Michael Ritchie, Artistic Director of Center Theatre Group, has set the 2011-2012 season at CTG’s Kirk Douglas Theatre. The new season is the eighth at the theater in Culver City and will feature four productions and the popular DouglasPlus programming.
It will run from September 17, 2011, through June 2012.
The new season will include the poignant storytelling of Charlayne Woodard in her newest play, “The Night Watcher”; the riveting Ebony Repertory Theatre production of Lorraine Hansberry’s classic “A Raisin in the Sun”; the ever-irreverent Culture Clash in the new work written by Richard Montoya, “American Night: The Ballad of Juan José”; and the powerful voice of Danai Gurira in her new play, “The Convert.”
Included in DouglasPlus are a full production of Rude Mechs’ new musical “I’ve Never Been So Happy” and a reading of the Burglars of Hamm’s “The Behavior of Broadus.”
“When we were planning this new season at the Douglas,” said Ritchie, “I couldn’t help but think of Kirk and Anne Douglas and how their generosity allows us to do our work. They recently awarded a $1 million challenge grant to CTG, which when combined with their earlier $1 million seed grant, results in a $2 million investment in the future of new works at the theatre. This is really quite amazing
“We have four stand-out productions in the new season. The stories they tell are exceptionally rich in insight, humor and compassion. With Charlayne Woodard’s candid look at the challenges of choosing not to have children, Richard Montoya’s blend of comedy and social commentary focused on the desire for American citizenship, the first-class Ebony Repertory Theatre production of Lorraine Hansberry’s masterpiece about race in America and Danai Gurira’s startling story of the personal and cultural effects of colonialism, it’s clear that the new season at the Douglas adds up to a season of smart, moving theatre.
“In addition, our DouglasPlus programming continues to shine with fun, new works by Rude Mechs and the Burglars of Hamm.”
“I am happy to point out that CTG’s New Play Production Program is in full gear with three CTG-commissioned works, ‘The Convert’ and ‘The Behavior of Broadus,’ and the further development of Rude Mechs’ work on ‘I’ve Never Been So Happy’ through a CTG Completion Commission. Part of our mandate is to form partnerships with L.A. theatre companies, and it’s of particular pleasure to present the important work of Ebony Repertory Theatre.
“The Night Watcher”
Charlayne Woodard returns to CTG with her dynamic new work, “The Night Watcher,” November 17 through December 18, 2011. The opening is set for November 20.
“The Night Watcher” is written and performed by Woodard.
A best friend, advisor, confidant and sage to the many young people for whom she is an auntie or a godmother, Charlayne Woodard pays homage in “The Night Watcher” to the life-enhancing intimacy that can exist between children and the loving extended family of “other” adults who are not related.
“Raisin in the Sun”
The critically-acclaimed Ebony Repertory Theatre production of Lorraine Hansberry’s American classic “A Raisin in the Sun” will open the New Year at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, January 19 through February 19, 2012. Opening night is set for January 22.
Phylicia Rashad will reprise her direction of the play that Frank Rich of The New York Times said (in 1983) “. . . changed American theatre forever.”
Set in the 1950s, “A Raisin in the Sun” portrays an African-American family and its pursuit of a better life while facing the obstacles of conflicting aspirations, betrayal and racism. Central to the story is a $10,000 life insurance payment that symbolizes freedom in various ways to each family member, including the possibility of buying the family’s first house, located at 406 Clybourne St. in Chicago.
American Night: The Ballad of Juan José”
The highly charged story of the immigrant in America today is hilariously upended in “American Night: The Ballad of Juan José” by Richard Montoya. Developed by Culture Clash and Jo Bonney, directed by Bonney and a co-production with La Jolla Playhouse, “American Night” will be presented March 9 through April 1, 2012. The opening is set for March 11.
“American Night” tells the story of Juan José, a resident alien on the night before his U.S. citizenship test. As Juan crams for his exam he finds himself transported through history into some of the chapters left out of the history books. Filtered through Culture Clash’s unique satirical sensibility, the American Dream morphs into an exhaustion-fueled flight of fantasy through the darker nooks and crannies of Juan José’s chosen homeland.
“The Convert”
Danai Gurira’s powerful new play, “The Convert,” which was commissioned by Center Theatre Group, will be presented at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, April 17 through May 13, 2012. The opening is scheduled for April 19. The world premiere production of “The Convert,” a co-production with McCarter Theatre Center and Goodman Theatre, is directed by Emily Mann.
Set amid the colonial scramble for southern Africa in 1895, “The Convert” tells the tale of Jekesai, a young girl who escapes a forced marriage arrangement by becoming the newest convert of a well-meaning black catechist for the Catholic Church. But when an anti-colonial uprising erupts she is torn by her loyalties to her family and her culture and is forced to decide which side of the conflict she will choose – and where her heart truly belongs.
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DouglasPlus
“The Behavior of Broadus”
A reading of a new work by one of L.A.’s most beloved comic theatre companies is set for September 17, 2011. “The Behavior of Broadus,” a new comedy complete with lab rats, romance and music, is written by Burglars of Hamm (Carolyn Almos, Matt Almos, Jon Beauregard and Albert Dayan), with original songs by Matt Almos and Brendan Milburn with Burglars of Hamm.
Rude Mechs’
“I’ve Never Been So Happy”
Rude Mechs, the wondrously inventive Austin-based theatre collective who delighted audiences last season at the Douglas with “The Method Gun,” are bringing the world premiere production of “I’ve Never Been So Happy,” a Western musical transmedia shindig, to the Douglas Theatre for 18 performances, October 6 through 23, 2011. The opening is scheduled for October 8.
Information
For information and to charge season tickets by phone, call the Exclusive Season Ticket Membership Hotline at (213) 972-4444. For more information about season tickets visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/Douglas.
Center Theatre Group’s 2011-2012 Season at the Kirk Douglas Theatre
DouglasPlus:
September 17, 2011 “The Behavior of Broadus”
by Burglars of Hamm (Carolyn Almos, Matt Almos, Jon Beauregard and Albert Dayan)
Original Songs by Matt Almos and
Brendan Milburn with Burglars of Hamm.
Commissioned by Center Theatre Group.
A Reading.
DouglasPlus:
October 6 – 23, 2011 “I’ve Never Been So Happy”
(Opens October 8.) Book and Lyrics by Kirk Lynn
Music and Lyrics by Peter Stopschinski
Curated and Directed by Thomas Graves
and Lana Lesley
Created and Performed by Rude Mechs.
A World Premiere Production.
First Season Production:
November 17 – December 18, 2011 “The Night Watcher”
(Opens November 20.) Written and Performed by
Charlayne Woodard
Second Season Production:
January 19 – February 19, 2012 The Ebony Repertory Theatre Production of
(Opens January 22.) “A Raisin in the Sun”
by Lorraine Hansberry
Directed by Phylicia Rashad.
Third Season Production:
March 9 – April 1, 2012 “American Night:
(Opens March 11.) The Ballad of Juan José”
by Richard Montoya
Developed by Culture Clash and Jo Bonney
Directed by Jo Bonney
A co-production with La Jolla Playhouse.
Fourth Season Production:
April 17 – May 13, 2012 “The Convert”
(Opens April 19.) by Danai Gurira
Directed by Emily Mann
World Premiere Production.
A Co-production with McCarter Theatre Center and Goodman Theatre.
Commissioned by Center Theatre Group.
DouglasPlus:
May-June 2012 Additional DouglasPlus programming to be announced.
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July 11, 2011
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