Oscar-winning actor and singer Jennifer Hudson has been tapped to perform at the Center Theatre Group’s 50th anniversary celebration on May 20 at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
The two-time Grammy winner, who co-starred on NBC's Hairspray Live! and was recently announced as a coach on The Voice, joins the roster of luminaries at the event, including Oscar nominee Annette Bening, Tony Award winners Phylicia Rashad, Matthew Broderick, and Tyne Daly, Tony nominees Alfred Molina, and others.
Center Theatre Group presents works year-round at Mark Taper Forum, the Ahmanson Theatre, and the Kirk Douglas Theatre. The event will feature a production by writer and director Robert Egan honoring several of the theatre company’s numerous ground-breaking productions over the past half century, including Angels in America, Biloxi Blues, Children of a Lesser God, and The Drowsy Chaperone.
Also among those taking part in the celebration will be Danai Gurira, Matthew Bourne, Edward James Olmos, Louis Gossett Jr., Thomas Sadoski, Jimmy Smits, René Auberjonois, Jon Robin Baitz, Bill Cain, Anthony Crivello, Culture Clash, Merle Dandridge, Tim Dang, Keith David, Shaila Essley, Davis Gaines, Harry Groener, Clint Holmes, David Henry Hwang, Gregory Itzin, Doug LaBrecque, Tzi Ma, Alan Mandell, Dakin Matthews, Christina Saffran, Benjamin Schrader, Shoshannah Stern, Lisa Vroman, Ed Waterstreet, and Aryana Williams.
Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, serves as co-chair of the 50th Anniversary Celebration. After the presentation, dinner will be served in downtown Los Angeles’ Grand Park.
Since 1967, the Center Theatre Group has produced award-winning theatre and nurtured new artists throughout L.A. CTG’s outreach includes not just mainstage productions, but also youth arts education programs. The event will highlight these programs, as well as the company’s efforts to nurture and create new works born out of Los Angeles-based artists.
“We are thrilled to have so many incredible artists returning to help us celebrate this exciting milestone, and the power of theatre to shape the cultural landscape of Los Angeles,” said Center Theatre Group Board President Kiki Ramos Gindler in a statement. “Our 50th Anniversary Celebration will bring together some of our most beloved and talented artists to reflect on Center Theatre Group’s proud history of world-class productions, innovative programs and field-defining new work.”
The Ahmanson Theatre is located at 135 North Grand Ave in Los Angeles. For information about Center Theatre Group and the Anniversary Gala, please visit CenterTheatreGroup.org.
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