The 2010-2011 Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre season will include the world premiere of a new musical, "Leap of Faith," the 2010 Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "Next to Normal," the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Play "God of Carnage," the 25th Anniversary celebration of an international musical classic, "Les Misérables," and a brand-new Cirque du Soleil production at the Cirque's new home at the Kodak Theatre.
"I believe that Los Angeles audiences will love this new season," said Ritchie. "The Ahmanson's 44th year at the Los Angeles Music Center continues the tradition we are known for - presenting the highest quality theatre in the country by premiering a major new musical, by offering Angelenos the first chance to see the best of Broadway, by honoring a treasured musical that 25 years ago redefined the genre, and by providing a special first-look at what will be the hottest ticket in Hollywood in the summer of 2011.
"This is a season that represents the broadest possible range of theatricality, from the powerful rock musical that grapples with mental illness, "Next to Normal," to the gospel-infused new musical of deceit and redemption, "Leap of Faith," and from the explosively funny, four-character comedy of "God of Carnage" to the game-changing epic musical of "Les Misérables," it reminds me how multi-dimensional the word ‘theatre' is and it makes me proud to see how the definition continues to expand."
The 2010-2011 Season
Leap of Faith
A World Premiere Musical
September 5 - October 17, 2010
Opens September 26, 2010
The world premiere of the new musical "Leap of Faith" opens the Ahmanson Theatre's 2010-2011 season with all the passion, fervor and high theatrics of a rousing, gospel-charged tent revival, where miracles occur like clockwork.
"Leap of Faith" is based on the Steve Martin movie and features a score by eight-time Academy Award-winner Alan Menken, book by Janus Cercone with Glenn Slater, and lyrics by Glenn Slater.
When part-time reverend and full-time con artist, the Reverend Jonas Nightengale, stops in a small Kansas town with his traveling ministry, he quickly pitches a tent and invites the locals to a revival. The sheriff is determined to stop Jonas from separating the townspeople from their money, but Jonas' real challenge arises when he meets a pretty waitress and her son, whose love for him forces this ultimate cynic to take a real leap of faith.
Next to Normal
Winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize
West Coast Premiere
November 23, 2010 - January 2, 2011
Opens November 28, 2010
A "brave, breathtaking musical" is what Ben Brantley of The New York Times called "Next to Normal," which will have its West Coast premiere at the Ahmanson Theatre.
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.
Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, "Next to Normal" has music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey (both won a Tony Award for Best Score). "Next to Normal " is directed by three-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif ("Next to Normal ," "Rent" and " Grey Gardens").
Rolling Stone raved about the musical, "Rock is alive and rolling like thunder in 'Next to Normal .' It is the best musical of the season by a mile. Next time you think the Broadway musical is dead, head off to 'Next to Normal .' It'll pin you to your seat." Joe Dziemianowicz of the New York Daily News said the musical is "... next to wondrous - hopeful and uplifting ... 'Next to Normal ' is an exceptional show that says something meaningful and powerful." Adam Feldman of Time Out New York called it "... surprising and moving, a thoughtful, emotional musical for grown-ups."
God of Carnage
West Coast Premiere
April 17 - May 29, 2011
Opens April 27, 2011
The scathingly funny "God of Carnage," winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play, will have its West Coast premiere in an exclusive Center Theatre Group engagement at the Ahmanson Theatre.
"God of Carnage," hailed by Elisabeth Vincentelli of the New York Post as "... gleefully nasty fun," is set in a gentrified section of Brooklyn where two married couples meet to sort out a playground fight between their sons. At first, niceties are observed but as the evening progresses and the rum flows, the gloves come off and the night becomes a side-splitting free-for-all of verbal brawling as tempers rise and inhibitions fall.
Les Misérables
CameRon Mackintosh's New 25th Anniversary Tour
June 14 - July 31, 2011
Opens June 17, 2011
CameRon Mackintosh's new 25th anniversary tour of one of the greatest musicals of all- time and the world's longest running musical.
"I'm delighted that 25 years after 'Les Miz' originally opened in London there is still a huge audience to see this marvelous show," said producer CameRon Mackintosh. "Over the years I have seen many successful but visually different productions, so it has been exciting to develop this new design which draws inspiration from the brilliant drawings and paintings of Victor Hugo himself. Integrated into spectacular modern projections, the new ‘Les Miz' is a magnificent mix of dazzling images and epic staging, driving one of the greatest musical stories ever told."
Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, "Les Misérables" is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of "Les Misérables" includes the classic songs "I Dreamed a Dream," "On My Own," "Stars," "Bring Him Home," "Do You Hear The People Sing?," "One Day More," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," "Master of The House" and many more.
A New Production from Cirque du Soleil
At Cirque du Soleil's New Home in Hollywood - The Kodak Theatre
Summer 2011
The imaginative Cirque du Soleil will provide a unique opportunity for Ahmanson season ticket holders to be among the very first in Los Angeles to see the company's new production in their new home in Hollywood at the Kodak Theatre.
This production will be a permanent show at the Kodak, running year-round. Ahmanson season ticket holders will have exclusive first priority seating in previews of this production during the summer of 2011. The production will open in the fall of 2011.
A lyrical, fanciful, kinetic foray into the seventh art (cinema), Cirque du Soleil's new production (as yet unnamed) will bring together dance, acrobatics, live video, filmed sequences and animation as it takes spectators on a fantastic voyage right to the heart of the movie-making process.
From illustration to animation, black and white to color, silent films to talkies, fixed shots to swooping camera movements, audience members will witness the poetic construction/deconstruction of this art as an object and as a way of transcending reality.
For the Cirque du Soleil engagement, Ahmanson season ticket holders will receive all of the usual season ticket perks, including free ticket exchange.
Tickets for the Ahmanson Theatre's 44th season are currently available by subscription only. For information and to charge season tickets by phone, call the Exclusive Season Ticket Hotline at 213-972-4444. To purchase subscriptions on-line, visit CenterTheatreGroup.org.