La Jolla Playhouse 2015/2016 Season Brochure

BOOK, MUSIC AND LYRICS BY

IRENE SANKOFFAND DAVID HEIN

DIRECTED BY

CHRISTOPHER ASHLEY

WORLD-PREMIERE MUSICAL

EXTENDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND!

MAY 29 – JULY 5 SHEILA AND HUGHES POTIKER THEATRE

WELCOME,WORLD Come From Away is an original, rock-infused world-premiere musical based on the true story of when the isolated town of Gander, Newfoundland played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small town turned into an international sleepover when 38 planes were diverted to Gander on September 11, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the spirited town cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar and the recognition that we’re all part of a global family.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR Artistic Director Christopher Ashley is the director of the Tony Award-winning musical Memphis, now playing on London’s West End!

BOOK, MUSIC AND LYRICS BY

ROBERT LOPEZ AND KRISTEN ANDERSON-LOPEZ DIRECTED BY

ALEX TIMBERS

WORLD-PREMIERE MUSICAL COMEDY

EXTENDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND!

JULY 28 – SEPTEMBER 6 MANDELL WEISS THEATRE

A MUSICAL COMEDY WITH A LOT ON ITS MIND potential spark with outgoing t-shirt designer Lindsay, his attempts at a relationship are thwarted by the Technicolor world in his head.

This world-premiere musical goes where no musical has gone before, bringing to life the circus of judgmental, neurotic, ever-changing characters that rule an ordinary man’s mind. Up Here is an ambitious, razor-sharp musical comedy about recognizing your place in the

ABOUT THE WRITING TEAM Robert Lopez (The Book of Mormon, Avenue Q) and Kristen Anderson-Lopez are the Oscar-winning songwriters behind Frozen.

BY

MICHAEL BENJAMIN WASHINGTON DIRECTED BY

PHYLICIA RASHAD CO-PRODUCTION WITH KANSAS CITY REPERTORY THEATRE

WORLD-PREMIERE PLAY

SEPTEMBER 8 – OCTOBER 4 SHEILA AND HUGHES POTIKER THEATRE

THE PORTRAIT OF REDEMPTION In the sweltering political and racial heat of 1963, Bayard Rustin — the brilliant proponent of non-violent civil disobedience — is assigned to orchestrate an unprecedented march for jobs and freedom. Exiled from the Civil Rights Movement by both internal and external forces, Rustin grapples with his last chance for professional restoration and spiritual redemption.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM Blueprints to Freedom was first presented

by Michael Benjamin Washington (The Wiz) and Phylicia Rashad (”The Cosby Show”) as part of the Playhouse’s DNA New Work Series.

WITHOUT WALLS

SEPTEMBER 29 – OCTOBER 25 MANDELL WEISS FORUM

MULTIMEDIA, MULTISENSORY HEALING Healing Wars is a multisensory experience that blends dance, storytelling and multimedia in an exploration of how soldiers and healers cope with the physical and psychological wounds of war.

Incorporating narratives from the American Civil War, as well as a remarkable performance from a young Navy veteran, this powerful piece asks how we as a nation recover from what seems like endless battles. Healing Wars anchors the Playhouse’s highly-anticipated second Without Walls Festival.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR Director and choreographer Liz Lerman is a MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellow and founder of the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange.

WORLD-PREMIERE PLAY

NOVEMBER 13 – DECEMBER 10 MANDELL WEISS THEATRE

THE PERILOUS LIFE OF A PLAY Indecent is a world-premiere play with music inspired by the true events surrounding the controversial 1922 Broadway debut of The God of Vengeance — considered by many to be a seminal work of Jewish culture; by others a work of traitorous libel. Alive with popular songs of the era, this deeply-moving piece charts the history of an incendiary work, the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it, and the evolving identity of the culturally-rich community that inspired its creation.

ABOUT THE WRITER Paula Vogel is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of How I Learned to Drive and The Long Christmas Ride Home.

Indecent is a recipient of a 2015 Laurents/Hatcher Theater Development Grant

BY

RAJIV JOSEPH DIRECTED BY

JAIME CASTAÑEDA

A NEW DARK COMEDY

FEBRUARY 2 – 28, 2016

SHEILA AND HUGHES POTIKER THEATRE

LIFE IS A BLOODY CHORE At morning’s first light, a new building representing the soaring power of the empire will be unveiled, the glorious Taj Mahal. But for the two hapless guards assigned to protect the palace, morning will set the wheels in motion for a ghoulishly funny existential crisis that will shake their faith in God, the empire and each other. Guards at the Taj is a black comedy about two average men swept up by the beauty, carnage and injustice surrounding one of the wonders of the world.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM Written by Rajiv Joseph, the Pulitzer Prize finalist for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. Directed by the Playhouse’s Associate Artistic Director Jaime Castañeda.

LAST YEAR’S THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME SOLD OUT! ACT NOW TO SECURE YOUR SEATS AND LOCK IN A LOW PRICE FOR THE

MUSICAL EVENTS OF THE YEAR 6-PLAY

Includes All shows in the 2015/2016 Season

Includes musicals Come From Away and Up Here, plus Blueprints to Freedom and Indecent

*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

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE THEATRE VILLAGE & DIRECTIONS

PERFORMANCE TIMES & VENUES TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY:

7:30 pm THURSDAY & FRIDAY:

8:00 pm SATURDAY:

2:00 pm & 8:00 pm SUNDAY

2:00 pm & 7:00 pm Programming, artists and seating

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).

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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