SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center today announced its fourth season, highlighting new twists in its performing arts series, fresh multimedia educational events, and the creation of exciting new artistic partnerships. The popular Summer Season also makes its return with celebrated theater, film and music artists and open-air parties on the plaza of the state-of-the-art modernist arts complex in Santa Monica.  In addition, Season 4 increases to 174 performances, two U.S. Premieres, three West Coast Premieres and seven Los Angeles Premieres encompassing visionary artists in Shakespearean, American and avant-garde theater; legends and rising stars of Broadway, opera, jazz, world, classical and new music; the new  multimedia lecture series and film.

Summer Season kicks off on July 12, 2011 when Outfest: The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival hosts its star-laden Centerpiece Gala and film premiere. Following this the official 2011-2012 season begins September 25, 2011 with The Broad Stage's 3rd Annual Westside Jazz Experience, attracting longtime connoisseurs and a new generation of jazz artists and audiences. Pat Metheny is the first of five headliners appearing throughout the season, including legendary and new stars in The Broad's celebration of the great American art form.

"We are particularly proud in The Broad Stage's fourth season to become the new Los Angeles home for productions coming out of London's Menier Chocolate Factory and the Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC)," continued the announcement by the three leaders.  "These two new presenting partnerships are among several new and on-going artistic relationships that bring the world to the Westside.  Both are celebrated as artistic lightning rods and cultural bellwethers for a new era while also being led by artistic directors, David Babani at Menier Chocolate Factory and Mikhail Baryshnikov at BAC, whose own careers have revolutionized the performing arts. Together we are turning vision into reality, nurturing and presenting world-class artists and their most inspired work."

Oscar-winner Helen Hunt and the MacArthur Award winning director David Cromer triumph in the West Coast Premiere of this landmark production of Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning Our Town that is "David Cromer's rethinking of Thornton Wilder's masterpiece is A LANDMARK" (Wall Street Journal)."  The Broad Stage will re-mount the play and physically transform the theater, allowing for only 325 seats so that the audience and actors are at one level, to bring Grover's Corners, the play's every town U.S.A., truly home. "We invite the audience to come and experience The Broad Stage in a completely unique and different way that will add to the value of this production" says Franzen. Oscar-winner Hunt as the Stage Manager leads many of the original Chicago/New York cast in stripping away the myth and artifice to reveal what counts in Our Town and in ourselves. Opens January 13th through February 12th, 2012.

In addition to these now-official partnerships, returning companies with new productions include Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (The Comedy of Errors, November 12-27, 2011) and Impro Theatre (Jane Austen Unscripted, December 3-18, 2011).  Also coming back by popular demand are Saturday Morning Mash-Ups, multi-media mixes of classical music and spoken word slam that is a hit for all ages.

The Broad Stage is honored to participate in Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945–1980. On November 5, 2011 we will have two screenings of the documentary Troubadours followed by a live performance and conversation led by director Morgan Neville. Troubadours traces Carole King, James Taylor and the singer/songwriter scene in Los Angeles during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film also interweaves the intriguing story of the world famous Troubadour club that cemented their musical legacy.

The Broad's Summer Season is sure to make an impression, starting with Outfest's Centerpiece Gala on July 12th. Two major theater events follow in July: Anna Deavere Smith 's Let Me Down Easy, July 20th – July 31st, and The Menier Chocolate Factory's The Expert at the Card Table July 13th- August 7th, 2011.

The Summer Season would not be complete without music and July 14th brings together Grammy winning neo-soul diva India.Arie and Israeli keyboardist/composer Idan Raichel in their only Los Angeles appearance. Their performances at the Nobel Peace Ceremony in Oslo and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. galvanized audiences with their message of acceptance and unity.

To experience The Broad Stage's 2011-2012 Season, showcasing the full spectrum of performing arts; the music, theater and film of the 2011 Summer Season; the series of multimedia lectures; Our Town with Helen Hunt; Saturday Morning Mash-Up family events; and the first offerings from Baryshnikov Art Center and Menier Chocolate Factory, The Broad's new presenting partners, go to www.TheBroadStage.com or call 310.434.3200. Tickets for the Summer Season are on sale now. Priority tickets for Broad Stage members are on sale now for 2011/12 season. Tickets for non-members go on sale July 1st, 2011 and single tickets go on sale August 6, 2011.

Contact:
Vanessa Butler, 213-446-0774
Vanessa.butler@sbcglobal.net

SOURCE The Broad Stage