Performances Magazine | Ahmanson Theatre, June 2024

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BEYOND THE FRAME

JULY 6 to AUG 30

Watch as art literally comes to life on stage, with people posing to look just like famous artworks. Plus, enjoy great stories, live original music, and exciting surprises. Look closely! See if you can catch them blinking – it's a magical night under the stars. Early ticket purchase recommended, this event is highly sought after and draws art enthusiasts from around the world. Don’t miss it!

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JULY 3 to AUG 30*

Discover your next piece of original art, listen to live music, chat with artists to learn firsthand about their art and grab a bite to eat. Elevate your art experience with fun and engaging art workshops, guided tours and more.

*Closed on July 4.

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It’s the new way to read the program, it’s

Welcome to the Ahmanson Theatre and the Los Angeles premiere of A Strange Loop

I have admittedly had my own strange loop with this funny, acerbic, and powerful new musical. I first met its creator Michael R. Jackson over a decade ago when I lived in New York City and attended an early reading of this new piece he was working on. Even then, while it was a work in progress, it was unlike anything I had ever experienced or heard before—or since. It centered characters that until then I had only encountered as supporting characters in a musical before.

Since then, I have been a big fan of Michael’s work and seen him take this show from a small rehearsal room to Broadway, the West End, and now LA and the Ahmanson, picking up a handful of Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize along the way.

A Strange Loop is about the strange loops in our heads that hold us back. We all have them—and, for me, the joy of experiencing this show comes from the ride that emerges when you break out of those strange loops. A Strange Loop is sometimes hard to watch or listen to—and I say this as a gay man of color who knows how painfully true so many of these scenes and conversations are. These uncomfortable encounters find their truth in the lived experiences of many of us. This show also makes me laugh out loud with its raw honesty, inventiveness, and circular wit.

Michael hews to his own advice as he wrote this story: Don’t look back and don’t think twice...

Live your life and tell your story in exactly the same way:

Truthfully and without fear!

Despite those who wish you would disappear Find joy inside your life while you’re still here

To dedicate your life to being a theatre artist—whether it be as an actor, writer, designer, or director—is nothing short of a calling. And for me, there is no higher calling than creating something that makes someone else feel less alone; than making someone who has felt unseen for so much of their life feel seen. There is so much inspiration for many of us in this musical. As the main character Usher is told, “If you’re not scared to write the truth then it’s probably not worth writing.” The truth can be uncomfortable, but it can also be empowering and letting it be spoken (or sung) aloud can be nothing short of liberating.

So now I break out of the strange loop of this note and thank you for being here, and for supporting not only live theatre, but innovative artists like Michael R. Jackson and bold works like A Strange Loop. This is a work that, if you can’t tell already, has had a profound impact on me, and nothing makes me prouder than to bring it to CTG and to share it with you.

Sincerely,

Snehal Desai Artistic Director

ABOUT CTG

Center Theatre Group (CTG), Los Angeles’ leading theatre company, is the largest producing notfor-profit theatre company outside of New York City, and is one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations. CTG produces and presents programming at the Mark Taper Forum and the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles, and the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. CTG is one of the country’s leading producers of ambitious new works through commissions and world premiere productions and a leader in interactive community engagement and education programs that reach across generations, demographics, and circumstances to serve Los Angeles. Founded in 1967, CTG has produced more than 700 productions across its three stages, including such iconic shows as Zoot Suit; Angels in America ; The Kentucky Cycle ; Biloxi Blues ; Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; Children of a Lesser God; Curtains; The Drowsy Chaperone; 9 to 5: The Musical; and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. CTG also serves thousands of children and young adults each year through free educational and communitybased programs that introduce the joy of theatre to future generations.

SNEHAL DESAI

Artistic Director MEGHAN PRESSMAN Managing Director/CEO

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CENTER THEATRE GROUP

PUBLICATIONS 2024

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OUR MISSION

To serve the diverse audiences of Los Angeles by producing and presenting theatre of the highest caliber, by nurturing new artists, by attracting new audiences, and by developing youth outreach and arts education programs.

This mission is based on a belief that the art of theatre is a cultural force with the capacity to transform the lives of individuals and society at large.

OUR CORE VALUES

ARTISTIC AMBITION – We create and present a broad range of outstanding live theatrical work that is bold, authentic, provocative, engaging, entertaining, and inspiring. We support artists working at the highest levels of their own experience and craft.

ARTISTIC IDENTITY, RISK-TAKING, AND INNOVATION – The theatrical creative process is the center of our work. We collaborate with diverse, creative, and innovative artists, risk-takers, and boundary-breakers to bring great stories to life and create theatre magic.

CENTERING LOS ANGELES – We are a civic institution anchored in the cultural vibrancy and rich diversity of Los Angeles, committing to represent the communities that make up our great city, country, and world by bringing theatre to our stages for Los Angeles audiences.

LIFELONG LEARNING, INSPIRATION, AND HUMAN CONNECTION –

We nurture a lifelong passion for theatre in our current and future generations. We center human connection through collaboration, inclusion, imagination, united in the power of storytelling.

RESPECT, COMPASSION, SOCIAL CONSCIENCE, AND AREDI (ANTIRACISM, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION) – Guided by our social responsibility, we lead with respect and compassion. We create opportunities, cultivate relationships, and dismantle barriers using an anti-racist frame that strives to include marginalized, underrepresented, and excluded communities.

As one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit theatres, we are committed to bringing world class theatre, education, and community engagement to Los Angeles—but we can’t do it without your support. For more information, and to find out how you can make a difference, please visit CenterTheatreGroup.org.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2023-2024

honorary chairman

Lew R. Wasserman† (1913-2002)

chairperson

William H. Ahmanson

president

Amy R. Forbes

vice presidents

Miles Benickes

Gail Berman-Masters

treasurer

William R. Lindsay

secretary

Stanley Iezman

†Deceased

board of directors

Harry Abrams

Nnamdi Asomugha

Jonathan Axel

Pamela Beck

Jana Bezdek

Betsy Borns

Diana Buckhantz

Dannielle

Campos Ramirez

Wendy Chang

Jill Chozen

Sarah Clossey

Christine Cronin-Hurst

Snehal Desai

Cecilia Estolano

Noah Francis

Gary Frischling

Ron Gillyard

Patricia Glaser

Manuela Cerri Goren

Robert Greenblatt

Jason Grode

Aliza Karney Guren

Paul James

Gerard McCallum II

Justin Mikita

Louise Moriarty

Kari Nakama

Jamie Patricof

Meghan Pressman

David Quigg

Kristine

Louis Reynal

Edward Ring

Laura Rosenwald

Scott Sandler

Elliott Sernel

Glenn A.

Sonnenberg

Jay P. Srinivasan

Sandra Stern

Marsha

Tauber Sallai

Bonnie Vitti

Matthew Walden

Kim McLane

Wardlaw

Shana C. Waterman

Richard Weitz

Hattie Winston

emeritus directors

Harold Applebaum

Ronald J. Arnault†

Judith Beckmen

Ava Fries†

Brindell Roberts Gottlieb†

Susan Grode

Phyllis Hennigan

Stephen F. Hinchliffe, Jr.

Richard Kagan

O. Kit Lokey†

Walter Mirisch†

Diane Morton

Edward B. Nahmias

Bruce L. Ross

past presidents

Lew R. Wasserman†

Marshall Berges†

Armand S. Deutsch†

Walter Mirisch†

Henry C. Rogers†

Richard E. Sherwood†

J. David Haft†

Lawrence J. Ramer†

Stephen F. Hinchliffe, Jr.

Phyllis Hennigan

Richard Kagan

Martin Massman†

William H. Ahmanson

Kiki Ramos Gindler

Center Theatre Group is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose work is made possible thanks to the generous support of our donors.

Call 213.972.7564 or visit CTGLA.org/Support to learn more.

One CTG. One LA.

Artistic Director Snehal Desai’s inaugural season is unifying programing at Center Theatre Group’s three iconic spaces under “One CTG. One LA.” Take a look at the 2024/25 Season of shows.

GREEN DAY’S

AMERICAN IDIOT

MARK TAPER FORUM | OCT 2 – NOV 10, 2024

This October, Center Theatre Group is joining Deaf West Theatre to launch a new production of global rock superstars Green Day’s legendary 2004 rock opera, American Idiot. The production will be directed by Artistic Director Snehal Desai and feature an ensemble of both Deaf and hearing actors, performing simultaneously in American Sign Language and English.

SUTTON FOSTER IN

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

AHMANSON THEATRE | DEC 10, 2024 – JAN 5, 2025

Once Upon a Mattress is led by Encores! Artistic Director Lear deBessonet with a new concert adaptation by Amy ShermanPalladino, and starring musical theatre legend and Tony Award winner Sutton Foster.

FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT

MARK TAPER FORUM | JAN 29 – MAR 9, 2025

Commissioned and developed by Center Theatre Group, from Los Angeles-based playwright, and CTG LA Resident Artist, Larissa FastHorse, and directed by fellow LA Resident Artist Michael John Garcés, Fake It Until You Make It is about being whoever you want to be, even when it’s not who you are. This critically acclaimed writer focuses her keen sense of satire to examine Indigenous perspectives on contemporary life and will be the first Native American writer to have a mainstage production on the Mark Taper Forum stage.

STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S

OLD FRIENDS

AHMANSON THEATRE | FEB 8 – MAR 9, 2025

Celebrating the life and work of one of Broadway’s true icons Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends is an irresistible tribute to the master himself, with a company headlined by none other than Tony Award winners Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. It is devised by Cameron Mackintosh, and directed by Sir Matthew Bourne, continuing his 27-year relationship with Center Theatre Group.

Photo by David Bonnet.

Photo by Danny Kaan.

Photo by Joan Marcus.

LIFE OF PI

AHMANSON THEATRE | MAY 6 – JUN 1, 2025

The Tony and Olivier Award-winning hit Life of Pi is an unforgettable, epic tale of adventure. Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel (over 15 million copies sold) is a worldwide phenomenon and “an exhilarating evening of theater” (The Wall Street Journal). Told with jawdropping visuals, world class puppetry, and exquisite stagecraft, the Broadway and West End sensation Life of Pi creates a visually breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy.

HAMLET

MARK TAPER FORUM | MAY 28 – JUL 6, 2025

It’s been a half a century since Hamlet was produced at the Taper and next season Tony-nominated visionary, Robert O’Hara, who directed the landmark box office hit Slave Play, returns to stage one of the most famous tales ever told.

PARADE

AHMANSON THEATRE | JUN 17 – JUL 12, 2025

Riveting and gloriously hopeful, Parade reminds us that to love, we must truly see one another. Winner of the 2023 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, Parade is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Arden, with book by two-time Tony Award, Pulitzer Prize winner, and Academy Award® winner Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, and co-conceived by 21-time Tony Award-winning legend Harold Prince.

As part of its 2024/25 Season, Center Theatre Group is also pleased to announce a continuation and expansion of its CTG:FWD programming, which began with theatrical special events, community gatherings, and legacy projects—and now expands to include an eclectic offering of plays and musicals at the Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and Kirk Douglas Theatre.

DUEL REALITY

AHMANSON THEATRE | SEP 11–22, 2024

Duel Reality from The 7 Fingers, also known as Les 7 doigts de la main, makes their Center Theatre Group debut, featuring their signature electrifying–and endearing–mix of circus, theatre, illusion, music, and dance. The circus troupe's latest piece is an acrobatic tour-de-force for all ages inspired by the star-crossed tale of Romeo and Juliet

CAT KID COMIC CLUB: THE MUSICAL

KIRK DOUGLAS THEATRE | NOV 22, 2024 – JAN 5, 2025

Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog have started an epic club to teach 21 rambunctious baby frogs how to make their own comics in this madcap musical based on Dav Pilkey’s irreverently hilarious book series.

EL OTRO OZ

KIRK DOUGLAS THEATRE | SPRING 2025

This new bilingual musical for families by Mando Alvarado, Tommy Newman, and Jaime Lozano, returns in a reimagined production! Click your heels together tres veces and take a transformative journey with this salsa, merengue, and Mexican folk-infused musical inspired by The Wizard of Oz

Photo by Ellie Kurttz.

Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Photo by Joan Marcus.

Community Play

Readings

FESTIVAL & CELEBRATION

2 days. 7 short plays. 10 Years of Community Partnerships in Boyle Heights.

Ten years ago, Center Theatre Group began commissioning Boyle Heights playwrights and hosting readings of their plays at local libraries. On June 7th and 8th, we’re hosting readings of seven short plays to celebrate the community members and partners who’ve made this work possible. Join us at East Los Angeles College (ELAC) and discover stories that move you, make you laugh, and expand your world.

This is a free event presented by Center Theatre Group and ELAC Theater.

FRIDAY, JUNE 7TH

Linda

Written by DIANA BURBANO

Directed by ALEJANDRA CISNEROS

With her Wonder Woman costume and guitar, a young Chicana battles racist boys on the playground and mean girls at the talent show. But her superpowers are tested as she confronts a new challenger: her self doubt.

Ain’t I A Beauty Queen?

Written and Directed by AJA HOUSTON

As part-time beauty queens, part-time superheroes, the Jones sisters appear to have a leg-up on their competition when it’s announced this year’s pageant theme is superwomen. But tensions run high after the unexpected arrival of a beauty pageant legend...their mother. Will the sisters be able to complete their mission? After all, superheroes and beauty queens both want world peace.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8TH

Los Vampiros Del Norte

Written by JUAN E. CARRILLO

Directed by ALEJANDRA CISNEROS

Hawking everything from trinkets to corridos to travelers crossing back into the United States, Vampiro has made the border his home. Except he has some unwelcome houseguests. Now guarding his home against vampires and evil spirits, Vampiro gives “border patrol” a whole new meaning.

Papá Está En La Atlántidad

Written by JAVIER MALPICA

Directed by JUAN PARADA

After the death of their mother, two young children desperate to reestablish their family, cross the northern border into the United States in search of their father. Will they find the belonging they seek?

SCAN TO RESERVE YOUR FREE TICKET

Scrupulosity

Written and Directed by ALLISON LOPEZ

Struggling with OCD and her wavering faith, a teenage girl clashes with her religious father. The intensity of their altercation practically shakes heaven and earth, calling for divine intervention.

Lola’s Banig

Written and Directed by FRAN DE LEON

Gina and her daughter, Ligaya, have their magical visit to her childhood in the Philippines cut short when Gina’s memory goes blank just as her younger self is about to migrate to the United States.

Emma & The Suzies

Written by ANTHONY AGUILAR

Directed by ALEJANDRA CISNEROS

After her grandson is caught tagging a building, Emma attempts to alter his course by revisiting her rebellious youth and the gang she tried to start with her friends in 1960s Boyle Heights.

NOT A MOMENT,

But A Movement

Center Theatre Group commissioned new plays, amplifying and investing in Black writers. Six Black women-identifying or nonbinary playwrights wrote new plays under the guidance and support of Center Theatre Group in partnership with The Fire This Time Festival (TFTT) in New York City and Watts Village Theater Company (WVTC) in Los Angeles.

The commissions are the second season of the Not A Moment, But A Movement initiative that began in January 2021 in collaboration with TFTT and WVTC to amplify, center, and celebrate Black voices in theatre. Year one features a three-part digital series that highlighted the work of Black visual artists, musicians, and theatre artists.

These six plays will have their first public readings from June 22nd–24th at the Kirk Douglas Theatre.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22ND

Kia Was Here

Written by TAHIRIH MOELLER

Directed by BRUCE LEMON

Kia Was Here is about an 18-year-old named Kia and her 15-year-old niece named Kamille. The play takes place at two points in time: In the past, Kia copes with her first breakup by stealing her big brother’s (Kamille’s father’s) car to go on late-night snack runs. While Kamille struggles with her sexuality and her mother’s negative perception of her body. In the present, Kamille copes with the sudden and tragic loss of Kia by starving herself. Both Kia and Kamille experience hallucinations where food and objects come to life to give them advice on how to process grief.

FKA I AM A BAD BLK PERSON

Written by Z & CO” F/AKA AZIZA BARNES

Directed by NICHI DOUGLAS

FKA I AM A BAD BLK PERSON is a continuation of BLKS , which follows Octavia and her best friends, June and Imani, to go on a crusade to find intimacy and joy in a world that could give a fuck less about them or their feelings. Different characters, same question nine years later: Why do I laugh when I am in pain?

SUNDAY, JUNE 23RD

Letters From Loretta

Written by CYNTHIA GRACE ROBINSON

Directed by ANDI CHAPMAN

An intergenerational love story. Loretta, a widow living with dementia, clings to a relationship with her late husband while fighting to maintain a life of independence as her daughter, Nora, assumes responsibility for her care.

Night Cities

Written by ROGER Q. MASON

Directed by NANCY KEYSTONE

A young Bayard Rustin–before Civil Rights Movement fame–must choose between his private desires as a queer black man and his public calling as an agent of social justice and civic change. Set against the vibrant labor movement of the 1930s and 40s, this piece embraces the musicality, dream imagery, and liberation of jazz playwriting to explore one man's quest for complex humanity in a world that limits who we are to how we can be used for the good of others.

MONDAY, JUNE 24TH

Blue Paris Blues

Written by T. TARA TURK-HAYNES

Directed by KHANISHA FOSTER

Diahann Carroll, Sidney Poitier, Joann Woodward, Paul Newman, Duke Ellington, and Marlon Brando came together to make a movie about jazz expats in Paris in 1961. With the potential to shift the world on its cool and cultural axis, what was happening behind the scenes would be life pivots that would change them all forever.

Unifying

CTG AND LA

By Christopher Eckhart

On the evening of April 28th, 2024, Center Theatre Group celebrated the power of the performing arts with a landmark event, CTG: The Gala 2024, in Downtown Los Angeles. With the support of our community, we raised nearly $1.4 million for CTG’s shows and programs that illuminate new perspectives, open doors for artistic and career growth, and provide inspiration and connection for all Angelenos.

The night was a collective celebration, spearheaded by Gala Chair Jana Bezdek and Co-Chairs Amy Forbes, Noah Francis, and Bonnie Vitti. We are so grateful for their dedication, as well for the support of our honorary

host committee, host committee, and community leaders—all of whom played an instrumental role in the gala’s success.

Set against the historic backdrop of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the festivities began with a vibrant cocktail reception. This was followed by dinner and an energetic paddle raise led by Meghan Pressman, CTG’s Managing Director/CEO, that raised over $400k for our Education & Community Partnerships programs. With Board Member Noah Francis, we also recognized JPMorgan Chase & Co. for their unwavering philanthropy, which has advanced CTG's not-for-profit mission and core values since 2008.

The evening's main event was a show in the Mark Taper Forum featuring a headline performance by Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga and a pas de deux from Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake with New Adventures dancers Rory Macleod and Jackson Fisch. Emmy ® Winner and Academy Award® Nominee Melissa McCarthy joined us at the Taper to introduce Sir Matthew Bourne and honor his profound impact on contemporary theatre.

Then, before guests danced under the stars with DJ Masha Mar on Jerry Moss Plaza, Artistic Director Snehal Desai announced his inaugural season: One CTG. One LA.

“I want us to have more pride and ownership in writing the story of our great city,” Desai said to the crowd. “Whether you work in Hollywood, in tech, for a bank or law firm, in education, or government—we all play a part. So, what comes next? The hard work of writing our next chapter. And we do that together. That is what next season is about here at Center Theatre Group. I hope you will join us.”

CTG: The Gala 2024 and the announcement of the 2024/25 Season are major milestones on an exciting road ahead. None of this would be possible without you. The support from our audience and donor community has been an inspiration and a reminder that there is only one City of Angels and only one Center Theatre Group.

To learn more about our work and ways to support Center Theatre Group, visit CTGLA.org/support.

Opposite Page, Top: Snehal Desai and Meghan Pressman. Middle L-R: Rory McLeod and Jackson Fisch. Bottom: Nia Vardalos. Michael R. Jackson. DJ Kurs. Saul Rodriguez.

This Page: L-R: From left, Snehal Desai, Mathew Bourne, Lea Salonga, and Meghan Pressman. From left, Melissa McCarthy and Adam Shankman.From left, Yvonne Orji and Sarah Jones Bottom: Lea Solanga performs.

Photos by Capture Imaging.

PLAYWRIGHTS’ PERSPECTIVE:

A Strange Loop

By Michael R. Jackson

W.E.B. DuBois coined the term “double consciousness” to describe the uniquely African American experience of “always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity.” But what is a “self” anyway?

Cognitive scientist Douglas Hofstadter coined the term “a strange loop” to theorize about the self as merely a collection of meaningless symbols mirroring back on their own essences in repetition until death. He further theorized that a human being is the organism with the greatest capacity to perceive itself perceiving itself perceiving itself ad infinitum.

MY NAME IS MICHAEL JACKSON. That means my entire life has been overshadowed by the notoriety and infamy of a now-dead pop star. When I’m meeting someone for the first time, my uniquely famous name strips me of an identity that is solely my own.

In years past, I would often be mistaken for or identified as playwright-director Robert O’Hara. It was like a running gag. And to be clear, it wasn’t just White people who mistook me for him, so it was more complicated than the racism of White people thinking “they all look the same.” But in either case, it was in these moments that my seeming resemblance to another Black man strips me of an identity that is solely my own.

Since I first began writing as a pre-teen, I have been fighting to be recognized as an original and as an individual. I’ve long considered this the ultimate freedom—to be myself— even as critics and others have tried to pin me like a dead butterfly underneath the glass next to a label that reads “Black representation matters.” This seems to be the only thing the very liberal Black and White art/theatre world has the brain capacity for when it comes to Black artists—our collective racial representation, not our individual artistic selves or ambitions Black artists are here to be and feel seen and nothing more. Perhaps the label next to the dead butterfly should read “Black affirmation matters” instead.

“WHAT

IS A ‘SELF’ ANYWAY?”

A Strange Loop is not formally autobiographical, but I did begin writing it as a monologue in my early 20s when my experience of my “self” was as a mass of undesirable, unloveable, unemployable, unacceptable fat, Black homosexual molecules floating in space without purpose or meaning. I was functionally miserable, relentlessly selfcritical and very lonely. It was like I was on the outside of my body looking in and on the inside of my body scratching to get out. Self-hatred is a strange loop too.

When I think back on these “dark café days,” if I might borrow a phrase from songwriter Joni Mitchell, I imagine two killer lines from poems by Emily Dickinson and Nikki Giovanni in a kind of vaudeville act in my head that starts with Emily warmly introducing herself to Nikki with “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” And then Nikki clapping back at her with “I ain’t shit. You must be lower than that to care.” In my estimation, this negative feedback loop perfectly describes where we find Usher, the protagonist of A Strange Loop with his famous name that’s also the name of the occupation he’s working while he, like me, tries to pen a musical with a plot that requires us to ask ourselves questions like “Who is Usher? And who am/what is ‘I’? Whose gaze do I honor? Does it matter? Do I matter? Do Black “I’s” matter? Am I their

From L to R: Avionce Hoyles, J. Cameron Barnett, Malachi McCaskill, Jamari Johnson Williams, Jordan Barbour, and John-Andrew Morrison. Photo by Alessandra Mello.

Golda Zahra In Concert Golda Zahra In Concert

With The Dream Orchestra

Conducted By Daniel Suk

With The Dream Orchestra Conducted Suk

At The Broad Stage

Saturday, July 13 at 8:00 pm

At The Broad Stage 13 8:00 pm

Join us for an evening with the angelic voice of award-winning soprano, Golda Zahra performing beloved opera arias, Broadway musicals, and vocal classics for all music lovers.

For Tickets and Information visit: www.GoldaInConcert.com

“A promising young opera singer.”

-The Los Angeles Times

“One of the rising stars of her generation.”

-Lisa Moubihian, Food & Classical Music Writer

“Super presentation, good artistry, a real voice.”

-The Classical Singer Magazine New York City Panel Auditions

AHMANSON THEATRE | 2023/24 SEASON

BONUS PRODUCTION HADESTOWN

Music, Lyrics & Book by Anaïs Mitchell (she/her)

Developed with & Directed by Rachel Chavkin (she/her)

OCTOBER 3–15, 2023

A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL

Book by Joseph Robinette

Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Original Direction on Broadway by John Rando

Choreography by Warren Carlyle

Directed by Matt Lenz

DECEMBER 5–31, 2023

MATTHEW BOURNE’S ROMEO AND JULIET

North American Premiere

JANUARY 28 – FEBRUARY 25, 2024

FUNNY GIRL

Music by Jule Styne

Lyrics by Bob Merrill

Book by Isobel Lennart

Revised Book by Harvey Fierstein

APRIL 2–28, 2024

A STRANGE LOOP

Book, Music, And Lyrics by Michael R. Jackson

Choreography by Raja Feather Kelly

Directed by Stephen Brackett

A co-production with American Conservatory Theater

JUNE 5–30, 2024

CLUE

Written by Sandy Rustin

Additional Material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price

Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn

Original Music by Michael Holland

Based on the 1985 Paramount movie and the classic Hasbro board game

JULY 30 – AUGUST 25, 2024

As a not-for-profit organization, Center Theatre Group relies on the support of generous theatre lovers like you. Your support ensures that Los Angeles audiences and the arts will continue to have a home in our community.

For their leadership in fundraising efforts and contributions in support of A Strange Loop, CTG would like to thank the following Host Committee members:

Craig Bowers

Wendy Chang

Roberta Conroy

Rick Davis

Chiedu Egbuniwe

Cecilia Estolano

Noah Francis

Bob Greenblatt

Todd Hawkins

Vincent Jones

Jay Marcus

Justin Mikita

Dale Mott

Jamie Patricof

Nijeul X Porter

Gil Robertson

Daniel Segura

Elliott Sernel & Larry Falconio

Zach Stafford

Aaron Walton

Shana C. Waterman

Phill Wilson

For their contributions in support of A Strange Loop, CTG would like to thank the following donors for their generous gifts:

Chiedu Egbuniwe

Robert Greenblatt

Robert & Claire Heron

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SNEHAL DESAI Artistic Director | MEGHAN PRESSMAN Managing Director/CEO | DOUGLAS C. BAKER Producing Director

GORDON DAVIDSON Founding Artistic Director

Center Theatre Group in association with American Conservatory Theater presents

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Michael R. Jackson

Dave J. Abrams Angela Alise Jordan Barbour J. Cameron Barnett Carlis Shane Clark Alvis Green, Jr. Albert Hodge Avionce Hoyles Tarra Conner Jones Malachi McCaskill John Andrew Morrison Tristan J Shuler

Scenic Design

ARNULFO MALDONADO

Wigs, Hair, & Make Up COOKIE JORDAN

Costume Design MONTANA LEVI BLANCO

Music Director SEAN KANA

Associate Director NAILAH HARPER-MALVEAUX

Associate Music Director DAVID MÖSCHLER

Intimacy CHELSEA PACE

Lighting Design JEN SCHRIEVER

Associate Choreographer CANDACE TAYLOR

CTG

Associate Artistic Director LINDSAY ALLBAUGH

Sound Design DREW LEVY

Casting THE TELSEY COMPANY / DESTINY LILLY CSA AND KATIE CRADDOCK

Associate Lighting Designer AARON TACY

Production Stage Manager EDMOND O’NEAL

Choreography by Raja Feather Kelly Directed by Stephen Brackett

Original Broadway Production produced by Barbara Whitman, Playwrights Horizons, Inc. in association with Page 73 Productions produced the World Premiere of A Strange Loop in New York City in 2019. Subsequently produced by Wooly Mammoth Theatre Company, Washington D.C. A Strange Loop is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals, concordtheatricals.com

Lead Production Sponsor

CAST

Please turn off all electronic devices such as cellular phones and watch alarms. The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, with or without flash, is strictly prohibited.

JORDAN BARBOUR

CARLIS SHANE CLARK

DAVE J. ABRAMS

ALVIS GREEN, JR.

TRISTAN J SHULER

ANGELA ALISE

J. CAMERON BARNETT

ALBERT HODGE

AVIONCE HOYLES

MALACHI MCCASKILL

JOHN-ANDREW MORRISON

TARRA CONNER JONES

CAST

(in Alphabetical Order)

Jordan Barbour ................................................................................................................ Thought 5

J. Cameron Barnett Thought 2

Carlis Shane Clark ........................................................................................................... Thought 6

Alvis Green, Jr. Usher Alternate*

Avionce Hoyles Thought 3

Tarra Conner Jones........................................................................................................... Thought 1

Malachi McCaskill Usher

John-Andrew Morrison ...................................................................................................... Thought 4

*At select performances

UNDERSTUDIES

Should an understudy substitute for a listed performer, it will be posted in the lobby at the time of the performance

Dave J. Abrams ..........................................................................................................Thoughts 2/3

Angela Alise Thought 1

Albert Hodge Thought 4

Tristan J Shuler ..............................................................................................................Thoughts 5/6

DANCE CAPTAIN

Dave J. Abrams

STAGE MANAGERS

Camella Coopilton

Julia Formanek

ORCHESTRA

CONDUCTOR / KEYS 1: SEAN KANA

KEYS 2 / GUITAR / AMD: DAVID MÖSCHLER

GUITAR: WILLY YANEZ

DRUMS: ALEX BAILEY

BASS: JENNIFER LEITHAM

REEDS: SAL LOZANO

KEYS 2/GUITAR SUBS: TORY DEXTER, CHRIS HORVATH

CONTRACTOR: ROBERT PAYNE

A STRANGE LOOP WILL BE PERFORMED WITH NO INTERMISSION.

Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of management. Patrons with disabilities: wheelchair seating is available in a variety of theatre locations. When ordering tickets, please indicate any special needs. For our hearing-impaired guests, the theatre is equipped with listening devices; please contact an usher for assistance.

WHO’S WHO

DAVE J. ABRAMS (u/s Thought 2, u/s Thought 3; he/him) is exultant to be a part of A Strange Loop! Recent credits include: Hippest Trip – The Soul Train Musical (u/s Tony Cornelius, Ensemble), Center Rep's In the Heights (Benny), BAMSF’s' Hairspray (Seaweed) for which he received a Theater Bay Area Award (TBA) for Outstanding Featured Actor, and Berkeley Playhouse's Ragtime (Coalhouse) which awarded him another TBA Award for the principal role. Dave holds a BA in Theater and Dance from the University of California, Berkeley. May you all enjoy this big, Black, queer ass American Broadway show! IG: @davejabrams

ANGELA ALISE (u/s Thought 1, she/her ) is an actor, writer, and producer making her CTG debut. Some regional credits include The Wolves (Actors Theatre of Louisville); Nothing to Lose But Our Chains and Black Side of the Moon (Second City @ Woolly Mammoth Theatre); Almost Accurate Guide to America (Second City @ The Kennedy Center); Hairspray (Drury Lane Theatre); The Wolves (Goodman Theatre); The House That Will Not Stand (Victory Gardens Theatre), and Saturday Night/Sunday Morning (2014 Steppenwolf Garage Rep). Her TV credits include American Housewife (ABC), Pretty Smart (Netflix), As We See It (Amazon), Perry Mason (Max), and South Side (Max).

JORDAN BARBOUR (Thought 5). CTG Debut! A New Yorkbased actor, singer, and writer, Barbour recently appeared on Broadway in the closing cast of Come From Away and originated the role of Tristan in The Inheritance (2020 Tony Winner, Best Play). Barbour has toured internationally with Peter Brook’s The Suit, Come From Away, and Young Jean Lee’s The Shipment. Notable U.S. venues include Theater for a New Audience, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Kennedy Center, Diversionary Theater, Denver Center, Seattle Rep, and Pasadena Playhouse, among others. Additionally, Barbour voices Black Panther in Marvel’s Mech Strike animated comic series.

J. CAMERON BARNETT (Thought 2, he/him) is best known for his recurring role as Castle on the series POSE. Other Film/TV credits include Allswell in New York (Tribeca Film Festival Winner) Line of Duty, The Twilight Zone, and Gotham to name a few. He has toured the world in musicals such as Hair (Europe & South America), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Europe), and The Buddy Holly Story (National). His select Off-Broadway & Regional credits include F*cking A (Signature Theatre/NYC), The Emperor Jones (The Irish Repertory Theatre), The Wiz, and The Winter's Tale (Oregon Shakespeare

Festival), Finian’s Rainbow (Goodspeed Opera House), and The Producers (Ogunquit Playhouse), and others. Mad appreciation to his team at Buchwald and Vault Entertainment. More at jcameronbarnett.com or follow him on Instagram @jcameronbarnett.

CARLIS SHANE CLARK (Thought 6, he/him) is so excited to join this talented company! A performer since age 9, Carlis obtained a BFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and has performed on stages in NYC, Edinburgh’s International Fringe Festival, and Los Angeles where he was honored at the LA Drama Critics Circle Awards, Stage Raw, and Ovation Awards. Carlis most recently performed with the Boston Lyric Opera and Long Beach Opera’s The Feast , and episodic series desert in . Other recent television credits include Dear White People (Netflix) and Jean-Claude Van Johnson (Amazon Original). Film: Clemency (2019 Sundance Grand Jury Prize) and Dutch. Thank you Telsey Casting, NOVA, BQ, and family. @carlisshane

ALVIS GREEN, JR. (Usher Alternate ) made their west coast debut at A.C.T! Past credits include Once on This Island (Blackfriars Theatre), The Prom (JCC Centerstage), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Blackfriars Theatre), Urinetown (Gatessingers CO), and Sister Act (OFCCreations).

ALBERT HODGE (u/s Thought 4, he/him). Albert is thrilled to be part of this powerful production. Recent credits: Mr. Bones in The Scottsboro Boys (42nd Street Moon); Pierre Bezukhov in the West Coast premiere of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812 (Shotgun Players); Narrator in Passing Strange (Shotgun); and Tom Collins in Rent (Landmark Musical Theatre).

AVIONCE HOYLES (Thought 3, he/him). Avionce is a Rock Hill, SC native & a graduate from AMDA NY. Some of his credits include (Film/TV) Grayland, FBI: Most Wanted, Orange Is The New Black, (Off Broadway/ National Tour) Bat Out Of Hell, Titanique, Memphis The Musical, Rent , and Jesus Christ Superstar Recently, Avionce has been touring the globe with his love letter to the Queen of Rock 'n Roll entitled Dear Tina. Huge thanks to my Kreativ Artists family, CTG, Kyle Garvin, and this company. Ephesians 3:20 @theeavioncehoyles @deartinashow For Quenton.

TARRA CONNER JONES (Thought 1, she/her). Tarra is a NYC based singer/actor/writer originally from Jacksonville, Fl. She recently made her Off-Broadway debut in Michael R. Jackson’s White Girl In Danger, where she received Drama

Desk and Drama League Nominations, and an Audelco Award for her role as Nell Carter Gibbs. Past credits include: The Music Man, Hairspray, The Color Purple, Little Shop of Horrors, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Shrek The Musical, Chicago The Musical, Dreamgirls, and From Birmingham To Broadway (A one act play with music about Nell Carter, written by Tarra). Tarra forever performs in memory of her mother, Chonita Conner, who cheers from heaven. Much appreciation to her agent, Dave Secor (Daniel Hoff Agency).

MALACHI McCASKILL (Usher, he/him) is excited to be making his Center Theatre Group debut in the Tony Award winning, hit Broadway musical, A Strange Loop! This North Carolina native hails from Jackson Springs, NC. He took his dreams of being on Broadway to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he is a current junior obtaining his Bachelor’s in Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre. Since being in college, Malachi has been working throughout North Carolina and in his school’s program. Some credits include: The SpongeBob Musical (Ensemble, Patrick u/s, Krabs u/s) at UNC Greensboro, Rock of Ages (Lonny Barnett) at UNC Greensboro, Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea (Dontrell Jones, Jr.) at UNC Greensboro, Godspell (John The Baptist/Judas) at UNC Greensboro, The Color Purple (Ensemble) at The Barn Dinner Theatre, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Swing) at The North Carolina Theatre, and Elf The Musical (Macys Store Manager) at The North Carolina Theatre! Instagram @malachimccaskill

JOHN-ANDREW MORRISON (Thought 4, he/him) is a Tony Nominee and Lucille Lortel and OBIE Award Winner for his work in A Strange Loop (Broadway and OffBroadway). JAM, as he's commonly called, is on both the Original Broadway Cast and Original Cast recordings for A Strange Loop. He was an Outer Critics Circle Honoree for his work in Blues for an Alabama Sky Off-Broadway (KEEN Company). His recent work includes Malvolio with The Classical Theater of Harlem and his fourth season with Hartford Stage doing A Christmas Carol. He holds a BA from Brandeis University and an MFA from UC San Diego. He is a company Member of The Actors Center. @jandymorri

TRISTAN J SHULER (u/s Thought 5, u/s Thought 6), a bicoastal writer/director/actor, is lucky to be back in the theatre and making this Center Theatre Group debut after being highlighted in YesBroadway's 40Under40. Most recently, Tristan J was seen in the world premiere of Prelude to a Kiss: The Musical at South Coast Repertory. More at: @TristanJShuler TristanJShuler.com

EDMOND O'NEAL (Production Stage Manager, he/him) is a New York-based freelance stage manager and educator. Broadway credits include Hadestown National Tour credits include Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations and An Officer and a Gentleman. NYC workshop/reading credits include The Wrong Man, The Outsiders, and Pal Joey. Selected regional credits include American Conservatory Theater, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Lyric Repertory Company, Guthrie Theatre, and the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. Edmond also works proudly with Broadway and Beyond Access as well as Black Theatre United. Proud graduate of the Stage Management program at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale and the University of Central Florida.

CAMELLA COOPILTON ( Assistant Stage Manager, she/ her). Camella Coopilton’s stage management credits include Both/And by Carolyn Ratteray at The Wallis Annenberg/Boston Court, SHE by Marlow Wyatt at Antaeus Theatre Company, Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage, and King James by Rajiv Joseph at Center Theatre Group.

JULIA FORMANEK (Assistant Stage Manager, she/her) is a Bay Area based stage manager. Recent credits include: A Strange Loop, Hippest Trip – The Soul Train Musical (American Conservatory Theater), Let The Right One In, Cambodian Rock Band, Goddess, Culture Clash (Berkeley Repertory Theatre), Sleeping Beauty: Panto in the Presidio (Presidio Theatre), Romeo y Juliet, House of Joy, and Everybody (California Shakespeare Theater).

MICHAEL R. JACKSON (Book, Music, and Lyrics; he/him) is one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2022. His Pulitzer Prize and New York Drama Critics Circle winning A Strange Loop (which had its 2019 world premiere at Playwrights Horizons in association with Page 73 Productions) received 11 Tony nominations in 2022, and was called "a full-on laparoscopy of the heart, soul, and loins" as well as a "gutsy, jubilantly anguished musical with infectious melodies" by Ben Brantley for The New York Times In The New Yorker, Vinson Cunningham wrote, "To watch this show is to enter, by some urgent, bawdy magic, an ecstatic and infinitely more colorful version of the famous surreal lithograph by M. C. Escher: the hand that lifts from the page, becoming almost real, then draws another hand, which returns the favor." In addition to A Strange Loop, he also wrote book, music and lyrics for White Girl in Danger. Awards and associations include: a New Professional Theatre Festival Award, a Jonathan Larson Grant, a Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award, an ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Award, a Whiting Award, the Helen

Merrill Award for Playwriting, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama Desk Award, an Obie Award, a Fred Ebb Award, a Windham-Campbell Prize, a Dramatist Guild Fellowship and he is an alum of Page 73’s Interstate 73 Writers Group.

STEPHEN BRACKETT (Director, he/him) has directed A Strange Loop on Broadway (Tony nomination), in London, DC, and Off-Broadway (Obie Award for Creative Team and Ensemble, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical.) Other credits include A.D. 16, Be More Chill, The Lightning Thief, and Buyer & Cellar

RAJA FEATHER KELLY ( Choreographer, he/him ) is a choreographer and director, and the Artistic Director of the feath3r theory (TF3T), a dance-theatre-media company. Kelly has created 18 evening-length premieres with the feath3r theory. The company’s latest work, The Absolute Future, premieres in April 2024 at The NYU Skirball Center. His choreography can currently be seen in Michael R. Jackson and Anna K. Jacob's Teeth at Playwrights Horizons and Lempicka written by Matt Gould and Carson Kreitzer on Broadway. He choreographed the Tony Awardwinning Broadway musical A Strange Loop, and is also a choreographer for Off-Broadway theatre with frequent collaborators like Jackson, Blain-Cruz, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, and Sarah Benson. He has received numerous accolades, including a Princeton Arts Fellowship (2023-2025), three Princess Grace Awards, and a Tony Award-winning musical A Strange Loop, to name a few.

ARNULFO MALDONADO (Scenic Designer, he/him) is a New York City based set and costume designer. He is a Tony Award Nominee for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for the Broadway production of A Strange Loop by Michael R. Jackson (Lyceum Theatre) directed by Stephen Brackett. Notable design credits include the recent 20th Anniversary Broadway production of Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks (Golden Theatre), directed by Kenny Leon and the Broadway premiere of Alice Childress' Trouble In Mind (American Airlines Theatre), directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. West End/U.K.: A Strange Loop (Barbican Theater), In Dreams (Leeds Playhouse), The Comeuppance (Almeida). Off-Broadway: Atlantic, CSC, Lincoln Center, MCC, MTC, New Group, Playwrights Horizons, Public Theatre, Roundabout, Second Stage, Signature, Soho Rep. Regional: Alley Theatre, Berkeley Rep, CTG, Guthrie, Steppenwolf, Woolly Mammoth. International Tour: The Magnetic Fields: 50 Song Memoir. In addition, Arnulfo received

an OBIE for Sustained Excellence in Set Design, as well as a Special Citation Obie as part of the Creative Team of the Pulitzer Prize winning A Strange Loop. Arnulfo is a recipient of a Princess Grace Faberge Theater Award, Lucille Lortel Award, and a multiple Henry Hewes Design nominee. arnulfomaldonado.com IG: @arnulfo.maldonado.design

MONTANA LEVI BLANCO (Costume Designer, he/him). CTG debut. Broadway: The Skin of Our Teeth, A Strange Loop. Select Off-Broadway: Fairview, Is God Is (Soho Rep); The House That Will Not Stand (NYTW); Ain't No Mo' (Public). Opera: Champion, El Niño (Metropolitan). Honors: Tony, Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Henry Hewes, and Obie Awards. Education: Oberlin College & Conservatory of Music, Brown University, and the Yale School of Drama. montanaleviblanco.com

JEN SCHRIEVER ( Lighting Designer, she/her ) was lighting designer on Hippest Trip – The Soul Train Musical at A.C.T. Broadway credits include Mother Play, A Strange Loop (Tony nomination), Death of a Salesman (Tony nomination), 1776, Birthday Candles, Lackawanna Blues, What the Constitution Means to Me, Lifespan of a Fact, Eclipsed, Ghetto Klown. Jen recently lit A Transparent Musical at the Mark Taper Forum in L.A. Opera credits include A Thousand Splendid Suns (world premiere, Seattle Opera), Die Fledermaus, Pearl Fishers (Metropolitan Opera), Faust, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, La Traviatea (Mariinsky, Russia). Jen has an Obie Award for Sustained Excellence and is an adjunct at Purchase College. Mom to Henry. Jenschriever.com

DREW LEVY (Sound Designer, he/him). Broadway: A Strange Loop (Tony nom.), Oklahoma! (Tony nom., Drama Desk nom.), Honeymoon in Vegas (Drama Desk nom.), Chaplin (Drama Desk Award), The Winslow Boy, The Importance of Being Earnest, Present Laughter. West End: A Strange Loop, Oklahoma! (Olivier nom.). Off-Broadway: Brynolf & Ljung's Stalker; Oh Mary!; Judgment Day (Park Avenue Armory); Oklahoma! (St. Ann’s); and others. Regional: The Old Globe, ART, Williamstown, Huntington, Two River Theater, and others. Other: Reconfiguration: An Evening with Other Lives at BAM; Metropolitan Opera 125th Anniversary Gala; annual holiday installations for Saks 5th Avenue, Cartier, and others.

COOKIE JORDAN ( Wigs, Hair, and Makeup Designer ). Broadway: A Strange Loop, Camelot, The Piano Lesson, Into The Woods, Trouble In Mind, Clyde’s, POTUS, Slave Play, Choir Boy, The Cher Show, Once on This Island, Sunday in the Park with George, In Transit, Eclipsed, Side Show, After Midnight, FELA!, A

View From The Bridge, South Pacific. Off-Broadway: Flex, Orpheus Descending, White Girl in Danger, Flex, Girls, Fefu and Her Friends, Ain’t No Mo’, Fairview, Toni Stone, If Pretty Hurts, The Secret Life of Bees, Boseman and Lena, Fabulation, Our Lady of 121 st Street, In The Blood, Daddy, Hercules. Television: Emmy nominated for makeup design for NBC’s The Wiz Live. Recipient of 2019, 2020 OBIE Award.

SEAN KANA (Music Director/Keys 1, he/him). Kana is an award-winning music director known for his recent work on Hippest Trip – The Soul Train Musical, as well as being the associate music director for the show run and pre-Broadway tour of Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Sean just finished a world premiere new musical at Brava Theatre, Larry the Musical, where he served as co-composer, orchestrator, and music director. Kana has been involved with BRT as music director on Swept Away: A New Musical Tale. Sean has worked extensively with TheatreWorks and CenterREP and has toured around the globe in varying capacities. seankana.com

CHELSEA PACE ( Intimacy, she/her ) returns to A.C.T. following her work on Big Data. Pace’s credits include the Broadway productions of A Strange Loop, Leopoldstadt, and K-POP, and a number of OffBroadway productions. Select regional credits include La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Signature Theatre, Studio Theatre, Studio Theatre, Wooly Mammoth Theatre Company, Folger Theatre, and Philidelphia Theatre Company. Her film and television work includes Drive Away Dolls, HARLEM, Dr. Death, A League of Their Own, Ramy, Wu-Tang, and Elsbeth. Pace founded Open Intimacy Creatives and is the author of Staging Sex: Best Practices, Tools, and Techniques for Theatrical Intimacy. Chelseapace.com @professorpace

THE TESLEY COMPANY / DESTINY LILLY, CSA (Casting). With offices in both New York and Los Angeles, The Telsey Office casts for theatre, film, television, and commercials. The Telsey Office is dedicated to creating safe, equitable, and anti-racist spaces through collaboration, artistry, heart, accountability, and advocacy. thetelseyoffice.com

KATIE CRADDOCK ( Casting, she/her ) is the literary manager and casting associate at A.C.T. Her favorite casting processes here so far include The Headlands, The Wizard of Oz, Big Data , and workshops of commissions by Aleshea Harris, Eisa Davis, Craig Lucas, RyanNicole Austin & Adesha Adefela & Beau Lewis, Anne Washburn, and Kate Attwell. Previously, she was the artistic associate at Berkeley Rep,

where she supported season planning, casting, and dramaturgy; mentored artistic fellows; moderated post-show discussions; taught playwrighting and dramaturgy to teens; served on the board/staff antiracisim taskforce; and facilitated the making of new plays at The Ground Floor.

NAILAH HARPER-MALEVAUX (Associate Director, she/her) is a director and a member of the Shared Leadership Team at Crowded Fire Theater. Directing credits include the West Coast premiere of Edit Annie by Mary Glen Fredrick and the world premiere of Getting There by Dipika Guha. She has worked at Woolly Mammoth, Pasadena Playhouse, Williamstown Theater Festival, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and Baltimore Center Stage. Yale University: BA in American Studies and Theatre Studies.

CANDACE TAYLOR (Associate Choreographer, she/her) is a multi-passionate, Dream Doula, whose work exists at the intersection of coaching, consulting, personal empowerment, and creative expression. She has had the honor of working on A Strange Loop since 2019 helping to bring to life the Playwrights Horizon production and has had the pleasure to reimagine the piece with every production since! @candacethedreamdoula

AARON TACY ( Associate Lighting Designer, he/him ) is a lighting designer who primarily works as an associate on a wide variety of creative projects. With Jen Schriever on Broadway: A Strange Loop, 1776, Birthday Candles, Lackawanna Blues; Off-Broadway: White Girl In Danger (2ST/Vineyard); Regional & Touring Includes: Hippest Trip – The Soul Train Musical (A.C.T.), A Transparent Musical (CTG), and Blue Man Group (North American Tour). Activist for equitable practices in the arts, eliminating uncompensated labor, and a union-strong entertainment industry. Proud member of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE. aarontacy.com

DAVID MÖSCHLER ( Associate Music Director ) ) is an award-winning conductor based in Oakland and is thrilled to make his debut at CTG and return to A.C.T. where he was last seen music directing The Wizard of Oz and Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play. Since then, he has music-directed over 135 professional theatre productions and toured with bands like The Dear Hunter and Pop Up Magazine throughout North America. Möschler has worked as Resident Music Director for YMTC since 2010 and has served on the music staff at College Light Opera Company since 2005. In 2013 he founded Awesöme Orchestra Collective, which he conducts every month. davidmoschler.com.

AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER is an essential gathering place bringing artists and communities together. Now in its sixth year under the leadership of Tony Award–winning Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon and Executive Director Jennifer Bielstein, A.C.T. is charged with fulfilling its mission to engage the spirit of the San Francisco Bay Area, activate stories that resonate, promote a diversity of voices and points of view, and empower theater makers and audiences to celebrate liveness. A.C.T. is a Tony Award–winning nonprofit theater serving almost 200,000 people in the San Francisco Bay Area annually through theater, training, education, and community programs.

CENTER THEATRE GROUP

SNEHAL DESAI ( Artistic Director, he/him ) was appointed Center Theatre Group’s third artistic director in 2023. As an artistic leader, Snehal has sought to raise awareness on social issues that affect Angelenos through impactful and empowering storytelling. Previously, he was the Producing Artistic Director of East West Players. A Soros Fellow and the recipient of a Tanne Award, Snehal was the Inaugural Recipient of the Drama League’s Classical Directing Fellowship. He has served on the boards of the Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists (Caata), Theatre Communications Group (TCG), and currently serves on the board of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT). Snehal was on the faculty of USC’s graduate program in Arts Leadership and is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama.

MEGHAN PRESSMAN ( Managing Director/CEO, she/her ) joined Center Theatre Group in 2019. Previously, she served as Managing Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (D.C.), Director of Development for Signature Theatre (N.Y.), and Associate Managing Director of Berkeley Rep. She is a graduate of Yale School of Drama/Yale School of Management and serves as a mentor in the Theater Management program. Meghan has served as the Vice-Chair for the Theatre Communications Group Board of Directors and is a member of the Broadway League.

DOUGLAS C. BAKER (Producing Director, he/him) joined Center Theatre Group in 1990. Doug is an active member of the Broadway League, the Independent Presenters Network (IPN), and is a proud member of the Association of

Theatrical Press Agents and Managers (ATPAM). In 2013, Doug received the Broadway League’s prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management Award.

LINDSAY ALLBAUGH (Associate Artistic Director, she/ her) is a member of Center Theatre Group’s artistic staff and has served in varying capacities for the past 15 years. Selected producing credits include— Mark Taper Forum: Archduke, Bent, What the Butler Saw, Steward of Christendom, Waiting for Godot; Kirk Douglas Theatre: Block Party, Big Night, Good Grief, Vicuña, Throw Me on the Burn pile and Light Me Up, Endgame, Women Laughing Alone With Salad, Chavez Ravine, Race, different words for the same thing, The Nether. Co-Artistic Director of the Elephant Theatre 2004–2014.

GORDON DAVIDSON (Founding Artistic Director) led the Taper throughout its first 38 seasons, guiding over 300 productions to its stage and winning countless awards for himself and the theatre— including the Tony Award for theatrical excellence, Margo Jones Award, The Governor’s Award for the Arts, and a Guggenheim fellowship. The Kentucky Cycle and Angels in America (Part One) won the Pulitzer in consecutive years and, in 1994, three of the four plays nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play were from the Taper (Angels in America won). In 1989, Gordon took over the Ahmanson and, in 2004, he produced the inaugural season in the Kirk Douglas Theatre.

CENTER THEATRE GROUP, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations, is Los Angeles’ leading not-for-profit theatre company, which, under the leadership of Artistic Director Snehal Desai, Managing Director / CEO Meghan Pressman, and Producing Director Douglas C. Baker, programs the Mark Taper Forum and the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles, and the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Center Theatre Group is one of the country’s leading producers of ambitious new works through commissions and world premiere productions and a leader in interactive community engagement and education programs that reach across generations, demographics, and circumstances to serve Los Angeles. Founded in 1967, Center Theatre Group has produced more than 700 productions across its three stages, including such iconic shows as Zoot Suit; Angels in America; The Kentucky Cycle; Biloxi

Blues; Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; Children of a Lesser God; Curtains; The Drowsy Chaperone; 9 to 5: The Musical; and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. CenterTheatreGroup.org

ADDITIONAL STAFF

Associate Scenic Designer

Associate Sound Designer

Corey Umlauf

Brian Hsieh

Lighting Design Associate Hannah Solomon

Production Electricians Jeremy Lane, Jeremy Wahlers

Moving Light Programmer

Audio Mixer

Ben Fichthorn

Christian Lee

Keyboard Programming Julianne Merrill, PatchMaster Productions

Music Consultant

Mike Pettry

Psychologist Dr. Cathia Walters (Walters Wellness Group)

Barber Pierre Murrell

Loctician

CREDITS

Kyla Eveillard

Lighting and Automation by PRG. Sound Equipment by DnB Design, LLC.

SPECIAL THANKS

Barbara Whitman, Ken Silverman, Zach Stafford, Matt Parritt

The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers of the United States. This theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors' Resident Theatres and Actors' Equity Assocation, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

The musicians employed in this production are members of the American Federation of Musicians.

The Director and Choreographer are members of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc., an independent national labor union.

The House Managers employed in this production are represented by the Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers.

The following employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Machine Operators, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC: Stage Crew Local 33; Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Local 857; Wardrobe Crew Local 768; Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Local 706

United Scenic Artists represents designers and scenic artists for the American Theatre.

Center Theatre Group is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the American Arts Alliance, the National Alliance for Musical Theatres (NAMT), the Broadway League, Independent Producers’ Network (IPN), and the Theatre Communications Group (TCG).

Come Together: Creating Community

By Zach Stafford

In 2019, I was living in New York City, and one day my phone rang. It was a call from a dear friend and collaborator, songwriter Benj Pasek, who could not stop gushing over a show he’d just seen Off-Broadway called A Strange Loop.

Soon after this call, the show would win a Pulitzer and become a darling within the New York theatre scene as people began to see more and more how brilliant Michael R. Jackson was and continues to be. And Benj, a friend of Michael’s already, was making sure everyone in town–even outside the theatre world–knew how amazing it was.

With every call he made, he was not just able to talk a lot of us into seeing the show who may have missed it otherwise. And eventually many of us finally got to meet producer Barbara Whitman who was then able to create an incredible tapestry of people to join her in bringing this show to life on Broadway. People including luminaries like Jennifer Hudson, RuPaul, Billy Porter (and many others) who all stood up as co-producers during a global pandemic to make sure the world got to see how incredible A Strange Loop is on Broadway.

If you’re reading this right now, it means you are probably seated for a production of the show as it continues to live a life way past the streets of New York City–and even London–here in California. And how it got here to you is through very similar efforts of community, friendship, and people stepping up for Broadway to make sure art like this can be seen by as many people as possible.

The incredible communities that make up both the American Conservatory Theater of San Francisco and Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, came together and worked tirelessly to find a path for this show to make its West Coast premiere. Through their partnership, this show was able to dream a California dream with the original creative team coming in to help shape it with a brand-new cast plus our original Thought 4 (Tony nominee John-Andrew Morrison) returning.

In the midst of all these heroic efforts, our friends at Gilead–who had always been so supportive of the show since Broadway–raised their hands to do something many companies would never do: sponsor a piece of theatre. But they didn’t stop there and neither did our two theatres presenting this amazing show for you now.

As A Strange Loop makes its California debut, A.C.T. and CTG will be doing deep community engagement work–thanks to our producing partner, Gilead–to ensure communities that are rarely seen in theatre are not only welcomed to these performances, but celebrated while they are here. This will be done through amazing nights like a Black Out Night and Pride celebrations.

They have also chosen community partners who do the real work every day in many communities to make sure they have tickets to join our ever growing Strange family–among many other initiatives all in the hopes that people are as changed by this piece as many of us were back in NYC a few years ago.

All of this–everything from the initiatives to just the act of presenting this performance you’re about to witness–are being done as ways to build bridges for us all to come together. And it couldn’t happen at a better time.

We are all currently living in a country where LGBTQ+ folks, people of color, and those that live on the intersections of these two identities face so many hurdles in front of us. And a lot of the vitriol or hate we face across this country begins with people not truly knowing our stories, which is what makes A Strange Loop so important today–even every day.

Because, at the end of the day, the act of bringing people together from all walks of life to witness a story is still radical and art can still touch each and everyone of us if we let it. It is why all of us involved in theatre making keep getting up every single day and fighting to keep doing it over and over again–like our own beautiful and strange…loop.

And it is through this act of you sitting here in this theatre that we can all begin to peer through a window into someone else’s life, someone else’s story, and realize the world is big enough for all of us.

Zach Stafford is a journalist, editor, and a Tony Award-winning producer. He is the co-host of the SiriusXM podcast Vibe Check, which The New York Times named one of the best podcasts of 2022. Prior, he was the first Black editor-in-chief of The Advocate, served as the chief content officer of Grindr, and was a journalist at The Guardian. Zach is also the author of two books titled Boys and When Dogs Heal. In 2019, he was included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and named as one of the most influential Black people living today by The Root.

THANK YOU for being a part of these moments and for being a part of our community.

JOIN US for a year of special programs and events to celebrate this milestone. Learn more: @CTGCommunity

CTGLA.ORG/ COMMUNITY

ARTISTIC

SNEHAL DESAI Artistic Director | MEGHAN PRESSMAN Managing Director/CEO | DOUGLAS C. BAKER Producing Director

GORDON DAVIDSON Founding Artistic Director

Center Theatre Group would like to thank its exceptional staff for their ongoing commitment, dedication, and extraordinary efforts. ♦ On staff for 10+ years.

LINDSAY ALLBAUGH♦ Associate Artistic Director

TIFFANY SLAGLE° Artistic & Literary Administrative Assistant

CASEY NICHOLAW, PHYLICIA RASHAD, PAULA VOGEL Associate Artists

EXECUTIVE

CAMILLE SCHENKKAN♦ Deputy Managing Director

KHANISHA FOSTER Director of Equity, Belonging & Engagement

A'RAELLE FLYNN-BOLDEN Staff Programs Manager

QUINN O'CONNOR° Temporary Assistant to the Artistic Director and Managing Director/CEO

MANAGEMENT

NAUSICA STERGIOU♦ General Manager

ERIC SIMS♦ Ahmanson Theatre Presentations Manager

KATIE SOFF ♦ Associate General Manager

JEFFREY UPAH♦ General Management Associate

KIARA BRYANT Company Manager

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

JESUS REYES♦ Director of Learning and Community Partnerships

TRACI KWON♦ Arts Education Initiatives Director

AURORA ILOG Creative Workforce Initiatives Director

MEIGHAN LA ROCCA Program Manager

COURTNEY CLARK° Digital Learning Manager

NATALIA QUINTERO-RIESTRA Education & Community Partnerships Coordinator

ESTELA GARCIA, CHRISTINE BREIHAN Resident Teaching Artists

ZACHARY BONES, RAMY EL-ETREBY, SARA GUERRERO

AJA HOUSTON, JOHNATHON L. JACKSON, DAVID JIMENEZ,°

CARENE ROSE MEKERTICHYAN, MARA PALMA,

ROBERT PATERNO,TARA RICASA, TIANA RANDALL-QUANT, MONIQUE SYPKENS Teaching Artists

PRODUCTION

JOE HAMLIN♦ Director of Production

SHANNON G. BICKNELL Production Manager

KATIE CHEN Associate Production Manager

CAMBRIA CHICHI° Production Supervisor

ISAAC KATZANEK Technical Director

BENE'T BENTON Production Management Apprentice

SHAWN ANDERSON♦ Head Carpenter (Ahmanson Theatre)

SCOTT LUCAS Head Properties (Ahmanson Theatre)

JARED BATTY Head Electrician (Ahmanson Theatre)

ROBERT SMITH♦ Head Sound (Ahmanson Theatre)

SHANE ANDERSON Head Flyrail (Ahmanson Theatre)

MICHAEL GARDNER♦ Wardrobe Supervisor (Ahmanson Theatre)

MARY BORGIA Hair & Make-up Supervisor (Ahmanson Theatre)

CHRISTINE L. COX♦ House Manager (Ahmanson Theatre)

EMMET KAISER♦ Head Carpenter (Mark Taper Forum)

MARY ROMERO Head Properties (Mark Taper Forum)

AARON STAUBACH♦ Head Electrician (Mark Taper Forum)

CHRISTIAN LEE Head Sound (Mark Taper Forum)

LORETTA BUSSEN Wardrobe Supervisor (Mark Taper Forum)

MERRIANNE NEDREBERG♦ Shop Director

KATE REINLIB Associate Prop Director

ERIC BABB°

Assistant Prop Director

RAUL VEGA MARTINEZ° Shop Supervisor

SHANTA FARIA DE SA Costume Shop Manager

CAYLYN DABNEY Resident Assistant Costume Designer

ASHPHORD JACOWAY Costume Shop Coordinator

OPERATIONS

PETER WYLIE

Operations & Facilities Director

CHASE ANDERSON-SHAW Kirk Douglas Theatre Manager

VANESSA DE LOERA Facilities Associate

JULIO A. CUELLAR♦ Facilities Assistant

JASMINE BRAFF Operations Manager

CURT GAVIN Operations Assistant

NATALIE MARCEAU, D’ANGELO ANDERSON,

SIMON J.O. MARTIN, REGINA NILES Drivers

VANESSA BRADCHULIS, OLIVIA CHOATE, PRESSLY COKER, MONICA GREENE, PAT LOEB, TWON POPE, SAM UDERO Stage Door Attendants

FINANCE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND HUMAN RESOURCES

CHERYL SHEPHERD Chief Financial Officer

PETER BANACHOWSKI Controller

DENICE BEHDAD Assistant Controller

ANAHITA ASHRAFIPOUR Senior Accountant

XOCHITL ORTEGA Accounts Payable Supervisor

KERRY LARICK° Accounting Assistant

JESSICA HERNANDEZ Payroll Manager

JUAN MARTINEZ Payroll Specialist

TOM MEGALE IT Director

JANELLE CABRERA TORRES Tessitura & Web Administration Director

JOEY SOLANO Digital Product Manager

CHIMA OMEAKU Help Desk Support

CRIS SPACCA♦ Tessitura & IT Support

JODY HORWITZ♦ Director of Human Resources

CRISTINA TORRES Human Resources Generalist

MOSS ADAMS Auditor

MICHAEL C. DONALDSON, LISA A. CALLIF Legal Counsel

GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Legal Counsel

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

SARAH SULLIVAN Director of Institutional Advancement

RICKY CARTER Director of Development

CRYSTAL DIAZ Director of Events

PAMELA KUHR Director of Annual Giving

KATASHA NELSON Director of Advancement Operations

PAULA MATALLANA Associate Director of Institutional Grants

ELIZABETH DELLORUSSO♦ Major Gifts Officer

NICOLE SCIPIONE♦ Senior Individual Giving Officer

OYE EHIKHAMHEN Individual Giving Officer

ZAIN PATEL Individual Giving Officer

KATELIN URGO Individual Giving Officer

CHRISTOPHER ECKHART Donor Communications Manager

WENDY HUI Grants Manager

MIKE RATTERMAN Telefunding Manager

BK DAWSON Senior Analyst, Gift & Accounting Reporting

NICKI BONURA Advancement Associate

HAILEY BRUNSON Annual Giving Coordinator

ALICE PELAYO Donor Liason & Institutional Advancement Assistant

IRENE CHO Executive Assistant

AL BERMAN,♦ BRAD GRIFFITH, VARTAN MERJANIAN, BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ, PAUL VITAGLIANO Donor Advisors

MARKETING

GARRETT COLLINS Director of Marketing

CANDICE WALTERS♦ Associate Director, Marketing Operations

ANDRESSA ROYER Senior Manager, Audience Development & Marketing Events

DEVANY HARDEN° Manager, CRM & Email Marketing

KATHARINE MEANS° Advertising Manager

PETER SULLIVAN Marketing Coordinator

CAROLINE THOMPSON/IMPACT 123 Media Planning

MEDIA AND CONTENT

BRETT WEBSTER Director of Media and Content

JESSICA DOHERTY° Associate Content Director

BOBBY MARTINEZ Content Associate

DEANNA McCLURE Design Director

JAVIER VASQUEZ Digital Content Producer

LILA WAKILI Senior Graphic Designer

CINDY ANDRADE Graphic Designer

CHEYNE GALLARDE Graphic Designer

DAVIDSON & CHOY PUBLICITY

TIM CHOY, PETER GOLDMAN, VICTORIA WESTBROOK Publicity Consultants

TICKET SALES AND SERVICES

SKYPP CABANAS♦ Senior Manager, Ticket Operations

TINTIN NGUYEN Ticketing Operations Coordinator

SANDY CZUBIAK♦ Audience & Subscriber Services Director

JENNIFER BAKER,♦

CHERYL HAWKER♦ Audience Services Senior Supervisors

JONATHAN FLORES Audience Services Assistant Supervisor

JURGEN SANTOS, CHRISTIAN UNGER Audience Services Sales Associate

JESSICA ABROMAVICH, JUSTINE PEREZ♦ Donor Associates

JOSHUA BADILLO, CLAY BUNKER, FRANK ENSENBERGER, DANIEL GARCIA,

MICHAEL MUNOZ, SAMUEL ROQUE, JURGEN SANTOS, CHRISTINA WRIGHT Audience Services Representatives

DANUTA SIEMAK♦ Subscriber Services Senior Supervisor

CHRISTINA GUTIERREZ♦ Subscriber Services Supervisor

LIGIA PISTE,♦

PETER STALOCH♦ Subscriber Services Senior Representatives

SARAH K. GONTA♦ Box Office Treasurer

KEANA JACKSON, MICHAEL VALLE♦ 1st Assistant Treasurers

KAITLYN GALVEZ, MICHAEL KEMPISTY,♦ RICHARD RUBIO, LUIS ESPINOZA 2nd Assistant Treasurers

JEFFREY LIMONCELLI, KATHLEEN LITTLEFIELD, DIANE WARD♦ Subscription Sales Representatives

SD&A TELESERVICES, INC. Outbound Sales Partner

ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT & COMMISSIONS

As part of our commitment to supporting new plays and playwrights, we foster and develop a broad range of theatrical work from diverse artists locally, nationally, and abroad.

LA WRITERS’ WORKSHOP

Since 2005, we have invited local playwrights to spend a year researching and writing a new work with the feedback of their fellow writers and artistic staff as part of our L.A. Writers’ Workshop.

Artists creating new work commissioned by Center Theatre Group this season: Learn more at CTGLA.org/Artists.

AZIZA BARNES

LISA D’AMOUR

LARISSA FASTHORSE

JENNIFER HALEY

ALESHEA HARRIS

GERALDINE ELIZABETH INOA

LISA KRON

KIMBER LEE

YOUNG JEAN LEE

MATTHEW LOPEZ

ROGER Q. MASON

TAHIRIH MOELLER

JANINE NABERS

QUI NGUYEN

LYNN NOTTAGE

MARCO RAMIREZ

CYNTHIA GRACE ROBINSON

SARAH RUHL

T.TARA TURK-HAYNES

LUIS VALDEZ

PAULA VOGEL

KAREN ZACARÍAS

2023/24 COHORT:

AMY BERRYMAN

INDA CRAIG-GALVÁN°

ISAAC GÓMEZ

CHRISTOPHER OSCAR PEÑA

RAMIZ MONSEF

JASMINE SHARMA

LA ARTIST RESIDENCIES

DIANA BURBANO

LARISSA FASTHORSE

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN

MICHAEL JOHN GARCÉS

DANIEL ALEXANDER JONES

MADELINE SAYET

KRISTINA WONG

CRITICAL MASS PERFORMANCE GROUP

ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE LA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHALK REP NATIVE VOICES AT THE AUTRY

OUR SUPPORTERS: ANNUAL DONORS

THANK YOU for your

generous annual support.

As we emerge from the most challenging period in Center Theatre Group’s history, we recognize our generous individual donors for their annual and event support.

$500,000+

Anonymous^ (2)

Kirk & Anne Douglas^

$100,000+

Anonymous

Jana & Trevor Bezdek

Amy Forbes & Andrew Murr

Cindy & Gary Frischling

Kiki & David Gindler^

Aliza Karney Guren & Marc Guren^

In Support of New Theatre Artists

Philip & Carlene Ringer

Laura & James Rosenwald & Orinoco Foundation

Donna Schweers & Tom Geiser

$50,000+

Joni & Miles Benickes^

Diana Buckhantz & Vladimir & Araxia Buckhantz Foundation

Marcy Carsey

Helen & Morgan Chu

Mr. & Mrs. James L. Hunter

Vicki King

Patricia Glaser & Sam Mudie

Renee & Meyer Luskin^

Louise Moriarty & Patrick Stack

Deena & Edward Nahmias

Bill Resnick & Michael Stubbs^

Ms. Allyson Rubin*

Elliott Sernel & Larry Falconio^

The estate of Frank J. Sherwood*

Matt & Dana Walden

$25,000+

Anonymous

Gail Berman & Bill Masters

Debra & Norris Bishton

Jill & Allen Chozen

Christine Cronin-Hurst & Mark Hurst

Ms. Lynne M. Diamond

Dr. Bradford W. Edgerton & Mrs. Louise Edgerton

Ruth Flinkman-Marandy & Ben Marandy

Robert Greenblatt

Stanley Iezman & Nancy Stark

The Labowe Family Foundation^*

Doris Luster

Cindy Miscikowski^

Marsha J. Naify

Kari L. Nakama^

Olivia & Anthony Neece

Willard & Sharon Reisz

Edward & Mary Beth Ring

Ernesto & Richard Rocco-Davies^

Thomas Safran

Nina & Steven Sheldon

Allen Blue & Kira Snyder^

Jane Rissman & Richard Sondheimer

Sandra Stern

Stone Family

Sunshine Stone^

Donna & John Sussman^

Terence Tchen & Emily Breckenridge

Kim & Bill Wardlaw

Jerrie D. Whitfield & Richard W. Motika

$15,000+

Anonymous

Karen & Jonathan Axel

Judith & Thomas Beckmen

I. Mark & Marlene Bledstein

Lynn Booth and Kent Kresa

Betsy Borns & Jonathan Shapiro

Paula Brand^

Linda & Maynard BrittanTraub-Brittan Family Trust

Marla Campagna^

Dannielle Campos Ramirez & Armando Ramirez

Elisabeth Katte Harris Trust

Connie Elliot

Michael A. Enomoto

Rhonda C. Evans

Lisa Field

Robyn Field & Anthony O’Carroll

Judith R. Forman & Richard N. Weiner

Elizabeth Goldhirsh-Yellin & Eric Yellin

Jason Grode & Maryl Georgi

Annie Gross

In Memory of Morris A. Hazan

Marion & Tod Hindin

Jing Ho

Jennifer L. Jackman^

Ellen & Jerry Jacobson

Kathleen Kane^

KNU for Kids Foundation

Kelton Fund/Lenny & David Kelton

Harvey & Ellen Knell Foundation

Mrs. Gayle Leventhal

Kelly Sutherlin McLeod & Steven B.

McLeod Family Foundation^

Janice & Bruce Miller^

Ben Mui & Carrie Hartman

Sheila Muller

Gail Neiman

Christine Marie Ofiesh & Arthur L. Zussman^

Heather Bath & Jeff Reynolds^

Robyn & Steven Ross^

Glenn & Andrea Sonnenberg

Phyllis J. & Steven F. Spierer^

Eugene & Marilyn Stein

Studio Shamshiri

The Sugimoto Family Foundation

Anne C. Taubman

Karen & William Timberlake

Peter & Iona Tompkins

Elinor & Rubin Turner

Peter & Susan Van Haften

Seymour Waterman & Family

Hattie & Harold Wheeler

$10,000+

Debra & Dave Alpert^

Laura & Harvey Alpert^

James Asperger & Christine Adams^

G.W. Bailey^

Christopher Barnes

Shelley & Rick Bayer

Martin & Gina Bell^

Fran R. Berger

Ms. Virgina Blywise

Wendy Chang

Elizabeth Hofert Dailey*

Jeffrey Dritley

Bob Ducsay and

Marina Pires de Souza

Doug Dust & Lorin Liesy

Cecilia Estolano

Fran Flanagan

Erika Glazer

Lori Glickman^

Phil Hettema

Ann & Stephen F. Hinchliffe, Jr

Chona & Doug Hirsch

David & Martha Kadue

Janice A. Kido^

Geoffrey Kischuk^

Jerry & Terri Kohl

Kerry Korf, Geoffrey Korf, William Korf, & Hana Haas

Michael & Sandy Leahy

David & Miki Lee

Yvonne & Jason Lee

Andres & Victoria Lerner

Steven Llanusa & Glenn Miya, M.D.^

Tiffany Lovett

Alan Mandell

Gerard McCallum

Irene Mecchi

Mr. Jacques Nack Ngue & Dr. Coree Levy

Chris & Dick Newman/C & R

Newman Family Foundation

Nancy Norris

Laura & David Quigg

The Murray / Reese Foundation^

Melissa Louise Rhone

Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Ring^

Bruce & Randy Ellen Ross

Carol (Jackie) & Charles H. Schwartz

Joan & Arnold Seidel

Christine Shaner^

Ruth & Mitchell Shapiro

The Snyder Family Foundation

The Sobieski Family

Tom Stempel

Taffy Stern^

Brad & George Takei

Mari & Randall Tamura

Paulette Toumazos & Michael Lorenz

Sheila & Wally Weisman

Richard Weitz

George Zimmerman & Tatyana Gurvich^

$8,000+

Anonymous (2)

Lois Yvonne Adams

Russell Allison

Linda Antonioli in loving memory of Kenny Antonioli

Linda Barnett

Tracey Boldemann-Tatkin & Stan Tatkin

JoAnn & Wade Bourne^

Desobry E. Bowens in Memory of Alice Desobry Bowens^

Dr. Robert Braun & Dr. Joan Friedman

Pamela Herman Broussard & J. Garfield Broussard

Rose-Marie Browning & Michael Fletcher^

Kathleen & Milton Campbell

Cathy & Tony Chanin

Dr. Lawrence & Jane Z. Cohen

Dr. Allison Diamant

Anne M. Dougherty & David B. Dobrikin

Nick Dudzak

Joanna Exacoustos*

continues on page 18

Noah Francis

Dr. Lisa Guerin & Mr. Tim Ryan

Tanna Handley Havlick

Dr. Stephen D. Henry & Rudy Oclaray

Liz Levitt Hirsch

Marcia S. Jones

Vicki & Seth Kogan

Norman & Leslie Koplof

Sheila Krasnoff^

David & Tam Lachoff^

Mr. Craig E. Lawson^

Curtis Lelash^

Janell & Randall Lewis

Janis B. McEldowney

Margot & Mitch Milias

Andy & Laura Mintzer

Mildred Moon Esq. & Earl Whitaker

Judy Nussenblatt^

Tye Ouzounian & Karyn Wong^

Ms. Linda S. Peterson

Paula F. Reach

Dr. Peggy Renner & Dr. Robert Nelson^

Rick & Judy Richman^

Dana Saladen & Linda Walters

Peter & Susan Schwab

Howard & Stephanie Sherwood^

Tracy A. Stone & Allen Anderson

Jan & Carl Siechert

Mr. Adam Strom and Mr. Steve Isidoro

Ellen & Steve Sugerman^

Luke & Colleen Welsh

James A. Zapp &

Elizabeth A. McGlynn

$5,000+

Anonymous (4)^

Amy & Bob Abramson

Florence C. Agcawili^

Andrew Aichlmayr^

Robert C. Anderson

Richard Appelbaum & Karen Shapiro

Amy Aquino & Drew McCoy

Suzanne Attig^

Adriana & Jay Balaban

Howard Banchik

Angela Bardowell

Mark & Jody Barnhill

Lois Barth & Michael Schubach

Susan Baumgarten

Pamela & Dennis Beck

Yvonne & Derek Bell

Susan & Adam Berger^

Drs. Jack & Barbara Berman

Demian Bichir

Robert Bienstock

Peter & Helen Bing^

Diane Birnbaumer & James

Thompson

Leah Bishop & Gary Yale

Joan & Rob Blackman

Annette Blum

Susan Booth & Christopher Wadden

John Bowab^

Dr. Adrienne Brandriss

The Brannan Family Foundation

Janice R. Brittain

Robert Brook & Jackie Kosecoff

Neil H. & Karen Hochman Brown^

Anne Bruner & James Bremner^

Rick Buche & Vin Reilly

Linda Stafford Burrows^

VoiceWorks Productions, Inc.^

Patty Chan^

The Honorable Judith C. Chirlin^*

Suzanne & John Clark^

Roberta A. Conroy

In Memory of Marianne Cooper^*

Corinna Cotsen & Lee Rosenbaum

William Dandridge

Mrs. Teran Davis

Heidy & Saul De La Rosa

Nancy Dennis

Cathy DeRoy^

Lauren Donner

Julia Donoghue^

Ms. Anita H. Dymant & Mr. Richard Drooyan

Richard J. Burdge Jr. &

Lee Smalley Edmon^

Alan & Barbara Faiola

Jim Bright & Lucy Farber

Pat Fleming

The Franke Family Trust

Lynn Tolkan Franklin

Jay & Donna Gallagher^

Scott Gaudineer

Fariba Ghaffari

Dan and Lian Gill

Howard Gleicher and Damon Chen

James D. & Margaret A. Gray

Debra Grieb & John Mickus

Claudia & Tom Grzywacz

Vera & Paul Guerin

Roberta L. Haft and Howard Rosoff

Steve & Toya Harrison

James & Christi Hays

Gail & Murray Heltzer

Zvia Hempling^

Alicia Hirsch & Jesse Russo

Karen Hirshan/Hirshan Family Foundation

Rand Hoffman & Charlotte Robinson

Brendan Hunt & Shannon Nelson

Mary Ann Jacobsen

Roslyn & Warren Jacobson

Rosalind Joseph

Michael Galindo & Mary Quon Jung^

Gary Kading^

Linda R. Kaplan

Cari & Marty Kavinoky

Ken & Stefanie Kay^

Albert Kelly & Marjorie Stevens Kelly

In Memory of Mille Kern

Remembering Lynn Kinikin

Michael & Deborah Klein^

Genni Klein

Joanne C. Kozberg

Nita Whitaker^

Anne & Michael Landsburg

Jed Lassere

Ron & Pat Lebel

James & Karen Lefever^

Dinny & David Lesser^

Ronald Levenson & Marcia Gold Levenson

Michael Levin & Andy Abowitz^

James Levine

Jeff S. Levine/The J2 Foundation

Dr. Dianne N. Long^

Mr. & Mrs. Mark S. Louchheim

M. Michele Martin

Dr. Rosie M. Mayfield^

Alan & Jodi Melcher^

Carla Meyer & Chuck Arnold^

Eileen Mignella in memory of Sandra Paskus

Justin Mikita

Mr. & Mrs. Larry Miller

Patrick Moran

Toni Morgan

Diane Morton

Loula Moschonas & James Edgerton^

Wendy A. Moss^

Kim Nicholas

Patty & John Nickoll

Russell Noel

Bob & Renee Nunn^

Cynthia Olmstead

Janie & Allan Orenstein^

Malhar Pagay

Elsie & Peter Paterno^

Helen Pekny

Maggi Phillips & Mario Gerla^

Irv & Gina Posalski^

Mr. & Mrs. Albert Praw^

Dr. Ralph & Cathy Quijano

Gail & Gary Rachelefsky

Resnik Family Foundation

Kirk & Cathy Reynolds^

Bingo Roncelli

Lois Rosen

Ellen & Mike Rosenberg

Barbara & Peter Rosenthal

Marsha & Imre Sallai^

June Sanders Sattler

Stephanie Schaffer

Mary Kay Schumacher

Linda M. Sherman

Gloria Sherwood

Mason A. Sommers & Rami Aizic

Carol Fisher Sorgenfrei^

Jacque & Herb Spivak

Jill Stein

Clumeck Stern Schenkelberg & Getzoff

Kimberly Stirling

Susan R. Stockel

Jeff Sung

Robin & David Swartz

Fran Sweeney

Fernando & Nadina Szew

Maryanne Tagney

Laney Techentin

Russell Todd^

Norman & Barbara Weiler^

Susan & William Weintraub

Jenene J. Wilson &

Kristiana A. Wilson

Denise J. Winner

Mary J. Witt

Virginia & Greg Young

Arnold H. & Tricia L. Zane

Susan Zolla

$2,500+

Anonymous (11)

Lynn Lalonde Allen

Craig J. and Kathryn K. Anderson^

Laura Armour

Sandra Aronberg, M.D. & Charles Aronberg, M.D.

Margaret Arvey

Linda Ayers^

Arnold & Ilean Balber

Corinne Baldassano

John Ballinger & Rod Davis

Christopher & Anadel Barbour

Empress Jacquie

Chris & Rose Bauss^

Dr. Martine Bauwens

Barbara & Gail Becker

Charles Berney & Family

Mr. & Mrs. John Bettfreund^

Susan Bloch & Stephen Kay

Rachel Bloom

Nathalie Blossom^

Yvonne Bogdanovich & Family

Ms. Dianne Bozler

Sandy & Mayer Brenner

Jaron Brooks

Abbott Brown

Dr. Lisa Bukaty & Mr. Raymond M. Bukaty

Adam Burke

Christine Cahill

Albert Camacho

Thomas J. Carmichael

Sandra L. Carter^

Rita Chenoweth

Arthur & Katheryn Chinski

Mary Coates^

Joanne R. Cohen

Victor Cole & Patricia Green

Lauren Firestone & Chris Cookson^

Hon. Candace Cooper (Ret.)

Corbell Family^

Ted Cordes^

The Craig Family^ continues on page 26

You Belong Here

Membership at The Soraya

This is your opportunity to belong to something special. 2024-25 Members enjoy exclusive experiences such as the Member Appreciation Night, special events, artist meet-and-greets, private pre-performance artist salons, our festive holiday party, the annual Director’s Dinner in 2025, and more — as well as priority access to your preferred seats, your very own Members-only seating section, and exclusive savings when you select five or more performances. Most importantly, Member benefits are valid all season.

Beyond the benefits, Members drive our mission to present the highest caliber artists who captivate, inspire, and transport our audiences. Here, Members are part of a growing community of arts lovers connected by the joy of shared human experience. Here, Members belong.

Judy Tishkoff & Keith Crasnick^

Richard Jr. & Darlene Crook

Tim Curtis and Shandon Youngclause

Trevor Daley

Steve & Linda Darling^

Kenneth Davis^

Larry Davis

Mr. Nicholas Davis

Erica B. Deutsch

Lynne & Jimmy DeWitt Family

Matthew Dubeck

Dana and Brett Dufine

Chiedu Egbuniwe

Mrs. Barbara J. Feiga

Robert Finkel & Adelle Gross

Larry S. Fish

In Memory of Robert A. Fisher

Darcy Fleck^

Ruth Fleming-Stephens

Claudia Flores

Laura E. Fox, M.D. & John D. Hofbauer, M.D.

Kenneth J. Friedman

Rosalie Friis-Ross^

Howard J. Fulfrost

Cora Fullmore

Greenblatt Charitable Fund

Dr. Robert Gasway & Kristen Wong^

Lesley & Dr. Kenneth H. Geiger

Freddi & Marvin Gelfand

Patrick & Frank Gibson-McMinn

Marylyn & Chuck Klaus

Kelly Lynn Gitter^

Bruce & Madelyn Glickfeld

Bethany Goldberg

Nan & Allan Goodman

Mr. & Mrs. Francisco Govea

Dr. Stuart & Adrienne Green

Pam Grissom^

In Honor of My Mother, Consuelo Lopez

Lorrie & Richard Gurewitz

Scott Hall & Rhonda Church

Greg Halvorsen & Laurie InadomiHalvorsen

Michael Hanel and Steve Linder

Johnny Ruth Harrison, M.D.^

Trish Harrison-Runnette & John Runnette^

Cynthia & Robert Hart

Michael Lurey & Laurie Hasencamp

Catherine & Mark Helm^

Phyllis & J. Michael Hennigan

Barbara Herman

Cathy & Ed Hession

Laurie Zaks & Jeff Horn

Joan Hotchkis

Dozar Office Furnishings^

Dr. Brian Hurley & Santiago Mandi

Douglas Hutchinson

Elizabeth Irvine Bray

Joan R. Isaacs

Dr. & Mrs. Robert Itami

Irwin & Meredith Jacobson

In Memory of Wayne Jervis, Jr.^

Barbara Schnell & Gordon Johnson

Sean Johnson & Alex Ocampo

Janet & Steve Kahane^

Judith & Russell Kantor^

Regina & Richard G. Kaplan^

Perla Karney

Elyse & Stanley Katz

Claudia E. Kazachinsky & Richard

A. Sherer

Jennifer Keller

Sharon Kerson

Sarah E. Kiefer

Dr. Micheal and Mrs. Mindy Kuhn

Jale Kutay^

Katherine L'Amour

Michael Lanning

Mr. & Mrs. Jack D. Lantz

Sharon Lapid

Joan & Chris Larkin^

Dr. & Mrs. John F. Lawrence

Ned Leiba

Gordon Lemke & Brian Rodgers

Marla E. Levine

The Lilly Awards Foundation

Nancy & Jonathan Littman

Mary Anne Lucero^

Marge & Bill MacLaughlin

Brian Maly

Hon. Nora M. Manella

Darlene Manus

Emily & Phillips Marshall

Connie L. Martin

Mr. & Mrs. Dennis G. Martin

Laura Stevenson Maslon

Vernita Mason

Amy & Harold Masor^

Neil McLean

Mark Measures

Robert L. Mendow

Lorraine & Craig Meyer

Nick & Vaughan Meyer

Carole Miller

Gretchen & Marshall Milligan

Ron Myrick

Arline M. Nakanishi

Robert & Sally Neely

Marianne & Michael Newman

Marsha Niles

Cindy & Ken Norian

Mary Rose & Edward Ortega

Steve Page

Nan Rae^

Sheryl J. Anderson & Family^

Thomas Payne

Carole Pelton

Steven Penn

Mr. Stephen Pescetti^

Carol Phillips & Bob Shapiro^

Carolyn & John Poer

Pauline & Drew Pomerance^

Clark and Kathryn Porter Family

Foundation

Mrs. Eleanor Pott

Michael Powell & Dr. Sheila Phillips^

Shelley Powsner & Stephen Skrovan^

Nancy Price

Patricia Price

Drs. Laurence & Isabell Purdy

Qing Duncan

Lee Ramer

Tracy L. Ramont^

Courtney Rangen

Lary Rappaport & Ellen Isaacs

Stuart & Laurie Rice In Loving

Memory of Adam Rice^

Lindsay Ritter

Alexander Rivkin

Murphy & Ed Romano

Lynne Rosenberg

Joseph Rosenblum

Richard M. Ross

Ron & Sharon Ryan^

David A. & Karen Richards Sachs

Beatrice (Tina) Castillo & Gail Sandford

Linda & Clifford Schaffer^

Doctors Tanitra & D’Artagnan

Scorza^

Rob & Cathy Sevell^

Scott Shagrin

Pamela Shamshiri

James & Alexis Sheehy^

Jacqueline & Harvey Shulman

In Memory of Ruth & Leon Sirkin

Charlene & Mike Sievers^

Roman Silberfeld & Pat Klous

Karen & Gordon Silverstein

Alan and Esther Siman

Kurt & Keli Skarin^

Catherine S. Skubik

Stephen & Judith Slagle

Leslie Smith^

Roberta Smith^

Shayna Smith

J R Stein Family Foundation

David A. Steinberg

Ms. Gail Goldberg Stoter

Jack & Marlene Susser^

Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell Sussman^

I.H. Sutnick

Stephen & Karen Sweeney

Nathan Swisher

Ellen Tam

William L. Tan & Shelly M. Ushio

Judith N. Taylor

Mary & Peter Tennyson^

Dr. Keith Terasaki

Ms. Allison Thomas

Marla Thornton

Susan & William Tinkley^

Eileen T'Kaye & David Bischoff^

Sue Tsao

Carol Vernon & Robert Turbin^

Claire Vincent

Denise & Peter Walsh

Steven Warheit & Jean Christensen

Cliff Warner

Stephen Waters

Henry Watkins

Charles W. Weeks^

Mr. Dean Weichel

Janice & Larry Weiner

Bonnie Weis

John & Martha Wengert

Steve Wiideman & his daughter Paris

Lori Williams & Stephen Schulte^

Valerie & Nathaniel E. Williams

Austin Winsberg

In Honor of Laura Woolls

Thomas Zimmerman

The above list reflects total annual giving from either the FY24 fiscal year (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024) or previous fiscal year FY23 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023), whichever is greater.

Please contact our Advancement team at 213.972.7564 or Give@CTGLA.org with any corrections to this list. Thank you! ^Acknowledges a loyal supporter who has pledged a multi-year commitment to Center Theatre Group, including next year. *Deceased

negro? Am I not their negro? Or am I Michael Jackson? And if I am, do I finally get to claim an identity that is solely my own? Who is Usher? And who am/what is ‘I’? Whose gaze do I honor? Does it matter? Do I matter? Do Black “I’s” matter? Am I their negro? Am I not their negro? Or am I Michael Jackson? And if I am, do I finally get to claim an identity that is solely my own? Who is Usher? And who am/what is ‘I’? Whose gaze do I honor? Does it matter? Do I matter? Do Black “I’s” matter? Am I their negro? Am I not their negro? Or am I Michael Jackson? And if I am, do I finally get to claim an identity that is solely my own? A version of this essay first appeared in conjunction with the world premiere production of A Strange Loop at Playwrights Horizons in association with Page 73 in 2019.

Malachi McCaskill. Photo by Alessandra Mello.

Concert and Home Rentals

Blüthner Pianos (since 1853)

Neupert Harpsichords (since 1868)

Schiedmayer Celesta (since 1890)

PRESIDENT

Marsha Tauber Sallai

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Stephanie Germeraad

Roberta Haft*

Christine Harte

Marianne Tobé Karns

Melinda J. Kelly

Thea F. Koss

Diane Lesser

Jerri Nagelberg

Diane Neubauer*

Sheila Poncher*

Courtney Rangen

Sharon Reisz

June Sanders Sattler*

Dr. Carmen Estrada Schaye*

Mary Kay Schumacher

Donna Sussman*

Janice Brock Wallace*

Janice Weiner

Rosalind Zane*

MEMBERS

Jamila Abu-Omar

Jacqui Assadi

Vi Ballard

Janet Barnet*

Sue Bass

Judith Beckmen*◆

Marjorie Bender ◆

Lanie Bernhard

Lestrita Boardman◆

Audrey L. Bornstein

Roanna Araneta Brown

Elnora Guerrero Campos

Jan Cobert

Judy Colich

Judi Davidson

Ilene Eisenberg◆

Lynda Wolfson Fadel

Ruth Flinkman-Marandy

Carolyn H. Fried

Dina Goldstein

Debra C. Gordon

Brindell Gottlieb

THE AFFILIATES

We gratefully recognize the long-term dedication of The Affiliates, who have supported Center Theatre Group through active fundraising, volunteering, and outreach since 1971.

Meg Greenwood

Kristina Greiner

Stephanie J. Hibler

Kim-Chi Hoang

Diane Kessler*

Ellen Kliavkoff

Barbara Krasnoff

Joan Krause

Kellie Lang

Rita Lee◆

Annie Maria Lehrer

Helen Gordon Lowy

Dr. Elizabeth Lu

Gladys Lyons

Diane Morton

Deena Nahmias

Olivia Neece

Lisa Nichols

Gina Russ Posalski*

Mariel Reed

Linda Rendleman

Harriett Chatters Rose◆

Lois Rosen

Marla Rubin

Gaile Gray Ryan

Carole Schiffer

Angela Shah

Suzanne M. Shapiro

Joyce Sheingold

Maggy Simon

Vera Terrell Smith

Carole Solomon◆

Robbie J. Solomon

Marilyn Stambler*◆

Judy Stone

Rosalyn Holt Swartz

Louise Taper

Katherine L. Todd*

Sue Tsao◆

Elinor Turner

Susan Tyssee

Barbara Van Orden

Donna Marie Venick*

Barbara Weber

Beth White

Kim White Peterson*

Sue Wittner

THANK YOU

ENDOWMENT GIFTS

$500,000+

The Ahmanson Foundation

Gordon Davidson Tribute Fund

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation

Ann & Stephen F. Hinchliffe, Jr.

The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation

Renee & Meyer Luskin

Martin Massman

John S. Surabian, Jr. and in memory of Faith and Sharon Ann Surabian

$250,000+

The Michael Shaw Jacobs Fund

Patricia Glaser & Sam Mudie

Mr. & Mrs. Jack Simon

$100,000+

Betsy & Harold Applebaum

Judith & Thomas Beckmen

The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation

Maynard & Linda Brittan— Traub-Brittan Family Trust

Center Theatre Group Affiliates

Kenneth Corday

Regina Fadiman

Barbara & Peter Fodor

Ava & Charles Fries

Brindell & Milton Gottlieb

The Hearst Foundation, Inc.

Vicki King

Gloria Lothrop

Richard G. & Virginia L. Martin

The Estate of Frank J. Sherwood

Louise Taper

$50,000+

Moira Byrne Foster Foundation

Margaret Collins

Deborah M. Hyde

Ellen & Michael S. Korney

Dorothy & Richard Sherwood

$25,000+

Abbott Brown

Linda Brown

Greve Foundation

Dr. Tom Hickey

Renata Landres and Family

Levine Foundation for investing in our future.

We are honored to recognize contributors who have provided support that extends well beyond the current season and safeguards the future of Center Theatre Group. We thank all of our endowment and Ovation Circle donors for making a commitment that sustains the finest theatre artistry.

Diane & Leon Morton

The Estate of Anita Mae Hirsh

$10,000+

A and J Davidson Skipper Award Fund

George A. V. Dunning

Carolyn & Kit Lokey

Betty & Sanford Sigoloff

PLANNED GIFTS

Shirley & Irving Ashkenas

W. Lee Bailey, M.D.

Angela Bardowell

Chris & Rose Bauss

Pamela & Dennis Beck

Judith & Thomas Beckmen

The Bennetts

Dr. Adrienne Brandriss

Linda Brown

Allan & Joan Burns

Richard & Norma Camp

Bill Cohn & Dan Miller

Earl & Christine Cory

Zoe Cosgrove Estate

Mary Levin Cutler

Susan D. Clines & Charles Dillingham

Anne M. Dougherty & David Dobrikin

Kirk & Anne Douglas

Elisabeth Katte Harris Trust

Amy Forbes & Andrew Murr

Kiki and David Gindler

Mr. & Mrs. Walter E. Grauman

Susan A. Grode

Virginia Hayes

Sharon L. Henderson

Mr. Kim L. Hunter

Deborah M. Hyde

The Doug Jones and John Sanger

Theater Ticket Fund

Richard & Julie Kagan

Arlene M. Kageyama-Chikami

Sarah & Andy Kane

Debra L. Karrenbrock

Dr. & Mrs. Jack Kavanaugh

The Paul Kowal Charitable Foundation

Darell L. Krasnoff

Sandra Krause & William Fitzgerald

Joyce & Kent Kresa

Marla E. Levine

Steven Llanusa &

Glenn Miya, M.D.

Carol & Douglas Mancino

George Manet

Meg McComb

Betty McMicken in honor of

Jeanette Shammas

Diane & Leon Morton

Merle & Peter Mullin

Isabel F. Newman

Bob & Renee Nunn

Doug Palmer

Linda S. Peterson

Sally & Frank Raab

Edward L. Rada

Nan Rae

Stuart & Laurie Rice In Loving Memory of Adam Rice

Rocco-Davies Foundation

Penelope C. Roeder, Ph.D.

Bruce & Randy Ellen Ross

Allyson S. Rubin

Eileen B. Salmas

Wes Schaefer &

Cathy King-Schaefer

Elliott Sernel

Margaret Sheehy Collins

Sue & Steve Soldoff

I.H. Sutnick

William Tierney and Barry Weiss

Karen & William Timberlake

Paulette Toumazos & Michael Lorenz

Sue Tsao

Carol Vernon & Robert Turbin

Peter & Susan Van Haften

Magda & Frederick R. Waingrow

Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Wallace

Pat Warford

Susan & William Weintraub

Lauri N. Weiss

James Blair White

Margaret H. White

Mary J. Witt

Tim Curtis and Shandon Youngclaus

SUPPORTERS: THANK YOU for your institutional support.

$250,000+

The Ahmanson Foundation

Anonymous

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Gilead Sciences

Mellon Foundation

Perenchio Foundation

Rosenthal Family Foundation

S. Mark Taper Foundation

State of California

$200,000+ Bank of America

The Shubert Foundation, Inc.

$100,000+

California Arts Council

California Mental Health Services Authority

Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

SNAP Foundation

The Louis & Harold Price Foundation

The Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation

$50,000+

Amazon Studios

The Capital Group Companies

Charitable Foundation

Dwight Stuart Youth Fund

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

L.L. Foundation For Youth

The David William Upham Foundation

$25,000+

Anonymous

Center Theatre Group

Affiliates

City of Los Angeles

Department of Cultural Affairs

Edgerton Foundation

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP

Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP

INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT

We deeply appreciate the corporate members, grant-making institutions, and government agencies that partner with Center Theatre Group to sustain and expand our engagement with the Los Angeles community through the art of theatre.

The Edward A. and Ai O. Shay Family Foundation

The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust

National Endowment for the Arts

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation

Tiger Baron Foundation

US Bank

$15,000+

Anonymous

Culver City Unified School District

The Friars Charitable Foundation

The Kenneth T. & Eileen L. Norris Foundation

The Liberty Company

The Otis Booth Foundation

Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts

$10,000+

Edison International

The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation

Jones Day

Lawrence P. Frank Foundation

Ralph M. Parsons Foundation

Sascha Brastoff Foundation

SoCalGas

The City of Culver City Cultural Affairs Commission

The Fran and Ray Stark Foundation

$7,500+

Final Draft

Payden & Rygel

Perry, Neidorf & Grassl, LLP

USI Insurance Services

$5,000+

City National Bank

CopperPoint Insurance Services

Find Your Light Foundation

Paramount Pictures

The Brookside Fund

$1,000+

The Caplin Foundation

Sidney Stern Memorial Trust

Background art by Vecteezy

Welcome to The Music Center!

Thank you for joining us.

The Music Center is your place to experience all the arts have to offer, where you can express yourself, connect with others and enjoy incredible live performances and events in our four beautiful theatres, at Jerry Moss Plaza and in Gloria Molina Grand Park.

We promise to provide you the best, safest experience possible on our campus.

Be sure to visit musiccenter.org to learn about upcoming events and performances.

Enjoy the show!

#BeAPartOfIt

@musiccenterla

General Information (213) 972-7211 | musiccenter.org

Support The Music Center (213) 972-3333 | musiccenter.org/support

TAKE A TOUR OF THE MUSIC CENTER

Free 90-minute docent-led tours take you through the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall, along with Jerry Moss Plaza. You’ll learn about the history and architecture of the theatres along with The Music Center’s beautiful outdoor spaces.

Tours are offered daily. Check the schedule to plan a fun-filled day in Downtown L.A.!

Visit musiccenter.org for additional information.

OFFICERS

Cindy Miscikowski Chair

Robert J. Abernethy

Vice Chair

Darrell R. Brown

Vice Chair

Rachel S. Moore

President & CEO

Diane G. Medina

Secretary

Susan M. Wegleitner

Treasurer

William Taylor

Assistant Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

MEMBERS AT LARGE

Charles F. Adams

William H. Ahmanson

Jill C. Baldauf

Susan Baumgarten

Phoebe Beasley

Thomas L. Beckmen

Kristin Burr

Dannielle Campos

Elizabeth Khuri Chandler

Amy R. Forbes

Greg T. Geyer

Joan E. Herman

Jeffrey M. Hill

Jonathan B. Hodge

Mary Ann Hunt-Jacobsen

Carl Jordan

Richard B. Kendall

Terri M. Kohl

Lily Lee

Cary J. Lefton

Keith R. Leonard, Jr.

Kelsey N. Martin

Susan M. Matt

Elizabeth Michelson

Darrell D. Miller

Teresita Notkin

Michael J. Pagano

Cynthia M. Patton

Karen Kay Platt

Joseph J. Rice

Melissa Romain

Beverly P. Ryder

Maria S. Salinas

Corinne Jessie

Sanchez

Mimi Song

Johnese Spisso

Michael Stockton

Philip A. Swan

Timothy S. Wahl

Jennifer M. Walske

Jay S. Wintrob

GENERAL COUNSEL

Rollin A. Ransom

DIRECTORS

EMERITI

Wallis Annenberg

Peter K. Barker

Judith Beckmen

Ronald W. Burkle

John B. Emerson **

Richard M. Ferry

Bernard A. Greenberg

Stephen F. Hinchliffe, Jr.

Glen A. Holden

Kent Kresa

Edward J. McAniff

Mattie McFaddenLawson

Fredric M. Roberts

Richard K. Roeder

Claire L. Rothman

Joni J. Smith

Lisa Specht **

Cynthia A. Telles

James A. Thomas

Andrea L. Van de Kamp **

Thomas R. Weinberger

Alyce de Roulet

Williamson

** Chair Emeritus

Current as of 4/17/24

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Yannick Lebrun.

Photo by Dario Calmese.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Support from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors plays an invaluable role in the successful operation of The Music Center.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

As a steward of The Music Center of Los Angeles County, we recognize that we occupy land originally and still inhabited and cared for by the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh and Chumash Peoples. We honor and pay respect to their elders and descendants — past, present and emerging — as they continue their stewardship of these lands and waters. We acknowledge that settler colonization resulted in land seizure, disease, subjugation, slavery, relocation, broken promises, genocide and multigenerational trauma. This acknowledgment demonstrates our responsibility and commitment to truth, healing and reconciliation and to elevating the stories, culture and community of the original inhabitants of Los Angeles County.

Janice Hahn Supervisor, Fourth District

Hilda L. Solis Supervisor, First District

Lindsey P. Horvath Chair, Third District

Kathryn Barger Chair Pro Tem, Fifth District

Holly J. Mitchell Supervisor, Second District

We are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on these ancestral lands. We are dedicated to growing and sustaining relationships with Native peoples and local tribal governments, including (in no particular order) the:

• Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians

• Gabrielino Tongva Indians of California Tribal Council

• Gabrieleno/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians

• Gabrieleño Band of Mission Indians-Kizh Nation

• San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

• San Fernando Band of Mission Indians

To learn more about the First Peoples of Los Angeles County, please visit the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission website at lanaic.lacounty.go

(From left to right)

Live at The Music Center

SAT 1 JUN / 8:00 p.m.

Natalie Merchant LA PHIL

@ Walt Disney Concert Hall

SUN 2 JUN / 2:00 p.m.

Turandot LA OPERA

@ Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Thru 6/8/24

TUE 4 JUN / 7:00 p.m.

The Music Center's

Spotlight Grand Finale THE MUSIC CENTER

@ Walt Disney Concert Hall

WED 5 JUN / 8:00 p.m.

A Strange Loop CENTER THEATRE GROUP

@ Ahmanson Theatre Thru 6/30/24

JUNE 2024

THU 6 JUN / 7:30 p.m.

Joel Thompson's Fire and Blue Sky LA OPERA

@ Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

SAT 8 JUN / 2:00 p.m.

Verdi's Requiem LOS ANGELES

MASTER CHORALE

@ Walt Disney Concert Hall Thru 6/9/24

SAT 15 JUN / 7:00 p.m.

Taper Legacy Reading Series

CENTER THEATRE GROUP

@ Mark Taper Forum

SUN 15 JUN / 7:30 p.m.

Renée Fleming in Recital LA OPERA

@ Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

FRI 21 JUN / 7:00 p.m.

The Music Center’s Dance DTLA Bollywood THE MUSIC CENTER

@ Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center

FRI 21 JUN / 7:30 p.m.

The Joffrey Ballet's Anna Karenina

THE MUSIC CENTER

@ Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Thru 6/23/24

FRI 28 JUN / 7:00 p.m.

The Music Center’s Dance DTLA Salsa THE MUSIC CENTER

@ Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center

Visit musiccenter.org for additional information on all upcoming events. @musiccenterla

Abernethy’s is a destination restaurant offering an ever-changing culinary experience. Located on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center, Abernethy’s presents emerging chefs from across Los Angeles County, who create inventive and personalized dishes inspired by the diverse people and cultures that fill the heart of Los Angeles. It’s the story of LA – related and plated by the chefs who tell it best.

Jun 21 Bollywood

Jun 28 Salsa

Jul 12 Reggaeton

Jul 19 Colombian Cumbia

Jul 26 Line Dance

Aug 2 Samba

Aug 9 Hip Hop

Aug 16 Disco

Celebrate the 20th season of The Music Center’s Dance DTLA and dance under the stars all summer long! Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center is your place to be a part of for free Friday night dance parties with easy-to-follow beginner dance lessons by top L.A. dance artists and instructors. Learn new dance styles then hit the dance floor to practice your new moves! No dance experience necessary!

Let us know you are planning to join us!

Photos by Will Tee Yang for The Music Center.

Victoria Jaiani and Alberto Velazquez.

Photo by Cheryl Mann.

Photo by Paula Lobo.