Ford Theatre Has Big Plans for Summer

The John Anson Ford Theatre in Cahuenga Pass will host the largest outdoor season of Summer Nights at the Ford, June 3-Sept. 17. This 2000 season will offer 58 performances of 41 events over a 15-week period.

The summer lineup is bookended by shows featuring female vocalists: Jazz singer Teri Thornton opens the season June 3 with trumpeter Terence Blanchard, the Billy Childs Trio and the newly formed trio, Prime. Elba Ramalho, who has been called “the Brazilian Tina Turner,” closes the season with her Los Angeles debut Sept. 16-17.

Other highlights of the season, which marks the theater’s 80th anniversary:

* World premieres of dance works by Winifred R. Harris’ Between Lines company (July 29) and by Kitty McNamee’s Hysterica Dance Theatre (Sept. 8).

* Legendary violinist Ida Haendel, appearing with the I Palpiti Chamber Orchestra and conductor Eduard Schmieder (Aug. 4).

* Mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzman and Spanish dancer Maria Bermudez appear with the Santa Cecilia Orchestra in Falla’s “El Amor Brujo” (July 22).

* The revival of free Shakespeare at the Ford by Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Company with a run of “Twelfth Night” (June 8-11, 15-18, 22-25).

* Summer Nights’ first cabaret show, with Amanda McBroom and Ann Hampton Callaway (Aug. 27).

* A new choral series, featuring Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers and the Founder’s Church Choir (July 7), Agape International Choir (July 10) and First AME Church Freedom Choir (Sept. 9).

* “Bachfest,” marking the 250th anniversary of the death of J.S. Bach with three “Brandenburg” Concertos played by the L.A. Baroque Orchestra, led by violinist Gregory Maldonado (Sept. 3).

* A new, five-event family series, Big/World/Fun, pairing Los Angeles-based organizations with artists of national or international stature. These collaborations include, for instance, Kidspace Children’s Museum, Pasadena Shakespeare Company and members of the San Francisco Mime Troupe (July 29).

Ticket prices for brunch and evening events range from $15 to $35; admission to family events is $7. “Twelfth Night” performances are free, but reservations are required.

All events take place at the outdoor 1,241-seat John Anson Ford Theatre at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, off the Hollywood Freeway.

Complete season information: (323) 461-3673, or by consulting the County Arts Commission Web site, https://www.lacountyarts.org/ford.html.