and, SEEN!

We would sit straight in a barber's chair, getting our hair braided, for 2-3.5 hours to see this show. Disclaimer: Emily is intermittently employed by La Jolla Playhouse. The views expressed in this podcast are not the views of La Jolla Playhouse; they are hers and hers alone.

We would crawl a football field length down a cold, muddy cave tunnel to see this show.

We would ride an old jalopy across the country (and maybe more) to see this show.

We would make between 10 and 75 cold calls to see this show.

We would like to travel back to the version of our lives where we had not seen this show. https://www.backtothefuturemusical.com

We wouldn't march very far to see this iteration of this show. We saw it in previews, so much could change! There is potential. https://lajollaplayhouse.org/show/3-summers-of-lincoln/

We would jazz walk a mile or so to see this show. By Anna Ouyang Moench Directed by Les Waters Christmas, but not as you know it. Leave the little ones at home and gather ‘round for a very Playhouse take on Christmas. Your Local Theater Presents: A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, Again is a laugh-out-loud funny and heartfelt story for theatre lovers and holiday enthusiasts alike. Eddie is a young actor, fresh out of Juilliard and ready to make his mark on the American Theatre. His dreams are within reach… sort of. First he's just going to do this regional production of A Christmas Carol. As the years pass, Eddie finds himself back at the same local theatre, over and over and over again. Much remains the same: the play, the stage manager, the green room — though Eddie finds himself in different costumes as he ages through the male roles over the course of his career. Anna Ouyang Moench is not just an award-winning playwright. Her work as a screenwriter includes Apple TV+'s Severance and the second season of the multi-award-winning Netflix show, Beef. Her comedic and incisive style is on display in this moving new play; a love letter to actors, artists and dreamers of all professions who make sacrifices large and small in service of their work… and ultimately wonder whether it was worth it.

We would ride a hobby horse broom 1 mile to see this movie.

We would ride inside a wooden crate until we vomited to see this show.

We would walk 45 minutes in freezing New England with no gloves to see this show. By Eboni Booth Directed by Knud Adams Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama Happy hour is a state of mind. When Primary Trust by Eboni Booth premiered in New York in 2023, The Observer said, “it will restore your faith in theatre's elemental storytelling powers.” The Daily Beast said it's “pretty darn near to perfect.” Don't miss the West Coast premiere of this award-winning New York Times Critic's Pick play that will surprise you, and fill you with hope. Kenneth, a 38-year-old bookstore worker in a small upstate New York town, spends his evenings sipping mai tais at the local tiki bar with his best friend Bert. When he's suddenly laid off, Kenneth faces challenges he has long avoided—with transformative and heart-warming results. Primary Trust is a touching story of new beginnings, old (and new) friends, and finding the courage to see the world for the first time.

We would ride hobby horses around Balboa Park a couple times to see this show. In the Annie-to-Endgame scale, this show is as challenging as the Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). West Coast premiere By Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen Directed by Gordon Greenberg Celebrate Halloween with a new side-splitting adventure based on Bram Stoker's classic tale that's sure to induce blood-curdling screams—of laughter! Famed vampire hunter Jean Van Helsing and her motley crew chase Count Dracula around the English countryside in a madcap race to save his innocent victims. Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen return to The Old Globe following their wildly popular Ebenezer Scrooge's BIG San Diego Christmas Show! and Crime and Punishment, A Comedy. Filled with their signature imaginative staging, irreverent farce, and special effects, this hilarious scarefest is the perfect way to get spooky this season!

We would spend a LOT of time on a train to see this show. On the Annie-to-Endgame scale, this show is as challenging as a BBC Mystery Theatre episode. Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig Directed by Peter Amster Get ready for a glamorous and enthralling journey in this adaptation of Agatha Christie's masterpiece. On a train traveling through Europe, a wealthy American tycoon is found dead in his compartment, the door locked from the inside. Enter world-famous detective Hercule Poirot, who must navigate a train full of suspects and solve the murder before the killer strikes again. With humor and romance, Tony Award–nominated playwright Ken Ludwig takes audiences on a thrill ride in a spectacular production whose gorgeous designs and innovative staging are a true knockout. This production includes mild language and violence. Total running time: Two hours and 15 minutes (two acts with one intermission).

You would have to bring this show to us. In the Annie to Endgame Scale, this show is a theatre history lecture with pretty slides. World premiere adaptation By William Shakespeare Adapted and directed by Barry Edelstein A once-in-a-generation event comes to San Diego in 2024: The Old Globe becomes one of only a small handful of theatres in the country's history to complete Shakespeare's canon with Henry 6, the largest Shakespeare production the Globe has ever presented. Acclaimed Shakespeare director and the Globe's Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein turns the rarely produced Henry VI, Parts I, II, and III into a thrilling two-part event, running simultaneously through the summer in our beautiful outdoor theatre. Two ruling families of England, the Yorks and the Lancasters, fight each other in a high-stakes civil war for power known as the Wars of the Roses. These adaptations include everything people love about the Bard—ingenious language, vibrant characters, breathtaking battles, and sweeping crowd scenes—as they explore the impact of national politics on individual lives. And the action is framed by a design team working at the very top of their craft, and a sprawling cast of professional actors and local community members.

We would sail across the English Channel once to see this show. On the Annie to Endgame scale, this show is as challenging as a mediocre Shakespearean history. World premiere adaptation By William Shakespeare Adapted and directed by Barry Edelstein A once-in-a-generation event comes to San Diego in 2024: The Old Globe becomes one of only a small handful of theatres in the country's history to complete Shakespeare's canon with the two-part Henry 6, the largest Shakespeare production the Globe has ever presented. In One: Flowers and France, King Henry VI inherits the crown of England as a child. Absent the strong leadership of his father, who conquered France in a surprise victory, the English court is reduced to petty squabbles. The French take up arms to regain their lost territory and rally behind Joan of Arc, who claims she was sent from God to fight the English. And when King Henry marries Queen Margaret, she inflames the political disputes that roil the throne. Can the English stop arguing among themselves and unite to hold on to France? Or will their in-fighting cost them the hard-won French territory and lead to chaos at home?

We would hang for hours from a fly line to see this show. On the Annie to Endgame difficulty scale, this play is about as hard as La Cage Aux Folles. By Sasha Velour and Moisés Kaufman Directed by Moisés Kaufman A Co-Production With Tectonic Theater Project Radical. Magical. Unforgettable. Created by groundbreaking drag artist Sasha Velour (Smoke & Mirrors, NightGowns, The Big Reveal Live Show) and legendary theatre artist Moisés Kaufman (Here There Are Blueberries, The Laramie Project), Velour: A Drag Spectacular is a sweeping, coming-of-age tale interwoven with the radical history of drag and queer expression. Inspired by Velour's origin story as a small-town, genderfluid child turned globally-renowned drag superstar, the show unfolds through a dazzling blend of innovative projection mapping, video animation, awe-inspiring lip-sync performances, and bold personal storytelling. Known for her emotional and shocking performance art, Velour harnesses the power of drag spectacle to reveal her deepest fears (and joys) and puts them on display to immerse the audience in queer fantasia. From the often confusing yet joyous search for belonging, to the deep wells of grief that catapult us to face our inner truths, Velour: A Drag Spectacular is a tour de force, rich with humanity, beauty, and above all else – DRAG.

We would rather keep searching for clues than see this show. On the Annie to Endgame scale, this show is as challenging as a Hallmark movie. By Kate Hamill Directed by James Vásquez A fast-paced and wildly entertaining new play that reimagines the most iconic detective team of all time. In present-day Baker Street, steampunk hipster Shirley Holmes and her spunky new roommate Joan Watson become entangled in a series of cases all related to the same supervillain, who always seems to be one step ahead of them. From the witty imagination of Kate Hamill, one of the most popular playwrights in America, this irreverent take on the beloved characters packs nonstop laughs into a rollicking murder mystery with a bold and modern lens. BroadwayWorld proclaimed, “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B is delightful and entertaining.”

We hang upside from a trapeze for 5 minutes to see this show. On the Annie to Endgame Theatre Difficulty scale, this show is as challenging as Mystere. West Coast premiere A production by The 7 Fingers Directed by Shana Carroll Originally produced and created in collaboration with Virgin Voyages The triumphant return of the company that brought Globe audiences last summer's smash hit Passengers. Love, honor, and betrayal come to life through a blend of acrobatics, theatre, and music in this one-act romp perfect for all ages. Two feuding families engage in a battle of skill, each competition more daring than the last. While the two groups face off, cheered on by their side of the audience, a pair of star-crossed lovers struggles to escape the showdown. The exhilaration and danger of competition provide the thrilling backdrop to The 7 Fingers's one-of-a-kind daredevil theatrical extravaganza.

We would walk 20 minutes in a rainstorm to see this show. This show is about as challenging as Glass Menagerie. By Noelle Viñas Directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg Some storms you can't hide from. A series of intense storms – a “derecho” – is bearing down on an affluent Virginia neighborhood near D.C., where Eugenia Silva is preparing for a crucial meeting. Eugenia is a politician hoping to join the wave of women of color elected to public office. Her sister Mercedes is a struggling musician fighting to find her way on her own terms. As winds rise and thunder cracks — and tensions between the sisters reach a boiling point — Eugenia's political ambitions crash into Mercedes's need to reconnect her sister with their roots.

We would walk a few miles carrying a styrofoam cooler with ice and beers to see this show. On the Annie-to-Endgame scale, this show is as challenging as Cabaret. By James Ijames Original direction by Saheem Ali Directed by Sideeq Heard The 2022 Pulitzer-winning, Tony-nominated sensation Fat Ham is a fresh and funny take on Shakespeare's Hamlet that The New York Times called “a flat-out hilarious comedy.” During a Southern family cookout, Juicy is confronted by the ghost of his father, who demands revenge for his murder. But Juicy, a young, queer, Black man, has enough on his plate. James Ijames's remarkable play uses uproarious humor and profound insight to explore the conflict between what you owe your family and what you owe yourself. “Smart, fearless, and wildly entertaining” (The Chicago Tribune). This production includes strong language, mature themes, sexual content, and mild violence.

Book by Robert Cary and Des McAnuff Music and Lyrics by Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash and others Directed by Des McAnuff Love is a burning thing Country music royalty Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash remain to this day one of the most famous couples of the 20th Century. Created with the support of the family and told through the eyes of their son John Carter Cash, this new musical covers it all: their childhoods, their 1956 meeting at the Grand Ole Opry, the storied on-stage proposal in 1968, and the soaring highs and whiplash lows of fame, life on the road, addiction, arrests, controversies, marriage, family and devotion. This is a whole-hearted and clear-eyed telling of one of the most iconic love stories in music history, complete with a soundtrack of beloved hits — I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, Hey Porter, Jackson, I've Been Everywhere and many more.

Proclaimers Scale: we would drive one hour to see this show. Globe-commissioned world premiere By Melinda Lopez and Joel Perez Directed by Marcela Lorca A Globe-commissioned, world-premiere play about family, food, and healing. Two siblings, separated by distance and circumstance, meet to share their mother's favorite recipe. What starts as a simple project leads to surprising connection as they reminisce and reveal secrets of their own. This tender comedy from Melinda Lopez (Mala at The Old Globe) and Joel Perez (Kiss My Aztec! at La Jolla Playhouse) invites audiences to grab a seat at the table and savor the possibility of reuniting with loved ones after a long time apart. This production includes strong language and mature themes. This production features the preparation of food, including black beans, onions, garlic, green bell pepper, and spices, which will be chopped and cooked onstage and will release natural aromas into the theatre. We ask patrons with airborne food allergies to please take note of this part of their visit. Total running time: One hour and 20 minutes (one act with no intermission).

We would ride an hour in a sleigh in 10 degree weather with period-appropriate fur attire to see this show. WEST COAST PREMIERE Book, Lyrics and Music by Dave Malloy. Adapted from War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy Directed by Sean Murray Music Direction by Patrick Marion Choreography by Katie Banville Apr 10 - May 19, 2024 Low-priced Previews Apr 10 - Apr 13, 2024 Overview Artists Photos Talk & Events Romantic • Scandalous • Immersive Two-time Tony® Award Winner Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, is an innovative electropop opera, based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace. This immersive performance tells the story of beautiful Natasha who falls for the devilishly handsome rebel Anatole while her betrothed Andrey is off at war. The thrilling, ground-breaking score melds rock, pop, soul, and folk, unlike anything you've heard. Join us for this Tony Award-winning spectacle that The New York Times hailed as “the most innovative and best new musical to open since Hamilton!”.

Proclaimers scale: we would ride from our house to The Old Globe on bicycles (if we had those bike shorts with padded butts) to see this show. March 30 – April 28, 2024 Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage Old Globe Theatre Conrad Prebys Theatre Center American premiere Book, music, and lyrics by Freya Catrin Smith Music and lyrics by Jack Williams Directed by Sarah Meadows Ready, set, ride! The smash-hit London musical makes its U.S. premiere. It's 1895, and Annie Londonderry wants to discover if a woman can ride a bicycle around the world. The problem? She's only ridden one twice! As Annie and her unwitting secretary Martha share unbelievable adventures across four continents, they learn that no matter how far we ride, our past is always right behind us. With a high-energy score and a wildly versatile cast, this fresh and funny show is what Theatre Weekly called “an amazing piece of theatre and a must-watch for everyone.” This production includes strong language.

Proclaimers scale: we would drive across the country to see this. March 9 – April 7, 2024 Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre Conrad Prebys Theatre Center By Rajiv Joseph Directed by Justin Emeka The breathtaking career of NBA icon LeBron James is the backdrop for this energetic and funny play by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph. Shawn is Black and Matt is White, and they couldn't be more different—except for their love of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The friendship that develops between them, at turns contentious and compassionate, becomes something as enduring and profound as James's legacy itself. Interwoven with moments of camaraderie, laughter, and poignancy, King James dives into the heart of basketball fandom and highlights the profound connections that sports can cultivate. This production includes strong language and mature themes.

International mini Pubisode Proclaimers Scale: 0.5 - 2 watchings of the first Austin Powers movie.

Proclaimers Scale: we would fly 6000 miles to see this again. Fate leads our two heroes to a tragic but inevitable end. Hamlet is turned topsy-turvy in this brilliant modern comedic masterpiece that thrusts Shakespeare's two minor characters to the forefront with no rules except one: they are destined to die. Reality and illusion mix as bewildered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are trapped in a universe where their lives are left to chance with the flip of a coin. Can our hapless protagonists triumph in a battle of wits, escape their fate, and make sense of a senseless world? Starring from the Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the title roles of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (or perhaps Guildenstern and Rosencrantz?) are Billy Boyd (Pippin) and Dominic Monaghan (Merry) in this unique and stunning new production created by Halifax's Neptune Theatre. Written by Tom Stoppard Directed by Neptune Theatre Artistic Director Jeremy Webb Starring Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan

Proclaimers Scale: 3 trips to Pluto X by Alistair McDowall. directed by Rosie Glen-Lambert (MFA 3) February 23 - March 2 |Mandell Weiss Theatre About the Show When X, by Alistair McDowall begins, we are introduced to five travelers waiting to be picked up from their mission on planet Pluto. We are in a near future where much of the earth is no longer habitable, and Pluto is being explored as a viable option for human life. But their research base has lost radio signal, and their expedition has already lasted much longer than expected. The group is tasked with trying to determine if their pickup is late, if their pickup is no longer coming, or--most frighteningly-if they've lost contact with their pickup because earth itself has ceased to exist. As the passing time becomes increasingly more difficult to track, events begin to move out of sequence, and the line between what is real and what isn't becomes blurred. The travelers are desperate to sort through their fragmented memories, and to maintain control of their own lives. X is an evocative, hilarious, and devastating play that uses the metaphor of being lost in space to explore the loss of personal and collective memory. As we as a planet creep closer and closer to having to face the existential threat of environmental degradation, X could not be more timely. How do we want to be remembered, and who will remain to remember us?

Globe-commissioned world premiere By Edith Wharton Adapted by Karen Zacarías Directed by Chay Yew This Globe-commissioned world premiere, based on Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize–winning classic, is set in 1870s Gilded Age New York City, where high society clashes with love. When the glamorous Countess Ellen Olenska sweeps into town, she upends the lives of everyone around her, especially the dashing lawyer Newland Archer. This new adaptation for the stage from Karen Zacarías (Destiny of Desire, Native Gardens) is the kind of lush period production for which The Old Globe is renowned.

January 27 – February 25, 2024 Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre Conrad Prebys Theatre Center By Sanaz Toossi Directed by Arya Shahi Winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize, the Obie Award, and the Lucille Lortel Award. In a classroom near Tehran, four adult students prepare for an English proficiency exam. They each have a reason for being there: a chance at opportunity, access, or a new calling. But as they bond over this new way to express themselves, they also grapple with the lives they must leave behind. Told with hilarious wit and genuine compassion, Sanaz Toossi's English is “both a buoyant comedy of communication and a subtle but probing exploration of what it means to speak and feel understood” (New York Theatre Guide).

FEB 13 - MAR 31, 2024 Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre Book by Tina Landau Music by Kate Diaz Lyrics by Kate Diaz and Tina Landau Conceived by Tina Landau and Idina Menzel With additional contributions by Idina Menzel Directed by Tina Landau Broadway icon Idina Menzel makes her La Jolla Playhouse debut in the world premiere of Redwood, a one-of-a-kind theatrical event about one woman's journey into the precious and precarious world of the redwoods. Idina plays Jesse, a successful businesswoman, mother and wife. She seems to have it all, but inside, her heart is broken. Finding herself at a turning point, Jesse leaves everyone and everything behind, gets in her car and drives… and drives. Thousands of miles later, she hits the ancient forests of Northern California, where a chance meeting and a leap of faith change her life forever. In the presence of the magnificent, towering redwoods, Jesse finds strange and powerful connections, an unexpected sense of community, and a chance at healing. Acclaimed writer and director Tina Landau (Beauty) brings this immersive and cinematic new work to life with lush visuals and a soaring score from Kate Diaz. You will travel with Jesse into an intoxicating environment of dense greenery, fractured light and dizzying heights – a place where nature can help us heal, if only we don't destroy her first. An exhilarating new musical featuring one of Broadway's greatest stars, Redwood will awaken your sense of adventure and lift you higher than the treetops. “Now underneath a canopy of stars, I call out to the night. Please keep me safe and show me this is right. I'm scared of letting go of everyone I know.” Jesse, Redwood

Just what it says on the tin.

By Joe DiPietro Adapted from the novel by Sinclair Lewis Directed by Christopher Ashley You can't always get what you want, but you might get what you need. Multi-award-winning star of stage and screen Matthew Broderick and Tony Award-winning playwright Joe DiPietro (Diana, Memphis) join forces with our own Christopher Ashley and a stellar cast for this remarkable theatrical event. Babbitt entered the zeitgeist in 1922 as a novel by white-hot satirist Sinclair Lewis, the first American Nobel Laureate. An instant literary classic, Babbitt has been a stalwart on ‘best ever' lists for over 100 years, and is now adapted for the stage. George F. Babbitt is a middle-aged real estate broker in the Midwestern city of Zenith. By day, he has a prosperous, respectable middle-class existence. By night, he's plagued by the thought that he has amounted to nothing. Searching for more to life than his top-of-the-line toaster and hickory golf club ― more meaning ― Babbitt leaps with abandon into the most spectacular rebellion of his life ― one that could end up costing him everything. Led by Matthew Broderick in the title role, the cast bringing this world premiere to life features Emmy Award nominee Anna Chlumsky (Veep), Ann Harada (Broadway's Avenue Q) and Julie Halston (Sex and the City).

Written by Lisa Sanaye Dring Directed by Ralph B. Peña A co-production with Ma-Yi Theater Company This production is sold out. A limited number of tickets are released daily, so please check back. True victory is victory over oneself Entrenched in an elite sumo training facility in Tokyo, six men practice, eat, love, play and ultimately fight. Akio arrives as an angry, ambitious 18 year old with a lot to learn. Expecting validation, dominance and fame, and desperate to move up the ranks, he slams headlong into his fellow wrestlers, especially Mitsuo, the highest ranked fighter. With sponsorship money at stake, their bodies on the line, and their futures at risk, the wrestlers struggle to carve themselves – and one another – into the men they dream of being.

By Alaudin Ullah Directed by Chay Yew Music by Avirodh Sharma What exactly is the American Dream? For Alaudin Ullah's Bangladesh-born parents, it means opportunity and a stable job. But to comedian Alaudin, America is the home of the New York Yankees and George Carlin. In an autobiographical solo show that the Hartford Courant calls “memorable and meaningful,” Ullah and musician Avirodh Sharma take audiences on a journey of vivid remembrances and discoveries from 1930s India (now Bangladesh) to 1970s Spanish Harlem to present-day Hollywood. Through comedy and music, this remarkable play, directed by the acclaimed Chay Yew, recounts the immigrant experience, how this country gets made, and the dreams of those who make it.

An Asolo Repertory Theatre Production Book by Joe Masteroff Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood Music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb Directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome to Cabaret! It's 1931 Berlin, and inside the Kit Kat Klub, British nightclub singer Sally Bowles keeps the delirious party raging. But no amount of booze, music, and dancing can slow the ominous march of a changing Germany as it draws ever closer. Featuring an iconic score from Kander and Ebb—including “Maybe This Time,” “Mein Herr,” “Don't Tell Mama,” and, of course, the title song—this Tony Award–winning musical is reimagined in a visionary new staging by Globe favorite Josh Rhodes (Guys and Dolls, Bright Star). BroadwayWorld calls this production, “Hands down the most cohesive, well-rounded, fully conceptualized staging of this musical that I have seen to date. My friends, this is how you do Cabaret.”

Who was Hunter S. Thompson? He changed journalism. He defined counterculture. Equal parts philosopher, clown and genius, he was armed and dangerous with a typewriter as his preferred weapon. Careening from the 1940s to his death in 2005, this gonzo musical blasts into the life of one of America's most influential and destructive icons. In relentless pursuit of the meaning of the American Dream during an era of political and social upheaval, Hunter S. Thompson cultivated a new form of journalism that ― for better or worse ― injected his subjective view into the heart of the story. Now, in another, even more severe moment of fake news, propaganda and polarization, Hunter's story helps explore how we got here, and how to keep fighting. Set to Joe Iconis' anarchic and tuneful score, this musical is a rock ‘n' roll thrill-ride into the life of an artist seeking greatness and coming to terms with his own legacy. It's a heartfelt trumpet call to the moral idealists, the outraged, the outlaws and the outsiders.

By William Shakespeare Directed by James Vásquez Shakespeare meets “I Love Lucy” in this 1950s spin on one of the Bard's wildest and most appealing comedies. The notorious John Falstaff, larger-than-life in every way, leaves the big city to work his charms on the suburban inhabitants of Windsor. Always hustling for his next buck, he sets his sights on two of Windsor's ladies-who-lunch, but when they figure out Falstaff's game, they decide to teach him a lesson he won't forget. Under the direction of Globe Resident Artist James Vásquez, mistaken identities, romance, and an unforgettable gallery of Shakespeare's most vivid characters fill the stage for a theatrical rollercoaster ride that's raucous, kooky, and entirely bewitching.

Globe-commissioned world premiere By Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen Directed by Gordon Greenberg Dostoevsky's turn-of-the-century masterpiece is reimagined as a 90-minute romp of a morality tale, performed by five ridiculously talented actors who play over 50 zany characters, riffing on the famous novel—and all of Russian literature. The brilliant comic team of Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen (Ebenezer Scrooge's BIG San Diego Christmas Show) brings to 1860s Russia the same whacked-out sensibility they gave to Dickens in this world-premiere, Globe-commissioned comedy. This classic story follows Raskolnikov, an impoverished student who becomes a murderer in order to save his family. Based on the book you didn't actually read in high school, this is literature retold like you've never seen it before.

A production by The 7 Fingers Conceived and directed by Shana Carroll “We all have somewhere to go.” Experience a train trip like never before with Montreal-based contemporary physical theatre troupe The 7 Fingers. This innovative show blends acrobatics, theatre, music, and dance in a truly magical performance about strangers in transit. Rather than sit in silence, the passengers on this train express their dreams and visions through the exuberance of their bodies, telling human stories with superhuman skills. “This train is bound for glory,” cheered The Boston Globe, and it's one ride you won't want to miss!

The Play That Goes Wrong EISENHOWER THEATER Called “the funniest play Broadway has ever seen” (Huffington Post), this classic murder mystery by award-winning Mischief is chock-full of mishaps and madcap mania! Welcome to opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor, where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can't play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines), it's “comic gold” (Variety) sure to bring down the house.

Jul 11 - Aug 6 Mandell Weiss Forum Created, choreographed and performed by Jenn Freeman Created, choreographed and directed by Sonya Tayeh Composed and performed by Holland Andrews A Dance of Discovery. A Brain in Motion. A Life on the Spectrum. Dancer and choreographer Jenn Freeman was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2021 at age 33, and since then she has navigated an endless sea of epiphanies. Inspired by a deep curiosity to examine her childhood memories through this new lens, Jenn found a way to illuminate her story using the language she knows best: Dance. Is It Thursday Yet? invites you into the unique complexities of Jenn's neurodivergent brain through a stunning tapestry of dance, live music and home video footage. Original live music from renowned musician Holland Andrews is woven with audio narrations from Jenn's therapist, vocals, clarinet, drums and electronic music. Scenic design by Tony Award-winner Rachel Hauck is inspired by Jenn's sensory sensitivities to texture, color, light and sound. This uplifting, thought-provoking new work is co-created and directed by the electrifying choreographer Sonya Tayeh (Tony Award-winner for Moulin Rouge).

The extraordinary life of the champion Billie Jean King Love All is the triumphant story of the rise of sports icon and social justice pioneer Billie Jean King. The trailblazer for equality faced tough competition on the court and adversity in the world, all against a backdrop of the massive social changes of the 1960s and 70s.

By William Shakespeare Directed by Kathleen Marshall One of Shakespeare's most perfect plays—romance, music, poetry, comedy, swordplay, and more! Shipwrecked and alone in foreign Illyria, young Viola masquerades as her lost twin brother and becomes the go-between for the lovesick Duke Orsino and the beautiful Countess Olivia. Soon Viola finds herself in the middle of a topsy-turvy love triangle with lunacy and laughs on every side. Three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (Globe's Much Ado About Nothing, Love's Labor's Lost) directs Twelfth Night, one of the Bard's true comic masterpieces—and the perfect San Diego night under the stars.

A Telenovela for the Stage By Karen Zacarías Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson The joys, tribulations, and plot twists of epic love are bursting onstage in this brilliantly funny homage to the telenovela by Karen Zacarías (Native Gardens). On a stormy night in Bellarica, Mexico, two babies are born—one into a life of outlandish wealth, and one into a life of poverty. When the newborns are swapped by a ruthless ex–beauty queen, the stage is set for two outrageous misfortunes to grow into an extraordinary destiny. Directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson (August Wilson's Jitney) and filled with vibrant choreography and live music, Destiny of Desire explores the emotional rollercoaster and social commentary that make the telenovela the most popular form of storytelling on the planet. Destiny of Desire contains mature themes, violence, strong language, and the use of haze. Please note: this production is in English, with songs in both English and Spanish. Total running time: Two hours and 40 minutes (two acts with one intermission).

Gaiety Productions in association with Decadent Theatre Company proudly presents the IRISH PREMIERE of Hangmen by Martin McDonagh from 11 March – 8 April 2023. In his small pub in Oldham, Harry is something of a local celebrity. But what's the second-best hangman in England to do on the day they've abolished hanging? Amongst the local reporters and sycophantic pub regulars, dying to hear Harry's reaction to the news, a peculiar stranger lurks, with a very different motive for his visit… This major new production comes hot off the heels of the release of McDonagh's new award-winning feature film, The Banshees of Inisherin. The creative team is led by director Andrew Flynn who has a long association with McDonagh's work. This darkly comic tale follows the success of recent Gaiety Productions including The Cripple of Inishmaan, The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Lonesome West. Funded by the Arts Council | An Chomhairle Ealaíon This production contains strong depictions of violence. Recommended for ages 14+

From the creators of the hit Amazon series comes a groundbreaking and timely new musical that's delightfully queer, unapologetically Jewish, and radically joyful. Welcome to the JCC! Get ready for a remarkable theatrical experience with A Transparent Musical–an innovative and irresistible new musical based on the hit Amazon Prime original TV show by Joey Soloway. Follow Ali Pfefferman, brought to life by Only Murders in the Building's Adina Verson, as they navigate the ups and downs of self-discovery. Ali's Los Angeles Jewish family is filled with secrets, but when their parent, Maura, transitions to the transgender matriarch she always knew she was, the family is forced to confront their own identities and navigate their relationships with each other. Through a revelatory story of acceptance and self-expression, A Transparent Musical explores the intersection of Jewish and queer history while celebrating the imperfectly human aspects of a universally relatable family.

April 8 – May 7, 2023 Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre Conrad Prebys Theatre Center World premiere By Keiko Green Directed by Jesca Prudencio It's 1999, and Ami is an awkward Asian American high schooler whose world comes crashing down with a terrible discovery: her family is responsible for manufacturing MSG, the mysterious ingredient getting all the kids hooked! Meanwhile, a cool new girl arrives from Japan, and she's not playing by the rules. In Keiko Green's world-premiere play, Ami vows to redeem her family name and save the world from MSG. This whimsical, time-traveling adventure, directed by the celebrated Jesca Prudencio, is a riotous and hilarious romp through wild teenaged crushes, family legacies, and the magical properties of instant ramen!

World premiere By Kemp Powers Directed by Carl Cofield Mexico City, 1968. Two Black American sprinters, the fastest men on Earth, raise their fists in protest. Inspired by real events from the historic 19th Olympic Games, and directed by Carl Cofield (Seize the King, The Bacchae), this suspenseful world-premiere play by Kemp Powers (Pixar's Soul, One Night in Miami) chronicles the intersection of sports and activism, and shows the life-changing repercussions of being a champion who chooses to speak out. The XIXth (The Nineteenth) is supported by major production sponsors Ann Davies and Hal and Pam Fuson.

SEEN: March 23, 2023 in San Diego