DRAGON LADY
PART I OF THE DRAGON CYCLE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
TARELL ALVIN MCCRANEY
Our most enduring plays have family at the center of them. Families are the cornerstone of our communities. That’s why stories about family origin, expansion, and grief are pivotal to live theater; it is where we come as a community to tell stories and examine our foundation.
Sara Porkalob’s Dragon Lady owns the title of "family drama" and raises the bar in the form of a single storyteller.
We are invited in to transform. Every time Sara becomes a new family member we move with her, bringing into focus our own family dramas. It is theater magic at its best. There, mapped out on stage through the depths of Sara’s incredible acting, singing, and humor, is a constellation of stars that make up the lineage of her family and our own.
Her storytelling urges us to profound questions: What happens when a family decides to emigrate? What about the family member who walks away? How is it that families can draw so close and yet be so far apart? And what song do we sing at the family karaoke talent show? Important questions that reveal who we are and how we feel about each other.
Sara Porkalob, a one-of-a-kind artist, allows us a glimpse into her origins, steeping us all in the power of our most immediate community—the family.
Welcome in.
Tarell Alvin McCraney Artistic Director
PHOTO BY JEFF LORCH
AANHPI PARTNERS APPRECIATION NIGHT
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
We welcome AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) audiences and their allies to experience Sara Porkalob in a tour-de-force performance that fuses killer karaoke with laugh-out-loud comedy that follows her family’s origin story from Manila to America.
THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
100% of single ticket proceeds for this performance benefit our community partner organizations. FOR TICKETS AND FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT geffenplayhouse.org/aanhpipartners
PHOTO BY MICHAEL HENNINGER / COURTESY PITTSBURGH PUBLIC THEATER
PHOTO BY JEFF LORCH
GIL CATES, JR.
Welcome to the Los Angeles premiere of Dragon Lady! Broadway star and storyteller Sara Porkalob makes her Geffen Playhouse debut with the first part of her acclaimed Dragon Cycle trilogy, a trigenerational tourde-force performance that fuses killer karaoke with laugh-out-loud comedy to tell her family’s incredible origin story. We are proud to be the first stage to introduce Sara's story to audiences in Los Angeles. Our inaugural season under Artistic Director Tarell Alvin McCraney’s leadership will introduce you to new voices, new stories, and new formats for the live theatrical experience. The 2024/2025 Season builds on our nearly 30-year legacy with bold creative choices that will shape our future as theater makers, none of which we could do without your continued presence and support.
As part of our ongoing innovation in the arts, this season also represents an exciting new era for our Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater as we embark upon its reimagined role as a lab for artistic development and the creation of new works—some of which we envision will make their way to the Gil Cates Theater stage. Reimagining requires resourcing. We are so grateful to the Geffen Playhouse community for investing in our bolder, brighter vision of what theater can be. If you would like to play a larger role in supporting our work, please reach out to Chief Development Officer Sarah Weinberg at sarahw@geffenplayhouse.org.
Thank you for joining us in supporting live, local theater!
Gil Cates, Jr. Executive Director / CEO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Adi Greenberg CHAIR
Gil Cates, Jr.
Executive Director / CEO
Mary Ann Cloyd Vice Chair
Merle Dandridge
Lauren Shuler Donner
Dr. Brad Edgerton
Bonnie E. Eskenazi
Mark Fleischer
Susan Nahley Fleishman
Brenda Garcia
Patricia L. Glaser
Noble M. Hansen III
Eric Heer
Carla Malden
Brian Mann
Tiffany Mayberry
Tarell Alvin McCraney
Artistic Director
Mary Osako
Danny Passman
Holly Rice
Linda Bernstein Rubin
Matt Shakman
Richard Sherman
Cynthia P. Stafford
Howard Tenenbaum Chair Emeritus
Miranda Tollman
JaHan Wang
Marc Weinstock
FOUNDING TRUSTEES
Harold A. Brown
Kirsten Combs
Robert A. Daly
David Geffen
Herbert M. Gelfand Chair Emeritus
Quincy Jones
Jeffrey Katzenberg
Glorya Kaufman
Frank G. Mancuso Chair Emeritus
Ron Meyer
Bruce M. Ramer Founding Chair
Victoria Mann Simms
Andy Spahn
Steven Spielberg
Steve Tisch IN MEMORIAM
Gilbert Cates Founder
Marcia Israel-Curley
Audrey Skirball Kenis
Charles Kenis
Karl Malden
Ginny Mancini
Jerry Moss
Jerry Perenchio
Edie Wasserman
Lew Wasserman
Dr. Charles E. Young
LEGAL COUNSEL
Nikki Kerman Venable LLP
THEATER IN EDUCATION HAS THE POWER TO IGNITE CHANGE
Geffen Playhouse is deeply committed to creating powerful and impactful arts education and engagement experiences that amplify, inspire, and encompass our diverse Los Angeles community. Our programs provide unique, in-depth access to theater and the arts for determined and ambitious youth and adults coming from historically excluded communities. We invite all Angelenos to come home here. When you support our education and community engagement programs, you create a world of greater understanding, increased expression, and deeper compassion while enjoying your home away from home at this historic playhouse.
BY JEFF LORCH
PHOTO
GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS
DRAGON LADY
PART I OF THE DRAGON CYCLE
WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY SARA PORKALOB
DIRECTED BY ANDREW RUSSELL
SCENIC DESIGNER RANDY WONG-WESTBROOKE
SOUND DESIGNER ERIN BEDNARZ
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER NICK CARVALHO*
LIGHTING DESIGNER SPENSE MATUBANG
ORIGINAL MUSIC & LYRICS PETE IRVING
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER REBECCA K. HSIA*
OPENING NIGHT THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
OPENING NIGHT SPONSOR
TIME/SETTING
This play covers Maria Porkalob Senior’s life from 1953-2005, ages 8-60 years old.
The primary action happens in two locations: Bremerton, Washington Manila, Philippines
RUNNING TIME 1 hour and 50 minutes, including one intermission.
PLEASE NOTE
There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed during the performance. Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones. Thank you!
Dragon Lady premiered at Intiman Theatre in 2017.
DRAGON LADY
PART I OF THE DRAGON CYCLE
CAST
All Characters SARA PORKALOB *
Guitar, Vocals & Band Leader
Trombone
Upright Bass
PETE IRVING
JIMMY AUSTIN
MICKEY STYLIN
*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.
SONGS
HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN
Written by Alan Price; Performed by Sara Porkalob; Published by Keith Prowse Music Publishing Co. LTD and Beechwood Music Corporation
GANGSTA'S PARADISE
Words and Music by Artis Ivey, Jr., Larry Sanders, Doug Rasheed, and Stevie Wonder; Performed by Sara Porkalob; © Black Bull Music Inc., Jobete Music Co. Inc., Only Child's Brother's Music, WC Music Corp, Zefantaor, Universal Songs of Polygram Int., Inc. on behalf of itself and Madcastle Muzic; Not for broadcast transmission. All rights reserved. Do Not Duplicate.
THE DRAGON THEME*
SWAY
Written by Luis Demetrio, Pablo Beltrán Ruiz, and Norman Gimbel; Performed by Sara Porkalob; Published by Emmi Edition and New Thunder Music Co.
A CITY WHERE IT NEVER RAINS*
TROUBLE IS A FAMILY TRAIT*
HOW COULD I HAVE KNOWN*
THE DRAGON THEME (REPRISE)*
BLUE BAYOU
Written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson; Performed by Sara Porkalob; Published by Orbi Lee Publishing, R Key Darkus Publishing, Roys Boys LLC, Sony/ATV Publishing
THE FALL*
LOVE FOR SALE
Written by Cole Porter; Performed by Sara Porkalob; Published by Warner Bros Music Division
HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO
Written by Jim Steinman and Dean Pitchford; Performed by Sara Porkalob; Published by SONY/ATV
TROUBLE IS A FAMILY TRAIT*
DAHIL SA IYO
Words and Music by Miguel Velarde, Jr.; Performed by Sara Porkalob; © Songs of Universal, Inc.; Not for broadcast transmission. All rights reserved. Do Not Duplicate.
*Written by Pete Irving and Performed by Sara Porkalob
Band Manager
Ani Banani
Costume Technician
Sarah Lindsley
Deck Crew
Greg Mueller
Deck Crew Sub
Enrique Garcia
Wardrobe Supervisor
Michayla Van Treeck
Light Board Operator
Jesus Cambero Elias
Light Board Operator Swing
Spencer Doughtie
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PRODUCTION STAFF FOR DRAGON LADY
A1
Bob Gilmartin
A1 Swing
Ilana Elroi
A2
Michael Svolos
A2 Swing
Stephanie Lynn Yackovetsky
Lead Scenic Carpenter
Philip Rossi
Carpenters
Oliver Brink, David Foubert, Mason Irwin, Mady Krise, Greg Mueller, Sam Sully, Eiden Weissblum
Scenic Painter
Chandish Nester
Properties Artisans & Carpenters
Sigourney Chin, Danny Dolan, Patrick Mulcare
Stitchers
Stephanie Castro, Sarah Lindsley
Lighting Programmer
Spencer Doughtie
Electricians
Ash Brown, Jesus Cambero Elias, Ezra Fisher, Justin Kelley-Cahill, Christiana Saldibar, Michael Svolos, James Tatsch
Sound Technicians
Ilana Elroi, Bob Gilmartin, Michael Svolos
PRODUCTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Scenery Provided By Marin Theatre & Center REP
Additional Scenery Built & Painted By F&D Scene Changes
Neon Built By Signs Tech LLC
Lighting Equipment Provided By Kinetic Lighting
Sound Equipment Provided By DnB Design
Production Photographer
Jeff Lorch
Media Filming
Ramon Garcia
Design + Art Direction Base Design
Photography Justin Bettman
SPECIAL THANKS
UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television Scene, Prop, Sound, and Costume Shops; Sam Pinkleton, Ben Izzo, Anita Gou, Caroline Clark, Mark Lunsford, Matt Starritt, Camille Rassweiler
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 Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an independent national labor union.
The Director is a Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
The scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers in LORT theaters are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE.
Geffen Playhouse is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture, and as part of Creative Recovery LA, an initiative funded by the American Rescue Plan. Geffen Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater company, is proudly affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles.
SARA PORKALOB (she/her/they)
Playwright & Performer
Sara Porkalob is a theater maker, cultural worker, and creator of The Dragon Cycle, a trilogy of matrilineal musicals about her Filipina American gangster family; one play for each generation built around a central female protagonist. The first in the cycle, Dragon Lady, premiered at Intiman Theatre and was the recipient of three 2018 Gregory Awards (Outstanding Sound/Music Design, Outstanding Actress in a Musical, and Outstanding Musical Production). The second in the cycle, Dragon Mama, premiered at American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.) and was the recipient of two 2019 Elliot Norton Awards (Outstanding New Script and Outstanding Solo Performance). Dragon Baby is currently in development. Awards and nominations include: 2021 Princess Grace Award Winner for Theater, 2020 nominee Seattle Mayor’s Arts Award, The Seattle Times “11 Movers and Shakers to Watch this Decade,” 2019 nominee for Americans
for the Arts Johnson Fellowship for Artists Transforming Communities, and Seattle Magazine’s “2018’s Most Influential People.” Broadway: 1776. She’s a Creative Consultant with the City of Seattle and their Creative Strategies Initiative (CSI), a new city effort that uses artsand culture-based approaches to build racial and gender equity in non-arts policy areas like the environment, housing, workforce, and community development. @sporkalob & www.saraporkalob.com
PETE IRVING (he/him)
Original Music & Lyrics, Guitar, Vocals & Band Leader
Pete Irving has been pursuing music professionally for over half of his life. He’s been the band leader for Hot Damn Scandal since its inception just over 16 years ago, he’s been composing scores and lyrics for theater and circus for almost seven years, and just last year he wrote and directed his first production—Chronopolis: Crime in Time City. He lives most of the year in Bellingham, Washington.
JIMMY AUSTIN (he/him) Trombone
Originally from Pullman, WA, Jimmy Austin inherited both his first name and his first trombone from his paternal grandfather. He brings his intense, expressive, and collaborative style to many projects around the Pacific Northwest, performing in a wide variety of styles and settings. He is particularly active in Seattle’s Yiddish and klezmer music community, performing with the klezmer brass band, Shpilkis, among other groups. Jimmy has been performing with Dragon Lady for seven years and Hot Damn Scandal for ten. In addition to performing, Jimmy organizes klezmer jam sessions, guest artist workshops, and festival programming with organizations including Seattle Yiddish Fest, Northwest Folklife, and The Rhapsody Project. He was selected as a master artist for the 2023-2024 cohort of the Washington State Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program. Jimmy is honored to perform as part of Dragon Lady and excited to help bring the show to Southern California!
MICKEY STYLIN (he/him)
Upright Bass
Born into a musical family in the Heart of Cascadia, Mickey Stylin began his musical journey at a young age. He received his first Letter in Music by way of Advanced Orchestra, Swing Choir, and Jazz Band. Since then, he has performed primarily as a bassist in over 15 bands and projects in settings ranging from circus soundtrack, live theatre, major festivals, and beyond. No stranger to the road, he has toured the U.S. countless times, notably through Live Nation Entertainment supporting acts such as The Devil Makes Three and Amigo the Devil. He currently resides in Washington state where he plays both upright and electric bass with Cabaret Americana band, Hot Damn Scandal. When not on stage, he is booking concerts for Bellingham’s oldest craft brewery, Boundary Bay.
ANDREW RUSSELL (he/him) Director
Andrew Russell is a writer and director who creates new work often inspired by real-life events, including Stu for Silverton (Intiman Theatre); John Baxter is a Switch Hitter (Intiman Theatre); Full Gallop (The Old Globe); and Sara Porkalob’s The Dragon Cycle, featuring Dragon Lady (Intiman Theatre, American Repertory Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, Pittsburgh Public Theatre), Dragon Mama (American Repertory Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival), and Dragon Baby. As Producing Artistic Director of the Tony Award–winning Intiman Theatre in Seattle from 2011-2017, Andrew played a critical role in reorganizing and reopening the theater after its closure in 2011. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. @heyheyandyk & www.andrew-russell.com
RANDY WONG-WESTBROOKE (they/them)
Scenic Designer
Randy Wong-Westbrooke is an award-nominated scenic designer originally from Berkeley, California. Driven by their mixed-Asian, trans, and non-binary identities, they seek opportunities to work with diverse creative teams to tell radical, provocative, and expansive stories that question and celebrate our collective histories. They are thrilled to be making their Marin Theater, Center REP, and Geffen Playhouse debuts with Dragon Lady! Additional credits include Man of God, The Flick, brownsville song (b-side for tray) (Shotgun Players); Stoop Stories (Aurora Theatre Company); Two Mile Hollow (Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company); Quake, Les Mamelles de Tirésias (UCLA). They have also designed sets at Crowded Fire Theater, American Conservatory Theater’s M.F.A. Program, TheatreFIRST, San Francisco Playhouse’s Sandbox, New Conservatory Theater Center, Marin Shakespeare Company, and many other new and independent projects. They have been part of Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s FAIR Program and a mentee in the USITT Gateway Program. B.F.A. Ithaca College. M.F.A. UCLA. www.wongwestdesigns.com
SPENSE MATUBANG (they/he)
Lighting Designer
Spense Matubang is a lighting and projections designer currently based in Oakland, California. They received their degree in Theater Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2020. Spense first joined the Dragon Lady team with its 2023 production at Marin Theatre and is overjoyed to be bringing this magical experience to the Geffen Playhouse! Recent credits include Fellow Travelers and The Emissary with Opera Parallèle, Best Available and The Triumph of Love with Shotgun Players, The Great Leap and Every Brilliant Thing with Center REP, the West Coast premiere of Edit Annie with Crowded Fire Theater, and the past two productions of Dragon Lady at Pittsburgh Public Theater and Marin Theatre. They’d like to thank their own Filipino-American family for all their support! www.spensematubang.com
ERIN BEDNARZ (she/her)
Sound Designer
Erin Bednarz works in sound, music, production, and performance. Awards: LA Drama Critics Circle, Bay Area Critics Circle, Gregory (Seattle, WA), BroadwayWorld (Regional).
Press mentions: The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Off-Broadway: MAC BETH (Red
Bull Theater, Hunter Theater Project, Seattle Rep), The Convent (Rattlestick Theater).
Regional: Sara Porkalob’s The Dragon Cycle (Pittsburgh Public Theater, American Repertory Theater, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Marin Theatre, Center REP, Diversionary Theatre, Intiman Theatre); Teenage Dick, Public Works’ The Tempest, Lydia and the Troll (Seattle Rep); The Year of Magical Thinking, The Thin Place, STEW (ACT); Choir Boy (ACT/5th Avenue Theatre); A Few Good Men (Pittsburgh Public Theater); Wonder Boy, Spring Awakening (5th Avenue Theatre); The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Seattle Children’s Theater); Wild Horses, Two Mile Hollow (Intiman Theatre). Teaching: Pomona College, Cal Poly, NYU, Atlantic Acting School, Cornish College of the Arts, University of Washington. @play__pranks
NICK CARVALHO (he/him) Production Stage Manager
Nick Carvalho is excited to return to work with Sara and the Dragon Family while also making his Geffen Playhouse debut. Select regional: Torch Song, Bees & Honey, Dragon Lady, Where Did We Sit on the Bus?, Justice, August Wilson’s Two Trains Running, Dunsinane (Marin Theatre); Monument, or Four Sisters (a sloth play)
(Magic Theatre); Twelfth Night (Marin Shakespeare Company); A Driving Beat (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley New Works Festival); Devil in a Blue Dress: The Musical (The Ground Floor at Berkeley Repertory Theatre). Nick is also the Production Manager for El Campanil Theatre. Nick is an alumnus of Diablo Valley College where he advises student stage managers and serves on the Technical Theatre Advisory Board. Proud AEA member. He would like to thank his partner, Emma, for her continued love and support!
REBECCA K. HSIA (she/her) Assistant Stage Manager
Rebecca is an LA and Seattle-based multi-hyphenate artist who has worked all over the world. She holds an M.F.A. in Stage Management from CalArts. Select Stage Manager credits: Geffen Playhouse (Production Assistant, tiny father); IAMA Theatre Company (RADICAL or, are you gonna miss me?); Village Theatre (Annual Festival of New Musicals); 5th Avenue Theatre (Production Assistant for Rock of Ages, West Side Story, First Draft); Intiman Theatre (Caught, Intiman Emerging Artist Program 2018); Annex Theatre (Silhouette—2018 Gregory Award winner, Best New Play); Centerstage Theatre (Pajama Game, Rapunzel: A Holiday
Pantomime); REBATEnsemble (As You Like It); and Fantastic. Z Theatre (Femme). She would like to send love and thanks to her family (especially MP, K9 Max, & Mila) and friends for their endless love and support.
TARELL ALVIN M c CRANEY (he/him)
Artistic Director
Tarell Alvin McCraney is Artistic Director of Geffen Playhouse. In this role, he is responsible for identifying, developing, and programming new works and re-envisioned classics. He sets the strategic artistic course for the Geffen’s Gil Cates and Audrey Skirball Kenis Theaters. McCraney is an award-winning writer, producer, and educator, best known for his acclaimed trilogy, The Brother/Sister Plays. His script In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue is the basis for the Oscar–winning film Moonlight directed by Barry Jenkins, for which McCraney and Jenkins also won a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar. He is an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre and a member of Teo Castellanos D-Projects in Miami, a graduate of New World
School of the Arts, The Theatre School at DePaul University, and the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Warwick. He was recently Co-Chair of Playwriting at the David Geffen School of Drama, where he remains on faculty. He is an associate at the Royal Shakespeare Company, London, and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Writers Branch).
GIL CATES, JR. Executive Director / CEO
Gil Cates, Jr. is Executive Director / CEO of Geffen Playhouse. In this role, he is responsible for managing the Geffen’s dayto-day operations; developing new, ongoing theater partnerships and leading its mission to inform, entertain and inspire diverse audiences with live theater of the highest caliber. Prior to being named Executive Director in 2015, Cates served as Geffen Playhouse Board Vice Chairman since 2012 and served as a producer and director in theater, film and television. His theater credits include the award-winning
Names (Matrix Theatre Company) and Three Sisters and David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre (both at Syracuse Stage). Cates’ film credits include The Surface (starring Sean Astin and Geffen Playhouse alumnus Chris Mulkey), Jobs (starring Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Dermot Mulroney, as well as Geffen Playhouse alumni Matthew Modine and Ron Eldard) and the 2011 feature film Lucky (starring Colin Hanks, Ari Graynor and Ann-Margret). In addition, Cates co-produced and co-directed the critically acclaimed Life After Tomorrow, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, which premiered on Showtime. His other films include Deal (starring Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison and Charles Durning) and The Mesmerist (starring Jessica Capshaw and Geffen Playhouse alumnus Neil Patrick Harris). Cates’ television directorial debut was an episode of the NBC comedy Joey, starring Emmy winner Matt LeBlanc. He recently directed Displaced, a documentary short chronicling the journey of one of the first refugee families to flee Ukraine and arrive in the U.S. after escaping the Russian invasion. He studied at the National Theatre Institute in Waterford, Connecticut, and holds a B.F.A. in Drama from Syracuse University.
THE NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Supporting artists is central to the mission of the Geffen Playhouse, and play commissions are a cornerstone of that support. To commission a playwright to write a play means making a commitment to their voice, craft, and vision, with the hope of sharing the fruits of their work on our stage.
We are proud to have the following artists under commission:
LUIS ALFARO
COLMAN DOMINGO
MICHAEL GOLAMCO
MEGHAN KENNEDY
KATIE LINDSAY, TOVA KATZ & ALEXANDRA KALINOWSKI
MATTHEW LÓPEZ
MARTYNA MAJOK
Co-Commission with Atlantic Theater Company
TARELL ALVIN
M c CRANEY
QUI NGUYEN
Co-Commission with Manhattan Theatre Club
STACY OSEI-KUFFOUR
JIEHAE PARK
JOHN POLLONO
ROBERT SCHENKKAN
JEN SILVERMAN
N’YOMI STEWART
Co-Commission with New York Theatre Workshop, supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation
YORK WALKER
DAVID WIENER
CRAIG WRIGHT
LAUREN YEE
For more information on this program, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/newplays.
THE WRITERS’ ROOM
A group for Los Angeles-based playwrights, The Writers’ Room is a product of the Geffen’s deep commitment to supporting new plays and specifically to fostering bold, relevant work by the vibrant artistic community of this city. During this one-year residency, playwright members gather monthly at the Geffen to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and the Geffen’s artistic staff, culminating in a play reading series.
To learn more about the 2024/2025 Writers’ Room, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/thewritersroom.
The Writers’ Room is made possible through the generous support of the William Randolph Hearst Foundation
GEFFEN AT A GLANCE
CONTACT
Geffen Playhouse 10886 Le Conte Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
310.208.6500
Monday–Friday, 10:00am–6:00pm
AUDIENCE SERVICES
310.208.2028
Tuesday–Sunday, 12:00pm–6:00pm
Please visit geffenplayhouse.org for hours, parking and more information.
BOX OFFICE WINDOW
Tuesday–Sunday, 12:00pm–6:00pm, as well as on performance days up until 15 minutes after curtain.
Please note: the box office window is unable to process exchanges or future sales one hour prior to curtain time on performance days.
ACCESSIBILITY
Geffen Playhouse is fully committed to providing access to patrons with mobility, visual and hearing impairments. Parking spaces directly outside the theater are zoned for drop off and pick up, as well as disabled parking spots for patrons with appropriate placards and plates. For more information, visit geffenplayhouse.org/access or call Audience Services.
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. Some productions or circumstances may not allow for late or return seating. To minimize disturbances to other patrons, you may be seated in the first available location by the house staff even if it is different from your assigned seat.
NO PHOTOGRAPHY
There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed during the performance. Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones.
UCLA SCHOOL OF THEATER, FILM AND TELEVISION
Geffen Playhouse is affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles, specifically the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. 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 in areas of directing, playwriting, acting, design, dramaturgy, management and production. Geffen Playhouse also draws upon the distinguished experts in the university to enhance the theater’s programs and research.
THE DRAGON CYCLE
SARA PORKALOB (she/her/they) is an award-winning artist, activist, and creator of The Dragon Cycle, a trilogy of matrilineal musicals about her Filipina American gangster family, with one play for each generation built around a central female protagonist. This trilogy honors her family—three generations of Filipino Americans descended from gangsters and karaoke fighting to survive, thrive, and love.
PART I: DRAGON LADY
Premiered at Intiman Theatre, 2017 Dragon Lady is a two-act cabaret musical with a three-person band and a cameo appearance by Maria Porkalob Sr., the matriarch of the clan. We won’t divulge any more about this part as you're here to see it!
Right: Sara Porkalob in the 2017 Intiman Theatre production of Dragon Lady
Photo by Robert Wade
PART II: DRAGON MAMA
Premiered at American Repertory Theatre, 2019
Dragon Mama is a two-act solo show with music about Maria Porkalob Jr., the eldest of the second generation. Born to an immigrant mother with lost dreams, an absent father, and a society that fails immigrant families, Maria Porkalob Jr. is forced to grow up too soon, acting as surrogate mother to her four siblings while trying to balance her intersectional identity—poor, queer, brown, an immigrant. She yearns for a gayer, more POC-filled life than Bremerton, WA can offer her. When the opportunity to earn a lot of money in a short time presents itself, Maria must make an important decision. Leave her debt-ridden mother, four young siblings, and newborn daughter for the wild unknown of Alaska, or stay close to home, family, and intergenerational ghosts? Dragon Mama traverses 25 years of her mother’s life filled with queer love in a barren land, a dope '90s R&B soundtrack, Filipino gangsters, and ghosts.
PART III: DRAGON BABY
Currently in development
Dragon Baby is a three-act genre-defying musical(?) with a cast of ten. The first of her family to attend college, Sara Porkalob has one more project to complete before she begins her glamorous life as a professional actress: her senior thesis. Faced with her parents' ugly breakup and midlife crisis, Sara decides to devote all of her time and energy into writing the next Great American Musical, but no matter how much she writes, it all seems...wrong. What story does she have to tell? What story can she create that hasn't already been invented?
Picking up where Dragon Mama left off, we follow Sara’s journey from the queer communal house of her childhood in Anchorage, AK to her teens in her conservative hometown of Bremerton, WA to the hallowed halls of a Seattle liberal arts college as she deconstructs her white supremacist education, juggles five jobs including but not limited to a phone sex operator, a drug dealer, and a pizza call center aide, and ultimately realizes her purpose in the universe.
Right: Sara Porkalob in the 2019 American Repertory Theatre production of Dragon Mama
Photo by Gretjen Helene
2022 American Repertory Theatre workshop of Dragon Baby.
NOV 6–DEC 15
RAINN WILSON ( The Office ) and AASIF MANDVI ( Evil , The Daily Show ) star in Samuel Beckett’s tragi-comic masterpiece, produced in assocation with Gare St Lazare Ireland, “the unparalleled Beckett champions” according to the New York Times
ANNUAL DONORS
Geffen Playhouse recognizes the following individuals and organizations for their generous support of our Annual Fund. Donors are listed at the Partner’s Circle level and higher for gifts made between June 1, 2023 and July 31, 2024. A full listing of our supporters can be found at geffenplayhouse.org/thankyou.
† Geffen Playhouse Board of Directors
^ Geffen Playhouse Founding Trustees
* Backstage at the Geffen 2024 Supporter
In appreciation, Annual Fund donors enjoy a host of special benefits including concierge ticketing services, complimentary drinks, receptions, and much more. For more information, please call Anika Waco at 310.208.6500 ext. 195.
PREMIERE CIRCLE
$100,000+
Anonymous (2)
The Ahmanson Foundation
Jana & Trevor Bezdek*
California Arts Council
City National Bank*
Edgerton Foundation
Louise & Dr. Brad† Edgerton*
The Adi† & Jerry Greenberg Foundation*
William Randolph Hearst Foundation
Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg^ Fund for Arts Education
Jerry & Terri Kohl
Linda Bernstein Rubin† & Tony Rubin*
Jayne Baron Sherman
Shubert Foundation
The Simms/Mann Family Foundation^
Jodi & Howard† Tenenbaum
Miranda† & Brett Tollman*
UCLA
UCLA Health*
INNOVATOR CIRCLE
$50,000 – $99,999
Kevin & Claudia Bright*
Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation
Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
Madeline & Bruce^ Ramer
Holly Rice† & Vince Gilligan*
Richard† & Barbara Sherman*
PRODUCER’S CIRCLE
$25,000 – $49,999
Anonymous
American Rescue Plan
Marcy Carsey*
City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
Susan & Mark† Fleischer*
Carol & Paul Frimmer
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
Patricia Glaser† & Sam Mudie*
Cindy & Alan Horn*
Marcia Israel-Curley Foundation^
Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Mid-America Arts Alliance in Partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts
Carol & Bill Ouchi
Paramount Pictures*
Lauren Shuler Donner†*
Allen Blue & Kira Snyder
State of California, Gov.’s Office of Business & Economic Development
Judith & Bruce Stern
Shel & Cynthia Stone
PLAYWRIGHTS’S CIRCLE
$10,000 – $24,999
Eva Aaronson— In Memory of Bucky Hazan*
The Berlanti Family Foundation*
Capital Group*
Cast Iron Entertainment
Mary Ann Cloyd†*
Ellyce R. Cooper & Barry Cohen / Sidley Austin LLP*
Fielding Edlow
Dr. & Mrs. Paul Eisenberg*
Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer*
Bonnie E. Eskenazi† / Greenberg Glusker LLP*
Lisa Field, Field Family Foundation
Robyn Field & Anthony O’Carroll
Eric Flamholtz & Yvonne Randle
Bob & Diana Friedman
Sue & Steve Glusker
Marcy Gross*
Noble† & Jacquelynn Hansen*
In Memory of Morris A. Hazan
Samantha & Eric† Heer*
Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation
Stanley Iezman & Nancy Stark
David & Martha Kadue
Julie & David Kavner
Karen & Walter Loewenstern
Carla Malden† & Norman Beil*
Soundis & Danny† Passman*
Thomas L. Safran
Chris T. Schmidt*
Charles H. & Carol ‘Jackie’ Schwartz
The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust
Marcia & Robert Shuwarger
Deborah Tavlin*
Steve Tisch^*
Marjorie & Joe Walsh*
Aurora & Marc† Weinstock*
Ken Willner & Jim Stine
Karen & Rick Wolfen
CREATOR’S CIRCLE
$5,000 – $9,999
Laura & Harvey Alpert
Dr. Joan Denson & Dr. Victoria Berck
Shelly & Libby Bergen
Mrs. Carol K. Block & Dr. Gene D. Block*
Robert Brook & Jacqueline Kosecoff
Katherine Brown & Rene Mendoza
Jay Butterfield & Susan Ewert
Glenn & Lynn Cardoso
Keating & Caroline Crown*
Marissa Caudill & David Merrill
Steven Cerasale & Mary Katherine Cocharo
Linda & John Coleman
Ginger Conrad
In Loving Memory of Ed Cypert
Marisa Davis
Mary Jo & Caleb Deschanel
Anne Dougherty & David Dobrikin*
Barbara & Ed Dreyfus
In Honor of Virginia Field
Lynn T. Franklin
Sonia & Robert Freedman and Family
G2 Graphic Service, Inc.
Fariba Ghaffari
David & Kiki Gindler
Waterman and Glicksteen Families
The Goldenberg Family
Jill Grey
Michael & Jay Ireland*
Stephen Sass & Steven Hochstadt
Mannon Kaplan
Leslie King & Robert Welther
Norman Koplof & Leslie Falick
Sandra Krause & William Fitzgerald*
Tania Lotia & Tamar Tokat
Marcia E. Williams & Gene Lucero
Dr. Jennifer Lucero
Renee & Meyer Luskin
Mara W. Breech Foundation
Dr. Cara Gardenswartz & David Melnick
Dan & Margie Mintz
Rio & Frank Morse
Benedicta & Geoffry Oblath
Olympus Theatricals*
Cheryl Petersen & Roger Lustberg
Haley Pigman
Carolyn A. Poer & John M. Poer
Susan Rogers
Nancy & Ted Sanborn
Amy & Andy Schwartz
Steve & Paula Mae Schwartz
John Shustitzky & Rev. Christine Chakoian
Jerome & Joan Snyder
Sondheimer Foundation
SPARK Theatrical*
Jay & Deanie Stein Foundation Trust
Nancy Heller & Fred Specktor
Gerry Szeman & David Pavot
Anne C. Taubman
William & Karen Timberlake
Elizabeth Timperman*
Kathryn & Alan Van Vliet
Julie & Peter Weil
Joanne & Ken Weinman
Gelena & Seth Weissman
Alison Whalen & Steve Marenberg
Susan & Dan White
Ken Willner & Jim Stine
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
$2,500 – $4,999
Aversa Foundation
Margaret Campbell Arvey
Robert E. & Maria H. Barron
Madelyn Bennett & Eric Gibson
VJ Boyd
Paula Brand
Diana Buckhantz & the Vladimir and Araxia Buckhantz Foundation
Dr. Fanya Carter, Ph.D.
Cindy Clark
Daniel Clivner*
Joanne Cohen
Tim Curtis & Shandon Youngclaus
Jacki & Murray Drechsler
Kathryn Falberg & Monique Predovich
Dennis & Jackie Fox
MaryAnn & Irwin Gold*
Harris Family Foundation
Mary Hartley
Zvia Hempling
Rand Hoffman & Charlotte Robinson
Kelton Fund / David Kelton
Ann & Jonathan Kirsch
Stephanie Kramer
Alice Greene McKinney and E. Kirk McKinney, Jr. Fund
Cookie Miller
Thaine & Elizabeth Morris
Susan Oka*
Joyce & Harvey Reichard
Carol Risher
David A. & Karen Richards Sachs
Leonard Sharzer
Snyder Family Foundation
Mitch & Sherry Stein
Daniel & Shauna Valenzuela
Judith Leslie Waxman & Leo Stytle
Leslie White & Al Limon
Cherie Wrigley
Lisa Yen & Tom Bajoras
DESIGNER’S CIRCLE
$1,000 – $2,499
Miriam Aguiar
Jan & David Altemus
Patti Amstutz
Bonnie & Bill Apfelbaum
Karen Bell & Robb Cox
Westmount Asset Management
Wendy & John Bergquist
Larry & Julie Blivas— In Honor of Phyllis Blivas
Susan Bloch-Kay & Stephen Kay
Dr. Adrienne Brandriss
Chancellor Albert Carnesale & Mrs. Robin Carnesale
Lexy & John Carroll
Peter & Heidi Cartmell
Gil Cates, Jr.†*
Shelby & Lee Chaden
Martha J. Chase
Barbara Chiodo*
Hyura E. Choi*
Christina De Armond*
Bert Deixler
Dr. & Mrs. William M. Duxler
Jeff Eckerle & Marilyn Osborn
Colleen M. Ellis
Terri & David Elston
Lynne & Michael Feldman
Burt & Nanette Forester
Anita Dann Friedman & Harvey Friedman
Catherine Froloff
Michael Gintz*
Lorain Goldberg
Mark & Molly Goldberg*
Ellie Goodman
Manuela & James Goren*
Barry Gribble
Penny Grosz & Eugene Korney
Victoria Jackson & Bill Guthy
Jackson Henry
Hella Hershson
Jack Hileman & Roxanne Huddleston
Jean Himmelstein
Lynn Hunt & Margaret Jacob
Freya & Mark Ivener
Nancy & Len Jacoby
Sally & Dr. Manny J. Karbelnig
Beverlee Bickmore & James Kelly
Corrinne Mann Kempinsky & Louis Kempinsky
Sharon Kerson
Dr. Phyllis H. Klein
Katherine Kleindienst & Marc Goldsmith
Dr. Leonard & Stella S. Kleinrock
Trice Koopman & Mark Freund
Nancy Koven
Lena & Mark Labowe
Rena & Craig Leeds
Carl Levinger
Linwei Li
Cathleen Fitzpatrick Linder
Judith Locke
Elizabeth Luster
Brian† & Renee Mann*
Michael N. Marks
David Israeli & Dr. Marie Mazzone
Sheryl McDonald & Denny Howard
Ali Meghdadi*
In Memory of Jane Hall
Norma & Larry Meyers
Hillary & Lance Milken
Joan & Phil Miller
Andrew & Laura Mintzer
Mark & Diane Neubauer
Ornest Family Foundation
Carol & Alan Ostroff
Ralph Page
Philip & Leslie Paton
Ruth Popkin
Clark & Kathryn Porter
Allison & Bennett Rosenthal
Oren Rosenthal
Gerald Sauer*
Susan Schwarz
Sylvan & Sandra Seidenman
John Shaw
Rita & Jose Sigal
Ron Silverman & Soraya Ross
Dr. Ira & Dawn Smalberg*
Ronald Smith
Kirk & Mei-lan Stark
Stewart L Strandberg*
Eric Strom & Eileen Goodis
Patrick Summers
The Tatasciore Family*
Audri & Stan Tendler
Ricardo Torres & Nat Damon
Catherine & Leonard Unger
Jordan Valdez*
Theodore H. Sweetser & Jane L. Valentine
Marcia & Charles Wasserman Ph.D
Deborah & Glenn Weinberg
Richard Yaffe
Arnold & Tricia Zane
Ellen & Arnold Zetcher
PARTNER’S CIRCLE
$500 – $999
Anonymous (2)
Toshka & Norman Abrams
Carol Ahmanson
Robert C. Anderson
Greg Angstreich
Eloise & Mark Appel
Elizabeth & Marc Axelrod
Don Bacigalupi & Daniel Feder
John B. Balen
Susan & Michael Bordy
Howard Brightman
Janet & Mark Brown
Diane Burbie
Pam Coats
Steven & Linda Darling
Merle Dandridge†*
In Memory of Janet Birnkrant
Susan Dashe
Kristin Diehl
Jan & Thea Drayer
Elizabeth A. Evans
Su Jin Feuer
Terry Feuerborn
Paula Fins
Susan Nahley Fleishman†*
Bruce Fortune & Elodie Keene
Carol & John Fox
Elaine & Larry Friedman
Lynn & Barry Friesen
Ann & Jim Gianopulos*
Bert & Benita Ginsberg
Dorit Goldstein
Howard Gradet
Eve Haberfield & David N. Johnson
Michael & Candie Herman
James G. Hirsch
Robin & Edgar Hirst
Paul Gordon Hoffman & Sue Caren Hoffman
Kristin Hoover*
Drs. Sharon & Lou Ignarro
Dr. Vito Imbasciani
Robert & Gail Israel
Linda Janger
Eve Haberfield & David N. Johnson
Cynthia A. King
Leana Kleinman & Jerald Johnson
Patricia Klous
Delores Komar & Susan Wolford
Sharon & Joel Koppelman
Kerry Korf
Deborah Lacusta & Daniel Castellaneta
Christo & Jeanne Lavagnino
Rhonda K. Lawrence
Lydia & Chuck Levy
Lawrence Madans
Wendie Malick
Eric & Eva Plaza Mandel
Mark Mandel
Tiffany Mayberry†*
Douglas McAvoy, Jr.
Kathy & Jim McCaffery
Erin McKenzie
Tanner Medding— In Memory of Hollis Resnik
Christina Medigovich
Cynthia Melville
Thomas W. Mitchell
Leslie Mitchner
Dr. Gail Devlin Moradi
John Moschitta, Jr.
Bonnie Nash
Lorna Osunsanmi
Carol F. Phillips
Leo & Nina Pircher
Gloria & Michael Rausch
Faye Ray
Mary Ann Rosenfeld & Sheldon Kadish
Brad Ross
Valerie & Bennett Roth
Maxine Savitz
Cliff & Linda Schaffer
Carole & Michael Scheinberg
Lorin Schiff
Joel & Sonia Schneider
Nancy & Steven Schneider
Susan & Peter Schwab
John H. Scott
Marc Seltzer
Nancy & Bruce Silverman
Marlene Sklar & Joel Moskowitz
Karen Smits
Stuart Sobel
Andrew Stearn
Peggi Sturm
Joanne Takahashi
Barbara & Larry Tenan
David & Cathy Thomas
Maud & Tonis Tilk
Herbert Wolas
Albert Wolsky
Marian & Ted Zachary
HOSPITALITY SPONSORS
Thank you to our year-round in-kind hospitality sponsors for their incredible generosity and support of the arts:
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey Wolfsglen
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
The Chairman’s Circle acknowledges the historical contributions of the following individuals, whose support of Geffen Playhouse made the original vision of our founder, Gil Cates, Sr., possible:
Anonymous
Annenberg Foundation
Mrs. Carol K. Block & Chancellor Gene D. Block† City National Bank
Kirsten^ & Donald Combs
Maria Israel-Curley & Jim Curley
Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc.
The David Geffen Foundation
Herbert M.^ & Beverly J. Gelfand
Rabbi Uri D. Herscher & Dr. Myrna Herscher
Audrey & Charles Kenis
Lincy Foundation
Fay & Frank^ Mancuso
Tina & Jerry^ Moss / The Moss Foundation
Perenchio Foundation
The Shubert Foundation
The Simms/Mann Family Foundation
Skirball Foundation
University of California, Los Angeles
Wasserman Foundation
Judy & Chancellor Charles^ E. Young
If your name has been misspelled or omitted from the list in error, please contact Anika Waco, Donor Relations Coordinator at 310.208.6500 ext. 195.
Tarell Alvin McCraney ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
ARTISTIC
Amy Levinson
Associate Artistic Director
Daniel Ionazzi Producer
Phyllis Schuringa
Artistic Associate / Casting Director
Bella Luna Company Manager
Olivia O’Connor
Literary Manager & Dramaturg
Lexy McAvinchey Artistic Coordinator
Dionn Richardson
Assistant to the Artistic Director
Taylor Ybarra Yale Artistic Fellow
PRODUCTION
Alyssa Escalante
Production Coordinator / Resident Production Stage Manager
Melissa Hartman
Technical Director
Philip Rossi
Lead Scenic Carpenter
Rick Gilles
Properties Master
Audrey Lastar
Costume Supervisor
Sarah Lindsley
Costume Shop Supervisor
Spencer Doughtie
Lighting & Projection Supervisor
Jesus Cambero-Elias
Assistant Lighting Supervisor
James Grabowski
House Sound Supervisor
Bob Gilmartin
Resident A1
ADMINISTRATION
Sarah Sturdivant
Chief Financial Officer
Erick R. López
General Manager
Berenice Campos Director of Human Resources
Janice Gompers
Payroll Manager & HR Admin
Youra Kim
Accounting Manager
Jake Jones
Staff Accountant
Clay Dzygun
Office Coordinator
Chloe Shi
General Management Associate
Marguerite Harris
Receptionist
DEVELOPMENT
Sarah Weinberg
Chief Development Officer
Elizabeth Kegley
Director of Institutional Giving
Tracy Reich
Director of Individual Giving
Rachel Jacoby
Data Management Coordinator
Anika Waco
Donor Relations Coordinator
Zoila Lopez
Development Assistant
EDUCATION
Brian Allman
Director of Education & Community Engagement
Mark J. Chaitin
Manager of Education & Community Engagement
Paloma Nozicka
Education Associate
Sean Michael Boozer, Paris Clayton III, DeJuan Christopher Conner, Lyssa Deehan, Sidney Edwards, Aja Houston, BJ Lange, Tiffany Oglesby, Tara Ricasa, Gerry Tonella
Teaching Artists
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Patrick Brown Director of Marketing
Zenon Dmytryk
Director of Communications
Karen Gutierrez
Director of Advertising & Audience Development
Brian Dunning
Director of Content & Creative
Zack Hamra
Director of Audience Services & Ticketing
Isaak Berliner
Social Media & Communications Manager
Gil
Cates, Jr. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / CEO
Alyssa Tyson
Audience Services Manager
Jacob Feller, Jon-Paul Schaut
Box Office Managers
Brianna Barrett, Tori Eriavez, Peyton Fleming, Iyanla A. Guardado-Page, Pablo Hamlin, Miranda Heath, Jeffrey Limoncelli, Lauren Machain, Kayla Page
Box Office Staff
Theater Direct Outbound Sales
OPERATIONS
Jeni Pearsons
Director of Operations
Mel Yonzon
Front of House Manager
Amy Farkas
Lead Concierge
Rob Mersola
Event Manager
Sarah Chute, Anya Pryjmak, Emir Yonzon
Part Time House Managers
Vanessa Bradchulis, Marlon Campos, Savanna Chute, Stephen Johnson, Taylor McClain, Shannon Noel, Autumn Oyemade, Adam Simers
Guest Services
Brynn Allen, Luvina Arabella, Blaire Battle, Claire Booker, Lauren Curet, Enzo De Cunto, Camille Edwards, Kosi Eguchi, Sydney Fleischman, Ryan Foreman, Diane Hernandez, Keo Lacebal, Dylan La Rocque, Cassidy LeClair, Jalen McKoy, Austin Merrill, Elena Scaringe-Peene, Carsen Schroeder, Lanae Wilks Ushers
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Abdelkrim Bouzzit
Cloud System Administrator
Dream Warrior Group
System Administrator
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Art Guillen
Facilities Manager
Martin Ayala, Felipe Ayala
Building Maintenance
Mario Santillan-Perez Custodial
Juan Carlos Umaña, Camerina Martinez
Cleaning Custodial