END OF THE RAINBOW, With Tracie Bennett, Will Play LA's Ahmanson Theatre in Spring 2013 to Kick Off National Tour

"End of the Rainbow," the acclaimed new play with music by Peter Quilter, starring two-time Olivier Award-winner and current Tony Award-nominee Tracie Bennett as Judy Garland and directed by Tony Award-winner Terry Johnson, is announced for the 2012-2013 season at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre at the Los Angeles Music Center. 

Bennett's remarkable performance has made her "the toast of Broadway" (New York Post) and has garnered her the 2012 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play, a 2012 Theatre World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance, along with Tony, Drama Desk and Drama League Award nominations.

The West Coast premiere of "End of the Rainbow" is the beginning of a national tour. "End of the Rainbow," which is currently running at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway, will be presented at the Ahmanson, March 12 through April 21, 2013.

The setting of "End of the Rainbow" is December 1968, and Judy Garland is about to make her comeback . . . again. In a London hotel room preparing for a series of concerts, with both her new young fiancé and her adoring accompanist, Garland struggles to get "beyond the rainbow" with her signature cocktail of talent, tenacity and razor-sharp wit.  This savagely funny drama offers unique insight into the inner conflict that inspired and consumed one of the most beloved figures in American popular culture. "End of the Rainbow" features some of Garland's most memorable songs, performed with the show-stopping gusto for which she will always be remembered.

The creative team of "End of the Rainbow" includes William Dudley (scenic and costume design), Christopher Akerlind (lighting design), 2012 Tony Award-nominee Gareth Owen (sound design), Chris Egan (orchestrations) and  Gareth Valentine (musical arrangements).

The balance of the cast for the show will be announced at a later date.

Tickets for "End of the Rainbow" will be available for purchase as part of the Ahmanson Theatre's 2012-2013 subscription, which will be announced in its entirety and go on sale early this summer.

"End of the Rainbow" is produced on Broadway by Lee Dean, Laurence Myers, Joey Parnes, Ellis Goodman, Chase Mishkin, Shadowcatcher Entertainment/Alhadeff Productions, National Angels U.S. Inc., Charles Diamond/Jenny Topper, Myla Lerner/Barbara & Buddy Freitag, Spring Sirkin/Candy Gold, Hilary Williams, and S.D. Wagner,  John Johnson, in association with Guthrie Theater.

"Tracie Bennett Sings Judy: Songs from 'End of the Rainbow' and Other Garland Classics" is now available on Masterworks Broadway.