Five New Productions: Michael Jackson, CATS, American Night

When it comes to the performance arts scene, the holiday season is one of the most epic times of the year. But when the New Year rolls around, we've had our fair share of holiday cheer and seasonal spirit. We love you, Grinch. But, enough is enough. Thankfully, the new productions coming to San Diego in 2012 are spectacular enough to break anyone out of a winter rut. Whether you’re a theater devotee or looking to round out your resolutions with more culture, there is something for everyone in the eclectic calendar.

Discover five must-see performances in the New Year.

Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour: If you’re hesitant to jump into the theater scene, perhaps Cirque Du Soleil’s production, Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour, will be the show to change your mind forever. Celebrating the life and creations of the King of Pop, this production will feature Jackson’s powerful music translated through dance and visuals in a breathtaking world of fantasy unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. This production will open in San Diego on January 21st & 22nd at the Valley View Casino Center. For tickets and more information, visit cirquedusoleil.com

CATS: Having made a remarkable debut in 1982, CATS has long been known as America’s best-loved family musical. This child-friendly production has not only won an incredible amount of awards, but has also made theatre history with its unbelievable touring past. Prepare to fall in love with a bevy of characters as you enter a mystical realm that you never knew existed, a world of the Jellicle cat tribe. CATS will be showing at the Civic Theatre with Broadway San Diego January 15th-20th. For tickets and more information, visit broadwaysd.com

The Recommendation: If you feel you’ve seen plenty of the classics and are ready to try something new altogether, The Old Globe Theatre brings you a world premiere play, showing within Balboa Park from January 21st through February 26th. This adult-minded production focuses on themes of friendship, reliability and the limits of loyalty. Following the story of two college friends, one smart and privileged and the other modest and unconnected, The Recommendation takes a look at what happens once the pair enters the real world. For tickets and more information, visit oldglobe.org

American Night: American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose was commissioned by The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, designed as part of the American Revolutions: The United States History Cycle. A riveting take on American history, this Culture Clash production follows Juan Jose as he studies for his U.S. citizenship exam and ends up on an intense odyssey that takes him through the span of American history. This comedy will be showing at La Jolla Playhouse’s Potiker Theatre from January 27th through February 26th. For tickets and more information, visit lajollaplayhouse.org

New Play Festival ft. Lost Apollonia & M: In collaboration with Playwrights Projects, two full weeks of new play workshops will hit the New Village Arts Theatre, with L.A. (Lost Apollonia) showing January 13th-15th and M running Jan 20th-22nd. Both plays are made by San Diego based emerging playwrights: Rob Novak and Karen Li, respectively. L.A. (Lost Apollonia) is a magical play that features a journey from a modern-day coffee shop to the golden age of LA, with enough twists and bends to keep you captivated. M is a unique production that focuses on dance and physics, along with the relationship between art and science. For tickets and more information, visit newvillagearts.org

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