STAGE BEAT : FLAVORFUL SEASONING.Byline: Janet Weeks The Ahmanson Theatre The Ahmanson Theatre is one of the four main venues that comprise the Los Angeles Music Center. Through the generosity of philanthropist Robert H. Ahmanson, construction began on March 9, 1962. has announced a 1996-97 season that includes two multi-Tony Award-winning productions, a Neil Simon Noun 1. Neil Simon - United States playwright noted for light comedies (born in 1927) Marvin Neil Simon, Simon world premiere Noun 1. world premiere - (music) the first public performance (as of a dramatic or musical work) anywhere in the world performance, public presentation - a dramatic or musical entertainment; "they listened to ten different performances"; "the play ran for 100 and a new production of a classic comedy. Most eagerly awaited is the Broadway revival of the legendary Oscar Hammerstein II Noun 1. Oscar Hammerstein II - United States lyricist who collaborated on many musical comedies (most successfully with Richard Rodgers) (1895-1960) Hammerstein, Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern musical ``Show Boat,'' which opens Nov. 18. Winner of five 1995 Tonys, including best musical/revival, ``Show Boat'' is directed by Harold Prince (who directed ``The Phantom of the Opera'' on Broadway and here in Los Angeles) and star Ned Beatty as Cap'n Andy and Cloris Leachman as Parthy. Originally produced in 1927, the musical includes songs that are now part of American culture: ``Ol' Man River,'' ``Only Make Believe,'' ``Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man'' and ``Why Do I Love You?'' Opening the Ahmanson season on Sept. 11 will be Lincoln Center Theater's acclaimed revival of ``The Heiress,'' which won four Tony Awards last year, including best revival/drama. Based on the Henry James novel ``Washington Square,'' the play stars Cherry Jones as the painfully shy only child of a wealthy, domineering dom·i·neer·ing adj. Tending to domineer; overbearing. dom  i·neer father. (Olivia de Havilland Olivia Mary de Havilland (born July 1, 1916) is a two-time Academy Award winning actress and is the last surviving principal cast member from Gone with the Wind. She is the sister of Academy Award winning actress Joan Fontaine. won an Oscar for her portrayal of the woman in the 1949 movie version). Jones won a Tony for her performance in the Broadway production. In April, the Ahmanson presents ``The Play's the Thing'' by Ferenc Molnar, which was last staged at the off-Broadway the Roundabout Theatre in July 1995. This production will be directed by Tom Moore, who directed the hit comedy ``Moon Over Buffalo'' in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of . Closing the season in July 1997 will be the world premiere of Simon's ``Proposals.'' The romantic comedy about lovers (and set in the Poconos) will be directed by Joe Mantello. ``Proposals'' marks the second play Mantello will direct in Los Angeles next season. He's also scheduled to direct Terrence McNally's ``Love! Valour! Compassion!'' at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. ``To celebrate our 30th anniversary season, we are continuing a tradition of bringing to our audiences the best entertainment the theater has to offer,'' says Gordon Davidson, artistic director/producer for the Ahmanson. |
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