LOS ANGELES: Center Theatre Group has announced its 2019-20 season programming at two of its venues: the Mark Taper Forum and the Kirk Douglas Theatre.
“The 2019-20 seasons at the Taper and Douglas are stacked with great American stories and storytellers,” said artistic director Michael Ritchie in a statement . “It is a collection of artists, some that we have worked with over the years but many are new voices that are joining us for the first time.”
The Mark Taper Forum season will start with the world premiere of Ethan Coen’s A Play Is a Poem (Sept. 11-Oct. 13), a collection of one-acts set that each offer an eccentric look at life in America. The production will be presented in association with Atlantic Theater Company in New York City. Neil Pepe will direct.
Next up will be August Wilson’s Jitney (Nov. 22-Dec. 29), about a group of unlicensed cab drivers in 1970s Pittsburgh. Ruben Santiago-Hudson will direct.
Following will be Heidi Schreck’s What the Constitution Means to Me (Jan. 12-Feb. 16, 2020), about the playwright’s relationship with the founding document, and how it has impacted four generations of women in her family. Oliver Butler will direct. The play is currently running on Broadway (and has been nominated for a best play Tony Award).
The season will continue with The Antipodes (March 25-April 26, 2020), by Annie Baker, a comedy that follows nine characters thrown together into a writers’ room. Lila Neugebauer will direct.
Next will be the world premiere of King James (summer 2020) by Rajiv Joseph, about LeBron James’ return to the city of Cleveland and two estranged friends who are affected by the basketball player’s return. The play will be presented in association with Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
The Kirk Douglas Theatre season will begin with On Beckett (Sept. 13-Oct. 27), conceived and performed by Bill Irwin, about being inspired by Irish writer Samuel Beckett.
Next will be Dael Orlandersmith’s Until the Flood (Jan. 24-Feb. 23), about the community of Ferguson, Mo., following the fatal shooting of Michael Brown. Associate artistic director Neel Keller will direct.
Also part of the programming will be the Block Party: Celebrating Los Angeles Theatre (March 18-April 19, 2020). The Block Party will feature two productions from local 99-seat or smaller theatre companies.
The season will close with Sakina’s Restaurant (summer 2020), written and performed by Aasif Mandvi, a one-man show about an Indian immigrant who comes to New York City to work at a restaurant and pursue the American dream. Kimberly Senior will direct.
CTG previously announced the programming for its largest venue, the Ahmanson Theatre, which will feature seven shows.
Center Theatre Group is Los Angeles’s leading nonprofit theatre company. It programs out of three spaces: the Ahmanson, the Mark Taper Forum, and the Kirk Douglas Theatre. It presents and produces a broad range of theatrical work.
