Christopher Ashley Named New Artistic Director at La Jolla Playhouse
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)
Christopher Ashley has been named artistic director of the La Jolla Playhouse, and will assume his duties full-time in October. He replaces longtime artistic director Des McAnuff, who is leaving to become one of three artistic directors at Canada’s prestigious Stratford Festival.
Ashley is directing the new Broadway musical Xanadu, which begins previews at the Helen Hayes Theatre in May. His previous directing credits include All Shook Up, The Smell of the Kill, The Rocky Horror Show (for which he received Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations), Regrets Only, and the film and Off-Broadway production of Jeffrey.
La Jolla has already announced its 2007-2008 season, which includes the world premiere of Franco Dragone’s adaptation of Carmen, the new musical Cry-Baby, based on the John Waters film, and Jessica Hagedorn and Mark Bennett’s new musical Most Wanted.
