2014/2015 Season Brochure

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Page To Stage Musical

MAY 13 – JUNE 15 Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre


A NEW MUSICAL FROM THE CREATORS OF THE TONY AWARD-WINNING MEMPHIS Elegant Edie’s team of ambitious hitmakers are upended by the arrival of the newest aspiring songwriter — Edie’s daughter Ginny. As Ginny strives to earn her place in the male-dominated world of the early 1960s music scene, American rock ‘n’ roll finds itself under siege from the incoming British invasion.

There is so much about this musical that excites me as a director — it explores social issues, the power of the relationship between mothers and daughters, and most of all, it delves into the iconic and energetic music of the 1960s.

- Artistic Director Christopher Ashley

About the Book Writer / Co-Lyricist

About the Composer / Co-Lyricist

Joe DiPietro is the Tony Award-winning writer and co-lyricist of Memphis. His other work includes Nice Work If You Can Get It and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change — the longest running musical revue in OffBroadway history.

David Bryan is the Tony Award-winning composer and co-lyricist of Memphis, as well as the Grammy Awardwinning keyboardist and founding member of Bon Jovi, which has sold over 150 million records worldwide.

About the Director Christopher Ashley is the director of the Tony Awardwinning Memphis. As Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse, he has kept the Playhouse at the forefront of American theatre, with over 19 world premieres, 15 commissions and the acclaimed Without Walls site-specific theatre series.


Re-imagined Classic

JULY 8 – AUGUST 3 Mandell Weiss Theatre


FEATURING BD WONG IN A SWEEPING EPIC In the aftermath of a violent coup, a young orphan discovers the shattering truth of his origins. Often described as the Chinese Hamlet, this riveting tale was the first Chinese play to be translated in the West and has inspired countless operas, plays and movies.

This is a play that proves the classics are as gripping and fresh as anything in theatres today. It’s an edge-of-your-seat drama full of twists and turns, revenge and murder, and ultimately sacrifice.

- Artistic Director Christopher Ashley

About BD Wong

About the Director

BD Wong is the only actor to receive all five major New York theatre awards, including the Tony Award, for a single role for his performance in M. Butterfly. For eleven seasons, millions of Americans watched him as Dr. George Huang in the top-rated television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Carey Perloff recently celebrated her 20th year as Artistic Director of A.C.T., where she is known for directing innovative productions of classics and championing new writing. She has directed the American premieres of Tom Stoppard’s The Invention of Love and India Ink and Harold Pinter’s Celebration, among many others.


West Coast Premiere

H CTION WIT CO-PRODU E TR A E TH N HUNTINGTO D AN COMPANY STAGE D R O TF R HA

JULY 13 – AUGUST 10 Mandell Weiss Forum Theatre


THE EUPHORIA AND DEVASTATION OF DISCOVERY When a new treatment promises to eradicate pain, a doctor and his student play out an epic battle between altruism and ambition. Based on the true story of the discovery of ether as an anesthetic in 1846, Ether Dome explores the pain that afflicts humankind, our attempts to find relief and the beginning of healthcare as big business.

I am so drawn to the big idea at the center of Liz Egloff’s new play: that our noble aspirations to alleviate suffering are undone by our innate human failings.

- Artistic Director Christopher Ashley

About the Playwright

About the Director

Elizabeth Egloff’s plays include The Swan, which has been given numerous productions across the country and abroad, including during the Playhouse’s 1992 season. Other works include The Devils, Peter Pan and Wendy, Wolf-Man, The Lover and Phaedra.

Michael Wilson served as Artistic Director of Hartford Stage from 1998 to 2011. Under his leadership, Hartford Stage mounted fourteen world premieres, eight Brand:NEW festivals and six Broadway or Off-Broadway transfers. He recently directed the Tony Award-winning revival of The Trip to Bountiful.


World Premiere

SEPTEMBER 4 – OCTOBER 5 Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre


A 20TH CENTURY CLASSIC INCITES A 21ST CENTURY SHOWDOWN When displaced New York director Miriam finds herself in Kingdom City, Missouri, she reluctantly agrees to direct a high school production of The Crucible. The play unlocks the students’ unspoken desires, creating a firestorm in this small Christian town.

I am in awe of how playwright Sheri Wilner explores both sides of a culture war between artistic freedom and religious values with such honesty, humor and intelligence.

- Artistic Director Christopher Ashley

About the Playwright Sheri Wilner’s plays include Father Joy, Hunger and Bake Off and have been performed at major regional theatres, including the Guthrie and Williamstown Theatre Festival. Her work has won numerous awards and has been published in over a dozen anthologies.


U.S. Premiere

PRODUCED IN ASSOCIATION WITH PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS.

OCTOBER 26 – DECEMBER 7 Mandell Weiss Theatre


A NEW MUSICAL FEATURING AN OSCARNOMINATED SCORE The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the only stage collaboration from two masters of the American musical theatre, composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. In this brand new production, a lush, emotionally rich score highlights the music’s orchestral power and choral beauty in an intimate retelling of the famous love story.

I have always been intrigued by Victor Hugo’s story of love and aloneness, obsession and heroism. Now this extraordinary creative team retells this classic with a simple sophistication and an unspeakably gorgeous score that our audiences will love.

- Artistic Director Christopher Ashley

About the Composer

About the Lyricist

About the Writer

About the Director

Composer Alan Menken is celebrated for such beloved works as Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Newsies, Aladdin and Little Shop of Horrors. He’s won eight Oscars, eleven Grammys and a Tony Award.

Lyricist Stephen Schwartz has written both music and lyrics for such hits as Godspell, Pippin and Wicked. A multiple Academy and Grammy Award winner, he was recently inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.

Bookwriter Peter Parnell’s recent Broadway works include the revival of Lerner and Lane’s On a Clear Day… and QED starring Alan Alda. For television, Parnell was a coproducer for The West Wing (two Emmy Award citations).

Director Scott Schwartz directed Golda’s Balcony, which enjoyed successful runs Off- and on Broadway. Schwartz made his Broadway debut as co-director of the musical Jane Eyre, which had its world premiere at the Playhouse.


JOIN NOW FOR THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE

PRICES START AT ONLY $30 A SHOW! 6-PLAY

Includes All shows in the 2014/2015 Season

Includes Chasing the Song, The Orphan of Zhao and The Hunchback of Notre Dame

*Weekend matinees may take place on a Saturday or Sunday. **Gold Circle subscribers have premium seating in the Mandell Weiss Theatre. Discounted subscriptions are available for seniors age 62 and over, active military and full-time students with valid ID. Contact the Patron Services Office for more information.

Keep your same seats or upgrade your location every year you renew.

La Jolla Playhouse Theatre Village & Directions

Beat the Crowd... Subscribe Early for the Best Seats! Order Now Personal Service: by calling Patron Services at (858) 550 -1010 Visit in Person: Monday – Saturday 12 pm – 6 pm at 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, CA Online: LaJollaPlayhouse.org/subscribe

La Jolla Playhouse is located on the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) campus, minutes from downtown La Jolla, the Golden Triangle and Interstate 5 (La Jolla Village Drive exit).


Performance Venues

OUR PROMISE TO YOU Only Subscribers Are Guaranteed Seats

Subscribers secure their seats before tickets go on sale to the general public.

Complimentary Ticket Exchange If your schedule changes — it’s no problem. Subscribers can change their dates for free.

Money Back Guarantee

See your first show and if you’re not happy, we’ll refund your subscription.

Priority Ticket Opportunities

Get access to added programs such as WoW productions before they go on sale to the public.

Free Parking

Subscribers receive complimentary parking passes for all performances.

Performance Times Tuesday & Wednesday: 7:30 pm Thursday & Friday: 8:00 pm Saturday: 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm Sunday: 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Save on Additional Tickets

Subscribers save 20% when they buy additional tickets for friends and family.

Parking Parking is $2 Monday – Friday, free on weekends. Subscribers do not pay for parking.

Programming and artists subject to change.


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Corporate Support for the 2014/15 Season Provided By:

Mandell Weiss Charitable Foundation

The 2014/15 Season is Supported By:

Theatre and Arts Foundation La Jolla Playhouse P.O. Box 12039 La Jolla, CA 92039

ORDER EARLY FOR THE BEST SEATS

SIX SHOWS FOR AS LITTLE AS $30 EACH!


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