Before Hamilton, before In the Heights, there was freestyle love supreme, a 2020 Special Tony Award Recipient. Now – direct from Broadway – the hip-hop musical phenomenon from Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Anthony Veneziale arrives at Pasadena Playhouse! Using cues from the audience, the cast takes you on a hip-hop comedy ride where no two performances are the same. “Just as you were thinking that life has no rhyme nor reason, along comes freestyle love supreme to pump you full of hope.” – The New York Times
Somewhere in the near future, a family is about to spend their Sunday together as strong winds and torrential rains rage outside. Meanwhile, three filmmakers journey to the edge of the earth to document a variety of animal extinctions before meeting their own apocalyptic fate. Through an ingenious blend of clowning, puppetry, and plain old theatrical magic, Dimanche paints a witty and tender portrait of humanity surprised by the uncontrollable forces of nature.
When Forbes Magazine declares Kylie Jenner a “self-made” billionaire, Cleo takes to Twitter to call out white women who co-opt and profit from Black culture. Soon online discourse spills into reality, blurring the tenuous lines between internet personas and who we are IRL. On the internet, actions don’t always speak louder than words . . . Jasmine Lee-Jones won multiple awards for her debut play, directed by Milli Bhatia, which premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in London.
One of today's brightest vocal stars joins one of the world's great guitar virtuosos for an unforgettable performance that will evoke the rich and magnificent musical traditions of Spain. This intimate evening pairs Isabel Leonard, the glamorous mezzo-soprano who has dazzled opera lovers worldwide, with Pablo Sáinz-Villegas, praised by Billboard as “the soul of the Spanish guitar.”
Floria Tosca, the famous opera singer, seems to have it all. Audiences cherish her artistry—and adore hearing about her tempestuous offstage romances. But as storms of repression and rebellion rage throughout Italy, the diva is forced to play a real-life role she never imagined. Torn between devotion to her lover and the machinations of a treacherous sociopath who will do anything in his power to break her down, she’s trapped in an utterly impossible predicament, with fatal consequences for them all. But this prima donna isn’t going down without a fight. The cast is led by four of the greatest artists of their generations. Soprano Angel Blue takes on the iconic role of Puccini’s glamorous but tough-as-nails heroine, with tenors Michael Fabiano and Gregory Kunde sharing the role of Mario Cavaradossi, the rebel who becomes the target of the most dangerous man in Rome. Bass-baritone Ryan McKinny is the evil Scarpia, who likes nothing more than seeing his victims suffer. In her company debut, trailblazing Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv leads a heart-pounding production staged by the legendary director John Caird. Sung in Italian with English subtitles.
We're back for our hugely popular annual Halloween mash-up of film and opera at the Theatre at Ace Hotel. This time we’ve got the Boris Karloff shocker on the big screen, complete with mad scientist, bumbling henchman and mob of torch-bearing villagers. This 1931 masterpiece of horror was originally released without a musical score, which inspired composer Michael Shapiro to fill in the void by creating an original new soundtrack. As the classic film plays on the big screen, he'll conduct his gorgeous and atmospheric score, performed live by the LA Opera Orchestra, making this the ultimate audience experience for a truly iconic film.
In 1807, a 37-year-old scholar living in West Africa was captured and forced aboard a slave ship bound for Charleston, South Carolina. Omar Ibn Said's life and Muslim faith are remembered and retold in this inspirational West Coast premiere inspired by his remarkable 1831 autobiography (the only known surviving American slave narrative written in Arabic). Set in the shifting darkness of memory and imagination, Omar follows his compelling journey from a peaceful life in his homeland to enslavement in a violent, foreign world. Lost in the wilderness of his thoughts and his stolen life, he's haunted by memories of his family and the people he encounters along the way. Through it all, he somehow remains true to himself and his faith, against all odds. The luminous score—composed by Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels—incorporates distinctive West African traditions with traditional opera instrumentation. Tenor Jamez McCorkle makes his company debut in the title role, with bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch in a double role as two very different slave masters. Norman Garrett makes his company debut as Omar's brother, with Barry Banks as the auctioneer and Jacqueline Echols as Julie, an enslaved woman who gives Omar the key to a better life. Learn more about the creative process of Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels in this New York Times article. Sung in English with English subtitles.
Lucia is trapped in an impossible situation. Her abusive brother hates the man she loves. Worse, he's forcing her to marry someone else in a last-ditch effort to shore up the family's failing finances. Her only way out seems to be murder... Donizetti's gorgeously moody score masterfully conveys Lucia's isolation and instability as she slips into a terrifying world of madness. Two extraordinary sopranos—who launched their careers at LA Opera—will take on the iconic title role: Amanda Woodbury, who's now a star at the Metropolitan Opera, and Liv Redpath, who'll sing Lucia at the Deutsche Oper Berlin this year. Tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz returns as Lucia's beloved Edgardo, with Alexander Birch Elliott as Enrico and bass Eric Owens as Raimondo. Lina González-Granados leads the proceedings in her first outing as the company's new Resident Conductor. Director Simon Stone creates a powerful new production that moves the story to a present-day world of desperation and decline. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Please note: This production contains adult subject matter and depictions of violence and drug use.
It’s good to be king. Liz Rico is a powerful sports agent who represents NBA superstars, having fought her way to the top of a male-dominated profession with her skill for cutthroat negotiations. Given the chance to sign Freddie Luna, a once-in-a-generation high school talent with a troubled past, Liz sees an opportunity to take her career to the next level. But when accusations start swirling around the young phenom, Liz must attempt to rebound Freddie’s career or protect her own crown.
On a November night in 1994, a murder was committed in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. In this poignant true-crime story told completely through song, a tight-knit Jewish community gathers to recount, remember, and reckon with the details of what happened in—and to—their town. This wholly original production, written by South Jersey native Matt Schatz, asks what it does to our souls when our leaders fall from grace. This play was created during the Geffen Playhouse inaugural The Writers’ Room program, in which six Los Angeles playwrights develop new works with the support and guidance of the Geffen Playhouse artistic team. Recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. Major support for this world premiere production provided by the Edgerton Foundation New Play Production Fund.
One of the most enduring shows of all time, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a reimagining of the biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers, and his coat of many colors. This sensational musical features songs which have gone on to become pop and musical theatre classics, including “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every Door To Me,” “There’s One More Angel In Heaven,” and “Go, Go, Go Joseph.” The multi award-winning show has been performed in over 80 countries worldwide and has become one of the world’s most beloved family musicals.
The King and I is one of the greatest musicals from the golden age of Broadway – adored by the public and critics alike – with one of the finest scores ever written including “Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Getting to Know You,” and “Shall We Dance.” Set in the 1860s, The King and I is based on the true story of Anna Leonowens, a widowed schoolteacher from Wales who travels to Siam to teach the King’s many children. Her effect on the kingdom and the kingdom’s effect on her are the basis of this beautiful and classic musical.
Our #1 most-requested show! Grittier and more electrifying than ever before, the world’s best-loved musical makes a triumphant return to La Mirada Theatre! After a whirlwind summer romance, leather-clad greaser Danny and girl-next-door Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High for senior year. But can they survive the trials and tribulations of teenage life and find true love once more? Bursting with hits including “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and “You’re the One That I Want,” this exciting new production has a big surprise in store! Don’t miss it!