MAGAZINE
THE AUDREY SKIRBALL KENIS THEATER AT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
welcome to the geffen playhouse
Photo by Andrew Southam
death of the author
From the artistic Director in the theater, the question of authorship abounds. For centuries scholars have questioned who penned Shakespeare’s plays, and even if it was, indeed, The Bard, his stories were frequently borrowed from other sources. And the Internet has created access to others’ ideas at a magnitude we could never have imagined. In Death of the Author, Steven Drukman explores the lines between learning ideas from great minds and simply parroting back ingrained rhetoric. When do old ideas become our ideas? Directing this world premiere is Bart DeLorenzo who, having helmed multiple productions in the Gil Cates Theater, now turns his focus to the intimate Audrey space. As both Bart and Steven are teachers at renowned universities, they brought to this play an insider point of view that is not always possible in production but certainly helps to define the world and bring to it an authenticity. Along with a wonderful cast and team of designers, they have gracefully navigated the mired world of academia and its pitfalls. I have never used this space to address funding but, in this case, I make an exception. Our ever-present desire to cultivate new work is made possible in part by the generosity of others. Death of the Author has the distinction of being the recipient of both the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award and a Theater Development Grant from the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation. With their help, the Audrey can continue to be a place to create and nurture new work for our audiences. We are grateful to them, and you, for supporting the Geffen’s artistic mission. I welcome you to sit back and enjoy the world premiere of Steven Drukman’s Death of the Author.
Randall Arney Artistic Director
PErFORMANCEs MAGAZINE P1
letter from the co-chairs
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Martha Henderson Co-cHAIR
Pamela Robinson Hollander Co-cHAIR
Patricia Kiernan Applegate Randall Arney Behnaz Ataee Beth Behrs Dr. Gene D. Block Harold A. Brown Gil Cates Jr. Vice Chairman
Mary Ann Cloyd Dennis Doty Dr. Brad Edgerton Mark Fleischer Herbert M. Gelfand Chairman Emeritus
martha henderson
pamela robinson hollander
We are delighted to welcome you to Death of the Author, written by Steven Drukman and directed by our good friend Bart DeLorenzo. This world premiere production is the proud recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award and of a Theater Development Grant from the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Edgerton Foundation and to the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation for their leadership and for giving us the opportunity to produce this new work on our stage. The Geffen Playhouse strives every season to bring new work to life. Thanks to the supporters of our New Play Development program, we’ve been able to launch American and world premieres on both of our stages, strengthen our relationships with emerging and veteran, award-winning playwrights by commissioning new works, and expand our artistic repertoire in directions we’ve never gone before. We are grateful for the opportunity to use theater arts to excite, engage and inspire the world around us and to see our artistic impact evolve from one season to the next. Your dedication to the Geffen Playhouse inspires us year after year to make bold, visionary choices for our art on stage and for the work we do in the community. Help us continue to create rich artistic experiences and innovative, sustainable arts education programming that will serve the greater Los Angeles community and the American stage for years to come. To learn more about how you can give to our New Play Development program and/or support our arts education work, please call our Chief Development Officer Regina Miller at 310.208.6500 ext. 112. Thank you for joining us today. Enjoy the show!
Patricia L. Glaser Adi Greenberg Arthur Greenberg Joan Kaloustian Glorya Kaufman Loretta Everett Kaufman Dr. Gerald S. Levey Carla Malden Susan Mallory Ginny Mancini Frank G. Mancuso Chairman Emeritus
Barry Meyer Susanna Midnight Regina Miller Ken Novice Steven A. Olsen Loren Rothschild Linda Bernstein Rubin Teri Schwartz Richard Sherman Fred Specktor Lorraine Spurge DeeAnna Staats Cynthia P. Stafford Howard Tenenbaum Michael Walsh
founding trustees Suzanne Deal Booth Kirsten Combs Robert A. Daly David Geffen Quincy Jones Jeffrey Katzenberg Ron Meyer Leslie Moonves Jerry Moss Jerry Perenchio Bruce M. Ramer Founding Chairman
Victoria Mann Simms Andy Spahn Steven Spielberg Steve Tisch Dr. Charles E. Young Chairman Emeritus
IN MEMORIAM Gilbert Cates Founder
Martha Henderson Co-Chair, Geffen Playhouse
Pamela Robinson Hollander Co-Chair, Geffen Playhouse
Marcia Israel-Curley Audrey Skirball Kenis Charles Kenis Karl Malden lawrence ramer Edie Wasserman Lew Wasserman Peter rosen
LEGAL COUNSEL, latham & watkins LLP
P2 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINe
Postmodern literature is characterized by heavy reliance on techniques like fragmentation, paradox, and questionable narrators, and is often (though not exclusively) defined as a style or trend which emerged in the post-World War II era. Postmodern works are seen as a reaction against Enlightenment thinking and Modernist approaches to literature.
In an effort to lay some groundwork for Steven Drukman’s play, I thought it might be useful to define the academic discipline that encompasses the play, but postmodernism escapes a pat explanation. Of course, this is part of the point of the play — a discipline or intellectual idea often resides in a gray area, and gray areas are not easily defined. So instead, included is a glossary of writers and ideas either integral or secondary in Death of the Author. A postmodern roadmap, as it were. — amy levinson, geffen playhouse artistic associate
Barthes, Roland: (1915–1980) an influential French literary theorist in the fields of representation of information and methods of communication. Conrad, Joseph: (1857–1924) a postmodern Polish author who wrote in English. Author of Heart of Darkness. Deconstruction: a theory used in the study of literature or philosophy which attempts to “de-construct” a text or belief to uncover its foundational meaning. Also, the analytic examination of something (as a theory) often in order to reveal its inadequacy. Derrida, Jacques: (1930–2004) the founder of “deconstruction.” See: deconstruction. Form equals function: a modernist architectural term that states a building’s shape and structure should be determined by its primary purpose. Brontë, Emily Jane: (1818-1848) English novelist and poet, author of Wuthering Heights. Chaucer: (1343–1400) English poet regarded as the greatest literary figure of medieval England. His works include The Book of the Duchess (1369), Troilus and Criseyde (c. 1385), and his masterwork, The Canterbury Tales (1387-1400). Chonged: Stoned. Very stoned. (Derived from Cheech and Chong’s stoner flick Up In Smoke). Faust: a mythological tale of a scholar who sells his soul to the devil. The two most famous adaptations of the Faust theme are Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Faust.
Genre: a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter. Defined by tone, content, length or age category. In literature these include: epic, tragedy, comedy, novel, short story, and creative nonfiction. James, Henry: (1843–1916) noted Americanborn English essayist, critic, and key author of the Realist movement wrote The Ambassadors (1903), The Turn of the Screw (1898), and The Portrait of a Lady (1881). Kant, Immanuel: (1724–1804) the central figure in modern philosophy. He synthesized early modern rationalism and empiricism, set the terms for much of 19th and 20th century philosophy, and continues to exercise a significant influence today in metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy, aesthetics, and other fields. The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman: a humorous faux autobiography written by Laurence Stern in 1759 that was widely accused of plagiarism for its innovative patchwork use of existing texts. Little Lord Fauntleroy: (1885) a children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett that set a precedent in Copyright law after Burnett won a lawsuit over a theatrical adaptation. Literary theory: a description of the underlying principles by which attempts are made to understand, analyze and critique literature. MLA: Modern Language Association. Nietzsche: (1844–900) a German philosopher of the late 19th century who challenged the foundations of Christianity and traditional morality.
Sources: Merriam-Webster, biography.com, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Urban Dictionary.
Pedagogy: the art, science and profession of teaching. Postmodernism: a wide-ranging term applicable to a number of fields including literature, art, philosophy, architecture, fiction, and literary criticism which argues that reality is only comprehensible through concrete, subjective experience. There can be no generalized or abstract principle that covers the totality of human understanding. Postmodernism is “post” because it seeks to move past the search for absolute definitions of the “modern” period. Reception theory: a sect of modern literary theory that examines how a work of literature is received by an audience. Russian formalism: a 20th century school of Russian literary criticism. the Formalists placed an “emphasis on the medium” by analyzing the way in which literature, especially poetry, was able to alter artistically or “make strange” common language so that the everyday world could be “defamiliarized.” They stressed the importance of form and technique over content and looked for the specificity of literature as an autonomous verbal art. Socrates: (470/469–399 BC) Greek philosopher whose way of life, character, and thought exerted a profound influence on ancient and modern philosophy. Wallace, David foster: (1962–2008) an American author and essayist. Author of Infinite Jest, nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Words with Friends: a multi-player, electronic word puzzle game in which players take turns spelling words from a randomly selected pool of letters. Žižek, Slavoj: (1949–) a Slovenian Marxist philosopher, psychoanalyst and cultural critic. PErFORMANCEs MAGAZINE P3
death of the author
post•mod•ern poʊstˈmɒdərn
THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE Presents
Written by
Steven Drukman Scenic Designer
Costume Designer
Takeshi Kata
Christina Haatainen Jones
Lighting Designer
Composer & Sound Designer
Lap Chi Chu
John Ballinger
Production Stage Managers
Cate Cundiff Jessica Aguilar
Dramaturg
Amy Levinson
Casting by
Phyllis Schuringa, CSA
Directed by
Bart DeLorenzo Recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award Recipient of a Theater Development Grant from the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation
Opening Night: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 OPENING NIGHT SPONSOR s
P4 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINe
(In order of appearance)
Jeff................................................................................................................................ David Clayton Rogers Bradley.......................................................................................................................................... Austin Butler J. Trumbull Sykes......................................................................................................................... Orson Bean Sarah.............................................................................................................................................Lyndon Smith
setting One of the finest universities in the country. time The present — at the end of the school year. running time 95 minutes There will be no intermission
The Geffen Playhouse is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. This project was also funded in part by the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles. The Geffen Playhouse, a non-profit theater company, is proudly affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles.
PErFORMANCEs MAGAZINE P5
death of the author
cast of characters
production biographies He’d like to dedicate his performance to his amazing mother Lori. He wouldn’t be here without her…literally.
ORSON BEAN (J. Trumbull Sykes) Orson Bean was nominated for a SAG award for his performance in the film Being John Malkovich. As an actor, he starred on Broadway for twenty years, winning a Theater World Award and a Tony nomination in the process. As a comic, he appeared on The Tonight Show over 200 times, a hundred of them as substitute host. He played Mrs. McCluskey’s husband on the final three seasons of Desperate Housewives, and beat Charlie Sheen with a cane on Two and a Half Men. It seems to have done Charlie no good. Orson’s newly published memoir Safe at Home is available on Amazon.
AUSTIN BUTLER (Bradley) Austin Butler is excited to make his theatrical debut at the Geffen Playhouse. He has a long list of credits on the big screen and television which include Sebastian Kydd in the CW’s The Carrie Diaries, Switched at Birth, Life Unexpected, The Bling Ring, Hannah Montana, iCarly, Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure, Wizards of Waverly Place, Ruby & the Rockits, Zoey 101, The Defenders, CSI: NY, CSI: Miami. He also starred in the Fox feature film Aliens in the Attic and just shot Sony’s The Intruders with Tom Sizemore. P6 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINe
DAVID CLAYTON ROGERS (Jeff) Most recently, David Rogers has been recurring on Nashville, Mixology and Back in the Game as well as being one of the leads on Jane By Design. After graduating from the University of Virginia, Rogers took to New York where he worked constantly in the illustrious basement theaters of the Lower East Side. Since landing in Los Angeles he played the role of “Pip” in Three Days of Rain at the Ventura Court Theater, where he also directed David Ives’ Ancient History. He’s also appeared on shows such as Grimm, Happy Endings, Cougar Town, Gilmore Girls, and a handful of CSIs as well as Warner Bros H+. Rogers may be familiar to British viewers from his lead role in the drama NYLON which co-starred Rashida Jones and Stephen Moyer. He is also known for his starring role in the successful Comedy Central web series Border Patrol.
LYNDON SMITH (Sarah) Lyndon Smith recurs as Natalie on the NBC hit series Parenthood. She can also be seen in the upcoming feature films The Circle and The
Forger, with John Travolta. She is starring in the new Ed Burns pilot Public Morals, on TNT. Her other credits include the CW’s Sci-Fi drama The Tomorrow People and 90210, as well as Showtime’s Californication. A native of Pensacola, she received her BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Florida. After graduating, she participated in a multiproduction, international tour throughout Greece portraying the classic characters Juliet and Antigone. Other past theatre credits include End Days, Shear Madness, Fool For Love and Reasons To Be Pretty. She currently resides in Burbank. Steven Drukman (Playwright) World premieres: Prince of Atlantis (South Coast Rep), The Innocents (Asolo Rep), In This Corner (Old Globe), Going Native (Long Wharf Theatre), Another Fine Mess (Portland Center Stage), The Bullet Round (Arena Stage), Flattery Will Get You (Connecticut Rep) and several others. Plays developed or commissioned by: Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Horizons, Mark Taper Forum, Sundance Theatre Lab, Intiman Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, New York Theatre Workshop, Naked Angels and many others. Awards: Three-time Edgerton Award recipient, as well as winner of the Craig Noel Award, Paul Green Award, Critics’ Circle Award, Alfred P. Sloan Award, and grants and awards from several foundations. He is a 2014 MacDowell fellow, an ATCA/Steinberg New Play Award semi-finalist, and his newest play, Marquis Aurelius, was a finalist for the O’Neill Playwrights Conference. He is an Associate Producer of Alexander Buravsky’s forthcoming feature film Clairvoyant. For years, Drukman worked as a journalist, contributing frequently to The New York Times, The Village
Voice, The International Herald Tribune, The Nation and many others. He was the theatre critic for Artforum and WNYCFM (New York Public Radio), and a senior editor of American Theatre magazine. He is an Associate Arts Professor at New York University, where he teaches playwriting. Bart DeLorenzo (Director) Founding Artistic Director of the Evidence Room theater in Los Angeles. At the Geffen Playhouse, he previously directed Donald Margulies’ Coney Island Christmas and Shipwrecked!: An Entertainment as well as the world premiere of Joan Rivers: A Work in Progress by a Life in Progress. His recent productions with Evidence Room includes Sarah Ruhl’s Passion Play, Sharr White’s Annapurna, Chekhov’s Ivanov and Len Jenkins’s Margo Veil, all produced with the Odyssey Theater. Other recent directing includes Annapurna with The New Group (Off-Broadway), Carla Ching’s Fast Company at South Coast Repertory, Shakespeare’s Cymbeline at A Noise Within, Charlayne Woodard’s The Night Watcher at The Studio Theatre in Washington, and Justin Tanner’s Day Drinkers at the Odyssey. He is on the faculty at CalArts. For his work, he has received six LA Weekly awards, three Backstage Garlands, four LA Drama Critics Circle Awards, including the Milton Katselas Award for career achievement, and is the 2012 recipient of TCG’s Alan Schneider Director Award. TAKESHI KATA (Scenic Designer) Geffen Playhouse: Ruth Draper’s Monologues, Slowgirl, American Buffalo, Coney Island Christmas, The Female of the Species, The Seafarer, Boston Marriage. LA: November, Other Desert Cities (Taper), Bones, 2 Unrelated Plays by David Mamet, Palomino (Kirk Douglas), JDT Discord (NoHo Arts Center). NY: 3 Kinds of Exile, Through
production biographies
CHRISTINA HAATAINEN JONES (Costume Design) At the Geffen Playhouse: Miss Julie, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Nightmare Alley, Joan Rivers: A Work in Progress by a Life in Progress, Quality of Life, Fat Pig, A Picasso, God of Hell, Take Me Out, Steve Martin’s The Underpants , I Just Stopped By to See the Man, Boy Gets Girl, Neil Simon’s Oscar and Felix: A New Look at The Odd Couple, God’s Man in Texas, All in the Timing, and the David Mamet plays The Cryptogram and The Old Neighborhood. Regionally: Old Globe Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Boston Court, Denver Center Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Antaeus, Noise Within, Lewis Family Playhouse. Tina is a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon University and is the Director of Design at the USC School of Dramatic Arts. LAP CHI CHU (Lighting Designer) Regional designs include Mark Taper Forum, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, The Goodman Theater, The Shakespeare Theater, Arena Stage, Hartford Stage, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, and
Portland Center Stage. New York design credits include The Public Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, Signature Theater, Second Stage Theatre, Performance Space 122 and Kitchen Theatre Company. He is the lighting/video designer for ChameckiLerner Dance Company (Costumes by God, Visible Content, Hidden Forms, I Mutantes Seras, Por Favor and Não Me Deixe), which has performed in the United States and Brazil. Awards have included the LA Drama Critic’s Circle Angstrom Award for Career Achievement in Lighting Design, multiple Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards, a “Drammy” for best lighting, as well as a Lucille Lortel nomination for The Good Negro at The Public Theater. Mr. Chu is on the lighting design faculty at California Institute of the Arts. JOHN BALLINGER (Sound Designer) John is an award winning composer/sound designer based in Los Angeles. Notable collaborations include scores and sound design for Fast Company, The Borrowers, and Midsummer Nights Dream at SCR, Annapurna at the Odyssey and The New Group, Coney Island Christmas and The Joan Rivers Show at the Geffen, Cymbeline at A Noise Within, Justin Love at Celebration Theater, Songs & Dances of Imaginary Lands, The Woman Who Forgot Her Sweater, and Celebration of the Lizard for O-lan Jones’ Overtone Industries, Echo’s Hammer, 1001 and The Government Inspector at Theater @ Boston Court, The Many Mistresses of Martin Luther King at EST-LA, Ken Roht’s 99cent Only Holiday shows at The Evidence Room and Bootleg Theater, The Breakup Notebook at ReVision Theater New Jersey, F***ing Hipsters: the Musical at 2011 New York Musical Theater Festival. www.johnballinger.net
CATE CUNDIFF (Production Stage Manager) Cate is thrilled to be back at the Geffen where she last worked as the ASM on Break of Noon. Select Los Angeles Stage Management credits include When You’re in Love the Whole World is Jewish; Salam Shalom; and Good Bobby (Greenway Court Theatre); When You Wish (Pat Boone/Dean McClure/The Freud Theatre); Mod Rock (El Portal); Man of La Mancha; Godspell; and Jesus Christ Superstar (GPC/ The Brhem Center); Woman in the Wall (Overtone Industries); This and Venice (Center Theatre Group); Topdog/ Underdog (Lillian Theatre); Dissonance (Falcon Theatre); Oedipus the King Mama (The Falcon/Troubadour Theater Company); Love Water (ESTLA/Open Fist); Battle Hymn (Circle X Theatre). A New Orleans native, Cate attended the University of Louisiana theatre program. Proud member of Actor’s Equity Association. Much love to my family and friends. Thanks to Emily and Jess.
AMY LEVINSON (Dramaturg) Amy Levinson is the Artistic Associate and Literary Director at the Geffen Playhouse. As dramaturg, Amy has overseen more than 40 productions including the commissions and world premieres of Donald Margulies’ Time Stands Still and Jane Anderson’s The Quality of Life. She has also had the privilege of working with numerous writers on premiere productions including Neil Simon, Neil LaBute, Bill Cain, Joanna Murray-Smith and David Weiner, among others. Production dramaturgy credits include: The Weir, Boy Gets Girl, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Extraordinary Chambers, The Escort and Equivocation. As Artistic Associate and Literary Director, she has helped to build programs for new play development including the commissioning and development of emerging and established playwrights. Also a translator of Yiddish drama, she holds MFA in dramaturgy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
JESSICA AGUILAR (Production Stage Manager) Jessica couldn’t be more grateful to return to the Geffen Playhouse as a Stage Manager. She formerly assisted on By the Waters of Babylon. Select previous works include: the pre-Broadway tour of One Night with Janis Joplin concluding at Arena Stage; Pasadena Playhouse: 12 Angry Men, Intimate Apparel, Blues for an Alabama Sky; Marin Theatre Company: Fences, Tiny Alice, Happy Now?, In the Red & Brown Water; LATC: Devil’s Advocate, Dementia; CTG: Ken Roht’s Nutcracker Workshops; Once On This Island; Cygnet Theater: Man of La Mancha, Hedwig & the Angry Inch. She is a graduate of UCLA, a proud member of AEA, a fitness enthusiast & an avid SF Giants fan. Many thanks to her F&F, HW, PA, ML, MQH, JK2. JM, JC, R+B, MS, & AP. Kisses to TB!
PHYLLIS SCHURINGA, CSA (Casting) Phyllis has been the Casting Director at the Geffen for 12 years and now is also an Artistic Associate. Recent plays are Wait Until Dark, American Buffalo, Yes, Prime Minister, The Gift, Coney Island Christmas, Build and the Los Angeles production of By the Way, Meet Vera Stark. Before joining the team at the Geffen, she was the Casting Director for Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago where her favorites include Frank Galati’s adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath (also La Jolla Playhouse, National Theatre in London, and Broadway, where it received the Tony Award for Best Play), the original production of Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile (and subsequent productions including Westwood Playhouse and Briar Street Theater in PErFORMANCEs MAGAZINE P7
death of the author
a Glass Darkly, Storefront Church, The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow (Atlantic Theatre Company), Adding Machine (Minetta Lane), Barrow Street Theatre, Playwright’s Horizons, Vineyard Theatre, Rattlestick. Regional: Alley, American Players Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, Ford’s Theatre, Goodman, Hartford Stage, Long Wharf, Nashville Opera, Old Globe, Resident Ensemble Players, Steppenwolf, Yale Rep. Kata has won an Obie award and has been nominated for Drama Desk, Barrymore and Ovation Awards. He is an Assistant Professor at University of Southern California, School of Dramatic Arts.
production biographies Chicago), Austin Pendleton’s Orson’s Shadow and Charles L. Mee’s Time to Burn. Broadway transfers include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Tony for Best Revival) and The Song of Jacob Zulu. She teaches auditioning at Steppenwolf West and is a member of the Casting Society of America.
RANDALL ARNEY (Artistic Director) Randall Arney has been a theater professional for over 30 years and has served as Artistic Director of the Geffen Playhouse since 1999. In addition to his artistic programming and oversight at the Geffen, Arney has helmed more than 10 productions for the theater, most recently Slowgirl, American Buffalo, Superior Donuts, The Female of the Species, The Seafarer, Speed-the-Plow and All My Sons. Arney is an ensemble member and former Artistic Director of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre where his directing credits include: The Seafarer, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Death and the Maiden, Curse of the Starving Class, Killers and The Geography of Luck, among others. Arney also directed Steppenwolf’s world premiere of Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile, as well as the subsequent national and international acclaimed productions. Mr. Arney’s acting credits with Steppenwolf include Born Yesterday, Ghost in the Machine, The Homecoming, Frank’s Wild Years, You Can’t Take it with You, Fool for Love, True West, Balm in Gilead and Coyote Ugly. As the Artistic Director for Steppenwolf from 1987 to P8 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINe
1995, he oversaw the creation of a new state-of-the-art theater which is Steppenwolf’s current home. Broadway transfers under his leadership include The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, The Song of Jacob Zulu (six Tony Award nominations) and The Grapes of Wrath (1990 Tony Award, Best Play). Mr. Arney has an MFA degree in Acting from Illinois State University and has taught master classes and workshops at UCLA, Steppenwolf, around the U.S. and in Tokyo.
Media Networks he developed national marketing and public relations programs for most of Hollywood’s major motion picture studios. Novice also served as Head of the Theatre Management MFA/MBA program at California State University, Long Beach and has been a guest lecturer at San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego. He holds a BA from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from San Diego State University.
KEN NOVICE (Managing Director) Ken Novice’s career in the professional theater spans 25 years and over 250 productions. Prior to joining Geffen Playhouse, he served as Managing Director and Director of External Affairs at Pasadena Playhouse where his credits include the revival of Fences starring Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett and the world premieres of Sister Act the Musical, Ray Charles Live, Stormy Weather starring Lesley Uggams and many others. He was Director of Marketing and Public Relations for San Diego’s Tony Awardwinning Old Globe Theatre where his credits include Jack O’Brien’s acclaimed revival of Damn Yankees, the Tony Award-nominated musical The Full Monty, Henry IV starring John Goodman and Sheldon Epp’s Tony-nominated hit Play On! among many others. His credits also include marketing and public relations for the Tony Award-winning Denver Center Theater Company and New York’s Circle Repertory Company. As Director of Programming for YouthStream
BEHNAZ ATAEE (General Manager) Behnaz Ataee is a financial professional with more than 27 years of experience in forprofit and nonprofit financial management and auditing. Behnaz joined the Geffen Playhouse in 1999 and this marks her ninth season as the theater’s General Manager. She began her career in the Bay Area as a partner in a small family start-up before joining FBS Management where she acted as Director of Accounting, overseeing the finances of more than 25 non-profit organizations. Behnaz continued her work with non-profits as an auditor for Trump and Van Sloten CPA and then returned to the for-profit sector at Ultratech, before ultimately landing at the Geffen Playhouse. Behnaz has a Master’s degree from Pepperdine University.
REGINA MILLER (Chief Development Officer) Regina has been a development professional for over 18 years, working with non-profit institutions, foundations and corporations on strategy, analysis and fundraising. She has worked for Simon Wiesenthal Center, The Clinton Foundation, Ben Affleck’s Eastern Congo Initiative, Hank Azaria’s Determined to Succeed, The Millan Foundation and Whole Child International, among others. Prior to the Geffen, Regina served as the Director of Partnerships for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire where she led strategic planning and development while executing policies that advanced the organization’s visibility and growth. Regina also has a strong passion for teaching. After graduating from University of North Carolina School of the Arts, she taught in preschools and kindergartens in New York. From the age of 13, Regina worked as a professional dancer on Broadway as well as with a number of prominent modern dance ensembles. Fusing two of her interests, she created a highly successful program which incorporated dance therapy and creative movement into an early childhood curriculum as well as wrote and produced a television show based on this concept. In addition to being a published author and photographer with Tallfellow Press and Prometheus Books, Regina has taught and lectured at numerous schools in New York, Los Angeles and abroad.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
GEFFEN AT A GLANCE ADDRESS
PRODUCTION STAFF FOR DEATH OF THE AUTHOR Wardrobe Supervisor & Assistant Costume Designer Holly Victoria Assistant Lighting Designer Jesse Baldridge Light Board Operator Dan Tuttle Sound Board Operator Jackson Campbell Stage Crew Joel Fullerton Stage Crew Tim Dyess Properties Artisan Devin Lennon-Davey UCLA Stage Management Intern Emily Millman ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Set provided by Scenic Highlights Lighting Equipment provided by Entertainment Lighting Services Sound Equipment provided by Jon Sound Inc. Production Photographer Michael Lamont Media Filming Four Leaf Media SPECIAL THANKS UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Scene, Prop, Sound and Costume Shops; London Cleaners; Peet’s Coffee & Tea; Michael Vitale UCLA SCHOOL OF THEATER, FILM AND TELEVISION The Geffen Playhouse is affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles, specifically the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. The Geffen Playhouse values its role as an important educational resource by providing students with master classes, workshops and internships. Students are also able to work and learn from distinguished visiting Geffen artists such as Alan Ayckbourn, Jon Robin Baitz, Annette Bening, Ed Harris, David Ives, Neil LaBute, David Mamet, Donald Margulies, Terrence McNally, John Rando and Kathleen Turner in areas of directing, playwriting, acting, design, dramaturgy, management and production. The Geffen Playhouse also draws upon the distinguished experts in the university to enhance the theater’s programs and research. The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association; The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. The director is a member of the society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc., an independent national labor union.
Geffen Playhouse 10886 Le Conte Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024 Administrative Offices.......... 310.208.6500 Weekdays.........................10:00 am — 6:00 pm Box Office Phone Line........... 310.208.5454 Daily......................................7:00 am — 6:00 pm Subscriber Hotline.................. 310.208.2028 Weekdays.........................10:00 am — 6:00 pm Weekends........................ 12:00 pm — 6:00 pm Please visit geffenplayhouse.com for hours, parking and more information TICKET SERVICES Box Office Window When shows are not in performance, the box office window is open: Weekdays.........................10:00 am — 6:00 pm Weekends........................ 12:00 pm — 6:00 pm During the run of a show, the window will be open until curtain. Please note: the box office is unable to process exchanges and future sales one hour prior to curtain time on any performance day. access
ASL
Accessible Accommodation The Geffen Playhouse is fully committed to ensuring a satisfying theater experience for our patrons with special needs or disabilities. Please contact the box office or an usher to discuss your needs.
AT THE THEATER Late Seating Should you arrive late to the theater or vacate your seat during the performance, please expect to be held in the lobby until an appropriate pause in the action on-stage. To minimize disturbance to other patrons, you may be sat into the first available location by the house staff even if different from your assigned seat. Be advised that some productions or circumstances may not allow for late or return seating.
PErFORMANCEs MAGAZINE P9
outreach This program showed me a way to express myself, to give my ideas on stuff.
NOW I HAVE AN IMAGINATION OF MY OWN... rather than somebody else telling me how or what to think. — 10th grade student, Mendez High School (Boyle Heights)
your impact And help us continue this critical work in the community by donating to the Geffen Playhouse. for more information, Call Development at 310.208.6500 ext. 141 P10 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINe
Photo by Jeff Lorch Photography
Visit geffenplayhouse.com/education to learn more about the impact of our Education and Outreach Programs on the students, parents, teachers, principals and community partners with whom we worked last year.
Enhance your experience while giving back Director
Education Advocate
Transport the entire 10th grade at Mendez High School to one show and workshop All Education Advocate benefits plus… • Two (2) house seats to the five-play season in the Gil Cates Theater • Two (2) house seats to the three play season in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater • A unique behind-the-scenes experience for one show in the season — possibilities include attending a rehearsal, design presentation, set tour or meeting with the casting director • A signed copy of a Geffen Playhouse script from the current season
Bring a teaching artist to Mendez High School for a full season of play workshops All Artistic Advocate benefits plus… • Access to the Marcia Israel Curley Founders Room, featuring complimentary drinks, snacks and private restrooms • Access to our VIP theatrical concierge who can help book house seats at theaters nationwide • Recognition on a glass panel in our lobby • Personalized assistance with renewing your subscription from someone in our development office • Ability to exchange your subscription seats into house seats (Subject to availability)
Gifts of $3,000 or more
Artistic Advocate
Associate
Affiliate
Bring a teaching artist to Mendez High School for two play workshops All Associate level benefits plus… • VIP parking directly across the street from the Geffen Playhouse • Your picture included in a “Donor highlight” page in a program in our 2014/2015 season
Provide writing supplies for the entire 10th grade at Mendez High School All Affiliate level benfits plus… • Recognition in program • Invitation to “Meet the Geffen Family” cocktail party. Enjoy complimentary cocktails and appetizers June 13th, 2014 at Hotel Angeleno • Season-long coffee card good for unlimited coffee and tea at the Geffen Playhouse bar • Two (2) complimentary glasses of wine at Tanino Ristorante
Provide writing supplies for three 10th grade classes at Mendez High School • Two (2) complimentary drinks at our Geffen Playhouse bar • A voucher for a complimentary treat or snack at the Geffen Playhouse • Entered to win a 4-night stay at Capella Marigot Bay in Saint Lucia
Transport the entire 10th grade at Mendez High School to two shows and workshops All Sponsor benefits plus… • Two (2) tickets to a five-play season of Geffen Playhouse Opening Nights, which are by invitation only and include valet parking, a pre-show cocktail reception and a post-show cast party • Access to our VIP Concierge Service, which will assist you with everything from dinner reservations to parking assistance when you attend a show • Two (2) house seats to all shows in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse • Ability to have the Geffen Playhouse donate a pair of tickets for one show in the Gil Cates Theater to the charity of your choice
Gifts of $500 or more
Photo by Jeff Lorch Photography
Sponsor
Gifts of $5,000 or more
Gifts of $250 or more
Gifts of $1,000 or more
Gifts of $150 or more
to donate or for more information Please call development 310.208.6500 ext. 128 PErFORMANCEs MAGAZINE P11
“Not your grandmother’s Tupperware Party!” — NBC Today Show
“Dixie is all smiles and Sweet sugar!” — Associated Press “Pure theatrical bliss!” — nytheatre.com
Kris Andersson directed by Patrick Richwood written by
Dixie Longate, the fast-talking Tupperware Lady, packed up her catalogues, left her children in an Alabama trailer park and took Off-Broadway, London & Melbourne by storm!
Contains Adult Content Groups of 10+ save 10%! Inquire at groupsales@geffenplayhouse.com.
spotlight entertainment series event begins july 8 in the audrey skirball kenis theater at the geffen playhouse
like us on facebook
follow us on twitter
follow us on pinterest
geffenplayhouse.com | 310.208.5454
Photo by Bradford Rogne
Now, join Dixie as she travels the country throwing good ol’fashioned Tupperware Parties filled with outrageously funny tales, heartfelt accounts, FREE giveaways, audience participation and the most fabulous assortment of Tupperware ever sold on a theater stage!
annual donors In appreciation, donors enjoy a host of special benefits including house seats, complimentary drinks, receptions and much more. For more information, please call Jamie Mikelich at 310.208.6500 ext. 128.
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE $50,000+
Anonymous Aria Resort & Spa Audi of America, Inc Ben/Joyce Eisenberg Foundation City National Bank Mary Ann Cloyd David Geffen Foundation Edgerton Foundation Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer & Melvin Keefer Herbert M. & Beverly J. Gelfand The Adi & Jerry Greenberg Foundation Guggenheim Partners Investment Management Holdings, LLC Carole & Bill Haber Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust Martha Henderson Rabbi Uri D. Herscher & Dr. Myrna Herscher Cindy & Alan Horn JP Morgan Private Bank Marilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg Glorya Kaufman Loretta Everett Kaufman & Victor Kaufman Keyes Automotive Group Sandra Krause & William Fitzgerald Latham & Watkins LLP Mr. and Mrs. Jason & Yvonne Lee Ginny Mancini Fay & Frank Mancuso John McCrite & Juan Lopez Donna McKenna & Flynn Chernos Kelly & Ron Meyer Ann & Jerry Moss Moss Foundation PricewaterhouseCoopers Madeline & Bruce Ramer Linda Bernstein Rubin & Tony Rubin Richard & Barbara Sherman Shubert Foundation Skirball Foundation Karen & Vic Smith Kate Capshaw Spielberg & Steven Spielberg DeeAnna Staats Cynthia P. Stafford & Lanre Idewu Judith & Bruce Stern Jodi & Howard Tenenbaum In Memory of Alice Ghostley & Felice Orlandi The Walt Disney Company Westfield Group Judy & Chancellor Charles E. Young Dirk & Natasha Ziff
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
$25,000 - $49,999 Anonymous Aegon Transamerica Foundation Patricia Kiernan Applegate Robert C. Baral Beth Behrs Stephanie & Jonathan Carson CBS Corporation Classic Party Rentals Daedalus Foundation, Inc Designer 8 Event Furniture Rental The Douglas Foundation The Edward A. & Ai O. Shay Family Foundation Gang, Tyre, Ramer & Brown, Inc. Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa InterActive Corp (IAC) J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation Laurents / Hatcher Foundation The Lear Family Foundation Los Angeles County Arts Commission Los Angeles magazine Louis XIII Louis Vuitton
Marcia Israel Foundation, Inc. Nancy & Sir Paul McCartney Montage Hotels & Residences Leslie Moonves & Julie Chen Napa Valley Grille Mike Nichols & Diane Sawyer Anna K. Nupson The Richenthal Foundation SOCIAL by Samantha Sackler & Tammy Ratner Shel & Cynthia Stone Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz Deborah & Michael E. Walsh Warner Bros. Entertainment Wells Fargo Foundation
PRODUCER
$10,000 - $24,999 J.J. Abrams & Katie McGrath Ariel Investments Charles A. Black, Jr. Heather Thomas & Skip Brittenham Brotman Foundation of California Eileen & Harold Brown Brunello Cucinelli Bulgari Corporation of America Roma Downey & Mark Burnett The Capella Resorts The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation Marcy Carsey & Leo Yoshimura Elizabeth Lacey & Gilbert Cates, Jr. Valarie de la Garza & Michael Centeno City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Carole Bayer Sager & Robert A. Daly DreamWorks Animation Susan & John Ebey Fielding Edlow & Larry Clarke Dr. & Mrs. Paul Eisenberg Susan & Mark Fleischer Fox Entertainment Group Carol & Paul Frimmer Gagosian Gallery, Inc Jim & Ann Gianopulos Patty Glaser & Sam Mudie Arthur Greenberg C. Curtis Grisham In Memory of Morris A. Hazan HBO Samantha & Eric Heer Mellody Hobson Vicki Iovine Joseph Drown Foundation Joan Kaloustian Kenneth T. & Eileen L. Norris Foundation Janine & Peter Lowy Carla Malden Mona Malden Malibu Family Wines Susan & Peter Mallory Martin Katz, Ltd Nancy & Michael McClelland Sandra E. Milken Northern Trust, NA Occidental Petroleum Corp Paramount Pictures Laurie MacDonald & Walter Parkes Popland Studios Rollin Ransom & Chris Lacroix Judith Reichman, MD Pamela Robinson Hollander & Robert Hollander Ronen Levy Events Loren Rothschild & Hon. Frances Rothschild Richard Ruskell Pastries The Simms/Mann Family Foundation Sony Pictures Entertainment Fred Specktor & Nancy Heller Lorraine Spurge & Patrick Mitchell St. Regis Princeville Resort Lynda Thomas Steve Tisch U.S. Bank Union Bank
Variety W Hotel Los Angeles William Morris Endeavor Entertainment Lynn & Mark Williams Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks Ruth Ziegler Ellen & Ken Ziffren Ziffren Brittenham LLP
DIRECTOR
$5,000 - $9,999 Anonymous Jehan F. Agrama & Dwora Fried Amgen Foundation Hilary & Jack Angelo Anschutz Film Group/Walden Media Laurie & Bill Benenson Annette Blum Mara & Jonathan Blum Jerry Breslauer, Mickey Rutman & Tammy Anderson Linda & Jerry Bruckheimer Glenn & Lynn Cardoso Comcast | NBC Universal Creative Artists Agency Directors Guild of America Lauren Shuler Donner & Richard Donner Mica Ertegun Andrew Fickman Eric Flamholtz & Yvonne Randle Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea Lela Rochon & Antoine Fuqua Michael Gendler & Jessica Teich Priscila Giraldo Gloria & Peter Gold Stanley & Ilene Gold Goldman Sachs Andy & Carlo Brandon-Gordon Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort Jill Grey Brian & Myra Greenspun Alan Hergott & Curt Shepard Gail & Stanley Hollander Stanley Iezman & Nancy Stark Tracey Jacobs Bernice & Wendell Jeffrey Mannon Kaplan Julie & David Kavner Wendy Kurtzman La Valencia Leo S. Guthman Fund Susan & David Leveton Drs. Gerald & Barbara Levey Marlene & Sandy Louchheim Des & Bryna McAnuff Tobias Meyer & Sotheby’s MOCA Foundation Kate Moran & Mikki Rosenberg My Vienna Gelato Natural Resources Defense Council Neda Nobari Foundation Christine Marie Ofiesh Carol & Bill Ouchi Mo Ostin Shana & Don Passman Brenda R. Potter Lee & Lawrence Ramer Kay & Bob Rehme Carl Reiner Michele & Rob Reiner The Residences at Kapalua Bay Joyce Rey Mayor Richard Riordan Jane Rissman & Richard Sondheimer Nadine & Fredric D. Rosen Rikki Rosen Thomas L. Safran Hon. Nicole A. Avant & Ted Sarandos Judi & Bruce Schindler Jody & Arthur Schmid Steve & Paula Mae Schwartz Sidley Austin LLP
Mr. & Mrs. Keong Sim Simon Strauss Foundation Morris & Libby Singer Foundation Sondheimer Foundation Start Media Arnold Stiefel Ben Stiller & Christine Taylor Tanino Ristorante Kiki & Larry Taylor Barbara & Larry Tenan Thomas Safran & Associates Karen Zoller, MD & David Tillman, MD Karen & William Timberlake Dan Tishman Miranda & Brett Tollman The Travel Corporation Alice & Norman Tulchin UBS Private Wealth Management United Talent Agency Karen & Rick Wolfen Jennifer Young & Katrina Nason Gail Zappa Leslie & Robert Zemeckis Ruth & Stan Zicklin In Loving Memory of Herman Ziegler
sponsor
$3,000 — $4,999 Anonymous Janis Adams & John Lyons Connie Kramer Alexander Mrs. Carol K. Block & Chancellor Gene D. Block Susan Booth & Christopher Wadden Robert Brook & Jacqueline Kosecoff Lisa, Michael & Rachel Chalfin Terri ann Cooper Konheim Scott, Susan & Joshua Corwin Victoria Dummer Dora & Neil Kadisha Sally & Dr. Manny J. Karbelnig Thea & Neal Koss Robin & Seth Kugler Phyllis & Ken Lemberger Renee & Meyer Luskin Cecil & Michael Pulitzer Lori & David Rousso Paula & Allan Rudnick Anne C. Taubman & David Boyle Vernon, Barry & Dale Tyerman In Honor of Ruth Tyerman Lentz Uniworld River Cruises Inc The Waterman Family Foundation Leslie White & Al Limon
EDUCATION ADVOCATE $1,000 - $2,999
Anonymous (3) Gerald Abrams Harry & Gay Abrams/Abrams Artists Agency Dr. Richard Ackerman & Miriam Shakter Miriam Aguiar Olga S. Alderson Laura & Harvey Alpert Charitable Foundation Merryl & David A. Alpert Patti & Harlan Amstutz Margaret & Howard Arvey AudioQuest Russ, August & Kabat Carol Ann & D.C. Bakeman Alec Baldwin Foundation Robert E. & Maria H. Barron Battista Family Richard Bautzer & David McDowell Richard & Shelley Bayer Susan & Eric M. Bender Peter & Barbara Benedek Patricia & Mark Benjamin Shelly & Libby Bergen Cathy & Bill Bindley
PErFORMANCEs MAGAZINE P13
death of the author
The Geffen Playhouse recognizes the following individuals and organizations for their generous support of our Annual Fund and Backstage at the Geffen. Donors are listed at the Associate level and higher for gifts made between January 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014.
annual donors Helen Bing Joe Blackstone & Jamie Mohn The Bordy & Leibovic Families Brenda & Alan Borstein Helen Breitwieser & James Jacks Dr. Wallace P. Brithinee Wendy & David Brotman Janet & Mark Brown Marcia Burnam The Busch-Schifino Family Timothy J. Carlson Chancellor Albert Carnesale & Mrs. Robin Carnesale Dr. Fanya Carter, PhD David Cates & Christine Vavak Jane Cates Jonathan & Elena Cates Melissa Cates & Roger Claman Sheldon Cherry & Carolyn Runowicz Rich-Chiocchi Family Laurel & Aaron Clark Linda & John Coleman Lou Colen Ted Cordes James Costa Carolyn Crandall & Harley Kornblum Shelley Wike Cranley Janine Cristiano In Loving Memory of Ed Cypert Ruth Daugherty Lawrence G. David Shirley Lu & Norman Davidson Pam Dawber Gavin de Becker Deluscious Cookies Bill & Kate in honor of Blanche Schimmel Susan & Jonathan Dolgen Carolyn Dirks/Brett Dougherty Dennis & Jeralyn Doty Jan & Thea Drayer Gerald & Sally Ducot William Duncan Marilyn P. Dunn Colleen M. Ellis Terri & David Elston The English Language Center Kevin Watts & Christine Enlow Carl & Courtenay Enright Elizabeth J. Enyart, Mark Doyle & Sarah Daniels Carol & J.B. Esterkin Lawrence N. Field Donnovan Field Gloria & Morton Field Lawrence N. Field Michael Filerman Burt & Nanette Forester Steve Freedman Thomas Fuller & William Kelly G2 Graphic Service, Inc. Pat & Sandy Gage Jeanne & Arnold Geffner Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Geoffrion Diane & Bruce Gewertz Rose Gilbert Kiki & David Gindler Cherna & Dr. Gary Gitnick Charlotte Gold Dr. Irene Goldenberg Marion Goldenfeld Eric Goodman Adrienne Grant & Paul Jennings Heidi Gregg Jack Grossbart & Marc Schwartz Deborah & Allen Grubman The Guerin Foundation Harlan D. Gulko Madeline Gussman Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors, LLC Monty & Marilyn Hall Alan & Michelle Heilpern Mel & Faith Henkin Hernand Family Heys USA Jean Himmelstein & David Coleman Stephen Sass & Steven Hochstadt Dr. John D. Hofbauer & Dr. Laura E. Fox In Honor of Development Toni Hoyt Lisa Ingalls Jason & Courtney Janda Jerome & Linda Janger Joseph B. Gould Foundation Linda & David Kagel Karney Guren Family Foundation Robert Katz
P14 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINe
Sabrina Kay Charitable Foundation Patricia Keating Lenny & David Kelton Lauren & Richard King Barbara & Stuart Klabin Kent Klavens & Judy Vourlas Klingenberg Family Judy Knapp Leslie & Norman Koplof Carol Krause Eric & Melissa Kurtzman Deborah Lacusta & Daniel Castellaneta Las Ventanas al Paraiso Helene & Arthur Laub John Liebes Steven & Nancy Lippman Dorothy Lipsky Judith Locke & Dennis Massie Karen & Frederick Lorig The Jennifer & Greg Malins Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Frank Mancuso Jr. Eric G.C. Mark Sherry Martin Jeanne McDonald-Powers & Travis Powers Janis B. McEldowney Sue McHugh & Herb Seese The Miles Family Barbara & Fred Miller Andrew & Laura Mintzer Joanne & Joel Mogy Garry Morris & Kent Harrison Hayes Greg Morrison Lon Morse & Toni Hollander Morse Rio & Frank Morse Joan & Fred Nicholas Albert & Barbara Nichols Benedicta & Geoffry Oblath Bobbi & Rory O’Donnell Deborah & Stacey Olliff Ornest Family Foundation Guy Oseary London, Alex & Marty Padilla Paradigm Talent & Literary Agency Michael Parks & Judith Hayward Amanda Crick & Glenn Pfeffer Julie Piepenkotter Herbert & Marilyn Piken In Memory of Michael Piller Ruth Popkin Richard Rasiej & Joan Herman Harvey & Joyce Reichard Rabbi Steven & Didi Carr Reuben Donald B. & Susan F. Rice In Memory of Frances Richman Esther & Howard Richmond Beth Roberts & Warren Smith Joseph & Cynthia Rodriguez Craig E. Rogers Brad & Nancy Rosenberg Sue Weiss Rosenwasser Laura & John Saade David A. & Karen Richards Sachs Mark San Filippo Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Toni & John Schulman Carole Server & Oliver Frankel Annette & Leonard Shapiro In Memory of Diane Barnett-Shapiro John & Lori Shaw Traci Shelton Sherak Family Holly & Larry Shulman Steven Siegel & Lily Carey Rita & Jose Sigal Ron Silverman & Soraya Ross Snyder Family Foundation Sold Out Crowd Drs. Matthew & Marion Solomon Bruce & Patti Springsteen Sprinkles Cupcakes St. Regis Monarch Beach St. Regis Punta Mita Mitch & Sherry Stein Joannie Stern Jordan Strauss Photography Eric Strom & Eileen Goodis Alec Sulkin & Tal Rabinowitz Elaine F. & Radoslav L. Sutnar Katy Sweet The Tatasciore Family John Teeples & Nicolas Martinez, Jr. Audri & Stan Tendler Michael E. Tennenbaum Family Paul Tetreault Daniel Tongbai
Daniel & Shauna Valenzuela Susan & Peter Van Haften Alan Van Vliet Anthony Vasek Peter & Denise Walsh Rhonda & Mark Wapnick Joanne & Ken Weinman Roberta Weintraub Gelena & Seth Weissman Alison Whalen & Steven Marenberg Geoffrey & Susan Wharton Marcia Williams & Gene Lucero Lesley & Jeffrey Wolman Anna & Stephen Yallourakis Young Family Patricia Youngman Debra Zavala Barbara & Stanley Zax Marcie & Howard Zelikow Ellen & Arnold Zetcher Mrs. Richard Ziman Anthony P. Zinge David & Ellie Zuckerman
ARTISTIC ADVOCATE $500 - $999
Anonymous (3) Dale Adrion Katherine Amber Nancy Antoniou Ares Management LLC Janet & Irwin Barnet Irene Baron Jim & Diane Berliner Diane & Richard Birnholz Ruth & Jake Bloom Marilyn & Anshel Brusilow Becky & David Brusilow Dr. R.W.G. Bugental JP Cherry William Chin Michael Collins Phil Johnston & Jill Cordes Donald & Zoe Cosgrove Cameron Crowe Morgan Dameron Diana Davidow & Deborah Constance Daniel Dodson The Milton L. & Betty J. Dranow Family Foundation Roni & Ethan Eller Myrna & Howard Fabrick Marjorie & Arthur Fine Sydney M. Finegold, M.D. Myrna Forest Lois & Gerald Gallop Sharlene & Sol Galper Benita & Bert Ginsberg Donna & Lee B. Gold, M.D. Louis & Linda Goldsman Abner & Roz Goldstine Lori & Robert Goodman Mike & Elaine Gray Robert & Gabrielle Greenberg Lance Hagenbuch Mary & Alan Halkett Carolyn & Bernie Hamilton Stanley Handman Kay Harrington Sheila & Chester Hasday Barbara & Bud Hellman Murray & Gail Heltzer Helene Hendrickson Neal Hersh & Lynda Klein Andy Heyward Mrs. Dorothy Hoffman Rand Hoffman & Charlotte Robinson Kelley M. Hogan Judith Hohman Gerald Isenberg Jackie & Warren Jackson Lynn Hunt & Margaret Jacob Nancy & Len Jacoby Terry & Marc J. Jacoby Edward & Aya Jakobovits Mary James Josh Jones Joyce & Don Kaiserman Ruth & Marvin Kalin Trudy & Albert Kallis Avi Kamienny Drs. Elaine & Jeff Kamil Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Kamine
Anita Karbelnig Laurence O. Karsh Roy Kaufman Saul & Rima Kay Dr. Ann Kirsch & Mr. Jonathan Kirsch Ron Kolar Ron & Joanne Kramar Dr. Marina Kovalevsky & Yana Kovalevsky Carol & Richard Kurland Tam & David Lachoff Joan & Christopher Larkin Jeanne & Christopher Lavagnino Joyce Lederer Peter Levin & Audrey Davis Levin Burton & Anita Levinson Barry Levinson Charles & Lydia Levy Mary Shannon Little Neil L. & Ora D. Macfarlane Elizabeth Marcellino Mr. & Mrs. Phillips H. Marshall Geoff & Seema Miller Allan M. Mohrman Jr. Bill & Gail Morino In Loving Memory of Harvey S. Morse Sandra Moss John & Sandy Murdock My-Petite Sherri & Arnold Nelson Mark Paluch & Bryan Ozamoto Dr. & Mrs. Emil & Dolores Pascarelli Barbara & Gary Pasquinelli C. Alexander Payne Mr. John Perkins Jimi & Inna Petulla, Film Connection Lisa Pierozzi Jon Polito Jack & Jane Pollock Gary & Gail Racheletsky Linda & Manny Rider Carlene Ringer Richard Robertson Dolores Rogers Ronda & Fred Rose Maxine & Gene Rosenfeld Blanche & Bruce Joel Rubin Paul A. Rudnick, M.D. Nancy & Ted Sanborn Barry & Nancy Sanders Susan & Martin Schmitt Malcolm Schneer & Cathy Liu Elaine Carey & Vincent J. Schodolski David & Margaret Schwanke Bob & Susan Schwartz Dr. & Mrs. Jack Schwartz Susan Schwarz Michele & Peter Serchuk Bob & Sue Shadur Peggy & Robert Shapiro Jeff Sherman Melinda & Yossi Sidikaro Ronald Hansen Significance Foundation Arthur & Carol Silbergeld Steven Sills Martin & Leah Sklar Dione & Joe Smith Trudy Sokol Susan & Alfred Stern Edith L. Stoell & Linda Gach Ray Aaron Stroud Mr. & Mrs. David Tann Judy & Art Tompkins Brigitta Troy Catherine Unger Deborah Valdez Ira & Laurie Waldman Marcia & Dr. Charles Wasserman Jay Weinstein & Lori Woldar Pat West Annabelle Weston & Steven Shulman Bruce Whizin Lauren Wing & Luke Brown Kyra Woo Anthony P. Zinge
ASSOCIATE $250 - $499
Anonymous (7) Norman & Toshka Abrams Terry & Richard Abrams Barbara Adams Elaine & Michael Agran
annual donors Edward Flores Michael & Lynne Flynn Jackie Fox Sandy Francis Fran Fredella & Scott Rubin Marilyn Freeman Lora Fremont Kenneth J. Friedman & Marilynn J. Friedman Family Foundation Lynn & Barry Friesen Ms. Laurelle Frome Tatiana Froud Yury & Yelena Furman Larry & Judith Garshofsky Adleen & Richard Gibbs Linda Gibbs Karen Berko Gibson Laura & John Lincoln Uelmen Diane Glazer Carol & Neil Goldberg Francine Golden & Marvin Schlossman Marilyn & Allen Golden Dr. Peter Goldman Ellie & Barry Goldstein Ellie Goodman Mark Gordon Roger Gordon Ellen Greene Mr. & Mrs. Michael Gregory Gary Gross Marcy & Edgar Gross Suzi & Bob Guerin Lawrence J. Guli Eve Haberfield & David N. Johnson Ross & Lindsey Avner Peter & Sarah Hall Tess Harper Salli Harris Nancy Harrison Judy L. Hartley Dr. & Mrs. Samuel Haveson HBC Protocols Inc. Richard Hefner & Greg Hoffman Allan Heinberg Mr. & Mrs. William Hellman Zvia Hempling Jackson Henry Carla & Alan A. Herd Michael & Candice Herman Ms. Kathryn Hibbs Cina Hodges Shirley Hoff Jackie & Dr. Irwin Hoffman Dr. Sharron Holman Mr. & Mrs. John Hopmans Mr. & Mrs. John Huber Lonnie Levi Israel Robert & Gail Israel Craig & Lynn Jacobson Josh Jacobstein Fred & Nancy Jacobus Mr. & Mrs. Vernon D. Jones Carolyn & Dan Jordan Peter & Cynthia Joyce Marlene Kane Jo Ann Kaplan Jean Kaplan Dr. & Mrs. Mitchell Karlan Harris Katleman Owen Kato Judith P Katz Claudia Kazachinsky & Richard A. Sherer James Kelly Jordan & Nicola Kerner Family Irwin Kishner Annette & Charles Kleeman Donna & Jeffrey Klein Phyllis Klein Laurie & Milton Klorman Charles Kolstad Mary Koppel Mr. & Mrs. Richard Korchien Dolph Kornblum & Florence Robins Barbara & Stan Krasnoff Eugene Krieger Charles Kristenson Louise Kroot-Haukka Jay & Billie Kubrin Michelle & Bob Laemmle Carol D. Lande Dr. & Mrs. Eric Leibovitch Ginger Leibovitz Ann Leland Matthew Lessall Donna Levi
Marla E. Levine Wayne Levine Dr. & Mrs. Isaac Levy Richard & Vivian Levy Nan Lewis Mae & Hugh Lichtig Lee & Therese Linden Victor & Madeline Lindenheim Joanne Lindsay Irma & Allen Lipin Donald Lipschutz Chaz Littlejohn Leslie & Adam Lobel Lori & Tom Low Anne L. Lynch Guillaume & Crystal Maillet Carol & Doug Mancino Jeannette & Mervyn Mandelbaum Myrna & Irving Margol Robert B. & Dona Martin Sylvia Mason Stewart Mayeda David Israeli & Dr. Marie Mazzone Jim & Kathryn McCaffery Sheri & Jim McCashin Cheryl McCormick Patrick W. McDivitt Lawry & Charles Meister Teddie J. Milner Pamela & Mark Mischel Thomas Mitchell Dr. & Mrs. Leon Mizrahi Susanna Morgan Shelagh Moriarty John Moschitta Bill Mullins David Neilan Fran Neiman Mark & Diane Neubauer Betsy Baker Robert & Anita Nitta Shelby Notkin Sandy & Alan Olick Adrienne & Arthur Omansky Judy Orlanski Cynthia Palm Bill Palmer Edward Parker Michael Perlstein Naidu & Jane Permaul Susan Petelik Bruce Peters Frank Pfizenmayer & Josh Brown Frank Piontek Dr. Ronald & Alyson Podell Zazi Pope David Posner Philip Pritchett Joan & Martin Ransohoff Susan Raphael Karen Reckamp Mildred Reid Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Rennick Steve & Linda Richman Robyn Ridgley Lee Rodgers Elizabeth Roewe Barbara & David Rognlien Mr. Avi & Mrs. Janis Rojany Rose Brand Robert Rosania George M. Rosen Beverly & Melvin Rosenthal Dr. Martin & Lorraine Ross Lawrence Ross & Linda Nussbaum Bert Royal & Clay Black Adrienne & Stanford Rubin Tyler Rubin Joyce Hokin Sachs Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Sackheim Mr. & Mrs. Simon Salloom Janet Salter In Memory of Hon. Maxwell Hillary Salter Karen Sandler Dr. Victor Sands & Mrs. Charlene Sands Susan & Kenneth Sarno Laurie & Gary Samson
Maxine Savitz Robert Schad Mr. & Mrs. Michael Scheinberg Larry & Carole Scherzer Joel Schneider Gary & Karen Schneider Nancy & Steven Schneider Jane & Bill Schopf Barbara Schulman Susan & Peter Schwab Mr. Charles Schwartz & Mrs. Carol Schwartz John H. Scott Earlene & Herb Seymour Mary & Paul Shane Melanie Sharp and Kevin Miller Tom & Judy Sharp Madeline & Robert Sharples Shelly & Greg Sherwin Sideshow Rare & Remarkable Books, Art & Curiosities Renee & Joe Siegel Seymour & Dorothy Siegel Robin & Robert Sills Joan Silver SingerLewak LLP Don & Marie Sirney Ronald & Linda Slates Diane Good & Frank Smith Diane Smith Jennie Smith Marcia L. & Mark J. Smith Bill Smitrovich Karen Smits Joan & Jerry Snyder Michael & Millie Sondermann Anne-Marie & Alex Spataru Debra & Bruce Spector Rita Spiegel M Leslie Stearns Dr. Jay Stein & Mrs. Carol Stein In loving memory of Howard Eichen Arthur Stern Gloria Stroock Stern Chambers Stevens Ms. Sally Stevens Bonnie Sturner PhD in memory of Peter Silton Teresa L. Sufana Mr. Kayser Sume & Dr. Renee Sabshin Katherine Sung I.H. Sutnick Deepak Swarup Lance & Maureen Tan Donna Thompson Dorothy Thornhill Jay & Courtney Tobin David Trainer Robin & Gary Ungar Leon & Stephanie Vahn Pia & Steve Vai Scott VanGerpen Vital Research LLC Lois Von Morganroth Carole Wagner-Vallianos & Peter Vallianos Bunny & Jay Wasserman Elisa Wayne Annette & David Weil Julie & Peter Weil In Memory of Eunice Weiner Marsha & Steven Weiss John Weston Dara & Greg Payne Rae Jeane Williams Bruce & Marci Wiseman Marc Wishingrad Deborah Wiss Elaine & Donald Wolf Rowie & Jeffrey Wolf Jess Womack Lynn Woods Karen & Frank Wurtzel Kevyn Wynn Arnold Zane Harriet Zaretsky Vicki Ziegel Lynn & Meir Ziv Sandy Zwirn
Have we made an error? To report a misspelling or omission in these listings, please contact the Development Department at 310.208.6500 ext. 128 PErFORMANCEs  MAGAZINE P15
death of the author
AKW Theo Alexander Charles & Annick Allen Sylvia Almstadt Robert C. Anderson Philip Angerhofer & Stephen A. Jones Audrey & Martin Appel Eloise & Mark Appel Bonnie Arnold Barbara & Ethan Aronoff Charles & Tana Axelrod Marc & Betsy Axelrod Lynne & Lee Babbitt Sheila & Raymond Bangs Anne Barry Cecile Bartman Randall C. Bassett Lynne & Bernie Bassey Sheila Spiro & Dr. Gregory Bearman Lois & Paul Bechely Dawn & Marshall Bein Carole A. & Charles Bennett Wayne Biswurm & Brock Bennett Roger P. Berg George E. Berger Richard N. Berger Karen Berkowitz JoAnn Bernard Laurie Bernhard Beverly Bierer Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Bitzer Michael & Adrienne Blackman Mrs. Marilyn Blank Ruth & Donald Blumkin Pamela & Bill Bohnert Susan Boiko & Martin Schwartz Michael J. Bordy Toby Bornstein Betsy Bosak Wanda Boulgarides Burt Boyar Paula Brand Mona Brandler Laura Brawner Felix Brenner Dr. & Mrs. Neal & Ruth Bricker Dr. Gerald Buckberg G & Ashley Buonanno David & Kathy Burke Mark & Penny Burley Howard Bushinsky Laura D. Campbell Grace Diekhaus & Pauline Canny Marlene & David Capell Andrew Carlberg Cindy Carlin & Jeff Rousso Barry Charles Martha Chase Beverly & Dennis Chester Carole & Leslie Cohen David Conney, M.D. Dino Conte Gail Cottingham Sandy & Alan Croll Judith & Mel Croner Else Dahl Muriel Dance Anton & Olivia Pacino Hedva & Dr. Dudley Danoff Jaye T. Darby Jeffrey S. Davidson Debra Davis In Memory of Beryl Davis Ruth B. Davis & Pearl Schultz Hal & Roberta Delevie Susan & Kevin Dobson Bruce & Suzanne Dodds Carol Jean Doehring Fred & Marilyn Dorer Steven & Beverley Dorfman Daryl & Paul F. Doucette Sharon & Ron Dunas Dr. & Mrs. William M Duxler Chris Easley Mr. & Mrs. Epelbaum Larry Ereshefsky David & Joyce Evans Alan & Barbara Faiola Carole Faxon Barbara & Denny Federman Mimi Feldman Abby & Malcolm Field Paul & Karen Finkel Fran Flanagan William & Elisabeth Fleischman
geffen playhouse staff Randall Arney Artistic Director
Ken Novice Managing Director
ARTISTIC
Behnaz Ataee General Manager
Regina Miller Chief Development Officer
COMMUNICATIONS
Mary Garrett Amy Levinson Phyllis Schuringa Shannon Noel Kristina Leach Nick Johnson Kristen Osborn
Artistic Manager Artistic Associate / Literary Director Artistic Associate / Casting Director Artistic Coordinator Literary Associate Literary Intern Intern
DEVELOPMENT Ellen Catania Director of Major Gifts & Corporate/Foundation Partnerships Jessica Brusilow Rollins Director of Education Partnerships & Donor Relations Jamie Mikelich Associate Director of Individual Giving Kristen Smith Eshaya Grants Manager & Major Gifts Executive Assistant Scott Kriloff Development Associate & Database Manager Ava Bogle Development Assistant Jessie Sherman Development Assistant
EDUCATION Jennifer Zakkai Education Projects Leader Connor White Resident Teaching Artist & Education Associate
ADMINISTRATION Frankie Ocasio Executive Assistant to the Managing Director Maryam Meehan Accounting and Payroll Manager Francisca Lopez Accounts Payable Marguerite Harris Receptionist
PRODUCTION Daniel Ionazzi Jill Barnes Matthew Carleton Thomas Watson Rich Gilles James Grabowski Darren Rezowalli Leah A. Lewis
Production Manager Associate Production Manager Technical Director Assistant Technical Director Properties Master Sound Master Master Electrician Wardrobe Supervisor
Tim Choy, Peter Goldman Davidson & Choy Publicity Jonathan Josephson Public Relations Consultant
MARKETING & SALES Karen Gutierrez Director of Advertising & Sponsorships Mark San Filippo Ticket Services Director & Database Administrator Stephanie Strand Audience Services Manager Brian Dunning Graphics / Production Artist Jodi Feigenbaum Advertising & Promotions Assistant Janice Bernal Associate Box Office Manager Bryan Martin Associate Box Office Manager Korie Benavidez, Audrey Cain, Clay Dzygun, Zack Hamra, Richard Martinez, Lilach Mendelovich, Alyssa Tyson, Martin Wurst Box Office Staff
FRONT OF HOUSE Jeni Pearsons Director of Special Events David Gerhardt Supervising House Manager Michelle Cantrell, Kevin Cernansky, Amy Farkas, Tommy French, Matt Jones, Erik Odom, Julianne Tveten House Managers Abdoulaye N’Gom Head Usher Sevana Baghdasarian, Taylor Cerny, Vianney Cossyleon, Josiah Davis, Dan Foote, Netta Lee Joseph, Brennan Kelleher Erica Keller, Caroline Harrison Kohler, Brigid Leahy, Nathaniel Meek, Keith Mitchell, Roxana Meyers, Lindsay Nyman, Chase O’Donnell, Jonathan Schwartz, Chelsea Smachetti, Danielle Weisberg Ushers Rob Mersola Bar Manager Manuel Mayorga Weekend Bar Manager Adam Carr, Brenda Davidson, Jared White, Lyndsi LaRose Bartenders
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Miguel del Castillo Mario Santillan-Perez Juan Carlos Umaña
Facility Manager Custodial Cleaning Custodial
This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. The scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers in LORT theaters are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE. P16 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINe