Celebrating its 60th year, The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles is offering Music, Dance, and Theater this spring and summer in the Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Ahmanson Theatre, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Mark Taper Forum, Jerry Moss Plaza, and Gloria Molina Grand Park. The Music Center consists of its Arts division and partners the Center Theatre Group, LA Opera, LA Phil and the Los Angeles Master Chorale) and Gloria Molina Grand Park.
Here are the listings for Musical Theater and Dance:
“Funny Girl” Banner
Funny Girl
The Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre
Welcome to musical comedy heaven! Featuring one of the most iconic scores of all time by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, an updated book from Harvey Fierstein based on the original classic by Isobel Lennart, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, choreography by Elleore Scott and direction from Michael Mayer, this love letter to the theatre has the whole shebang! The sensational Broadway revival, Funny Girl dazzles with celebrated classic songs, including Don’t Rain On My Parade, I’m the Greatest Star and People. This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.
April 2 – 28
Tuesdays through Fridays, 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays, 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: Click HERE.
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“A Strange Loop” Banner
A Strange Loop
The Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre
The groundbreaking and critically acclaimed winner of every Best Musical award on Broadway and the Pulitzer Prize bursts onto the stage for a limited engagement, direct from Broadway. Hell-bent on breaking free of his own self-perception, Usher, a young, gay, Black writer who hates his day job, writes a musical about a young, gay, Black writer who is writing a musical about a young, gay, Black writer…a strange loop. Usher grapples with desires, identity and instincts he both loves and loathes, all brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-talking ensemble. Nominated for 11 Tony Awards, Michael R. Jackson’s blisteringly funny, “audacious and uproarious” (The Guardian) show is a heartfelt and thought-provoking masterwork that uses humor and honesty to explore themes around race and sexuality.
June 5 – 30
Tuesdays through Fridays, 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays, 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: Click HERE.
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Joffrey Ballet – Victoria Jaiani, Alberto Velazquez and Dylan Velazquez in “Anna Karenina” – Photo by Cheryl Mann.
Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center: The Joffrey Ballet – Anna Karenina
The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
One of the premier dance companies in the world today, whose reputation for boundary-breaking performances spans more than 65 years, Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center will feature The Joffrey Ballet with its famed psychological blockbuster, Anna Karenina, recipient of the prestigious Benois de la Danse International Prize for Best Choreography. Love is all-consuming for the beautiful but married Anna who, in the pursuit of passion, finds herself caught in a life-changing affair with the dashing Count Vronsky. Ukrainian choreographer Yuri Possokhov’s immersive adaptation, set in late 19th century Imperial Russia, unravels the profound power, desire and possession that shapes Leo Tolstoy’s epic 19th-century novel. Heightened by a live orchestra, the breathtaking, cinematic dance production includes stunning costume design and captivating choreography, which is set to an original composition by award-winning composer Ilya Demutsky.
Friday, June 21, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 22, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 23, 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Click HERE.
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Ballet Hispánico in “Doña Peron” Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa – Photo by Paula Lobo.
Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center: Ballet Hispánico – Doña Perón
The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Ballet Hispánico’s Doña Perón is an explosive portrait of one of the most recognizable and controversial women in Argentinian history: Eva “Evita” Perón. The illegitimate daughter of a wealthy landowner, Evita concealed this shameful past as she rose in the ranks from dancehall performer to Argentina’s First Lady—all before her untimely death at the age of 33. Doña Perón brings to light the extremes of power at the forefront of Evita’s life. Her work as an activist and advocate for Argentina’s women and working class raised skepticism as she indulged in the opulence of a high-class life. Was she a voice for the people or a deceitful actress? Colombian-Belgian choreographer and consummate storyteller Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, who choreographed Frida for Dutch National Ballet in the 20th season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, explores these diverging legacies. Doña Perón, described as a “milestone” and “breakthrough” by The New York Times, marks Ochoa’s first full-length work for Ballet Hispánico and reclaims the narrative of an iconic Latina figure.
Friday, July 12, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 13, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 14, 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Click HERE.
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To see the full spring and summer performance schedule, please visit the Music Center website.
Compiled by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle for Music Center Press Release by Gil Diaz.
Featured image: Ballet Hispánico in Doña Peron Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa – Photo by Paula Lobo.
