LOS ANGELES: Center Theatre Group has announced its 2019-20 season, featuring seven shows.
“The 2019-2020 season at the Ahmanson Theatre showcases work from some of the world’s finest artists and creators,” said artistic director Michael Ritchie in a statement. “From an iconic rock star—Sting starring in his heartfelt and empowering musical The Last Ship—to a pair of raconteurs direct from Broadway—John Leguizamo in Latin History for Morons and Mike Birbiglia in The New One—we’ve curated a collection of shows that are both passionate and personal.”
The season will kick off with Latin History for Morons (Sept. 5-Oct. 20), written and performed by John Leguizamo. The show, inspired by the absence of Latinos in his son’s history books, is about a frenzied search to find a Latin hero for a school project. Tony Taccone will direct.
Next up will be The New One (Oct. 23-Nov. 24), written and performed by Mike Birbiglia, a one-man comedy about entering parenthood. Seth Barrish will direct.
Following will be New Adventures’ production of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake (Dec. 3-Jan. 5, 2020), a retelling of the classic ballet featuring music by Tchaikovsky. The creative team will include set and costume designer Lez Brotherston and lighting designer Paule Constable. Bourne will choreograph and direct.
The season will continue with The Last Ship (Jan. 14-Feb. 16, 2020), with new book by Lorne Campbell and music and lyrics by Sting. The musical was inspired by Sting’s childhood experiences and England’s shipbuilding industry. Campbell will direct.
Next will be The Book of Mormon (Feb. 18-March 29, 2020), with book, music, and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone. The musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of Mormon missionaries sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Casey Nicholaw will choreograph and co-direct with Parker.
Following will be Once on This Island (April 7-May 10, 2020), with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty, about a fearless peasant girl in the French Antilles who is willing to risk everything for love. Camille A. Brown will choreograph, and Michael Arden will direct.
The final show of the season is yet to be announced.
Center Theatre Group is Los Angeles’s leading nonprofit theatre company. It programs out of three spaces, the 2000-seat Ahmanson, the Mark Taper Forum, and the Kirk Douglas Theatre. It presents and produces a broad range of theatrical work.
