The Wallis Announces 2018/2019 Theater Lineup
By: Stephi Wild Sep. 18, 2018
Theater takes center stage in 2018/2019 as the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents some of the finest work from local, national and International Artists featuring the return of For the Record'sLove Actually Live as a full-length, expanded production, the development of the new documentary musical Witness Uganda, National Theatre of Great Britain's landmark production of An Inspector Calls, the return of Hershey Felder in Hershey Felder as Claude Debussy:A Paris Love Story, the powerful solo performance The Bitter Game, and several family-friendly options including PigPen Theatre Company'sThe Old Man and The Old Moon,Trusty Sidekick Theatre Company's Shadow Play and the return of Story Pirates.
"As part of our commitment to developing lasting relationships with artists and companies, local and abroad, we will continue to produce new works as well as present world-renowned companies and performances," says The Wallis' Artistic Director Paul Crewes. "Our 2018/2019 Season not only brings back collaborations with old friends such as For The Record, but also introduces a new musical we're developing with creators Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews, called Witness Uganda. We're equally excited to be working with new friends, among them the National Theater of Great Britain and PigPen Theater Company."
After a sold-out engagement in The Sorting Room last December, For The Record returns from Tuesday, December 4 through Monday, December 31, 2018, with an expanded, multi-media theatrical celebration of the soundtrack to Love Actually Live.
Stephen Daldry ("The Crown") directs The National Theatre of Great Britain's landmark 1992 production of J.B. Priestley's classic thriller An Inspector Calls from Tuesday, January 22 to Sunday, February 10, 2019, at The Wallis.
Witness Uganda, a groundbreaking journey that expands the possibilities of the American musical, documents the story of a man battling to find his place in a world full of injustice and inhumanity. After a successful Off-Broadway run, this new and revised production makes its west coast premiere at The Wallis from Tuesday, February 5 through Sunday, February 24, 2019.
After the successes of Our Great Tchaikovsky and Beethoven, Hershey Felder returns to The Wallis with Hershey Felder as Claude Debussy:A Paris Love Story from Friday, May 24 through Sunday, June 9, 2019.
A solo performance charged with pain, poetry and laughter, The BitterGamedebuts at The Wallis Wednesday, November 14 through Saturday, November 17, 2018.
Family-friendly offerings at The Wallis this season include PigPen Theatre Company's off-Broadway hit The Old Man and The Old Moon, directed by Stuart Carden and PigPen Theatre Co.,from Saturday, March 2 through Sunday, March 17, 2019; Trusty Sidekick Theater Company's Shadow Play from Saturday, November 3 through Sunday, November 4, 2018; and the return of Story Pirates with three ticketed performances in the Lovelace Studio Theatre on December 8, 2018, March 9 and May 11, 2019,along with three FREE musical sketch shows outside on the Promenade Terrace on November 11, 2018, January 13 and February 10, 2019.
Single tickets for Theater @ The Wallis performances range from $35 - $105. Visit TheWallis.org, call 310.746.4000, or stop by in person at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Services Office located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
Trusty Sidekick Theater Company's
SHADOW PLAY
November 3-4, 2018, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm - Lovelace Studio Theater
Have you ever wondered what happens to your shadow while you sleep? Trusty Sidekick Theater Company, known for "blurring the boundaries between the imagined and the real" (The New York Times), presents an endlessly imaginative and engaging production of Shadow Play at The Wallis from Saturday, November 3 through Sunday, November 4, 2018. It turns out that some shadows are more mischievous than others, and soon after moving to his new home, Flash discovers that his shadow has moving plans of its own! Follow the playful adventures of Flash and his quest to reunite with his shadow in this multimedia performance for the youngest of audiences (ages 2+) and the young at heart.
THE BITTER GAME
Created, Written & Performed by Keith A. Wallace
Directed & Co-Created by Deborah Stein
November 14-17, 2018, 7:30 pm - Bram Goldsmith Theater
With its five acts structured as the four quarters and overtime of a basketball game, The Bitter Game tells the story of Jamel Smith, who witnesses a neighborhood act of violence as a child and later must learn to navigate his interactions with police. Based on the playwright-actor Keith A. Wallace's youth in Philadelphia, this multi-character performance explores the experience of being black in America. A solo performance charged with pain, poetry and laughter, The BitterGamedebuts at The Wallis Wednesday, November 14 through Saturday, November 17, 2018. This "high-impact" production speaks to both a personal and universal truth that is "a sharp reminder of the persuasive powers of live theater" (The New York Times). Warning: contains strong language.
Story Pirates @ The Wallis
December 8, 2018 March 9 & May 11, 2019, 2 pm -- Lovelace Studio Theater
The Story Pirates aren't typical swashbuckling sailors. They don't steal gold - in fact, they're searching for kids' wildest, most imaginative stories. The Pirates adapt these tales into a musical sketch comedy show, performed by renowned actors from the Groundlings, Second City and elsewhere. Audience members are invited to submit stories for a chance to be included in the three themed shows this season. Recommended for ages 5+
November 11, 2018, January 13 & February 10, 2019, 11am -- Promenade Terrace The kid-centric company is back for more FREE outdoor musical sketch comedy based on stories written by children, geared especially for toddlers! This "theatrical treasure" (The New York Times) is sure to be a hit, especially with the youngest of audience members.
The Wallis & For The Record production of
LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE
December 4-31, 2018 - Bram Goldsmith Theater
Weekdays, 7:30 pm; Saturdays, 2 pm and 7:30 pm; Sundays, 2 pm and 7 pm
After a sold-out engagement in The Wallis' Sorting Room last December, For The Record returns from Tuesday, December 4 through Monday, December 31, 2018, with an expanded, multi-media theatrical celebration of the soundtrack to Love Actually. The beloved holiday rom-com will be brought to life through Christmas and pop hits by Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell and many more, performed by an eclectic mix of artists from the worlds of music, stage and screen. Praised by the Los Angeles Times for "searingly visceral" songs that "make the movies sing," For The Record presents its second fully staged production at The Wallis after winning two LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards for For the Record: Scorsese - American Crime Requiem in the 2016/17 season. This holiday season, For the Record shows that Love Actually is all around.
National Theatre of Great Britain's Landmark production of
J B Priestley's Classic Thriller
AN INSPECTOR CALLS
Directed by Stephen Daldry
January 22 - February 10, 2019 - Bram Goldsmith Theater
Weekdays, 7:30 pm; Saturdays, 2 pm and 7:30 pm; Sundays, 2 pm and 7 pm
Stephen Daldry ("The Crown") directs National Theatre of Great Britain's landmark 1992 production of J.B. Priestley's classic thriller An Inspector Calls, hailed as the theatrical event of its generation and winner of multiple Olivier and Tony Awards. The show delighted audiences when it first premiered with its critically acclaimed staging. This production is a modern reimagining of the original 1945 script about Inspector Goole and his unexpected arrival at the prosperous Birling family home, shattering their peaceful dinner party by his investigations into the death of a young woman. The Daily Telegraph calls it "superbly tense" and praises the production's "breathtaking, daring and faultless execution." The production calls at The Wallis from Tuesday, January 22 to Sunday, February 10, 2019.
The Wallis Production of
WITNESS UGANDA: A Documentary Musical
By Matt Gould & Griffin Matthews
February 5 - 24, 2019 - Lovelace Studio Theater
Weekdays, 8 pm; Saturdays 2:30 pm and 8 pm; Sundays 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Witness Uganda, a groundbreaking journey that expands the possibilities of the American musical, documents the story of a man battling to find his place in a world full of injustice and inhumanity. After a successful Off-Broadway run, this new and revised production makes its west coast premiere at The Wallis from Tuesday, February 5 through Sunday, February 24, 2019. When a devastated young man, expelled from his church for being gay, escapes across the world, he finds his "good intentions" to volunteer in a small Ugandan village are tested against the backdrop of an incurable epidemic, corruption and a dangerous abduction that leaves him reconsidering everything he has ever known. With book, music, and lyrics by Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews, this "awesomely powerful musical that will thrill you to the bones"(CBS)explores the question, "Is changing the world even possible?"
A New Musical Folktale By PigPen Theatre Company
THE OLD MAN AND THE OLD MOON
March 2-17, 2019 - Bram Goldsmith Theater
Weekdays, 7:30 pm; Saturdays, 2 pm and 7:30 pm; Sundays, 2 pm and 7 pm
The Old Man and the Moon, the off-Broadway, family-friendly hit directed by Stuart Carden and PigPen Theatre Co., arrives at The Wallis Saturday, March 2 and continues through Sunday, March 17, 2019, with the tale of a man charged with the task of keeping the moon shining bright. In this swirling tale of love, he embarks on an epic adventure of land, sea and sky in search of his missing wife,accompanied by a live, indie-folk band. PigPen Theatre Co., known for its imaginative productions, turns traditional storytelling to a luminously "lo-fi" spectacle, "like watching child geniuses at play" (The New Yorker). Recommended for all ages.
Red Bridge Arts & Traverse Theatre Company Present
BLACK BEAUTY
Created by Andy Manley, Andy Cannon and Shona Reppe
April 26 - May 5, 2019 - Lovelace Studio Theater
Fridays, 7 pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 2 pm and 5 pm
Black Beauty, a"five-star triumph" (The Guardian) gallops into The Wallis with a story of loneliness giving way to hope, friends becoming heroes, and courage saving the day. From the cozy horsebox they call home, Andy and Andy take the bit firmly between their teeth and tell the classic tale as it has never been seen before from Friday, April 25 to Sunday, May 5, 2019. Blending storytelling, music and puppetry, this re-telling of Black Beauty is sure to warm the hearts of every audience member. Recommended for ages 5+
Hershey Felder AS Claude Debussy: A PARIS LOVE STORY
Featuring the music of Claude Debussy
Written and Performed by Hershey Felder
Directed by Trevor Hay
May 24 - June 9, 2019 - Bram Goldsmith Theater
Weekdays, 7:30 pm; Saturdays, 2 pm and 7:30 pm; Sundays, 2 pm and 7 pm
After the successes of Our Great Tchaikovsky and Beethoven, celebrated virtuoso Hershey Felder returns to The Wallis with Hershey Felder as Claude Debussy: A Paris Love Story. Doubling as playwright and performer, Felder takes us on his own personal journey as he explores the life and music of Impressionist composer Claude Debussy from Friday, May 24 through Sunday, June 9, 2019. In this final installment of his "Great Composer Series," Felder brings to life a visionary who proclaimed nature his religion and romance his milieu, creating music of ravishing beauty, color and compassion. From the sweeping La Merto the evocative L'après-midi d'un faune and the mystical Clair de Lune, this soaring tribute cannot be forgotten.
For the complete listing of all Theater @ The Wallis programs visit TheWallis.org/Theater.
Single tickets ranging from $35 - $105 are available for all Theatre @ The Wallis performances. Visit TheWallis.org, call 310.746.4000, or stop by in person at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Services Office located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
Since opening its doors in October 2013, The Wallis has produced or presented more than 250 dance, theatre, opera, classical music, cinema and family programs to an ever-expanding audience. Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, California, The Wallis brings audiences world-class theater, dance and music, performed by many of the world's most talented and sought-after artists. Featuring eclectic programming that mirrors the diverse landscape of Los Angeles and its notability as the entertainment capital of the world, The Wallis offers original and revered works from across the U.S. and around the globe. The mission of The Wallis is to create, present and celebrate unique performing arts events and educational programs that reflect the rich cultural diversity of our community. Nominated for 46 Ovation Awards, seven L.A. Drama Critic's Circle Awards and the recipient of six architectural awards since opening in 2013. The Wallis is a breathtaking 70,000-square-foot venue that celebrates the classic and the modern and was designed by Zoltan E. Pali, FAIA, of Studio Pali Fekete architects. The building features the restored, original 1933 Beverly Hills Post Office (on the National Register of Historic Places) that serves as the theater's dramatic yet welcoming lobby, and houses the 150-seat Lovelace Studio Theater, GRoW at The Wallis: A Space for Arts Education (a gift of Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family and the Annenberg Foundation) and the contemporary 500-seat, state-of-the art Bram Goldsmith Theater. Together, these structures embrace the city's history and its future, creating a performing arts destination for L.A.-area visitors and residents alike. For more information about The Wallis, please visit: TheWallis.org.
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