The Music Center's Ahmanson Theatre
Opened in 1967, The Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre (Ahmanson) features a state-of-the-art configuration with variable seating capacity that can accommodate a diverse selection of performances. The theatre was underwritten by philanthropist Howard F. Ahmanson Sr., the founder of H.F. Ahmanson & Co., a Los Angeles-based insurance and savings and loan company, and named for his second wife, Caroline Leonetti Ahmanson. The Ahmanson is home to a wide-ranging selection of theatrical and dance performances and is the site for Center Theatre Group presentations, including Pre-Broadway runs as well as the best of Broadway and the West End.
Originally faced on all four sides with off-white stone, the façade was altered in 1995 by Ellerbe Becket, the successor firm to Welton Becket & Associates, which designed the original Music Center campus. The theatre is joined with The Music Center’s Mark Taper Forum (Taper) by a 47-foot high colonnade that surrounds both structures and creates a visual balance with The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (Pavilion) across Jerry Moss Plaza. The main façade has a glass skin that extends the full 73 feet of the five-level structure, giving patrons the opportunity to view the Taper’s massive mural.
The 2,109-seat theater was designed for musical comedy and theatrical productions, ranging from the intimate to the spectacular. To create a warm, welcoming feeling for patrons, the Ahmanson’s auditorium is wider than it is deep. There are three levels of seating: Orchestra (988 seats), Mezzanine (606 seats including the boxes) and Balcony (515 seats including the boxes). Like the Pavilion, the first 13 rows of the Ahmanson are arranged in continental style with no front-to-rear aisles. Audience members reach the Mezzanine and Balcony from large promenades that overlook Jerry Moss Plaza.
Renovations in the early 1990s enhanced the theatre’s acoustics, improved sightlines and allowed for more flexible seating arrangements. In fact, the Ahmanson can be quickly transformed from a 2,109-seat theatre to a 1,200-seat venue. Updates included changes to the circulation of the auditorium and the addition of six boxes on each of the side walls. At the same time, the architects lowered the ceiling and covered it with new acoustical paneling. They moved the Balcony and Mezzanine closer to the stage, expanded backstage areas and installed mobile dividers in the Balcony to decrease the number of seats for shows that require a more intimate setting. In addition, the Ahmanson now has a three-story lobby. Patrons can view the sculpture, “Acrobat Freeway,” created by local artist Peter Shire, as they enter the building.
The Ahmanson’s original décor featured rich reds and pewter gray tones. Purples and golds were later introduced as part of the Ellerbe Becket renovations. The proscenium was widened in 2010, and its appearance and functionality enhanced with metal mesh curtains and a removable/storable proscenium header.
Featured at the Ahmanson Theatre
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Tue May 06 8:00 PM
Sun Jun 01 1:00 PM
Center Theatre Group Life of Pi
Ahmanson Theatre
Winner of three Tony Awards® and the Olivier Award for Best Play, Life of Pi is an unforgettable, epic tale of adventure and “an exhilarating evening of theater” (The Wall Street Journal).
Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling sta...Show More
Winner of three Tony Awards® and the Olivier Award for Best Play, Life of Pi is an unforgettable, epic tale of adventure and “an exhilarating evening of theater” (The Wall Street Journal).
Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel (over 15 million copies sold) is a worldwide phenomenon and opened to critical acclaim on Broadway and the West End and is now captivating audiences around the globe.
With its larger-than-life journey of faith, hope and perseverance, Life of Pi speaks to every generation and “gives new life to Broadway” (The Today Show).
Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world class, innovative puppetry and exquisite stagecraft, the Broadway and West End sensation Life of Pi creates a visually breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy.
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Fri Jun 06 8:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program The Music Center's 37th Annual Spotlight Grand Finale
Ahmanson Theatre
The Music Center's Spotlight Grand Finale features an evening of unforgettable performances by 14 Spotlight Grand Prize Finalists at The Music Center's Ahmanson Theatre. Join us to celebrate the culmination of a multi-faceted yea...Show More
The Music Center's Spotlight Grand Finale features an evening of unforgettable performances by 14 Spotlight Grand Prize Finalists at The Music Center's Ahmanson Theatre. Join us to celebrate the culmination of a multi-faceted year-long journey of these incredibly talented high school artists in acting, music and dance, all of whom are part of the Spotlight program.
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Tue Jun 17 8:00 PM
Sat Jul 12 8:00 PM
Center Theatre Group Parade
Ahmanson Theatre
Winner of the 2023 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, Parade has been proclaimed as “a work of art! As commanding as any musical revival to hit Broadway in years” (Deadline).
Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Je...Show More
Winner of the 2023 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, Parade has been proclaimed as “a work of art! As commanding as any musical revival to hit Broadway in years” (Deadline).
Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Jewish couple struggling to make a life in the old red hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice, and devotion. Riveting and gloriously hopeful, Paradereminds us that to love, we must truly see one another.
Parade has received overwhelming acclaim since its debut. The New York Times said, “this revival, filled with deft flourishes by director Michael Arden, recalls an era of big casts, big stories, and big talent—a time when musicals actually felt like events.” Entertainment Weekly called Parade “the most gorgeous production on Broadway.” Time Out New Yorkstated that “Parade will echo for a long time to come. See it before the parade passes by.”
Parade is directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Arden, with book by two-time Tony Award® winner, Pulitzer Prize winner, and Academy Award® winner Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award® winner Jason Robert Brown, and co-conceived by 21-time Tony Award®-winning legend Harold Prince.
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Wed Aug 13 7:30 PM
Sun Sep 07 7:00 PM
Center Theatre Group & Juliet
Ahmanson Theatre
Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whis...Show More
Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.
Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including "Since U Been Gone‚" "Roar," "Baby One More Time," "Larger Than Life‚" "That’s The Way It Is,“ and "Can't Stop the Feeling!"—all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.
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Wed May 28 8:00 PM
Sun Jul 06 1:00 PM
Center Theatre Group Hamlet
Mark Taper Forum
It’s been a half a century since Hamlet was produced at the Taper and next season Tony Award® nominated visionary, Robert O’Hara, who directed the landmark box office hit Slave Play, returns to stage one of the most famous tales ...Show More
It’s been a half a century since Hamlet was produced at the Taper and next season Tony Award® nominated visionary, Robert O’Hara, who directed the landmark box office hit Slave Play, returns to stage one of the most famous tales ever told.
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Tue Jun 17 8:00 PM
Sat Jul 12 8:00 PM
Center Theatre Group Parade
Ahmanson Theatre
Winner of the 2023 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, Parade has been proclaimed as “a work of art! As commanding as any musical revival to hit Broadway in years” (Deadline).
Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Je...Show More
Winner of the 2023 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, Parade has been proclaimed as “a work of art! As commanding as any musical revival to hit Broadway in years” (Deadline).
Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Jewish couple struggling to make a life in the old red hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice, and devotion. Riveting and gloriously hopeful, Paradereminds us that to love, we must truly see one another.
Parade has received overwhelming acclaim since its debut. The New York Times said, “this revival, filled with deft flourishes by director Michael Arden, recalls an era of big casts, big stories, and big talent—a time when musicals actually felt like events.” Entertainment Weekly called Parade “the most gorgeous production on Broadway.” Time Out New Yorkstated that “Parade will echo for a long time to come. See it before the parade passes by.”
Parade is directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Arden, with book by two-time Tony Award® winner, Pulitzer Prize winner, and Academy Award® winner Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award® winner Jason Robert Brown, and co-conceived by 21-time Tony Award®-winning legend Harold Prince.
Show Less
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Wed May 28 8:00 PM
Sun Jul 06 1:00 PM
Center Theatre Group Hamlet
Mark Taper Forum
It’s been a half a century since Hamlet was produced at the Taper and next season Tony Award® nominated visionary, Robert O’Hara, who directed the landmark box office hit Slave Play, returns to stage one of the most famous tales ...Show More
It’s been a half a century since Hamlet was produced at the Taper and next season Tony Award® nominated visionary, Robert O’Hara, who directed the landmark box office hit Slave Play, returns to stage one of the most famous tales ever told.
Show Less -
Tue Jun 17 8:00 PM
Sat Jul 12 8:00 PM
Center Theatre Group Parade
Ahmanson Theatre
Winner of the 2023 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, Parade has been proclaimed as “a work of art! As commanding as any musical revival to hit Broadway in years” (Deadline).
Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Je...Show More
Winner of the 2023 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, Parade has been proclaimed as “a work of art! As commanding as any musical revival to hit Broadway in years” (Deadline).
Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Jewish couple struggling to make a life in the old red hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice, and devotion. Riveting and gloriously hopeful, Paradereminds us that to love, we must truly see one another.
Parade has received overwhelming acclaim since its debut. The New York Times said, “this revival, filled with deft flourishes by director Michael Arden, recalls an era of big casts, big stories, and big talent—a time when musicals actually felt like events.” Entertainment Weekly called Parade “the most gorgeous production on Broadway.” Time Out New Yorkstated that “Parade will echo for a long time to come. See it before the parade passes by.”
Parade is directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Arden, with book by two-time Tony Award® winner, Pulitzer Prize winner, and Academy Award® winner Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award® winner Jason Robert Brown, and co-conceived by 21-time Tony Award®-winning legend Harold Prince.
Show Less
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