Ashley to Succeed McAnuff as La Jolla's New A.D.

Ralph Bryan, President of the Board of Directors of La Jolla Playhouse, announced today that Christopher Ashley has accepted the position as Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse. 

"After an extensive international search," said Bryan, "the Board of Trustees is thrilled to announce the appointment of Christopher Ashley.  Chris is an accomplished theatre artist who comes to us with a fantastic reputation and unparalleled experience in both large-scale productions of musicals and edgy works in development."

Ashley takes over for longtime Artistic Director Des McAnuff, who assumes a newly created position as Playhouse Director Emeritus.  In June 2006, McAnuff announced he would become one of three Artistic Directors at Canada's Stratford Festival, effective 2008.

"Christopher Ashley brings to the Playhouse both his unique vision and an incredibly broad scope of directorial experience, from Broadway musicals and comedies to new works by such artists as David Lindsay-Abaire, Joe Hortua and Michele Lowe.  Ashley has enjoyed long-time collaborations with playwrights such as Douglas Carter Beane (The Country Club, The Big Time, Mondo Drama and the current Xanadu), Claudia Shear (Blown Sideways Through Life), Doug Wright (Watbanaland), and most significantly, Paul Rudnick (Regrets Only, Valhalla, The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told and Jeffrey, for which he received a Drama Desk Award nomination and the OBIE and Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Director)," state press materials.

Bryan commented, "Throughout his career, prominent theatre professionals have clamored to work with Chris, highlighting his deft support of artists who make bold and innovative choices.  This artistic leadership position with us will allow Chris the opportunity to explore new ground as a director and bring his extensive network to San Diego, ensuring that La Jolla Playhouse will remain one of the premier theatres in the world for artists at the top of their game."

The accomplished director received a 2001 Tony Award nomination for Best Direction of a Musical and a 2001 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Director of a Musical for The Rocky Horror Show, a 1995 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Director of a Musical for Das Barbecu and OBIE and Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Direction for Anna Deveare Smith's Fires in the Mirror. Ashley also directed the feature film of Jeffrey and the American Playhouse production of Blown Sideways Through Life for PBS.  He is currently working on the new Broadway musical production of Xanadu - based on the 1980 film of the same name - which opens at the Helen Hayes Theatre in June 2007.

Ashley commented, "I am honored and completely delighted to be taking over artistic leadership of La Jolla Playhouse. Under Des McAnuff, the Playhouse has had an impressive commitment to adventurous programming with extraordinary artists, making a truly national impact.  And with the recent addition of the Potiker Theatre, new rehearsal/performance studios and soon, a cabaret, the Playhouse is poised for an explosion of new theatrical activity. I intend to expand our new play and musical development programs, and create residencies for area theatre groups to produce in our spaces. I want the Playhouse to excite, provoke and entertain. My goal is to create laughter, and argument. Anything but a yawn."

McAnuff commented on the choice, saying,  "I am completely supportive of the appointment of Chris Ashley as Artistic Director. I can't imagine anyone better suited to the job.  We have spent an abundant amount of time together and he knows that I will stand behind him during what we all hope will be a very long tenure. Chris has the artistic credentials and the political skills to make a superb Artistic Director. I am elated that the Board has made this choice."

The process for recruiting a new Artistic Director began in June 2006, with the Board of Directors forming a search committee and contracting the services of Greg Kandel of Management Consultants for the Arts, a multi-service consulting firm nationally recognized for its work in executive leadership searches for arts organizations. The search committee was comprised of the following La Jolla Playhouse trustees: Ralph Bryan, Joan Jacobs, Flossie Cohen, Osborn Hurston, David Dolgen, Arthur Wagner and Margret McBride.  Charlie Oates, chair of the University of California, San Diego Theatre Department, and Steven B. Libman, ex officio, Managing Director of La Jolla Playhouse, also served as members. 

Ashley is the Artistic Director-designate until September 30, 2007 and will begin full-time at the Playhouse in October 2007.

La Holla Playhouse has received more than 300 awards for theatre excellence, including the 1993 Tony Award as America's Outstanding Regional Theatre.  Located in La Jolla, California, the Playhouse is nationally acclaimed for its innovative productions of classics, new plays and musicals. Visit www.lajollaplayhouse.org for more information.

Photo of Christopher Ashley by Linda Lenzi