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Mark Taper Forum Reveals Blockbuster Season

Alfred_molinar_scre_159666a The Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles has announced a thrilling slate of productions for this venerable venue's 45th season in 2012. New plays by David Mamet and Jon Robin Baitz are on the roster, as well as the classic tragicomedy "Waiting for Godot"  by the immortal absurdist scribe Samuel Beckett, set to star Alan Mandell and Barry McGovern.

Also red-hot on this slate are the local bows of Bruce Norris' 2010 Pulitzer and Olivier award-winning  "Clybourne Park"  and John Logan's  2010 Tony-winning play, "Red," which will star Alfred Molina (pictured).

The icing on this sinfully rich cake is a world premiere musical, "Los Otros,"  by Ellen Fitzhugh and the gifted Broadway writer-tunesmith Michael John LaChiusa ("The Wild Party," "Marie Christine," "See What I Wanna See"), who for many years has been a welcome L.A.  mainstay, collaborating with  Daniel Henning at the Blank Theatre Company on local renditions of his works. Multiple Tony nominee Graciela Daniele will direct this offering, which was commissioned by CTG. Artistic director Michael Ritchie calls this "a beautiful two-character musical with an interesting and moving perspective on the Mexican immigrant experience."

SoCal Stages_blog The schedule is as follows: Norris'  lacerating comedy, "Clybourne Park," directed by Pam McKinnon (Jan. 25-Feb. 26); "Waiting for Godot," directed by Michael Arabian (Mar. 21-Apr. 22); "Los Otros" (June 3-July 1); the Donmar Warehouse production of John Logan's "Red," directed by Michael Grandage (Aug. 12-Sept. 9); Mamet's White House comedy "November," for which the director will be announced (Oct. 7-Nov. 4); and Baitz'  Christmas-season  family  drama, "Other Desert Cities," which takes place in Palm Springs, California. Tony winner Joe Mantello will direct this season finale, which is  the fifth play by Baitz to be offered by CTG. (Prolific playwright Baitz is also well known to TV fans for his long-running ABC series, "Brothers and Sisters." ) The play premiered at New York's Lincoln Center in 2010.

This certainly is a group of offerings suitable for wide-ranging tastes. It's among the Taper's most enticing  lineups in years.

Tickets for this slate are currently available only by season-ticket membership. Contact  Center Theatre Group online or at (213) 972-4444.  

 --Les Spindle

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