Greek Theater Doolittle Years 1952- 1962

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The Doolittle Years Pt. 1  (1952-1969)

In 1952 producer James A Doolittle took over the management of the Greek Theater. He stayed for the next 23 years.  He redesigned the theater to bring it up to the standard of other stages of the time.  He started to present more serious fare such as classical ballet and opera. Over the years he would present more and more pop performers to fill dates during the summer season.

1966 - James Doolittle at the Greek TheaterHerald-Examiner Collection
1952

Swan LakeThe NutcrackerScheherazade

1952 photo: Ralph Widman, Los Angeles Public Library

1953

New York City BalletMadame Butterfly  AUGUST 5 - 8, AUGUST 12 - 15La Boheme AUGUST 19 - 24My Pal Joey AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 14

1954

New York City Ballet Co.Afternoon of FaunAge of AnxietyHarlequinadeCon AmoreFanfare MetamorphosesNutcrackerCarmenThe MikadoSwan LakeSylviaPas de Deux La Valse

1955

Jose Greco Spanish DancersThree for TonightWonderful townNutcrackerJose Greco

1956

Victor BorgeHarry BelafonteBallet Russe de Monte CarloMikadoGiseleSwan LakeLes SylphidesCoppelliaThe Student PrinceThe Red Mill 

1966 photo: James Doolittle at the Greek TheaterLAPL Herald-Examiner Collection
1957 

Judy Garland JUNE 27 - JULY 7Jose Greco JULY 8 -13Hary Belafonte JULY 15 - AUGUST 4Victor Borge AUGUST 12 - 18La Traviata AUGUST 21 - 24American Ballet 

1958 

Maurice Chevalier JUNE 27 - JULY 5Jose Greco Spanish Dancers JULY 7 - 12Les Ballets de Paris JULY 14 - 19Danny Kaye JULY 21 - AUGUST 3La Perichole AUGUST 5 - 16Giselle AUGUST 18 - AUGUST 23Jerry Lewis AUGUST 25 AUGUST 31

1959

Victor Borge JUNE 15 - 21Harry Belefone JUNE 29 - JULY 18Coppelia JUNE 20 - JULY 25New York City Ballet JULY 27 - AUGUST 1The Nutcracker AUGUST 3 - AUGUST 8Jack Benny, Peggy Lee AUGUST 10 - AUGUST 22CoppeliaNew York Ballet

1960

Grand Kabuk Company of Japan JUNE 27Show Business w. Carol Channing  JULY 18 - 23New York City Ballet JULY 25 - 27George Burns AUGUST 9 - 15Royal Danish Ballet AUGUST 18 - 23Johnny Mathis SEPTEMBER 5 - 10

1961

Victor Borge's Comedy in Music JUNE 23 - JULY 2Jose Greco Spanish Dancers JULY 3 - 8Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba JULY 10 - 29Nutcracker AUGUST 4 - 9New York City Ballet AUGUST 4 - 12Music for Tonight AUGUST 14 - 19Nat King Cole AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 2The Greek Tragedy theater Electra SEPTEMBER 5 - 9

1962 

Victor Borge JUNE 27 - 29Midsummer Nights Dream JULY 2 - 8
H. M. S. Pinafore JULY 16 - 22Danny Kaye JULY 23 - AUGUST 4Nat King Cole Sights and Sounds AUGUST 6 - 15Le Bouregeois Gentilhomme AUGUST 17 - 25New York City BalletMaurice Chevalier AUGUST 27 - SEPTEMBER 2Andy Williams, Al Hirt SEPTEMBER 3 - SEPTEMBER 8Johnny Mathis SEPTEMBER 10 - 16

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