La Jolla Playhouse Brings a Varied Repertoire in Their New Season

Where can you see a thrilling historical drama, a riotous comedy and a classic musical adapted for the stage all under one roof ? Known as one of the top theatres in San Diego, La Jolla Playhouse takes pride in presenting a wide variety of new shows each year to their devoted patrons, and the 2016–2017 season is no exception.

La Jolla Playhouse has flourished creatively in the past ten years, producing hit show after hit show and sending multiple productions on to other theatres across the nation, including Broadway. Part of La Jolly Playhouse’s recent success is attributed to Christopher Ashley, the Playhouse’s artistic director since 2007. During his tenure, Ashley has overseen the production of several successful shows, including Memphis, which eventually went on to Broadway and won four Tony Awards, one of which was for Best Musical of 2010.

Given the hefty resume he’s built in the last ten years, it’s almost surprising that Ashley had previously applied to be the artistic director of the Playhouse—and he didn’t get the job. "I’ve always wanted to run La Jolla Playhouse," Ashley confesses. "I applied to be the artistic director when I was in my late 20s—thank god they didn’t give it to me, I would never have been ready." Ashley is certainly ready now; he painstakingly selects each production for the Playhouse to perform, hoping to make a lasting impression. It’s a goal that influences the productions he selects each season. Says Ashley, "[I want] to make the most vibrant conversation about the world around us that I can make."

While the bulk of his job centers around programing the season and overseeing La Jolla Playhouse’s productions, Ashley still finds time to direct throughout the year. Recently, Ashley served as the director for the current season’s opening production Hollywood—and he had a blast. "If you’re the artistic director, when you get a chance to direct at your own theatre, the entire staff takes extraordinary care of you," Ashley laughs. "It’s a really fun place to direct, if you’re me! Hopefully it’s fun for other people to direct here too."

Whether or not it’s fun, one thing is certain: directing or writing for La Jolla Playhouse is a coveted position. Every year, the Playhouse draws big names from the world of theatre to their intimate space. Recipients of Tony Awards, Pulitzer Prizes and Outer Critics Circle Awards flock to La Jolla Playhouse to debut their new work. "We have a lot of award winners," Ashley confirms with a modest chuckle. It’s easy to see why; with four performance spaces, a seasoned staff and a loyal local following, La Jolla Playhouse is easily one of the top regional theatres on the West Coast.

With the beginning of their 2016–2017 season behind them, La Jolla Playhouse is looking to continue what

Ashley calls their season of premieres. "Of our six plays on subscription, four of them are world premieres; two of them are second productions," Ashley explains with pride. "So this is very much a year about new plays and musicals."

Currently stunning at La Jolla Playhouse is The Last Tiger in Haiti, a gripping drama written by up-and-coming playwright Jeff Augustin. The production details the story of young people in Haiti who essentially live as indentured servants. As Ashley details, "It’s an exploration of how storytelling gives form to our lives and community." Though dramatic and dark, The Last Tiger in Haiti offers intricate storytelling and surprising moments. "There’s a big, unexpected twist when you come back from the second act," Ashley teases.

Following The Last Tiger in Haiti is Junk: The Golden Age of Debt, which begins its previews on July 26th. Written

by Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar, Junk is a thriller that tells the story of 1980s junk bonds and the utter chaos

they caused. With rapid storytelling and tangible characters, Junk offers a detailed look at the precursor to our country’s financial collapse.

Rounding out La Jolla Playhouse’s 2016–2017 season is comedy Tiger Style!, premiere musical Miss You Like Hell and comedic musical Freaky Friday. With a wide repertoire that stretches across a multitude of genres, La Jolla Playhouse offers their subscribers a unique and varied experience with every new show. "I love promising an audience that every time they walk through the door, they’re going to see something unexpected, fresh and unlike the things you’ve seen here before," Ashley confirms. "Our main goal is that the shows you see at La Jolla Playhouse will leave you transformed in some way. The plays we’re the most excited about are the ones that are plugged into something happening in the world right now, that you walk out the door different than you walked in."

With something for everyone at this San Diego staple, it’s no wonder La Jolla Playhouse has been astonishing the theatre world for nearly 70 years. Don’t miss their latest production, The Last Tiger in Haiti, and upcoming premiere Junk: The Golden Age of Debt.