Ahmanson Theatre News

The world premiere production of the Center Theatre Group-commissioned 'Venice,' a new musical that tells a rich story of war, love, betrayal and the quest for peace with a powerful score that fuses elements of hip-hop, R&B and opera. At the CTG/Kirk Douglas Theatre. Opening is set for October 17.

Broadway hit and four-time Tony® nominee 9 to 5: The Musical will headline Pittsburgh CLO's 2011 Summer Season May 31-June 5 at the Benedum Center. This legendary film turned musical embarks on its First National Tour at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center September 21, 2010.

La Jolla Playhouse presents its production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley, playing in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre July 20 - August 22, 2010 (press opening: July 27 at 7:00 pm).

Jason Alexander, artistic director of Reprise Theatre Company, will star in 'They're Playing Our Song,' September 28 to October 10 (press opening September 29) at UCLA's Freud Playhouse, to open the company's 2010-2011 season. Single tickets are available for 'They're Playing Our Song' at www.reprise.org or through the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310/825-2101.

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.

The New York Times is reporting that real-life married couple Marrin Mazzie and Jason Danieley will be taking over the lead roles in Next to Normal on July 19th. This will mark the couple's first on-stage pairing in a Broadway show.

Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center welcomes the return of American Ballet Theatre (ABT), America's National Ballet Company, led by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie, to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, July 15-18, with its full-evening production of The Sleeping Beauty.

Tony Award nominee Jennifer Damiano will play her final performance as Natalie in the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical Next to Normal on Sunday, July 18 at 7:30p.m. As previously announced, Tony Award winner Alice Ripley and two-time Tony Award nominee Brian d'Arcy James will also play their final performance on that date. Meghann Fahy will assume the role of Natalie on Monday, July 19th.

The Colony Theatre Company is thrilled to present its first production of its 36th sensational season, GRACE & GLORIE, written by Tom Ziegler, directed by Cameron Watson (Trying) and starring Ovation Award winner Beth Grant and Melinda Page Hamilton.

Bob Boyett and NETworks Presentations announce casting for the national tour of the Lincoln Center Theater production of Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein's prize-winning musical 'South Pacific,' directed by Bartlett Sher, opening June 2 at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre and playing through July 17, 2010. Previews begin May 27.

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.

Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center welcomes the return of American Ballet Theatre (ABT), America's National Ballet Company, led by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie, to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, July 15-18, with its full-evening production of The Sleeping Beauty.

Michael Ritchie, Artistic Director of Center Theatre Group, has set the 2010-2011 season at CTG's Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. The new season, which features three productions and four DouglasPlus presentations, will run from October 7, 2010, through August 28, 2011.

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.

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

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.

The West Coast premiere of Dael Orlandersmith's 'Stoop Stories' begins performances Wednesday, July 7 at 8 p.m. and opens Friday, July 9 at 8 p.m. at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre.

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.

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.

'The Lieutenant of Inishmore,' the strikingly original black comedy by Academy Award-winning, Olivier Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated Martin McDonagh, opens at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum at the Los Angeles Music Center on Sunday, July 11 at 7 p.m. Previews are underway and performances continue through August 8, 2010.