Every year for my mother's birthday, my sister and I get her season tickets to The Ahmanson (a theatre here in LA). Over the years we've seen some real stinkers, or things we just didn't care for but there was always a balance of good things too, that made it worth it. But this year I got the subscriber packet and was stunned by the lameness of the season. All but one show is several years if not decades old. Here's the line up, in no particular order. Dream Girls, Spamalot, Mary Poppins, South Pacific, and the only show I want to see August:Osage County.
Now how wise was this in a year where people are looking to eliminate extra spending? All of these shows have been done to death. Anyone who goes to the theatre regularly has seen them all. Just one of these in the season would have been fine, but to make it the whole season is ridiculous. Suffice to say I am forgoing season tickets this year and will just go see the one show I want to see.
I thought we might switch to The Pantages (another theatre in town) but their season is looking pretty dismal too. Is it possible there are no good shows??? Are they trying to save money by getting cheaper shows?? What's going on??? Until they get it sorted I'll be buying tickets for individual shows and I advise you to too.
3 comments:
Thanks for posting this. Now I have to be on the alert for Spamalot! tickets to go on sale! My husband and stepdaughter saw it on Broadway last year, and I've been been waiting for my own chance ever since!
Glad I could help. And that someone will be at The Ahmanson this year.
Hope you enjoy it.
Elise -
I hear your frustration, but I think you're being too harsh on the Ahmanson. Yes, it would have been nice to have a pre-Broadway show next season like Curtains or Drowsy Chaperone from recent seasons. That said, the season is pretty strong in my opinion. These are certainly not cheap shows - they are in fact some of the most desired shows in the country.
August: Osage County is perhaps the greatest American play of the past 10+ years - I can't wait to see it again.
Spamalot won the Tony Award for Best Musical and is making its LA premiere. The show is not for everyone, but if you're a fan of Monty Python, it's a must-see.
Mary Poppins is coming with the original Broadway leads and is also an LA premiere. It's a family show, and anyone I know that has seen it has enjoyed it.
The new production of South Pacific is one of the best things I've seen on Broadway in years (and I've never liked the show) and was the hottest ticket in New York. The tour will be directed by Bartlett Sher, who also directed the Broadway production. If the touring cast is anywhere near as good as the Broadway cast, it should be a true crowd-pleaser.
I also have high hopes for the reunion of Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone in June.
My one disappointment is Dreamgirls, a new touring production likely designed to cash in on the success of the film.
Don't give up on the Ahmanson yet...
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