Ahmanson Theatre News

The full cast is set for the world premiere of the new musical 'Leap of Faith,' which will begin performances at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre on September 11, 2010 and continue through October 24. The opening is scheduled for October 3.

Next to Normal, with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, will be 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.

The full cast has been announced for The Actors Fund benefit, They're Playing Our Song. The one-night event will take place on Monday, August 30th at 7:30pm and will raise money to help support The Actors Fund.

Sixteen years after opening the Northwest office of what is now Broadway Across America - Seattle, Drew Murphy returns to Seattle as Vice President, Broadway Across America, West Coast, directing business for the Broadway series in Seattle, Portland, OR and Costa Mesa, CA. Before assuming this position, Mr. Murphy served as President of Broadway Across America - Boston, where he programmed more than 15 weeks of productions each year and oversaw operations of three major theatres, including the Boston Opera House.

'We are delighted to bring the new musical comedy, 9 to 5: The Musical to Atlanta,' states Christopher B. Manos, Producer of Theater of the Stars. Not only does it feature songs by the one and only Dolly Parton, a cast of incredible actors including Dee Hoty, Mamie Parris, Joseph Mahowald and more...but the role of Doralee will be played by Georgia's own Diana DeGarmo! Mark your calendar, stick a post-it on your dayrunner, or set an alert on your Android, but don't miss this show at the Fabulous Fox Theatre from September 28-October 3. Tickets are on sale NOW at Ticketmaster outlets, 800-982-2787, www.ticketmaster.com and the Fox Theatre Box Office.

Celebration Theatre is thrilled to present the 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.

Nicholas Martin, artistic director of Williamstown Theatre Festival, will direct W. Somerset Maugham's scintillating comedy of manners, 'The Circle,' June 7 - June 25, 2011, at Westport Country, announced Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director.

Judith Ivey, who plays the iconic Amanda Wingfield, will be joined by Patch Darragh as Tom, Keira Keeley as Laura and Ben McKenzie as Jim O'Connor, the Gentleman Caller, in Center Theatre Group's presentation of the Long Wharf Theatre production of 'The Glass Menagerie.' Tennessee Williams' haunting memory play begins previews on September 1 and opens September 12 with performances continuing through October 17, 2010, at the Mark Taper Forum.

The world premiere of Dael Orlandersmith's 'Bones' opened Saturday, July 31 at 8 p.m. at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre. Commissioned by CTG, 'Bones' ran for nine performances and will close on August 8, 2010, as part of DouglasPlus programming.

With the tough beauty of her writing and the fierce authenticity of her characters, Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award-winning playwright Dael Orlandersmith will bring two of her works to Los Angeles in July and August, the West Coast premiere of her solo performance piece 'Stoop Stories' and the world premiere of her new play 'Bones.' Both plays will be presented as part of DouglasPlus programming at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City.

Raul Espinoza, It's in the Cards, and the NoHo Arts Center Ensemble have announced the world premiere of Becoming Norman in North Hollywood. This new solo show with original music, written and performed by Norman P. Dixon, will play one preview performance on Friday, August 6 at 8pm and is set to open at the NoHo Arts Center on Saturday, August 7 at 8pm. The engagement will run through Sunday, September 12 only.

Two-time Academy Award-winner Jane Fonda will star in '33 Variations,' the compelling new play written and directed by Moisés Kaufman, at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre, January 30 through March 6, 2011. Opening is set for February 9.

Executive Producer Lou Spisto today named Tony Award-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes and actress Patricia Conolly Associate Artists of The Old Globe. They are the 54th and 55th artists to receive the prestigious honor which recognizes their unique contributions to the institution.

Alice Ripley will present a solo concert, Daily Practice with Alice Ripley, at BACKSTAGE dopo teatro (125 West 44th street) on Saturday, July 31 at 9:30pm. The intimate solo concert, which is already sold out, will feature an eclectic mix of well known songs, as well as a few original compositions. Due to popular demand, a second concert has been added on Saturday, August 28 at 11:00pm.

The world premiere of Dael Orlandersmith's 'Bones' opens Saturday, July 31 at 8 p.m. at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre. Commissioned by CTG, 'Bones' will have one preview on Friday, July 30, and will run for nine performances only through August 8, 2010, as part of DouglasPlus programming.

Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced the cast and creative team for the World Premiere of Robin and the 7 Hoods - A New Musical featuring a book by Tony Award winner Rupert Holmes and songs by four-time Academy Award winners Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen.

With the tough beauty of her writing and the fierce authenticity of her characters, Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award-winning playwright Dael Orlandersmith will bring two of her works to Los Angeles in July and August, the West Coast premiere of her solo performance piece 'Stoop Stories' and the world premiere of her new play 'Bones.' Both plays will be presented as part of DouglasPlus programming at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City.

Producer Daryl Roth announced today the full August and September casts of Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron's Love, Loss, and What I Wore.

Circus Theatricals's 2010 Season opener MORE LIES ABOUT JERZY by Davey Holmes, directed by David Trainer will close July 24. Producing is Jeannine Stehlin. The production stars acclaimed, award-winning actor, Jack Stehlin. The production opened Saturday, May 15 at Circus Theatricals at the Hayworth.

Four-time Tony Award-nominee Raúl Esparza and Golden Globe Award-nominee Brooke Shields will star in the world premiere of the new musical LEAP OF FAITH, which begins performances at theCenter Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre in September.