The Broad Stage made its first announcement of programming for the 2016-2017 season April 4.
The season is set to include two dance companies, Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion and BODYTRAFFIC. In the classical music section, there will be the Academy of St Martin in the Fields with Inon Barnatan, three concerts from artists-in-residence Calder Quartet continuing their Beethoven String Quartet cycle, and six Beethoven, Bagels and Banter performances curated by Robert Davidovici.
Patrons can expect jazz performances from Joey Alexander, The Bad Plus, Ms. Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton, Kneebody, and Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman; and concerts by Basiani - The State Ensemble of Georgian Folk Singing, Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn; Gabriel Kahane; Shane Koyczan; The Slocan Ramblers; and yMusic.
Theatrical offerings will include “Notes from the Field: Doing Time in Education,” presented by Anna Deavere Smith, and “Cuisine & Confessions,” presented by 7 Doigts de la Main. The holiday season will bring Impro Theatre, known for “Jane Austen Unscripted,” presenting “1966 Holiday Variety Extravaganza.” David Broza will return with “Not Quite Xmas Spectacular.”
Family programming will include the Presentation House Theatre production of “Where the Wild Things Are,” based on the book by Maurice Sendak, and Theatergroep Kwatta's production “Love that Dog,” based on the novel by Sharon Creech.
The 2016-2017 season will also feature four presentations of “Nat Geo Live,” featuring photojournalist Charlie Hamilton James, photographer Ami Vitale and paleoanthropologist Lee Berger.
The Broad has also announced that Jane Deknatel, who has been with The Broad Stage for six years, most recently as director of development, has been appointed interim executive director; that Wiley Hausam has become senior artistic advisor; and that Dale Franzen will be curating a new Founding Director's Series for the season.
Deknatel said she is excited for all of the programming announced for the upcoming season, and that The Broad has “curated attractions that allow [their] audience to have a rousingly involved, stimulating, funny, and even sometimes serious time together.”
“Our audience has come to expect to be delighted and intrigued by what they see on our stage,” Deknatel said in an e-mail. “So the process is about finding artists and shows that will involve them in both new and familiar ways. Its about always keeping our eyes and ears open for what is the new, what is the exciting, and what will capture our imaginations; at the same time it is about fostering a continuing relationship with artist and performers - as we have with Calder Quarter, BODYTRAFFIC, and Anna Deavere Smith - all making their third appearances, or the fourth season of Beethoven, Bagels and Banter, or spending the holiday season with Impro Theatre.”
“We welcome all who have been our loyal audience,” Deknatel said. “We also want to welcome those who have wondered about our theatre and shows, to try it out and enjoy this incredible community resource. Imagine seeing world-class shows, in the most intimate 500 seat theatre, without having to fight a freeway - and with free parking.”
The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage is located at 1310 11 St. For ticket and subscription information, visit http://www.thebroadstage.com or call (310) 434-3200.
