we are delighted to bring you two pre-Broadway
John gallagher Jr., original Broadway cast. Photo BY tim white.
/hR0fR9eG 8Ct ai yGin 0leC e
Ready for an Get ahmanson! at the
World Premiere musicals and the Los Angeles engagement of the most talked-about rock musical in years. Old friends will return with sparkling new productions of signature works and theatrical fireworks will light up the stage as Broadway’s hottest drama makes its Center Theatre Group premiere. And, I am pleased to announce that Center Theatre Group, with our partners Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Thomas Schumacher, will present Mary Poppins at the Ahmanson in November 2009. Season ticket holders to the 2008-09 season will have first access to tickets to this magical show when they become available to our subscribers. World Premiere musical september 3 - october 19, 2008
“A GROUNDBREAKING JOLT OF GENIUS!”
– Clive Barnes, NY Post
MINSKY’S
A Brand New Musical
Misbehavin’
The Fats Waller Musical Show
Ain’t
“hasten to the feet of a star.”
New York Times
/09 08
Lauren Pritchard, original Broadway cast, spring awakening. Photo BY Joan marcus.
ioRity! uR top pR you have o
Most patrons prefer the confidence of having the same seats each time they come to the theatre. We promise all Full-season subscribers top priority attention for seat assignments before tickets are released for sale to the general public.
You’ll have advance priority to purchase additional tickets for friends or tickets for special events produced or presented by Center Theatre Group that are announced at the Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre or Kirk Douglas Theatre—with NO service fees. convenient services. exclusively For subscribers. Subscribers enjoy Free ticket exchange for performance dates of the same production as well as Free replacement of lost tickets — even if you arrive at the theatre and discover you’ve left them at home. In addition, missed performance tickets may be redeemed on a standby basis within two weeks to another performance of the same production when available. Discounts and special offers from top restaurants and hotels near the Music Center make your entertainment a complete night on the town. Many offer free parking and shuttle services. If you are not satisfied with your subscription, we offer a money back guarantee — just return all your remaining tickets and we’ll refund your money for the balance of the season.
Winner 8 tony aWards including best musical! october 29 - December 7, 2008
World Premiere musical January 20 - march 1, 2009
the Joint is JumPin’! april 22 - may 31, 2009
BONUS OPTION • PREFERRED SEATING! march 11-29, 2009
BONUS OPTION • PREFERRED SEATING! June 9-21, 2009
9 to 5: the musical
Dolly parton book by patricia resnick choreograPhy by andy blankenbuehler directed by Joe mantello
music and lyrics by
spring awakening
Duncan sheik book and lyrics by steven sater directed by michael mayer choreograPhy by bill t. Jones
music by
minsky’s
Season Tickets
Your Way
Priority Seating
For patrons who prefer a specific seat location each time they come to the theatre, our Full-season ticket package provides you with priority seat assignments before seats go on sale to the general public. guarantee your seats for our electrifying four-show season and receive preferred seating if you add on one or both of our exciting bonus options.
Join us for a high voltage year at L.A.’s premier stage for exciting, award-winning theatre.
michael ritchie artistic Director
coming to the 2009/10 ahmanson season!
Don’t miss this new musical comedy based on the classic hit movie! 9 to 5: The Musical features a brandnew score by seven-time Grammy Award -winner Dolly Parton that includes the blockbuster title song, plus a book by original screenwriter Patricia Resnick and direction by two-time Tony Award -winner Joe Mantello (directing his first new musical since Wicked). Emmy Award -winner and Tony Award -nominee Allison Janney stars as Violet Newstead, the superefficient office manager who joins her fellow co-workers — frazzled divorcée Judy Bernly (Stephanie J. Block) and sexy secretary Doralee Rhodes (Megan Hilty) — to turn the tables on their “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigot” of a boss, Franklin Hart Jr. (Tony Award -nominee Marc Kudisch).
® ® ® ® ®
Broadway’s most talked about new musical is now the biggest Tony Award -winner in years. Spring Awakening is the groundbreaking fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll that has awakened Broadway like no other musical in years.
®
a branD new musical music by charles strouse lyrics by susan birkenhead book by bob martin directed & choreograPhed by casey nicholaw Presented in association with mgm on stage
Based on the Bud Yorkin-norman Lear Production the night theY raided minskY’s written BY arnoLd shuLman, sidneY michaeL and norman Lear directed BY wiLLiam Friedkin distriButed BY metro-goLdwYn-maYer Produced BY norman Lear
the Fats waller musical show based on the life and music of thomas “Fats” waller conceived and directed by richard maltby, Jr.
Based on an idea BY murraY horwitz and richard maLtBY, Jr.
ain’t misbehavin’
Frost/nixon
peter morgan directed by michael grandage
a neW Play by
Dame eDna my First last tour
the Face-oFF oF the century, live on stage. Direct from broadway. Frost/Nixon tackles the question: How did David Frost, a famous British talk show host with a playboy reputation, elicit the apology that the rest of the world was waiting to hear from former President Richard Nixon? Award-winning stage and screen actor Stacy Keach stars as Richard Nixon. He leads a cast of 10 in this fast-paced Tony Award -nominated new play which shows the determination, conviction and cunning of two famous men as they square off in one of the most monumental television interviews of all time.
®
Spring Awakening celebrates the unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, a poignancy and a passion you will never forget. We agree with The New York Times, “Broadway may never be the same again!”
please note: Spring Awakening is a powerful coming of age
story with mature themes: sexual situations, partial nudity and strong language.
only 2008/09 Full season ticket holders will have priority access to broadway’s supercalifragilisticexpialidocious hit! all ahmanson season ticket holders will have the first shot at subscriptions for the 2009/10 season, which includes this high-flying extravaganza.
In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy — giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover that introduces flexible hours and daycare. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?
Dolly parton
“haunting anD electriFying! this brave new musical has a shivery sensual allure unmatched by anything in the theatre right now.”
– Charles Isherwood, The New York Times
Minsky’s is a big, racy, new musical comedy set in a time when entertainment was about legs and laughs, and you had to push the limits to keep the customers buying tickets. A rollicking backstage story, set in Prohibition Era New York City, that peeks into a world populated by comedians, con men and seductive, sexy women; a world reigned over by the king of burlesque himself, Billy Minsky — until the day he falls in love and the cops come banging on his door. Writer Bob Martin and Director/Choreographer Casey Nicholaw (both of The Drowsy Chaperone fame) join forces with the legendary composer Charles Strouse (Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, Annie) and acclaimed lyricist Susan Birkenhead (Jelly’s Last Jam) for this world premiere.
At the height of the historic Harlem Renaissance, venues like The Cotton Club were jumpin’ to a new beat called “swing.” Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a rollicking, finger-snapping, toe-tapping, Tony Award -winning musical revue — a tribute to the black entertainers of the early 1900’s that centers on the music of one of the most prolific musicians of the time, Thomas “Fats” Waller.
®
“In this show you will see me up close and personal, Possums, perhaps for the last time! Close enough to see my beauty and personal enough to feel my love, and even, in some cases, my reluctant disapproval. I’m sharing and caring with those who need it the most — YOU, my adoring audiences.” — Dame Edna The widely-loved international homemaker, talk show host, gigastar, fashion icon, swami and most sought-after friend to the rich, famous and royal, is making a return to the Ahmanson with what she describes as her “First Last Tour.” For more than four decades, Dame Edna has dazzled audiences the world over with her one-of-a-kind banter, infinite wisdom and fabulous beauty tips. Treat yourself to an evening with the most popular and gifted woman in the world today! “screechingly Funny!” – Miami Herald “the funniest woman on the planet!” – WBZ-TV, Boston
sold o at theut ahman in 200son 6!
$
season tiCkets staRt at
new beneFit! easy online ticket exchanges coming soon.
RChase online! pu
99
new! exClusive season tiCket hotline
213.972.4444
We’re available seven days a week to assist with information about upcoming shows, parking, nearby restaurants or purchasing subscriptions or extra tickets.
theatrical devices such as smoking (herbal non-tobacco only), stage fog, strobe lights, gun shots, rough language and nudity may occur in some productions. if you need to be warned in advance of these occurrences, please contact audience services. Plays, productions, casting, performance dates and times are subject to change.
Recreated by original director, Richard Maltby, Jr. (Tony Award , Best Direction) for an exclusive Center Theatre Group engagement, Ain’t Misbehavin’ is vibrantly told with infectious energy and the cheeky humor for which Waller was known.
®
Purchase Online CenterTheatreGroup.org/SeasonTickets
Featuring 30 famous, high-energy tunes including “ain’t misbehavin’,” “honeysuckle rose,” “black and blue” and “the Joint is Jumpin’.”
Frost/Nixon is written by Peter Morgan, screenwriter of The Other Boleyn Girl, The Queen, The Last King of Scotland, and HBO’s Longford, and directed by Olivier Award-winner Michael Grandage. “a victory! Frost/Nixon is a nail-biting thriller with the zing of a comedy.”
– Ben Brantley, The New York Times
stacy keach