THE 2024/2025 SEASON

2024/2025 SEASON

2024/2025 SEASON BROCHURE

SCHUBERT’S TROUT

LACO’s 24/25 season @ The Wallis begins in the depths of 19th century Romanticism with Pohjonen and a program of seminal masterworks by Schumann and Schubert. Experience the gravity of love with Schumann’s Romances, an enduring love letter to his dear wife Clara, written just as Robert began to succumb to madness.

HARAWI

HARAWI realizes Olivier Messiaen’s deeply affecting, hour-long song cycle for voice and piano in a newly physicalized and dramatized dimension featuring AMOC* Company members soprano Julia Bullock, pianist Conor Hanick, choreographer/dancers Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber, with direction by Zack Winokur. Moving from duet to quartet, this production breaks open Messiaen’s cycle, connects the relationship between movement and music, and grapples with the intensity of love and loss in the human experience.*Harawi, an AMOC* production, at The Wallis is produced in collaboration with the Ojai Music Festival

NICOLE BYER

For one night only @ The Wallis, comedian, actress, and all around multi-hyphenate Nicole Byer, best known as host of the EMMY-nominated baking series Nailed It!, will deliver an evening of standup that will have audience members rolling in their seats laughing. The legendary comic, actress, writer, author, and podcaster is fresh off her performance in the Netflix Is A Joke festival and can currently be seen in her debut solo stand-up special for Netflix Nicole Byer: Big Beautiful Weirdo and the NBC comedy Grand Crew.

ROMEO & JULIET SUITE

In a stunning Los Angeles debut, choreographer Benjamin Millepied offers an innovative and contemporary vision of Prokofiev’s masterpiece Romeo & Juliet. Navigating between film, dance and theater, Millepied reinterprets Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers as young adults in an urban environment where social norms prevent them from living out their love story. Each performance features a different cast of dancers mixing genders and roles in a never before seen celebration of love.

CIRCA: HUMANS 2.0

This next chapter of Circa’s internationally acclaimed Humans is a tightly woven choreography of bodies, pulsing with music by composer Ori Lichtik and revealed in Paul Jackson’s dramatic lighting. Created by circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz, Humans 2.0 is intimate, primal and deeply engaged with the challenge of being human.

MARTÍN + BRAHMS + BAUER

The sunlit tones of Haydn No. 6, Morning, open the Orchestral series and summon the duality of the human experience. Trace the path of a traveler mourning his lover. Walk with Brahms through Austria’s Eastern Alps, weighing grief and contemplating the meaning of life.

ALPHABET ROCKERS

Alphabet Rockers make music that makes change. Founded by Kaitlin McGaw (she/her) and Tommy Shepherd (he/him/they), this intergenerational group creates brave spaces to shape a more equitable world through hip hop. Audiences will explore elements of hip hop together, have shared moments to express and uplift affirmations, reflections and get our bodies MOVING in celebration and joy!  

FRANKENSTEIN

Childlike in his innocence, but grotesque in form, Frankenstein’s bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the increasingly desperate and vengeful Creature determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal.Directed by Academy Award-winner Danny Boyle, featuring Jonny Lee Miller as Victor Frankenstein and Benedict Cumberbatch as the Creature. This adaptation is written by Nick Dear based on the novel by Mary Shelley.

RUFUS-RETRO-WAINWRIGHT-SPECTIVE: ACT 1

Taking to The Wallis stage for the first time, Rufus Wainwright reimagines and reignites his digital phenomenon Rufus-Retro-Wainwright-Spective for three nights. Each evening will feature a different program with thematic arrangements across Wainwright's pop studio albums: Songs of Youth and Addiction; Songs of Love and Desire; and Songs of Contempt and Resistance. The three presentations of Wainwright’s music will be stripped down, focusing on the craft of the songs and Wainwright's unique and gorgeous voice. Let Rufus Wainwright’s vocals immerse you deep into the emotional world of song and take the journey through his retrospective.

RUFUS-RETRO-WAINWRIGHT-SPECTIVE: ACT 2

Taking The Wallis stage for the first time, Rufus Wainwright reimagines and reignites his digital phenomenon Rufus-Retro-Wainwright-Spective for three nights. Each evening will feature a different program with thematic arrangements across Wainwright's pop studio albums: Songs of Youth and Addiction; Songs of Love and Desire; and Songs of Contempt and Resistance. The three presentations of Wainwright’s music will be stripped down, focusing on the craft of the songs and Wainwright's unique and gorgeous voice. Let Rufus Wainwright’s vocals immerse you deep into the emotional world of song and take the journey through his retrospective.

RUFUS-RETRO-WAINWRIGHT-SPECTIVE: ACT 3

Taking to the physical stage for the first time, Rufus Wainwright reimagines and reignites his digital phenomenon Rufus-Retro-Wainwright-Spective at The Wallis for three nights. Each evening will feature thematic arrangements across Wainwright's pop studio albums: Songs of Youth and Addiction; Songs of Love and Desire; and Songs of Contempt and Resistance. The three presentations of Wainwright’s music will be stripped down, focusing on the craft of the songs and Wainwright's unique and gorgeous voice. Let Rufus Wainwright’s vocals immerse you deep into the emotional world of song and take the journey through his retrospective.

MARTÍN + HAYDN + BEAL

Follow the Austrian lineage of the classical symphony. Like wisdom passed between generations, hear the truth in Haydn No. 7, Midday, then witness the form mature in Beethoven’s brilliant evolution. Participate in the living growth of the art form with the west coast premiere of Beal’s Violin Concerto with Hall-Tomkins and celebrate the 24th year of Sound Investment with a world premiere from Karpman.

BENJAMIN BERNHEIM

The LA Opera and The Wallis recital series opens with the internationally acclaimed tenor, Benjamin Bernheim. Perhaps the greatest French lyric tenor of his generation, Benjamin Bernheim is a star in Europe’s leading opera houses, who also embraces the subtle, intimate art of the solo recital. He makes his Los Angeles debut with pianist Carrie-Ann Matheson in a special one-night-only performance at The Wallis, performing ravishing songs and arias. Bernheim has been hailed as “The most beautiful tenor voice since Luciano Pavarotti” by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, and “the new star tenor” by Diapason. 

LIFE & TIMES OF MICHAEL K

Life & Times of Michael K brings dignity to a humble man who finds solace in nature on an epic journey through a mythical, war-torn landscape. In search of his mother’s ancestral home, he finds strength in his own humanity, a profound connection to the earth, and his own unique path. Handspring Puppet Company, who stunned us with War Horse and stole our hearts with Little Amal, joins Cape Town’s Baxter Theatre to transform J.M. Coetzee’s Booker Prize-winning novel into exquisite theater.

BROADWAY @ THE WALLIS

The newest installment of The Wallis' internationally acclaimed Broadway @ The Wallis concert series returns for the 2024/2025 Season. These evenings, specially curated by SiriusXM Radio star Seth Rudetsky or powerhouse theatrical producer Mark Cortale, promise a seamless mix of intimate behind-the-scenes stories and music from our guests’ careers. Past featured artists include Lillias White, Stephanie J. Block, Sarah Silverman, and many more Broadway stars.

BODYTRAFFIC

Continuing our four-year partnership, the L.A.-based dance company, BODYTRAFFIC, led by Tina Finkelman Berkett, returns to The Wallis. This December, a spellbinding program awaits, delivering on the company’s vivid theatricality and unrivaled sophistication. Internationally acclaimed, BODYTRAFFIC has not only conquered the contemporary dance realm, but also bewitched audiences worldwide with its astounding performers, transcendent technical mastery, and a repertoire that vibrates with the sheer joy of dancing. 

MEOW MEOW

Enter the glorious world of International Chanteuse and Comedienne Extraordinaire Meow Meow these holidaze with her unique brand of holiday hilarity and musical mayhem. Let the festive feline wrap you in musical wonder, peals of laughter, and loving audience encounters of the ridiculous and (potentially) too close kind! A rollicking tonic for trying times, Feline Festive will fill you with childhood wonder again, and rekindle the true spirit of the holidays—sparkling good will and joy to the world! Featuring a band of superb musicians, and music ranging from jazzy vintage showbiz to wicked, witty Weimar 1920’s toons, French chansons, and original and contemporary classics and surprises! 

FILM INDEPENDENT PRESENTS @ THE WALLIS

The Wallis continues its partnership with Film Independent! Join us for a series of exciting events all season long, including exclusive screenings, live readings with stellar casts, and conversations with award-winning film actors, directors, composers, and producers. Past events have featured the likes of Guillermo del Toro, Andrew Garfield, Mary McCartney, Seth Meyers, Molly Shannon, Patrick Stewart, Donald Glover, and many more.

JEREMY JORDAN

Jeremy Jordan, the award-winning actor/musician, will bring his signature and thought-provoking style to The Wallis for the first time, showcasing a wide array of vocal styles across all genres of Broadway and pop music. Songs and tales from his storied career will include selections from Newsies, Smash, The Last 5 Years, Little Shop of Horrors, Waitress, and many more.

MOBLEY + VIVALDI

Meditate on sorrow, forgiveness, and the divine feminine as countertenor Mobley interprets Vivaldi’s rendition of Stabat Mater. Stroll through England in good company with songs by Purcell and Dowland before hearing Handel’s Eternal Source of Light Divine, written for Queen Anne’s birthday in 1713. Baroque trumpet features throughout, including a commissioned double concerto.

THE STRING QUARTETS OF PHILIP GLASS

Brooklyn Rider celebrates the string quartets of Philip Glass for their 20th anniversary in a dual experience. The first of its kind, Brooklyn Rider explores Glass through a special multi-part retrospective of his complete music for string quartet. Rounding out the evening is Temples of Resonance, a single concert program featuring a representative selection of some of Glass’s most beloved scores for the medium.

THE HOLLYWOOD MODERNISTS

Scott Dunn Orchestra’s inaugural concert, The Hollywood Modernists - the Second Golden Age of Film Scoring celebrates the influence of American and European modernism on composers Bernard Herrmann, Elmer Bernstein, Alex North, Leonard Rosenman, Jerry Goldsmith and others with music from the iconic films Psycho, Jaws, A Streetcar Named Desire, To Kill A Mockingbird, Rebel Without a Cause, and North By Northwest.

RYAN SPEEDO GREEN

The second installment of LA Opera and The Wallis recital series showcases two-time GRAMMY winning bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green, named “the real showstopper” by The New York Times. Fresh from his triumphant starring turns in the Metropolitan Opera’s acclaimed productions of Champion and Fire Shut Up In My Bones and as Wotan in the LA Philharmonic’s Das Rheingold, this magnetic, fast-rising bass-baritone makes his first LA Opera and The Wallis appearance, joined by pianist Adam Nielsen.

WAR HORSE

The critically acclaimed and international smash-hit play War Horse arrives for its debut screening at The Wallis.At the outbreak of World War One, Albert’s beloved horse, Joey, is sold to the Cavalry and shipped to France. Though still not old enough to enlist he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home. 

123 ANDRÉS

Christina and Andrés are 123 Andrés, the GRAMMY and Latin Grammy-winning duo for kids and families known for their interactive, high energy shows. They bring fresh original songs that blend Spanish and English, with an eclectic mix of sounds from all corners of Latin America. 123 Andrés pack their show with positive vibes and energetic songs that get the whole family dancing and learning.

MEMORYHOUSE

A full-evening work by Artistic Director Melissa Barak, Los Angeles Ballet's Memoryhouse is an abstract work composed of vignettes commemorating World War II and in particular, the Holocaust. Set to Max Richter’s powerful album of the same name, Memoryhouse will reflect on both the somber as well as more heroic moments that illuminate this period in human history.

THE GREAT YES, THE GREAT NO

Marseille, 1941: A liner sails for Martinique with artists and intellectuals on board fleeing from Vichy France, including surrealist André Breton, anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss, Cuban painter Wifredo Lam, Communist novelist Victor Serge and exiled German author Anna Seghers. 

AT WAR WITH OURSELVES - 400 YEARS OF YOU

At War With Ourselves – 400 Years of You features a text by National Book Award-winning poet Nikky Finney inspired by her 2013 poem “The Battle of and for the Black Face Boy.” The music was composed by Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Abels, composer for the Jordan Peele films Us and Get Out. This powerful new work for string quartet, narrator, and chorus explores race relations, social justice, and civil rights in 21st century America.

PINTSCHER + DEBUSSY + DeYOUNG

Experience la belle epoque Paris in a seductive program with impressionistic flair featuring Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin. Feel the heat of summer nights in Berlioz’ seductive song cycle as you’re serenaded by chanteuse DeYoung in her return to our stages. The dream continues with ballet masterpieces by Debussy and Fauré, with Pintscher returning to the podium in this French program.

HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES

A mysterious album featuring Nazi-era photographs arrives at the desk of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum archivist Rebeca Erbelding. As Rebecca and her team of historians begin to unravel the shocking story behind the images, the album soon makes headlines around the world and ignites a debate that reverberates far beyond the museum walls. Based on real events, Here There Are Blueberries tells the story behind these historical photographs—what they reveal about the perpetrators of the Holocaust and, ultimately, about our own humanity.

THE PAPER ESCAPER

Benny, the plucky puppet protagonist in The Paper Escaper, knows they are destined for greater things than a simple pop-up book. In a world that’s trying to squash Benny between its pages – from a wily dancing fire to a disillusioned illustrator – Benny will need the help of a new friend to achieve their dreams.

FARRENC’S NONET

A feast of pièces des résistances thoughtfully curated by Director of Chamber Music, Margaret Batjer. Discover the hidden treasure of Farrenc’s masterful Nonet, virtuosic string quartets by Shaw and Hensel-Mendelssohn, and an innovative trio by Ngwenyama. Timeless and heartfelt, Clara’s response to her spouse’s Romances will close this program of lauded contributions to chamber music by women composers.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

The fastest-selling production in the Young Vic’s history, Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire will be broadcast live from their London home by National Theatre Live. With Gillian Anderson (The X-Files, The Fall) as Blanche DuBois, Ben Foster (Lone Survivor, Kill Your Darlings) as Stanley and Vanessa Kirby (BBC’s Great Expectations, Three Sisters at the Young Vic) as Stella. 

A.I.M BY KYLE ABRAHAM

The celebrated contemporary dance company, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, renowned for their captivating performances, and consistent boundary-pushing, is thrilled to present Andrea Miller’s latest work YEAR specially commissioned by Abraham for the company, alongside If We Were a Love Song, a poignant exploration of love set to a suite by Nina Simone.

AN EVENING WITH ISAAC MIZRAHI

Actor, host, writer, designer, and producer Isaac Mizrahi’s acclaimed concert performances have been described by The New York Times as “determined to challenge the cultural status quo and help blaze a path into a more liberated future where few subjects are off-limits.” His one-of-a-kind show returns to The Wallis, bringing together comedy, commentary, and an array of classic and soon-to-be classic songs from Stephen Sondheim to Blondie, from Comden & Green to Madonna. Accompanied by his six-piece jazz band, “Mizrahi is the real deal when it comes to cabaret: He’s charming, he sounds great, and he is seriously funny” (TheaterMania).

MARTÍN + SCHUMANN + PRICE

Traverse the musical landscape of America from African American spirituals to soothing melodies by familiar friends. Witness the mainstage debut of NPR’s Lara Downes, showcasing the ravishing harmonies and breathtaking melodies of Price’s Piano Concerto. Welcome back Jaime Martín as he leads the orchestra in Schumann’s definitive second symphony.

MARTÍN + BEETHOVEN

LACO’s orchestral season @ The Wallis roars to a close with remarkable milestones made by music history’s most beloved and unsung heroes. Be inspired by Farrenc’s symphonic triumph and her fight for equality. Revel in Beethoven’s heroic Egmont Overture and his towering Violin Concerto, commanded by Radulović in his much-anticipated return with Music Director Jaime Martín at the podium.

PEPPERLAND

Mark Morris, hailed as “the most successful and influential choreographer alive, and indisputably the most musical” (New York Times) returns to Los Angeles with Pepperland, a unique tribute to the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles’ groundbreaking album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, accompanied live by an unprecedented chamber music ensemble of voice, soprano saxophone, two keyboards, theremin, and percussion.

HENRY MANCINI AT 100

Scott Dunn Orchestra returns for its second performance of the 2024/2025 Season  for Henry Mancini at 100 - a Celebration of the Man and his Music. Proclaiming the genius of Henry Mancini as composer and songwriter, the evening will feature Mancini’s scoring and songs from Pink Panther, Charade, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Days of Wine and Roses, Sunflower, and other Mancini masterpieces.

PUT YOUR GUNS DOWN

Making their Wallis debut, GRAMMY-award winning vocal choir Tonality combines melodic harmonies to present concerts on themes of social justice in hopes to catalyze empathy and community activism. Put Your Guns Down discusses issues related to gun violence in the United States. Some of the selections will discuss mass shootings, police brutality, the effects on victims, school shootings, and suicide prevention. The concert also focuses on an active sense of peace as we come together to find solutions toward the epidemic of gun violence in this country. This evening’s performance will feature the world premiere of Alexander Lloyd Blake’s Running From, Running To: A Musical Reflection on Ahmaud Arbery.

PACIFIC JAZZ ORCHESTRA

The Wallis is proud to welcome back the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, fresh from their inaugural season, this 40-piece orchestra is not one to be missed. Featuring powerhouse musicians the evenings’ program effortlessly combines a diverse range of styles, genres, and backgrounds. 

MARTÍN + BACH

Music Director Jaime Martín leads the complete J.S. Bach Orchestral Suites. Dazzling in virtuosity and nuanced in structure, these monuments of the canon are an absolute must for any music lover. Martín will guide you through this exhilarating adventure in counterpoint and harmony, ending the LACO season in style.

JOSHUA GUERRERO

The final installment of LA Opera and The Wallis recital series features Joshua Guerrero, one of LA Opera’s greatest success stories. Guerrero began his career with the company, quickly graduating to the leading tenor roles in Moby-Dick, Macbeth and The Ghosts of Versailles. Hailed as one of OperaWire's "Top 11 Singers of 2023," he now stars in the world's major opera houses. 

GATHERINGS

A specially curated program featuring a U.S. premiere by L.A. Dance Project Artistic Director and renowned choreographer, Benjamin Millepied, alongside his 2024 work Me.You.We.They, and a signature repertory piece from L.A. Dance Project Artists-in-Residence Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber.