The co-production with New Jersey's McCarter Theatre will run this summer, July 19-Aug. 21, in LJP's Mandell Weiss Theatre. (The Princeton, NJ, run is April 29-June 5.)
Seen in a 2007 world-premiere co-production by Center Theatre Group and Deaf West Theatre, and in concert presentations, Sleeping Beauty Wakes at La Jolla represents a new adaptation of the property, about a beauty who is brought into a sleep disorder clinic. The book is by Tony Award winner Rachel Sheinkin (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Be and Striking 12), and the score is by composer Brendan Milburn and lyricist Valerie Vigoda, both of the acclaimed pop trio GrooveLily, and songwriters of the musicals Striking 12 and Long Story Short. Rebecca Taichman will direct.
In Sleeping Beauty Wakes, according to LJP notes, "a young beauty is brought to a sleep disorder clinic, and soon all the patients find themselves sharing a familiar dream. With beguiling characters, hypnotic lyrics, and a rocking score, Sleeping Beauty Wakes delves into the magical space between dreaming and waking in a delightful twist on a classic tale."
The musical joins the already announced Playhouse season of the world-premiere of A Dram of Drummhicit by Arthur Kopit and Anton Dudley, directed by Christopher Ashley, running May 17-June 12, 2011, in the Mandell Weiss Theatre; Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen, adapted and directed by David Schweizer, running June 28-July 24, 2011, in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre; the world premiere of Milk Like Sugar, a co-commission with Theater Masters, by Kirsten Greenidge, directed by Rebecca Taichman, running Aug. 30-Sept. 25 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre; the world-premiere musical Finding Neverland, book by Allan Knee, music by Scott Frankel, lyrics by Michael Korie, directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford, running Nov. 8-Dec. 11, 2011, in the Mandell Weiss Theatre; and American Night: The Ballad of Juan José, written by Richard Montoya for Culture Clash, developed by Culture Clash and Jo Bonney, directed by Jo Bonney, running Jan. 27-Feb. 26, 2012, in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.
Tickets to Sleeping Beauty Wakes and the rest of Playhouse's 2011-12 season are currently available through subscription by calling (858) 550-1010 or by visiting lajollaplayhouse.org. *
La Jolla Playhouse is led by artistic director Christopher Ashley and managing director Michael S. Rosenberg.
