With a thrilling contemporary score, 'Next to Normal' is an emotional powerhouse of a musical about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other. The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical features original Broadway star Alice Ripley, who won the Tony for her performance. Next to Normal also features Asa Somers (Dan), Curt Hansen(Gabe), Emma Hunton (Natalie), Jeremy Kushnier (Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine) and Preston Sadleir (Henry).

To keep up with the ultra-fast pace of the modern age is difficult for most 'normal' people. Dealing with emotional pain or loss on top of average daily strife can be overwhelming. It may easily destroy a life and those connected to it as well. In the Pulitzer Prize winning Next to Normal, the problem is presented via a wife and mother, who has been diagnosed as bi-polar. Her behavior patterns show extreme mental instability verging on insanity, and the effects on her husband and teen daughter are astronomical. Eventually a heartfelt loss from the past unravels that is at the core of the woman's suffering. Structured in a most unique way, Next to Normal is akin to a rock opera, but it is not completely sung; there is intermittent dialogue. The most emotional moments, though, come through song, so the music and book flow together, and with the three tiered open set and loosely structured staging, it all comes together as an unparalleled musical drama.

Since 1985, The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles has been a vibrant hub of unique programs and events designed to make Shakespeare accessible and engaging in Los Angeles.