®
GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE GIL CATES THEATER
O G R A L Y KE USE O H Y LA P GEFFEN
WELCOME TO
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
PHOTO BY JEFF LORCH
MATT SHAKMAN
Bogie & Bacall. Edward G. Robinson. An exotic inn lashed by a hurricane. Romance, intrigue, and action. I first fell in love with Key Largo as a kid and I feel compelled to watch it again and again. So when Andy Garcia approached me with the notion of adapting this classic film to stage, I leapt at the idea. We quickly discovered the movie was adapted from a play by Maxwell Anderson—which in retrospect shouldn’t have been a surprise. You can feel the theatrical DNA at the core of the film, most of the action happening inside one grand interior location. With the gracious permission of both the Anderson estate and Warner Bros., Andy and the brilliant playwright Jeffrey Hatcher created a brand-new version of this timeless tale, drawing on both the play and the film. Tony Award-winning director Doug Hughes joined soon after, helping to further shape the script and bringing with him an extraordinary group of collaborators, led by the genius set 2 P L AY B I L L
designer John Lee Beatty and the legendary composer Arturo Sandoval. Johnny Rocco gets what he wants—at least until he shows up at a hotel in Key Largo. When Rocco faces off against a hurricane— the real one tearing up the world outside the hotel as well as the human storm roiling inside—his entire world is turned upside down. Somehow, a lost veteran haunted by his past, a grieving widow, and the blind hotel owner refuse to yield to this ruthless mobster. In a world where it is increasingly hard to hold powerful people accountable, this enduring story has a lot to say about our own times. With a legendary group of theatre artists— both on stage and behind the scenes—bringing this morality tale to life, you are in for a surprising and thrilling evening. Enjoy the show! Matt Shakman Artistic Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Howard Tenenbaum
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
GIL CATES, JR.
CHAIR
Patricia Kiernan Applegate
Frank G. Mancuso Chairman Emeritus
Beth Behrs
Ron Meyer
Dr. Gene D. Block
Jerry Moss
Kevin Bright
Bruce M. Ramer Founding Chairman
Gil Cates Jr. Executive Director
Victoria Mann Simms Andy Spahn
Mary Ann Cloyd
Steven Spielberg
Merle Dandridge
Steve Tisch
Dr. Brad Edgerton
Dr. Charles E. Young Chairman Emeritus
Mark Fleischer Sue Fleishman Patricia L. Glaser Adi Greenberg Vice Chair Arthur Greenberg Martha Henderson Chair Emeritus Loretta Everett Kaufman
IN MEMORIAM Gilbert Cates Founder Marcia Israel-Curley Audrey Skirball Kenis Charles Kenis Karl Malden Jerry Perenchio
Carla Malden
Edie Wasserman
Brian Mann
Lew Wasserman
Barry Meyer Danny Passman Holly Rice
LEGAL COUNSEL Peter Rosen
Pamela Robinson Chair Emeritus
Latham & Watkins LLP
Linda Bernstein Rubin Teri Schwartz
ADVISORY BOARD
Matt Shakman Artistic Director
Miranda Tollman Chair
Richard Sherman
Stephanie Carson
Fred Specktor
Lori Collins
Cynthia P. Stafford
Ellyce R. Cooper
Kimberly Steward
Debra Davis
Marc Weinstock
Ann Gianopulos
Kevyn Wynn
Priscila Giraldo
FOUNDING TRUSTEES Kirsten Combs Robert A. Daly David Geffen Herbert M. Gelfand Chairman Emeritus
PHOTO BY JEFF LORCH
Harold A. Brown
Kirsten Hansen Eric Heer Laura Kennedy Wendy Kurtzman Hannah Linkenhoker Tiffany Mayberry John McCrite
Quincy Jones
Eric Rollins
Jeffrey Katzenberg
Allen Shay
Glorya Kaufman
John Sonego
Ginny Mancini
Laurie Ziegler
Welcome to the world premiere adaption of Key Largo! This production brings together some incredible artists already well-known to the Geffen in co-adaptors Jeffrey Hatcher and Andy Garcia. We also welcome back director Doug Hughes, who has masterfully assembled a world-class cast for a dramatic new version of this classic story. As we continue our 24th season at the Geffen Playhouse, there is already much to celebrate. I am particularly proud of the recent launch of our new website and how it showcases what the Geffen has to offer, as well as what we’re all about. We are constantly searching for ways to broaden our accessibility in an effort to bring the innovative and boundary-pushing art on our stages to as many people as possible. I invite you to go to geffenplayhouse.org today for a more in-depth look at what goes on here at the Geffen. I am also honored to have been able to bring this production to fruition with producer, Geffen family and friend, and my mentor, Frank Mancuso. Frank was immediately on board and became a catalyst for the rest of this remarkable project to come together. Frank is more than just a Geffen family member (and the namesake for the Frank Mancuso Mezzanine)—he plays a vital role in countless aspects of this theater, both past and present. So, it is with great pride and excitement that I invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy this world premiere adaption of Key Largo! Gil Cates, Jr. Executive Director
G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 3
GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH
FRANK MANCUSO & ANDY GARCIA
KEY LARGO ADAPTED BY
JEFFREY HATCHER & ANDY GARCIA DIRECTED BY
DOUG HUGHES SCENIC DESIGNER
COSTUME DESIGNER
JOHN LEE BEATTY
LINDA CHO
LIGHTING DESIGNER
SOUND DESIGNER
PETER KACZOROWSKI PROJECTION DESIGNERS
KAITLYN PIETRAS JASON H. THOMPSON PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
ROSS JACKSON
ALEX HAWTHORN COMPOSER
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER
ARTURO SANDOVAL
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
MICHAEL FRIEDLANDER
STEVE RANKIN
CASTING DIRECTOR
JEFF GREENBERG, CSA
OPENING NIGHT
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019
Based on the play by Maxwell Anderson and the Warner Bros. Film Produced by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS CIRCLE MEMBERS
Laurie & Bill Benenson Martha Henderson Pamela Robinson Hollander & Robert Hollander Loretta Everett Kaufman & Victor Kaufman
4 P L AY B I L L
Linda Bernstein Rubin & Tony Rubin Kimberly Steward & Josh Godfrey Miranda & Brett Tollman
KEY LARGO CAST OF CHARACTERS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
STEPHEN BORRELLO GAYE DAWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JOELY FISHER JOHNNY ROCCO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ANDY GARCIA NORA D’ALCALA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ROSE MCIVER CURLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LOUIS MUSTILLO FRANK MCCLOUD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DANNY PINO MR. D’ALCALA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TONY PLANA SHERRIFF GASH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RICHARD RIEHLE ZIGGY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BRADLEY SNEDEKER TOOTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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.
TIME/SETTING
PLEASE NOTE
September, 1946. The lobby of the Key Largo Hotel, Key Largo, Florida.
There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed in the theater. Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones. Thank you!
RUNNING TIME
2 hours and 15 minutes Including one 15 minute intermission.
OPENING NIGHT SPONSORS
G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 5
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES
S T E P H E N B O R R E L LO
Toots
Stephen Borrello is honored to be making his Geffen Playhouse debut in Key Largo. He recently appeared in Theresa Rebeck’s Seminar at 2nd Story Theater. Other credits include: Desire Under the Elms, Waiting for Lefty, Early Morning Opera’s A Suicide Bombing by Invitation Only, After Marienbad, and Hollywood Fringe Festival’s production of Den of Thieves. Stephen was in the world premiere of Forgotten World directed by Laurie Carlos, as well as Peter Parshall Jensen’s Who Killed Whitey? and Kenwood Wilderness. His film and television credits include: Superbad, At Middleton, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and Dirt. Stephen trained at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA Riverfront) and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and a minor in Cultural Studies from California Institute of the Arts (CalArts).
and film. Her Broadway credits include “Sally Bowles” in Rob Marshall and Sam Mendes’ Cabaret and “Rizzo” in Tommy Tune’s Grease. She garnered a Golden Globe nomination for her turn as “Paige” on ABC’s Ellen; starred opposite Brad Garrett in the FOX series ‘Til Death and John Goodman in FOX’s Normal, Ohio; and starred in CBS’s Baby Bob and Lifetime’s Wild Card. She recurred in Desperate Housewives and Last Man Standing and recently guest starred in Modern Family, Scorpion, and Station 19. In addition to starring in many independent films, Joely played opposite Jim Carrey in The Mask, Steve Martin in Mixed Nuts, and Nick Nolte in I’ll Do Anything, as well as Disney’s hit film Inspector Gadget. Currently, Joely tours her popular one-woman show based on her unflinching memoir Growing Up Fisher, and recently embarked on a directing career in television and film. She is the mother of five children and four four-legged creatures. Thank you, Geffen Playhouse, Ms. Fisher is thrilled to return to the stage in this incredible production and role.
A N DY G A R C I A
Co-Adaptor, Producer, as Johnny Rocco
J O E LY F I S H E R
Gaye Dawn
Joely Fisher is multi-talented–a star in television, musical theater, 6 P L AY B I L L
As one of Hollywood’s most respected leading actors, Andy Garcia has enjoyed a multi-faceted career in acting, directing, and music. Roles include The Godfather: Part III (nominated for Academy and Golden Globe
Awards), For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story (nominated for Emmy and Golden Globe Awards), and recent appearances in Columbia’s remake of Ghostbusters, Book Club, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, The Mule, and television shows such as Ballers (HBO) and the upcoming Amazon show, Modern Love, based off of NPR’s popular podcast Modern Love. Other notable films include The Untouchables, Internal Affairs (Showest Star of the year), When A Man Loves A Woman, Night Falls on Manhattan, Black Rain, Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, and Ocean’s 11, 12, 13. Garcia will star alongside Emory Cohen and Oscar Isaac in Brian Petsos’ upcoming film Big Gold Brick. Garcia also enjoys the other side of the camera, forming CineSon Productions in 1991 and making his directorial debut with the documentary concert film Cachao … Como Su Ritmo No Hay Dos (Like His Rhythm There is No Other). He also directed and starred alongside Bill Murray and Dustin Hoffman in the CineSon film The Lost City, which earned him two Imagine Awards for Best Director and Best Film, as well as a Best Director nomination for the Alma Award. Other CineSon Productions he starred in include Just The Ticket, Modigliani, City Island (Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award Winner) At Middleton, and The Man From Elysian Fields opposite Mick Jagger, James Coburn, and Julianna Margulies. In addition, Garcia has garnered multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy awards for producing the legendary Israel Lopez “Cachao,” the father of the mambo. Garcia also heads his own 13-piece Classic Cuban Orchestra, The CineSon All Stars.
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES
ROSE McIVER
Nora D’Alcala
McIver starred as the lead in Rob Thomas’ (Veronica Mars) series iZombie. The supernatural crime procedural, based on the DC Comics title of the same name, was on the CW for five seasons. Rose previously recurred on the Showtime series Masters of Sex, as well as the ABC series Once Upon A Time. She also starred in the Netflix movie A Christmas Prince, as well as the sequels, The Royal Wedding and The Royal Baby. She also starred in the independent films Brampton’s Own and Brightest Star as well as Dreamworks’ film The Lovely Bones, directed by Peter Jackson. She is based in Los Angeles, but often goes back to New Zealand, which she also considers home.
LO U I S M U S T I L LO
Curly
Off-Broadway: Sticks and Stones. One-acts, solo shows: Bartenders (Outer Circle Critics nomination), Circumstances, Different Angels. Series regular: Mike and Molly, Chuck Lorre Executive Producer; High
Incident, Steven Spielberg Executive Producer. Guest star, recurring: over 50 roles, The Sopranos, Strange Angel, Law & Order: SVU, The Bronx is Burning, Seinfeld, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, to name a few. Film: The Peacemaker, Dudley Do-Right, Just the Ticket, Not Fade Away, Inside Out, Johns, Hellraiser: Bloodline, Find Me Guilty, The Narrows, Passed Away, Wetlands, Cold Brook, Crappy Mother’s Day, One for the Money, Magic Hour. Louis is thrilled to be working at the Geffen.
DA N N Y P I N O
Frank McCloud
Danny Pino is grateful to be making his Geffen Playhouse debut. Danny is currently playing Miguel Galindo in the acclaimed FX series Mayans M.C. His previous work on television includes: The Shield, Cold Case, Law & Order: SVU, Scandal, and One Day at a Time. Mr. Pino has appeared in the feature films: The Lost City (directed by Andy Garcia), Flicka (directed by Michael Mayer), and The Burning Plain (directed by Guillermo Arriaga). Danny has worked theatrically in Public Theater’s production of Measure for Measure (directed by Mary Zimmerman) and at Delacorte Theater; West End’s production of Up for Grabs (directed by Laurence Boswell) at the Wyndham’s Theatre. Mr. Pino is a graduate of Florida
International University (B.F.A.) and the Graduate Acting Program at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (M.F.A.). For Lilly, Luca, and Julian, always.
TO N Y P L A N A
Mr. D’Alcala
Broadway: The Boys of Winter, Zoot Suit. Off-Broadway: The Happiest Song Plays Last (Second Stage Theater); Toast, Bang Bang Blues, Rum and Coke (Public Theater). Regional: Shakespeare Theater Company, Goodman Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, Mark Taper Forum, South Coast Repertory. Feature films: over 60 including Bombshell, Roman J. Israel, Esquire, Pain and Gain, JFK, Nixon, Salvador, An Officer and a Gentleman, Lone Star, Romero, Three Amigos, Born in East LA, El Norte, One Good Cop, Havana, Half Past Dead, Goal! Television: seven prime time series, notably Ugly Betty (ALMA, Imagen Award, Golden Satellite Awards), Resurrection Blvd. (ALMA Award, 2 nominations). Recurring: Mayans M.C., Super Store, The Punisher, One Day at a Time, The Affair, Start Up, Madam Secretary, Alpha House, Desperate Housewives, 24, West Wing. Numerous movies and mini-series: Jugar con Fuego, Fidel, Noriega, The Burning Season, Drug Wars. Imagen, NCLR, NALIP Lifetime Achievement Awards. G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 7
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES
RICHARD RIEHLE
BRADLEY SNEDEKER
Sheriff Gash
Ziggy
Richard Riehle has performed in many of the country’s most prestigious theaters. Most recently, he starred as “Ed” in Straight White Men at Kirk Douglas Theatre, Toronto, Athens, and Brussels. Broadway: Execution of Justice, The Iceman Cometh, The Man Who Had All The Luck. Off-Broadway: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Public Theater); Right Behind the Flag (Playwrights Horizons); Mountain Language, The Birthday Party (Classic Stage Company). Regional: Guthrie Theater, Goodman Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, American Conservatory Theater, Seattle Rep, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and others. He has also appeared in over 250 feature films and over 60 different television shows. Film: Casino, Bridesmaids, The Fugitive, Office Space, Of Mice and Men, Glory, Fried Green Tomatoes, Free Willy, Hero, Mysterious Skin, Hatchet, Chillerama, Black Rain, Palindromes. Television: NCIS, Modern Family, Mom, Black-ish, Major Crimes, Two and a Half Men, The Mindy Project, Grounded For Life, Married to the Kelly’s, The West Wing, ER, Boston Legal, Ned Blessing, Allie McBeal.
Colorado native and rancher, Bradley Snedeker began acting with a scholarship to The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts’ two-year Meisner conservatory program. From there, he started working in New York City, appearing on stage in Red Ryder at Three Studio; The Last Supper at The New York International Fringe Festival, The Eight at Expanded Arts as well as Scream King and Voice at TSI/PlayTime. Key Largo marks his debut at Geffen Playhouse. Feature credits include Universal Picture’s Truth or Dare and indie films Eternal Salvation and The Conway Curve. Television credits include Animal Kingdom, Westworld, Justified, The Young and The Restless, and E.R., to name a few. Bradley thanks wife Akrosia and son Triston for their continual motivation and inspiration.
J E F F R E Y H ATC H E R
Co-Adaptor
At Geffen Playhouse: A Picasso, Wait Until Dark (adaptation). Broadway: Never Gonna Dance 8 P L AY B I L L
(book). Off-Broadway: Three Viewings and A Picasso at Manhattan Theatre Club; The Government Inspector at Red Bull Theater; Scotland Road and The Turn of the Screw at Primary Stages; Lucky Duck (book with Bill Russell) at The New Victory Theater; Tuesdays with Morrie (with Mitch Albom) at Minetta Lane Theatre; Ten Chimneys at Peccadillo Theater Company; Neddy at The American Place Theatre, Fellow Travelers at Manhattan Punchline Theatre. Other plays/theaters: Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Mrs. Mannerly, Murderers, Cousin Bette, Smash, A Confederacy of Dunces, and others at Guthrie Theater, The Old Globe, Yale Repertory Theatre, Seattle Rep, Huntington Theatre Company, South Coast Repertory, Arizona Theater Company, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Children’s Theater Company, Illusion Theater, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and dozens more in the U.S. and abroad. Film: Stage Beauty, Casanova, The Duchess, Mr. Holmes, and The Good Liar. Television: episodes of Columbo and The Mentalist. Grants/ awards: NEA, TCG, Lila Wallace Fund, Rosenthal New Play Prize, Frankel Award, Charles MacArthur Fellowship Award, McKnight Foundation, Jerome Foundation, Barrymore Award Best New Play, and 2013 Ivey Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a member and/or alumnus of the Playwrights’ Center, the Dramatists Guild.
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES his wife, Fay, have two children: Maria, a mother and fashion designer, and Frank, Jr., a father and an independent motion picture and television producer. J O H N L E E B E AT T Y
Scenic Designer
D O U G H U G H ES
FRANK MANCUSO
Director
Producer
Broadway productions include Junk, The Father, Outside Mullingar, The Big Knife, An Enemy of the People, Born Yesterday, Elling, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Oleanna, the Tony-nominated revival of The Royal Family, A Man for All Seasons, Mauritius, the Tony-nominated revival of Inherit the Wind, A Touch of the Poet, Outside Mullingar, The Father, and Doubt, for which he won the Tony Award for Best Director. Off-Broadway productions include Socrates, Dan Cody’s Yacht, Incognito, The City of Conversation, Death Takes A Holiday, The Whipping Man, An Experiment With an Air Pump, Flesh and Blood, and Defiance. In addition to the Tony, he has been awarded Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel, Obie, and Callaway Awards for his productions. Hughes previously directed the West Coast premiere of Farragut North at Geffen Playhouse in 2009.
Frank G. Mancuso has had a distinguished career in the entertainment and communication industry spanning four decades, culminating with his leadership of Paramount Pictures Corporation and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. as Chairman/CEO. During his tenure at MGM, he successfully revived the renowned studio including acquiring both Orion Pictures Corporation and Polygram Filmed Entertainment and effectively led MGM through the process of once again becoming a public company. Mr. Mancuso came to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. from Paramount Pictures Corporation, where his career covered nearly thirty-two years. During his tenure at Paramount, he oversaw many memorable film triumphs and television successes. He also partnered with MCA/Universal to build the USA cable network into one of the most-watched cable networks in the country. He has been honored by many national and international organizations for his achievements and contributions to the entertainment industry. During his forty-five-year career, he has given freely of his time and talents to numerous charitable and not-for-profit industry-related organizations. Frank and
California native John Lee Beatty has designed 115 Broadway shows in a long career and has been equally busy at Manhattan Theatre Club, Lincoln Center Theater, Circle Repertory Company, Encores! at New York City Center, Public Theater, and Shakespeare in the Park, as well as at major regional theaters. At Geffen Playhouse, he designed Time Stands Still and The Country House, and in Los Angeles multiple productions at Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, Civic Light Opera, and Kirk Douglas Theatre. Broadway productions include Junk, Sweat, Other Desert Cities, Doubt, Rabbit Hole, Chicago, Proof, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Burn This, Talley’s Folly, The Color Purple, The Sisters Rosensweig, and notable revivals of A Delicate Balance, The Heiress, The Royal Family, and Dinner at Eight. Awards include two Tonys, and multiple Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Obies, the New York Drama Critics, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, and the Theater Hall of Fame. L I N DA C H O
Costume Designer
Broadway: Great Society; Lifespan of a Fact; Anastasia (Tony Award nomination); A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Tony & Henry Hewes Design Awards, Outer Critics Circle nomination); The Velocity of Autumn. Her extensive body of work includes productions at G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 9
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES acclaimed theaters and opera companies across the country and around the world, including Royal Shakespeare Company, The Old Globe, American Conservatory Theatre, Hartford Stage, McCarter Theatre Center, Arena Stage at Theatre of Arts, Metropolitan Opera House (Samson et Dalila), Los Angeles Opera, and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Currently residing in New York City, this Korean-born designer is the proud recipient of Theatre Development Fund’s Irene Sharaff Young Master Award; served as the American costume design curator for the International Prague Quadrennial; has been honored with the Ruth Morely Design Award from the League of Professional Theatre Women and is on the Advisory Committee of the American Theatre Wing. Education: M.F.A., Yale School of Drama. lindacho.com P E T E R K AC ZO R OWS K I
Lighting Designer
Previously at Geffen Playhouse: Time Stands Still, The Country House, The Gift, Ruined. Last season on Broadway, Peter designed American Son and Choir Boy, his 60th Broadway production. Other designs include Sweat, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Waiting for Godot /No Man’s Land (with McKellen and Stewart), Waiting for Godot (with Lane and Irwin), Venus in Fur, Anything Goes, Grey Gardens, Contact, The Producers, Kiss Me, Kate, She Loves Me, Young Frankenstein, Steel Pier. Extensive credits for Lincoln Center Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, Roundabout Theatre Company, Public Theater, The New Group, Playwrights Horizons, Encores! Regional credits 1 0 P L AY B I L L
include productions at Guthrie Theater, Goodman Theatre, Seattle Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, Long Wharf Theatre, Hartford Stage, and McCarter Theatre Center, among
W. Engeman Theater, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, People’s Light, Portland Center Stage. National Tour: Golda’s Balcony. Podcasts: Naked Radio
many others. Opera: the Met, NYCO, San Francisco, Houston Grand, Santa Fe, St. Louis, LAMCO, Seattle. Abroad: Royal Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera/ North, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Maggio Florence, L’Arena di Verona, La Fenice, Bonn, Lisbon. Recipient of Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Dramalogue, Ovation, Hewes Awards.
for Naked Angels. Film: Go Tell Your Fathers. Numerous concerts and live events. IG: AFHawthorn alexhawthorn.com.
A L E X H AW T H O R N
Sound Designer
Alex is a sound designer and composer for theater, film, and digital media. His theatrical work has taken him to six continents, and he’s currently figuring out how to get to the seventh. Geffen Playhouse: Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole. Off-Broadway/New York City: Ordinary Days (Keen Company); The Mad Ones (Prospect Theater Company at 59E59 Theaters); Fly By Night, A Strange Loop (Playwrights Horizons); The Great Immensity (The Civilians and Public Theater); Straight (Acorn Theatre); My Heart Is In the East (La Mama Experimental Theatre Club); Rhinebecca, NY, You On The Moors Now (Theater Reconstruction Ensemble); A Dream Play (National Asian-American Theatre Company); House, REMNANT, Juárez: A Documentary Mythology, Death of a Salesman, Medea, DR.C (Or How I Learned To Act In Eight Steps), HAIR (Associate Artist with Theater Mitu); Old Comedy from Aristophanes’ Frogs (Target Margin Theater). Regional: Baltimore Center Stage, John
K A I T LY N P I E T R AS
Projection Designer
Geffen Playhouse: Mysterious Circumstances. Other recent credits: How to Catch Creation, Mother Road, UniSon, Mojada (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Lost Highway (Frankfurt Opera); A Trip to the Moon, Young Caesar (Los Angeles Philharmonic); Vietgone (East West Players, LADCC award); Smart People (Denver Center for the Performing Arts); Flora & Ulysses and OZ 2.5 (South Coast Repertory); Breaking Through (Pasadena Playhouse); Cuba Libre (Artists Repertory Theatre); A Fable (Cherry Lane Theatre); The Gin Baby (IRT Theatre); Do Like the Kids Do, Shiner (IAMA Theatre Company); RII (The Theatre @ Boston Court); Thieves, Slipping (Rattlestick West). pxtstudio.com @pxtstudio JAS O N H . T H O M P S O N
Projection Designer
Designs projections for opera, dance, theater, theme parks, commercial, architecture, and corporate events. Geffen Playhouse: Mysterious Circumstances, Underneath the Lintel, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, By the Waters of Babylon, The Quality of Life, The God of Hell. Other recent credits: Lost Highway (Frankfurt Opera); A Trip to the Moon (Los Angeles Philharmon-
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES ic); Die Walküre (Karlsruhe, Germany); Tri Sestri (Vienna State Opera); Hopscotch (The Industry); Cunning Little Vixen and Pelléas et Mélisande (Cleveland Orchestra/Vienna), Young Caesar (Los Angeles Philharmonic); Grey Gardens (Center Theatre Group); Tarzan: Call of the Wild and Frozen A Sing-Along (Disney Shanghai Resort); Cage Songbooks (Carnegie Hall, San Francisco Symphony, and New World Symphony); Vietgone (East West Players, LADCC Award); Tales from Hollywood (Guthrie Theater); The Steward of Christendom (Mark Taper Forum); Great Immensity and Venice (Public Theater, Ovation Award for Venice); Chavez Ravine (Kirk Douglas Theatre, Ovation Award); Stars on Ice (20072019); Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation. He’s also created two video installations for the Petersen Auto Museum and co-designed a Chagall exhibit at LACMA with Yuval Sharon. pxtstudio.com A R T U R O SA N D OVA L
Composer
Arturo Sandoval is one of the most brilliant, multifaceted, and renowned musicians of our time! Although he is an acknowledged virtuoso of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn, he is just as dynamic and vivacious on the piano, timbales, vocals, and keyboard. He delights in presenting a diverse and exhilarating show featuring Afro-Cuban Jazz, Be Bop, straight-ahead Jazz, and so much more. He is, by far, one of the world’s foremost entertainers, having been seen by millions performing live at the Oscars, the Grammys, at the White House, and the industry’s most esteemed performing arts
centers and festivals. Sandoval is a celebrated classical artist as well as composer who has been awarded 10 Grammy Awards, 6 Billboard Awards, an Emmy, the Hispanic Heritage Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama, and was recently honored with a Doctorate in Fine Arts from the prestigious University of Notre Dame. STEVE RANKIN
Fight Choreographer
Most recently at Geffen Playhouse: Witch, Big Sky. Broadway: Ain’t Too Proud, All My Sons, Carousel (Drama Desk Outstanding Fight Choreography), Summer, Memphis, Jersey Boys, Henry IV, Twelfth Night, The Who’s Tommy, Anna Christie, The Real Inspector Hound, Macbeth, The Farnsworth Invention, Guys and Dolls, Dracula, Doctor Zhivago, Bonnie and Clyde, Getting Away With Murder, Two Shakespearean Actors. Off-Broadway: Pig Farm, The Third Story, The Night Hank Williams Died, Below the Belt. Public Theater: CORIOLANUS. Shakespeare Los Angeles: Henry IV (with Tom Hanks). Stratford Shakespeare Festival: Romeo and Juliet, Caesar and Cleopatra, The Who’s Tommy, Macbeth, Henry V. Metropolitan Opera: Faust, Rodelinda, Boris Godunov, Iphegenie at Tauride. Regional: Kennedy Center, Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, The Old Globe (Associate Artist), La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Actors Theater of Louisville, Center Stage Theater, Geva Theatre Center, Virginia Stage Company, Asolo, et al. Mr. Rankin also plays mandolin and guitar with The Susie Glaze New Folk Ensemble. Steve is a proud member of SDC.
R O SS JAC KS O N
Production Stage Manager
Ross is excited to continue his work with the Geffen Playhouse! Proudly native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Ross is now based in Los Angeles. Recent Geffen credits: Skintight, The Niceties, Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole, A Christmas Carol, The Untranslatable Secrets of Nikki Corona, Skeleton Crew, Sell/ Buy/Date, Ironbound and A Funny Thing Happened... Other credits: Meredith Monk’s Atlas (Los Angeles Philharmonic); Five Guys Named Moe (Ebony Repertory Theatre); The Tempest and Deferred Action (Dallas Theater Center); The Crucible and A Lesson Before Dying (Clarence Brown Theatre); Aladdin and His Winter Wish and Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight (Lythgoe Family Panto); Nickel Mines (New York Musical Theatre Festival), and several productions with the University of California, Irvine, from which he holds his Master of Fine Arts in Stage Management. Proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Love to Mom, Tom, and Megan. MICHAEL FRIEDLANDER
Assistant Stage Manager
Michael is excited and thrilled to be working with Geffen Playhouse. A recent transplant to Los Angeles, he hails from New York City for the last six years and is originally from Kansas City. Selected credits from Michael’s career from over 30 theatrical productions ranging from Off-Broadway to regional theaters to national tours include: Everything is Illuminated (Ensemble Theatre Company); The Magic Castle (Academy of Magical Arts); The Stone G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 1 1
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES Witch (Brierpatch Productions); Cagney the Musical (El Portal Theatre); Rock of Ages (Center REPertory Company); First Noel (Apollo Theater); Saturday Night Fever (Ogunquit Playhouse); Tail! Spin! (DR Theater Management); Hello Dolly (Big League Productions); Romeo N Juliet (Classical Theatre of Harlem); The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin (Roundabout Theatre Company); Blood Brothers (Astoria Performing Arts Center); Lost in Yonkers (The Actors Company Theatre). Numerous events for the Actors Fund, Vineyard Theatre, Dramatists Guild, and GMCLA. Michael would like to thank his friends and family for supporting him in such a rewarding career. J E F F G R E E N B E R G , C SA
Casting Director
Jeff Greenberg is the Emmy Award-winning Casting Director of the 11-year hit Modern Family. Other television casting credits include Cheers, Frasier, Wings, Ugly Betty, My So-Called Life, NewsRadio, Superior Donuts, Eli Stone, Early Edition, and dozens of others including the current Netflix comedy Merry Happy Whatever starring Dennis Quaid. He has cast the features Look Who’s Talking, Night at the Roxbury, Father of the Bride 2, and Die, Mommie, Die!. His theater casting credits include Art, Casa Valentina, As Bees in Honey Drown, Light Up the Sky, and Do I Hear a Waltz?, all for Pasadena Playhouse. Jeff is proud to return to Geffen Playhouse where, during his previous life as an actor, he performed in Jules Feiffer’s Hold Me. Jeff has won nine Artios Awards for casting and has been nominated for 14 Emmys. 1 2 P L AY B I L L
beth for the Geffen, starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
M AT T S H A K M A N
Artistic Director
Matt Shakman is Artistic Director of Geffen Playhouse. In this role, he is responsible for identifying, developing and staging new work and revivals of classic plays with a focus on exceptional storytelling and audience experience. Shakman recently helmed Mysterious Circumstances for the Geffen and prior to joining as Artistic Director in 2017, he directed three acclaimed productions at the Playhouse: the West Coast premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire’s Good People (2012), the world premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher’s new adaptation of Wait Until Dark (2013) and Joshua Harmon’s Bad Jews (2015). Shakman founded and was the Artistic Director of the Black Dahlia Theatre in Los Angeles, which was named “one of a dozen young American companies you need to know” by American Theatre magazine and “Best Small Theatre” by Los Angeles magazine. He is a director and producer for FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and has directed episodes of Game of Thrones (DGA nomination), Mad Men, Fargo, The Good Wife and Succession. Shakman recently helmed the pilot episode for Hulu’s The Great starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult, airing in 2020. This season he will direct Mac-
G I L CAT E S, J R .
Executive Director
Gil Cates, Jr. is Executive Director of Geffen Playhouse. In this role, he is responsible for managing the Geffen’s day-today 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
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES 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 studied at the National Theatre Institute in Waterford, Connecticut, and holds a B.F.A. in Drama from Syracuse University.
R EG I N A M I L L E R
Chief Development Officer
Regina Miller is Chief Development Officer of Geffen Playhouse. In this role, she is responsible for managing the theater’s comprehensive fundraising efforts, as well as overseeing its award-winning education and community engagement programs. Miller has been working with Geffen Playhouse since 2007. In addition to the Geffen, she has advised non-profit institutions, foundations and corporations on strategy, analysis and fundraising. She has consulted for Array Alliance, The Entertainment Industry Foundation, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Charlize Theron’s Africa Outreach Project and Kershaw’s Challenge, among others. Prior to the Geffen, Miller worked for the Simon Wiesenthal Center/ Museum of Tolerance, where she produced an innovative human rights exhibition that traveled to 14 international destinations around Europe, Asia and the U.S. She also 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. Miller is a published author and photographer with Tallfellow Press and Prometheus Books, and has taught and lectured at numerous schools in New York, Los Angeles and abroad. She attended North Carolina School of the Arts and the Business of Entertainment and Sports Executive Program at Harvard Business School.
N PLAYHOUSE GEFFE
THE NKSGIVING A H T PL AY
N OW – 1 2 . 0 4 “A DELICIOUS ROASTING!” — THE NEW YORK TIMES
“VERY, VERY FUNNY!”
“THIS CLEVER SATIRE IS SOMETHING FOR WHICH TO BE TRULY THANKFUL.” — THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
WRITTEN BY
LARISSA FASTHORSE DIRECTED BY
MICHAEL JOHN GARCÉS TICKETS
S T A R T A T $3 0! – G E F F E N P L A Y H O U S E.O R G 310.2 0 8.54 54
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES sight responsibility for accounting
for Van Sloten CPA, after holding
functions of the theater, including
the position of Director of Ac-
operating and capital budgets. In
counting at FABS Management,
addition, she supports all IT and
where she was responsible for
HR activities. Behnaz was named
overseeing the finances of more
Chief Financial Officer in 2015
than 25 non-profit organizations.
after serving as General Manag-
As a financial professional with
er since 2002. She first joined
more than 30 years’ experience in
Geffen Playhouse in 1999. Previ-
for-profit and non-profit financial
ously, Ataee worked as a senior
management and auditing, Ataee
financial analyst for Ultratech Inc.,
began her career in the Bay Area
an international semiconductor
as a partner in a small tech start-
Financial Officer of Geffen Play-
company based in San Jose. Prior
up. She holds a master’s degree
house. In this role, she has over-
to Ultratech, she was an auditor
from Pepperdine University.
B E H N A Z ATA E E Chief Financial Officer
Behnaz “Nazy” Ataee is Chief
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. The Geffen Playhouse’s New Play Development Program is made possible, in large part, through the leadership and generosity of donations from: The Edgerton Foundation, The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Fay & Frank Mancuso, Sandra Krause & William Fitzgerald, Hilary & Jack Angelo and Mary Bianco, The MOCA Foundation. We are proud to have the following artists under commission: RACHEL BONDS
JIEHAE PARK
COLMAN DOMINGO
JOHN POLLONO
MICHAEL GOLAMCO
ZOE SARNAK
MEGHAN KENNEDY
ROBERT SCHENKKAN
MATTHEW LOPEZ
ERIKA SHEFFER
MARTYNA MAJOK
JEN SILVERMAN
QUI NGUYEN & VAMPIRE COWBOYS DAVID WIENER LAUREN YEE ANNA ZIEGLER
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. The Writers’ Room is made possible through the support of Patricia Kiernan Applegate. BONI B. ALVAREZ
INDA CRAIG-GALVÁN
RAMIZ MONSEF
CHLOÉ HUNG
JUAN JOSÉ ALFONSO
RUBY RAE SPIEGEL
For more information on this program, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/thewritersroom.
1 4 P L AY B I L L
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
GEFFEN AT A GLANCE CONTACT
PRODUCTION STAFF FOR KEY LARGO
Geffen Playhouse 10886 Le Conte Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024
Assistant Director Barclay Stiff
Wardrobe Supervisor Liz Rose
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
Casting Associate Allen Hooper
Wardrobe Crew Sarah Lindsley
Wig Designer Raquel Bianchini
Properties Artisans Miriam Levenson, Cami Viand, Josh Sheldon
310.208.6500 Monday through Friday, 10:00am – 6:00pm BOX OFFICE PHONE LINE
310.208.5454 Daily, 7:00am – 6:00pm AUDIENCES SERVICES
310.208.2028 Daily, 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Assistant Lighting Designer Jeff Behm Associate Costume Designer Ricky Lurie Assistant Costume Designer Hannah Boston Costume Intern Bella Rasdal
Please visit geffenplayhouse.org for hours, parking and more information.
Costumes Made By Marianne Krostyne, DL Cerney, Serj Costumes and Tailoring, Anto Distinctive Shirtmakers
TICKET SERVICES
Shoes Provided By Worldtone Dance Inc.
The box office window is open daily from 12:00pm – 6:00pm, as well as on performance days up until 15 minutes after curtain during the run of a show. Please note: the box office window is unable to process exchanges and future sales one hour prior to curtain time on any performance day.
ACCESSIBLE ACCOMMODATION 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 about our Accessibility services and programs, visit geffenplayhouse.org/ access or call our box office. Partial support for open captioning provided by Theatre Development Fund.
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 seated in the first available location by the house staff even if it is different from your assigned seat. Be advised that some productions or circumstances may not allow for late or return seating.
NO PHOTOGRAPHY There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed in the theater. Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones.
Stage Supervisor Alex Norkus Stage Crew Austin Bosley, Oliver Brink, Sarah Handler Production Assistant Lizzie Thompson
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Set Provided By F&D Scene Changes Ltd.
Production Photographer Jeff Lorch
Lighting Equipment Provided By Kinetic Lighting, Inc.
Media Filming Ramon Garcia
Sound Equipment Provided By DnB Design; Jon Sound Inc.; JABWORKS
Design + Art Direction Base Design Photography Yann Rabanier
SPECIAL THANKS UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Scene, Prop, Sound and Costume Shops; London Cleaners; Jessica Drake; David Farkas; Braille Institute Los Angeles
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 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. Geffen Playhouse also draws upon the distinguished experts in the university to enhance the theater’s programs and research.
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 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 This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an independent national labor union. The scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers in LORT theaters are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE.
G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 1 5
BEHIND THE SCENES Q&A
BUILDING A WORLD
AN INTERVIEW WITH SCENIC DESIGNER JOHN LEE BEATTY BY RACHEL WIEGARDT-EGEL, GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE MANAGER OF NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT
John Lee Beatty is one of the most renowned
R AC H E L W I E G A R DT- EG E L : You have such an
artists in the American theater. A two-time
incredible career. I’d like to go back to the very
Tony Award winner, he has designed 115
start—how did you get into scenic design?
Broadway shows and countless Off-Broadway and regional productions. After designing the Geffen’s productions of The Country House and Time Stands Still, he returns to bring us into the world of a tropical hotel for Jeffrey Hatcher and Andy Garcia’s world premiere adaptation of Key Largo. Early in the rehearsal
J O H N L E E B E AT T Y: When I was in first grade,
my parents took me to see Mary Martin in Peter Pan downtown at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. I came home, and of course, I wanted to fly and all that stuff, but I actually totally got scene design. I understood how the scenery worked—to
process, we sat down to chat about his start in
this day, I can imagine that set and the ground
theater, the steps of designing a set, and the
plan. My parents hoped I’d be an architect, but I
unique challenge and opportunity of creating
kept designing. I know this is odd, but I started
a hurricane on stage.
designing in first grade and have continued.
1 6 P L AY B I L L
BEHIND THE SCENES Q&A RW: Did you ever build anything that you de-
by the way it looks and the way it functions. I’m
signed back then?
essentially making an emotional connection to
J L B : Oh, yes. I had an arts complex in our ga-
the material through the script.
rage. I had a proscenium theater with flying
RW: Amy Levinson, who is the Associate Ar-
pieces, and I built miniature sets that I would
tistic Director here and is also a dramaturg,
scoot across the stage to have set changes.
always says that designers are great drama-
RW: For someone in our audience who has
never heard about how a set actually gets onto
turgs—it’s all about how you convey that story to the audience.
our stages, how would you describe the pro-
J L B : Yes, right! Sometimes I don’t think
cess of scenic design?
people realize it, but I often start earliest of
J L B : It’s an odd combination of literary appre-
anybody—with the director, obviously. A lot
ciation and art. As a set designer, you read a script and somehow you begin to inhabit it in
of beginning dramaturgy comes out of those meetings. I really pull the play apart. I read a play once or twice just to experience it, and
“IN THE THEATER‚ WITH THE LIGHTING DESIGNER AND THE SOUND DESIGNER AND COSTUME DESIGNER AND PROPS PEOPLE AND PAINTERS AND EVERYBODY‚ WE’RE ALL DEDICATED TO SOMETHING THAT MOVES YOU JUST BY THE WAY IT LOOKS AND THE WAY IT FUNCTIONS.” – SCENIC DESIGNER JOHN LEE BEATTY
a way that you don’t quite understand. A lot of it is intuitive. At some point, the script gives you a visual clue—I call it secondary thinking
I don’t especially think about the scenery. I mean, you can’t miss it when in Key Largo they say, “The hurricane hits.” But I actually
or associative thinking. You get a feeling for
read a play first as a piece of literature. Then
what kind of movement the actors are going to
the next time through, I read it in a merciless
have or what kind of enclosure feels appropri-
manner. Like a surgeon, you pull it apart in
ate to this specific play. You’re always dealing
bits, dissecting. I make lists of questions:
with the specific event. You don’t say, “Oh, it
“Well, they said they came in this door. Why
takes place in a house, so I’ll take house plan
are they going in this door if they said they
#4 and do it again.” It doesn’t work that way.
were going down to the beach? Wouldn’t they
It’s very much an emotional connection and it
come out the other door?” Things like that—a
remains that way through the process to me.
lot of important but oddly dry questions. I’m
In the theater, with the lighting designer and
concerned as much as with how the scenery
the sound designer and costume designer and
functions in a floor plan with the actors as
props people and painters and everybody, we’re
with what it looks like. That all grows together
all dedicated to something that moves you just
at the same time. I’m doing floor plans and G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 1 7
BEHIND THE SCENES Q&A
doing pictures, if you will—renderings, we call
ida built in the teens and 20s. I found one,
them—at the same time. I never do one with-
and I thought, “Oh, that’s funny—they have
out the other. There’s a physical reality and a
a central sort of octagonal tower with wings
physical dream world that are always related
coming off of it.”
to each other. I always say that if a floor plan looks good, the scenery will look good in the same way—they need to match. You don’t get
RW: What is it that you are drawn to in a proj-
ect these days?
a floor plan that doesn’t look like Key Largo
J L B : It’s always fun to do something you ha-
with scenery that does—they match. In this
ven’t done, so that’s why I’m attracted to new
particular case, oddly, the script suggested an
plays and new musicals. Key Largo is a new
octagon to me. Examining the script, we’ve
play—it isn’t just the old play or the old movie, it
got two major characters with moral crises in
is a new creation with a different sensibility. As
their lives. This meant that the place the first
much as we know it as a film, what we’re doing
one enters had to be diametrically opposed to
is very theatrical.
where the other one enters. So, we have two very strong entrances that are different but equal. I’m trying to match the script with the visuals—not just the pretty picture visuals but also the literal layout of the show.
RW: Returning to the idea of the hurricane—
director Doug Hughes, in his first rehearsal remarks, called it a character in the play. J L B : It is!
RW: I’m fascinated by what you said about how
RW: What can you share about the process of
so much of the process is intuitive at this point.
creating a hurricane on stage?
How much of the ultimate design comes from
J L B : We are trying to make scenery that’s hur-
that first impulse versus what you figure out along the way?
ricane-friendly. I’ve done a lot of rain on stage before. In fact, the last two Geffen plays I did,
J L B : I’m not always sure, because, as you say,
The Country House and Time Stands Still, both
it is intuitive. I’ve worked with directors who
had rain. But this is “mega-rain.” Obviously,
talk about the script entirely and have dissect-
waterproofing was where we began technically.
ed it in every way, and I’ve worked with direc-
We’re not in a movie—we’re in the theater—so
tors who literally never mention the script in
we’re setting up something that has to be re-
our meeting—who talk about their love life or
peated every night and can be cleaned up at
what they had for dinner or politics or some-
intermission. And we’re dealing not only with a
thing. Yet, a design comes out of both meth-
hurricane—we’re dealing with blood, and a lot
ods. A few words can conjure up something
of this scenery is starting to be fairly animated.
for me, and I’m off to the races. I do research,
Things are spinning, things are falling over,
of course—in this case I did look at fishing resorts in Florida—but a little bit of research goes a long way. I’d rather have one wonderful picture that inspired me than a hundred.
windows are broken and wind and rain and palm fronds swaying in the breeze—there’s a lot of scenic activity that we’re dealing with. The playwrights have laid out a sequence of storms
RW: Was there one image that you saw that
that all of our meetings have always acknowl-
inspired your set for Key Largo?
edged. So, it’s not been just free-form—we’re
J L B : Actually, it went in reverse. I drew an
octagon fishing resort in Key Largo, and then I started looking at pictures of resorts in Flor1 8 P L AY B I L L
following the script even when we’re hurricane-ing ourselves. To read more about Key Largo, visit geffenplayhouse.org/blog.
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VAMPIRE COWBOYS RISE AGAIN
PHOTO BY THERESA SQUIRE
“THE BEST KNOWN GEEK THEATRE COMPANY IN AMERICA” RETURNS TO THE STAGE WITH REVENGE SONG
The Vampire Cowboys production of Living Dead in Denmark.
When you think of superheroes, you probably
spaceship dogfights to motorcycle chases to
picture them in comic books or Marvel mov-
puppet rap battles to countless martial arts
ies. In recent superhero movies, we’ve seen
fight sequences.
characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, and the Hulk come to life through a complicated process of computer-generated imagery and impressive stunt work in front of a green screen—a process that takes years before a film ends up on the big screen. For self-proclaimed “geek theater company” Vampire Cowboys, however, heroes in comic bookstyle stories are brought to life in real time mere feet away from their audience.
But how did Vampire Cowboys originally cut their teeth in New York’s theater scene? Rewind to the spring of 2000, when co-artistic directors Qui Nguyen and Robert Ross Parker met as graduate students in the theater program at Ohio University. With their first collaboration, Vampire Cowboys was born. As they brought other talented artists into the company, the first few years of Vampire Cowboys were spent out of the spotlight, trying
Vampire Cowboys’ mission is to create and
to gain footing in the competitive New York
produce new works of genre-bending theater
theater scene. In 2003, Qui Nguyen met his
with an emphasis on action/adventure and
now-wife and Vampire Cowboys producer/
dark comedy. Their shows bring in audiences
managing director, Abby Marcus. Soon, thanks
with spectacle and action and then knock
to Marcus’s effective grassroots marketing
them out with thought-provoking stories—
efforts, Vampire Cowboys began to draw more
challenging their perceptions on race, sexuali-
and more attention. In 2007, for example, Mar-
ty, and gender—and can feature anything from
cus arranged for Vampire Cowboys to show
2 0 P L AY B I L L
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NEW PLAY PREVIEW
off their stage combat skills at the second New York Comic-Con to promote their superhero play Men of Steel. Vampire Cowboys quickly found audiences who were tapped in to the subcultures woven into their shows, including gaming societies, creators of comic book podcasts, sci-fi fanatics. They staged main season productions, as well as a program called “First Bite,” which gave audiences a sneak peek into the development of plays that would later be fully staged. For actors and fans who wanted to hone their chops in stage combat, Vampire Cowboys offered The Rabid Vamps Fight Intensive, a class that provided fight conditioning, essential martial arts for the stage, nun chuck fundamentals, and more. This bold, cutting-edge theater collective soon became widely known for their innovative work, building a loyal New York City fan base and gaining recognition and renown. Vampire Cowboys shows—complete with music, puppetry, stage combat, and more— are experiences that can’t be found anywhere else, and audience members would often see a show four or five times in a run. They were awarded the Caffe Cino Award by the New York Innovative Theatre Awards for “consistently producing outstanding work” in 2006, and won the prestigious Village Voice OBIE Award Grant in 2010. The world last saw a Vampire Cowboys’ production in 2015 with Six Rounds of Vengeance at New Ohio Theatre in New York. That same year, playwright Qui Nguyen rose to national prominence with his play Vietgone, which went on to win numerous awards (2016 Steinberg Award, 2016 LADCC Ted Schmidt New Play Award, 2016 Kennedy Prize Finalist) and was produced around the country. Nguyen has since become one of the most lauded and sought-after contemporary American playwrights, as well as a writer for Marvel and Disney. Now, Vampire Cowboys is reuniting and returning, better than ever, with Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys Creation, written by Qui 2 2 P L AY B I L L
Playwright Qui Nguyen. Photo by Jesse Dittmar.
Nguyen, directed by Robert Ross Parker, and developed in collaboration with Vampire Cowboys veterans Nick Francone (scenic/lighting designer), Jessica Shay (costume designer), Shane Rettig (sound designer and composer), David Valentine (puppet designer), Maggie Macdonald (fight choreographer), and others. A rousing, romping, music-filled look at the real life of Julie d’Aubigny, a queer 17th century French swordswoman and opera singer, Revenge Song is a heroine’s journey toward self-discovery and acceptance. Though the play is set centuries ago, its story is electrifyingly modern. In this world premiere Geffen Playhouse commission, conversations about gender and sexuality combine with the outrageous fun and superhero style of the Vampire Cowboys to create something entirely singular—a hilarious, historical comedy with epic fight scenes and a punk rock attitude. As the thrilling debut of the Vampire Cowboys into the Los Angeles theater scene, Revenge Song will have its world premiere at Geffen Playhouse on February 13, 2020 in our Gil Cates Theater. It’s one you won’t want to miss! To read more about Revenge Song: A Vampire Cowboys Creation, visit geffenplayhouse.org/blog.
REVENGE SONG A VAMPIRE COWBOYS
NIGHTFALL 03.03–04.12
CREATION 02.04–03.08
BERNHARDT/ HAMLET 04.07–05.10
R-OWN% U O Y E T A CRE E 10 V A S & E G PACKA 310.208
THE ENIGMATIST 05.05–06.14
.2
FFEN 028 • GE
PL AYHO
USE.OR
MACBETH 06.16–07.26
G
D E E N E W
R U YO RT O P P U S
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ANNUAL DONORS 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 July 15, 2018 and September 18, 2019. 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. ANGELS
Kelly & Ron Meyer
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$100,000+
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PRODUCER
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$10,000 – $24,999
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Judith & Bruce Stern
Beam Suntory
Loretta Everett Kaufman & Victor Kaufman
The Walt Disney Company
Keyes Automotive Group
Kevyn Wynn
L&N Andreas Foundation
Judy & Chancellor Charles E. Young
Mr. and Mrs. Jason & Yvonne Lee
Dirk & Natasha Ziff
Edgerton Foundation The Adi & Jerry Greenberg Foundation Martha Henderson
Shubert Foundation Judith & Bruce Stern
Miranda & Brett Tollman Ken Willner & Jim Stine
ARTISTIC CIRCLE
Kimberly Steward & Josh Godfrey
$25,000 – $49,999
Jodi & Howard Tenenbaum
Anonymous (2)
UCLA
Hilary & Jack Angelo
CHAIRMANʾS CIRCLE
Laurie & Bill Benenson
$50,000 – $99,999
City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
Audi of America, Inc
David Lee Foundation
Elizabeth & Gil Cates, Jr.
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
Ben/Joyce Eisenberg Foundation
The Edward A. & Ai O. Shay Family Foundation
Herbert M. & Beverly J. Gelfand Karen & Russell Goldsmith Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust Rabbi Uri D. Herscher & Dr. Myrna Herscher
Fox Entertainment Group Carol & Paul Frimmer The Rosalinde & Arthur Gilbert Foundation Mellody Hobson & George Lucas
Beth Behrs & Michael Gladis The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation Bright Rentals Bliss Spa Board of Supervisors County of Los Angeles Eileen & Harold Brown Maya Burkenroad & Tai Lopez Roma Downey & Mark Burnett California Arts Council The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation Stephanie & Jonathan Carson Carole Bayer Sager & Robert A. Daly Merle Dandridge Edward Avedis Dr. & Mrs. Paul Eisenberg Fellow Lisa Field, Field Family Foundation Eric Flamholtz & Yvonne Randle Susan & Mark Fleischer Susan Fleishman The Friedman Group
Cindy & Alan Horn
Glorya Kaufman
Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer & Melvin Keefer
LA Unified School District
Kenneth T. & Eileen L. Norris Foundation
Patty Glaser & Sam Mudie
Latham & Watkins LLP
Bradley Mindlin
Susan & David Leveton
Morgan Stanley
Fay & Frank Mancuso
Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association
Napa Valley Grille
John McCrite & Juan Lopez
Arthur Greenberg
James L. Nederlander & Margo MacNabb Nederlander
Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger, LLP
Donna McKenna & Flynn Chernos
Los Angeles County Arts Commission Marcia Israel Foundation, Inc.
Gagosian Gallery, Inc Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc. Ann & Jim Gianopulos Manuela & James Goren
G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 2 5
City National Bank Chairman Russell Goldsmith (right) with Geffen Playhouse Founder Gil Cates, Sr. (center) and Geffen Playhouse Trustee Ron Meyer (left)
GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE TREMENDOUS SUPPORT OF CITY NATIONAL BANK OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS
Geffen Playhouse Board Chair Emeritus Martha Henderson with City National Bank Chairman Russell Goldsmith
The cast of Skintight at Opening Night, sponsored by City National Bank
THE OFFICIAL BANK OF GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
ANNUAL DONORS In Memory of Morris A. Hazan
Cathy & Shel Bachrach
Newmeyer Dillion LLP
Eva Aaronson & Bucky Hazan
Hilaria & Alec Baldwin
Benedicta & Geoffry Oblath
Samantha & Eric Heer
Shelley & Rick Bayer
Orlando Hotel
Stanley Iezman & Nancy Stark
Mara & Jonathan Blum
Carol & Bill Ouchi
Pop Culture Colaborative
Yael & Scooter Braun
Shana & Don Passman
Liberty Ross & Jimmy Iovine
Mara W. Breech Foundation
Soundis & Danny Passman
Julie & David Kavner
Heather Thomas & Skip Brittenham
Cheryl Petersen & Roger Lustberg
Kathleen Kennedy & Frank Marshall
The Eli & Edythe L. Broad Foundation
Pink Sands Club, Canouan
The Lear Family Foundation
Cindy & Bob Broder
Marc Platt
Lauren B. Leichman & Arthur E. Levine Family Foundation
Brotman Foundation of California
The Poker People Mark E. Pollack
The Lowy Family
Amanda Brown & Justin Chang Glenn & Lynn Cardoso
Kim & Dale Reed
Dr. Fanya Carter, PhD
Kay & Bob Rehme
Jason Clodfelter
Joyce Rey
Comcast | NBC Universal
The Richenthal Foundation
Carla Malden & Norman Beil Mona Malden Ginny Mancini Jonathan Manahan Nancy & Michael McClelland Wendy & Barry Meyer Steve McInnes Mary Bianco & The MOCA Foundation Mo Ostin Paramount Pictures Laurie MacDonald & Walter Parkes Popland Studios Judith Reichman, MD David Robinson Monica & Philip Rosenthal, Rosenthal Family Foundation Richard Ruskell Pastries Thomas L. Safran Dr. Bernard & Gloria Salick Hon. Nicole A. Avant & Ted Sarandos Susan & Martin Schmitt In Memory of Diane Barnett-Shapiro Nancy Heller & Fred Specktor Sugarfish
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Ellyce R. Cooper & Barry Cohen Robin Dearden & Bryan Cranston Nikki Dubose & Tara Nicole Dubose Susan & Jonathan Dolgen Dream Warrior Group Lisa Field, Field Family Foundation Fielding Edlow & Larry Clarke Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea Diana & Bob Friedman G.E. Foundation Jennifer Garner Kiki & David Gindler Priscila Giraldo Sue & Steve Glusker Goldman Sachs
Jane Rissman & Richard Sondheimer In Memory of Rikki Rosen Lori & David Rousso Jackie & Jeff Schaffer Jody & Arthur Schmid The Michael Schwab Family Carol ‘Jackie’ & Charles Schwartz Steve & Paula Mae Schwartz Tina & David Segel Sidley Austin LLP Randy Stabler Karen Zoller, MD & David Tillman, MD Karen & William Timberlake The Travel Corporation Stan Vashovsky/AMBULNZ Paul Wachter
Andy & Carlo Brandon-Gordon
Warner Bros. Entertainment
Sam Gores, Paradigm Talent and Literary Agency
Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks
Gloria & Peter Gold Mary Ann & Irwin Gold
Lynn & Mark Williams Karen & Rick Wolfen In Loving Memory of Herman Ziegler
Lori & Ken Goldman
Ruth & Stan Zicklin Zimmerman Advertising LLC
Daniel Tongbai & Henry Clancy
Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Waren, Richman, Rush, Kaller & Gellman LLP
Sandy & Kevin Tsujihara
HBO
U.S. Bank Foundation
Sir Elton John & David Furnish
Uniworld River Cruises Inc
Barbara & Ronnie Kahn
$3,000 – $4,999
Joanne & Ken Weinman
Mannon Kaplan
Janis Adams & John Lyons
Aurora & Marc Weinstock
Sally & Dr. Manny J. Karbelnig
Aversa Foundation
Westfield Group
KIND Snacks
Madelyn Bennett & Eric Gibson
David Zuckerman & Ellie Kanner-Zuckerman
Kling Family Foundation— Allen & Jessica Kling
Paula & Bruce Bennett
Sandra Krause & William Fitzgerald
Susan J. Booth & Christopher Wadden
Wendy Kurtzman
VJ Boyd
Lionsgate
Robert Brook & Jacqueline Kosecoff
Anonymous (2)
Jody Lippman
Marcy Carsey
Pat & Sandy Adams
Los Angeles magazine
Linda & John Coleman
Jehan F. Agrama & Dwora Fried
Anne Stringfield & Steve Martin
Scott, Susan & Joshua Corwin
AMC TV
Merle & Jerry Measer
Carl & Courtenay Enright
Amgen Foundation
Marcia & Brett Molotsky
Bill Fagerbakke
The August Family
Kate Moran & Mikki Rosenberg
Sonia & Robert Freedman and Family
Margaret Avery
Rio & Frank Morse
Jonathan Greenberg
Thomas Safran & Associates Mike Thaxton Steve Tisch
DIRECTOR
$5,000 – $9,999
Ziffren Brittenham LLP Pam Williams
SPONSOR
Shelly & Libby Bergen
G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 2 7
ANNUAL DONORS Madeline Gussman Stephen Sass & Steven Hochstadt
Steven Cerasale & Mary Katherine Cocharo
Lydia & Chuck Levy
Eric Strom & Eileen Goodis
Jo Champa
Elisabeth & Jeffrey Lipsman
Audri & Stan Tendler
Judith Locke
Catherine & Leonard Unger
Denise Longarzo
Union Bank
Sonia Luna
Craig Wakehouse
Peter Mackenzie
Julie & Peter Weil
Gail & Stanley Hollander
Darcy & Dean Christal
Vicki Iovine & David Coiro
Richard Clareman
Lenny & David Kelton
Ted Cordes & Bill Derby
Thea & Neal Koss
Sandy & Payam Daneshrad
Gelena & Seth Weissman
Sandy Little
Padma & Rao Makineni
Gayle & Dan Devin
John & Connie Weston
Parise Livanos
Todd Makurath
Pam Dawber & Mark Harmon
Jill Mazursky
Alison Whalen & Steve Marenberg
Anne Dougherty
Sue McHugh & Herb Seese
Walter & Karen Loewenstern Renee & Meyer Luskin
Victoria Dummer
Marcia & David Nimmer
Dr. & Mrs, William Duxler
Denise & Daniel Perlstein
Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC
Vicki Magasinn & Robert Somer
Burt & Nanette Forester
Jane & Rand Marlis
Steve Freedman
Stewart Mayeda Sheila & Joel Mendelsohn
Anita Dann Friedman & Harvey Friedman
Bruce Nowel
G2 Graphic Service, Inc.
Michael R. Oppenheim
Helen & Arthur Geoffrion
Michael Parks & Judith Hayward
Robert Glicksteen
Craig E. Rogers
Dr. Irene Goldenberg
Sue Weiss Rosenwasser
Stewart Goldman
Allen Blue & Kira Snyder
Louis & Linda Goldsman
Susan & Peter Van Haften Jennifer von Schneidau
Sunny & Alvin Grossblatt Family Foundation
Jennifer Tilly
Deborah & Allen Grubman
Denise & Peter Walsh
The Guerin Foundation
The Waterman Family Foundation
Karney Guren Family Foundation
Leslie White & Al Limon
Deirdre Hall
PARTNER
Charlotte Gold
Alan & Michelle Heilpern Faith Henkin
Janis B. McEldowney Catherine Miller Joan & Philip Miller Sara Miller Patrice & James Mitchell Jonathan Moonves Robert Moore John Murphy Austin Musick John Norris Bruce Nowel Oberheiden & McMurrey, LLP Carol & Alan Ostroff Michael Parks & Judith Hayward South Pasadena Arts & Music Academy Herbert & Marilyn Piken Craig Piligian Vanessa Pizzuto Drs. Laurence & Isabell Purdy Joyce & Harvey Reichard
Lynda & Neal Hersh
In Memory of Frances Richman
Anonymous
Jean Himmelstein
Leslie & Doug Robinson
Miriam Aguiar
In Honor of Development
Olga S. Alderson
Rand Hoffman & Charlotte Robinson
Nancy Stephens & Rick Rosenthal and The Rosenthal Family Foundation
$1,500 – $2,999
Patti & Harlan Amstutz Claudia Apelfeld Bonnie & Bill Apfelbaum Nancy & Peter Antonious Bonnie R. Arnold Robert E. & Maria H. Barron Shelley & Rick Bayer Patricia & Mark Benjamin
Lynn Hunt & Margaret Jacob
Wil Rosser
Nancy & Len Jacoby
Lawrence Rudolph
Carrie Johnson
Amber & Richard Sakai
Linda & David Kagel
Nancy & Ted Sanborn
Trudy & Albert Kallis, Kallis Family Charitable Foundation
David Schwartz Foundation, Inc.
Meredith & David Kaplan
Susan Schwarz & Stuart Berton
Meg & Lawrence Kasdan
Jed Seidel
Christopher Klapp
John & Lori Shaw
Willette & Manny Klausner
Dana Slatkin
Katherine Kleindienst & Marc Goldsmith
Victor Snider
James L. Brooks
Wayne Knyal
Susan & Donald Starr
Jay Butterfield & Susan Ewert
Katherine “Kat” Kramer
Mitch & Sherry Stein
David & Tam Lachoff
Nora Stines
Joyce Lederer
Eric Stonestreet
Bethany Joy Lenz
Patricia Strange
Artie Berrick & Ellie Malter L’Anne Bingham, Howie & Friends Nina & Hon. Anthony Borwick Nancy Boxwell Dr. Wallace P. Brithinee
Chancellor Albert Carnesale & Mrs. Robin Carnesale 2 8 P L AY B I L L
Joan & Jerome Snyder
Chris Williams Marcia Williams & Gene Lucero Kevin Williamson Cherie Wrigley Drs. Anna & Stephen Yallourakis Patricia Youngman Barbara & Stanley Zax Ellen & Arnold Zetcher
EDUCATION ADVOCATE $1,000 – $1,499 Anonymous (2) AnonyMoose Foundation Harry & Gay Abrams/ Abrams Artists Agency Dr. Richard Ackerman & Miriam Shakter Leonard I. Ackerman Merryl & David A. Alpert Laura & Harvey Alpert Charitable Foundation Patti & Harlan Amstutz Audrey & Martin Appel Margaret Campbell Arvey Robert E. & Maria H. Barron Russ, August & Kabat David Bartman Karen Bell & Robb Cox Elijah Berg Yvette Bergeron & Dean Bailey Wendy & John Bergquist Diane & Jim Berliner Ana Karime Bichsel John Bjorge & Mary McKelvey Joe Blackstone & Jamie Mohn Brenda & Alan Borstein Linda & Jerry Bruckheimer Diane Buckhantz and the Vladimir and Araxia Buckhantz Foundation The Busch-Schifino Family C&O Trattoria Scott Carter & Bebe Johnson
ANNUAL DONORS Margaret Casey
Toni Hoyt
Daniel & Denise Perlstein
Nancy Thomas
Jane Cates
Gary T. Izumi
Lou & Berta Pitt
Marjorie Thomson
Claman/Cates Family
Ruth Popkin
William & Karen Timberlake
Cindy Clark
Victoria Jackson & Bill Guthy
John Turmes
Becky & Mike Clements
Terry & Marc J. Jacoby
Gary & Gail Racheletsky
Leon & Stephanie Vahn
Daniel Clivner & Steven Cochran
Linda Janger
Carl Reiner
Joseph B. Gould Foundation
Rabbi Steven & Didi Carr Reuben
Daniel & Shauna Valenzuela
Sachiko T. Cochran MD & Joseph T. Araki
Linda & David Kagel
Donald B. & Susan F. Rice
Ivonne Coll
Laura Kennedy
Adam Richards
Marcia & Dr. Charles Wasserman, Ph.D.
Mali Heled Kinberg
Carrie & Ken Richman
Kevin Williamson
Judy Knapp
Esther & Howard Richmond
Judith & Philip Winik
Dr. Robert Rigg
Jan & Edward Woods
Lisa Kudrow
Beth Roberts & Warren Smith
Bobbi & Walter Zifkin
Lena & Mark Labowe
Dolores Rogers
Vivian Lee
Louis & Laura Rohl
Bordy & Leibovic Families Lionsgate
Allison & Bennett Rosenthal Charitable Foundation
Cathleen Fitzpatrick Linder
Philip & Janet Rotner
Steven & Nancy Lippman
Rollins family
Jessica Llanes
Brad & Nancy Rosenberg
Judith Locke
Lawrence Rudolph
Karen & Peter Locke
David A. & Karen Richards Sachs
Jill Cordes & Phil Johnston Joan Craig Larry & Sophia Cripe Janine Cristiano Phil Davis Christina Doren Jan & Thea Drayer Barbara & Ed Dreyfus Dr. & Mrs. William M. Duxler Eric Eisner Trust Colleen M. Ellis Terri & David Elston David & Joyce Evans Kristin & Robert Farr Lynne & Michael Feldman
Leslie & Norman Koplof Carol Krause
The Jennifer and Greg Malins Foundation
Louella & Michael Sachs
Susanna Felleman & Erik Feig
Sue & Anthony Marguleas
Ajay Sahgal
Burt & Nanette Forester
Eric G.C. Mark Laura Maslon
Janet Salter In Memory of Maxwell Hillary Salter
Jackie Fox Judith R. Forman & Richard N. Weiner
David Israeli & Dr. Marie Mazzone
Nancy & Ted Sanborn
Sherri & Jim McCashin
Mark San Filippo Gerald Sauer
Jeanne & Arnold Geffner
Jeanne McDonald-Powers & Travis Powers
Diane & Bruce Gewertz
The Miles Family
Cherna & Dr. Gary Gitnick
Jane & Bill Schopf
Hillary & Lance Milken
Robert Glicksteen
Cookie Miller
Toni & John Schulman
Stewart Goldman
Catherine & Craig Miller
Linda & Louis Goldsman
Philip & Joan Miller
Roz & Abner Goldstine
Ben & Susan Friedman
George & Jolene Schlatter
Kathryn & Alan Van Vliet
Lisa Yen & Tom Bajoras
ARTISTIC ADVOCATE $500 – $999
Anonymous (3) Norman & Toshka Abrams Geraldine & Harold Alden Sylvia Almstadt Bonnie R. Arnold Beverly Bickmore & James Kelly Irene Baron The Belles Family Laurie Bernhard Boisset Wine Ambassadors Michael J. Bordy Carol J. Bradshaw Paula Brand Janet & Mark Brown David & Kathy Burke Shelby & Lee Chaden
David Schwartz Foundation, Inc.
Sandra Chan & Richard Pezner
Andrew & Laura Mintzer
Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Prevention
James Clark
Ellie Goodman
Laurie & Chuck Mondrus
Aaron & Ross Smith-Knight
Grey Management, INC.
Thaine & Elizabeth Morris
Robin & Robert L. Sills
Ginger Conrad
Jack Grossbart & Marc Schwartz
In Loving Memory of Harvey S. Morse
In Memory of Albert Sokol, MD.
Ms. Candace Cooper Bruce Cormicle
Guerin Foundation Kay Harrington
Lon Morse & Toni Hollander Morse
Drs. Matthew & Marion Solomon
In Loving Memory of Ed Cypert
Salli Harris
Carol & Jerry Muchin
Murray & Gail Heltzer
Ron Myrick
John Sonego & Tom Faughnan
Zvia Hempling
Albert & Barbara Nichols
Bruce & Patti Springsteen
Jackson Henry
Michael Nicklin
Jordan Strauss Photography
Dr. John Hofbauer and Dr. Laura E. Fox
Okay Goodnight
Nicole Sullivan
Deborah & Stacey Olliff
Rose Tarlow
Richard Rasiej & Joan Herman
Ornest Family Foundation
The Tatasciore Family
Elizabeth A. Evans
In Loving Memory of Gareth Wigan
Anne C. Taubman & David Boyle
Marjorie & Arthur Fine
Lynda & Neal Hersh
London, Alex & Marty Padilla
Lynne & Michael Flynn
John Teeples & Nicolas Martinez, Jr.
Lora Fremont
Franklin D. Tell
Lois Gallop
Adventist Health White Memorial
Laurel & Aaron Clark Lalique Cohen
Robert Daseler Valerie de la Garza & Michael Centeno Dale Dickey Joan & Jerry Elledge Roni & Ethan Eller
Pat & Sandy Gage
Noreen & Doug Herzog
Gia Paladino & Michael Wise
Lysa & Grant Heslov
Leslie & Philip Paton
Barbara & Larry Tenan
Sharlene & Sol Galper
Roger & Linda Howard
Jacalyn & Paul Pepperman
Terranea Resort
Carla & Robert Garfield G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 2 9
ANNUAL DONORS Rosalinde & Arthur Gilbert Foundation
Donald B. Spradlin
Benita & Bert Ginsberg
Frances & Sy Strasberg
Linda & Louis Goldsman Roberta L. Haft Richard Hart
Arthur Stern Mr. & Mrs. David Tann Marjorie Thompson
Michelle Butler & Mark Blackham
Sandra Francis
Steven Bushong
Kenneth J. Friedman & Marilynn J. Friedman Family Foundation
Laura D. Campbell Marlene & David Capell
Joyce & Josh Trabulus
Anthony Carbone Richard Cassese
Sheila & Chester Hasday
In Memory of Ginny Truesdale
Ling Chan
Mrs. Dorothy Hoffman
Baron Vaughn
Thomas Chappell
Paul Gordon Hoffman & Sue Caren Hoffman
Valerie Vetters
Martha Chase
Kelley M. Hogan
Ira & Laurie Waldman
Doryann Chasen
Bruce & Marci Wiseman
Mr. Chavoshan
Avi Kamienny
Delores Komar & Susan Wolford
Diane Chernansky
Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Kamine
Christina Wren
Pam Coats
Jack S. Yeh
Larry Conover
Harriet Zaretsky
Heidi Jo Corey
Mary Hartley
Brenda Izzi
Jo Kaplan & Larry Feldman Marcy Kaplan & Eric Gold David & Martha Kadue Patricia Keating Christopher Klapp
ASSOCIATE $250 – $499
Anselm Clinard
Gail Cottingham Norman & Nancy Cravens Valerie & Donald Cravitz
Joel Koppelman
Anonymous (11)
Deborah Lacusta & Daniel Castellaneta
Diana Cusumano
Terry & Richard Abrams
Muriel Dance & Alvin Martin
Cristo & Jeanne Lavagnino
Barbara Adams
Hedva & Dr. Dudley Danoff
Ioe Adler
Steven & Linda Darling
Elaine & Michael Agran
Susan Dashe
Mr. Arthur Alisi
Jeffrey S. Davidson
In Memory of Katie Layman Marla E. Levine Lawrin & Linda Lewin Robin Lewin Tracey Lewin Marcus Mancini Satah Coade Mitchell & Peter Mandell Michael N, Marks Mr. & Mrs. Phillips H. Marshall Ana & James Miles Thomas Mitchell Sue & Monty Mohrman John Moschitta Paula Moseley, EdD Bill Mullins Norma & Larry Meyers
Helen Allan Charles & Annick Allen
Elizabeth De Oliveira & Moacyr Da Silva
Sylvia Almstadt
Hal & Roberta Delevie
Robert C. Anderson
Dr. Udayakumar Devaskar
Philip Angerhofer & Stephen A. Jones
Bernard & Deborah Diamond
Eloise & Mark Appel
Chelsea Dinsdale
Jc & Jack Appelbaum
Carol Jean Doehring
Joseph D. Argilagos
Fred & Marilyn Dorer
David Atkinson
Dorfman Family
Marc & Elizabeth Axelrod
Daryl & Paul F. Doucette
Lynne Babbitt
Linda Dozier
Robert Baker
The Milton L. & Betty J. Dranow Family Foundation
Cecilia Ball Mr. and Mrs. Donald Balzano
Jacki & Murray Drechsler
Fran Fredella
Judy Frith-Smith Catherine Froloff Laurelle Frome & Brady Frome Gina Furth Diane Futterman Dr. Lee Gardenswartz Corinne B. Garson Patricia Geffner Leslie & Mort Gerson Seth Gettleson Charles Gherardi Linda & Tom Givvin Jill Glasband Carol & Neil Goldberg Lorain Goldberg Francine Golden & Marvin Schlossman Les Goldman Dina Goldstein Roger Gordon Howard Gradet Liz Gottainer & David Sadkin Shelley Hill Grant Madelyne Green Jana & Randall Greer Roslyn & David Grinberg Marcy & Edgar Gross Vera & Paul Guerin Beach Cities Child Development Center Kambiz & Sylvia Hakim Mary & Alan Halkett Carol & Fred Halperin Roberta & Marc Hamilton Brian & Karen Hatch Hanna Heiting
Thomas Barad
Kay & Larry Driscoll
Irene Baron
Roger Duhl
June Bartczak
Lorraine Eastlake
Judith & Thomas Beckmen
Jeff Eckerle
Carla & Alan A. Herd
Fay & Lester Bass
Michael & Candie Herman
Patricia Belcher
Barry & Mona Shafer-Edwards
Matthew Herrmann
Marsha C. Berkowitz
Arlyne Elliot Interiors
Winifred C. Hervey
Ellen & Jay Bienfeld
Ronald Eng
Gabrielle & David Hill
Susan Bloch-Kay
Lidia & Mauricio Epelbaum
Jan Hines
Pamela & Bill Bohnert
Rena & Peter Falk
Hella Hershon
Dr. Francesco Federico & Lauren Wilson
Robin & Edgar Hirst
Nancy & Steven Schneider
Susan Boiko & Martin Schwartz
Susan & Peter Schwab
Toby Bornstein
Mimi Alpert Feldman
Melvin Horowitz
Janet & Michael Schwartz
Dr. Clarence Braddock
Abby & Malcolm Field
Marissa Horrigan
John H. Scott
Laurrie Brooke
Diane Fisher
Arthur F. & Carol Silbergeld
Mitchell Brown
Lisa Finkelstein
Anne Ichuji & Todd Humphrey
Karen & Bill Skinner
Joanne Busuttil
Lynn & Michael Flynn
Robert & Gail Israel
Norma Myers Mark & Diane Neubauer Robert & Anita Nitta Justin Okin Orlando Hotel Carol Parry & John Fox Karen Peter Eden & Steven Romick Ronda & Fred Rose Cheryl Saltus
3 0 P L AY B I L L
Dr. Jacqueline Heller Dr. Felicia D. Henderson
Cina Hodges
ANNUAL DONORS Jackie & Warren Jackson
Annette Marmalefsky
Jose Quinonez
Christine Sorgi
Barbara Jacobs
Gina Martino
Dr. Stephen & Lani Rabin
Melvin Spears
Frederic A. & Nancy Jacobus
Ruth Massaro
Marvin Rapaport
Debra Spector
Mary James
Phyllis & Bert Massing
Michael & Gloria Rausch
Lois Spector
Carla Janzen
Linda May
Fred & Denise Reimer
Irina & Alex Stavchanskiy
Judith & Steaven Jones
Douglas Mcavoy, Jr.
Marianne Reynolds
M Leslie Stearns
Martha Jones
Kathleen McCarthy
Amy Richards
Penny Strowger
Yvonne & Damien Jordan
Kathy & Jim McCaffery
Linda & Erin Rice
Roz & Jerry Joseph
Sheri and Jim McCashin
Linda & Steve Richman
Mr. Kayser Sume & Dr. Renee Sabshin
Jessica Kaltman & Robert Reznick
Derrick McCray
William & Polly Ridgeway
Christina Medigovich
Carol Risher
David Kaminow
Marcie & Steven Medof
Natalie Roberts
Jean Kaplan
Cynthia Melville
Linda Rodriguez
Linda Kaplan
Barbara & David Rognlien
Owen Kato
Robert Mercer & Carol Chanel Mercer
Dana Katz
Eileen & Paul Meshekow
Robert Rosania
Morgan Kay
Sara & Henry Michrowski
Barry Rosen & Neil Bokal
Michael Keir
Lois Miller
Donna Rosen
Natalie & Matthew Thompson
Jim Kelly
Lee & Ron Miller Lee & Jeff Milman
Mary Ann Rosenfeld & Sheldon Kaddish
Ann Thorvik
Nancy Kenney
Judy & Art Tompkins
William & Renee Kendall
Teddie J. Milner
Adrienne Rosenthal
Brigitta Troy
Sharon Kerson
Thomas Mitchell
Brad Ross
Dr. Gerald D. Turbow
Ann & Jonathan Kirsh
Marvin & Jean Moore
Dr. Harold Urman
Dr. & Mrs. Klausner
Dr. Brian Morrow
Lawrence Ross & Linda Nussbaum
Charles Kolstad
Dennis Moss
Cathy Ross
Valerie Vetters
Carolyn & Charles Knobler
Bill Mullins
Robert & Susan Rovner
The Vig Family
Charles Kristenson
Charlotte C. Myers
Dr. Diane & Michael Glazer
Bobette Vikan
Barbara Kroll & Ruth Spielman
Robert M. Nelson
In Honor of Eric Chown Sylvia Ruiz
Carole Wagner-Vallianos & Peter Vallianos
Kimberly Kruse
Mark & Diane Neubauer
Anne Sacks
William Wallace
Carol D. Lande
Dennis Nollette
Jay & Linda Sandrich
Louise Wannier
Alyce LaViolette
Adrienne & Arthur Omansky
Susan & Kenneth Sarno
Barry Ward
Rhonda Lawrence
Martin Ordman
Maxine Savitz
Elisa Wayne
Linda Lawson
Allan & Janie Orenstein
Linda & Cliff Schaffer
Julie Waxman
Learning Encounters
Patricia O’Toole
Chris T. Schmidt
Ann Leland
Sharon Oxborough
Sherry Weinman & Michael Umansky
Don Lettiere
Ron Ozur
Joan & Stuart Levin
Cynthia & Todd Palm
Suzann & Jimmy Levine
Sylvia & Robert Paris
Harla Levitt
Edward Parker
Rick & Vivian Levy
Lawrence Parker
June Lewin
InSight Consulting Partners
Katia Benthale & Josh Lewensohn
In Memory of Robert & Stephen Paskus
Ms. J. Lieberman
Abhilash and Kelly Patel
Angela & Jonathan Light
Dr. Kristine Penner & Steven Klein
Victor & Madeline Lindenheim
Paulette & Ron Nessim
Naidu & Jane Permaul
Joanne Lindsay
Dr. David B. Peterson
Leslie & Adam Lobel
Carol F. Phillips
Alex Loewenthal
Leo & Nina Pircher
Renee Lonner
Berta & Lou Pitt
Laura Louie
Jack & Jane Pollock
Mr. Eric Lund
Matthew Pomerantz
Loris & Kory Lunsford
Zazi Pope
Anne L. Lynch
Cheryl & Mel Posner
Barbara Marcus
Susan Poulson
Dean S. Marks
Eric Powers
Michael N. Marks
Patricia Price
Peter Romwall
Gary & Karen Schneider Myrna Schwam Dean Teri Schwartz Brandon Scott Marc Seltzer
Frances & Sy Strasberg Miriam & Gene Summ Ann & Paul Sunderland Robin & David Swartz Lance & Maureen Tan Deborah Tavlin Cathy & Asher Thompson
Nancy & Anthony Vasek
Travis Webb Marsha & Steven Weiss Pat West Karen White
Annette & Leonard Shapiro
Teresa White
Barbara Vickery & Martin Shapiro
Janet Whitman Bruce Whizin
Melanie Sharp & Kevin Miller
Rae Jean Williams
George Shohet
Karen & Gary Winnick
Seymour & Dorothy Siegel
George & Diane Wolfberg
Leah Sklar
Albert Wolsky
Diane Good & Frank Smith Marcia L. & Mark J. Smith
Kimberly & Andrew Zakanych
Ronald Smith
Arnold & Tricia Zane
Karen Smits
David Zimmerman
Joan & Jerry Snyder
Laura Zucker & Alan Miller
Susan Williams
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G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 3 1
Matt Shakman
Gil Cates, Jr.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ARTISTIC
Amy Levinson Associate Artistic Director Daniel Ionazzi Producer Phyllis Schuringa Artistic Associate / Casting Director Young Ji Associate Producer / Company Manager Rachel Wiegardt-Egel Manager of New Play Development Kristopher Karcher Literary & Casting Assistant Natalie Epstein Literary Intern
PRODUCTION
Isaac Katzanek Production Manager Jill Barnes Production Office Manager Evan Friedman Technical Director Patrick Squibb Assistant Technical Director Aidan Welch Assistant Technical Director Alex Norkus Gil Cates Theater Stage Supervisor Tyler Brogla Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater Stage Supervisor Rich Gilles Properties Master James Grabowski House Sound Supervisor Jake Delgado Associate House Sound Supervisor Ramine Ameli Lighting & Projection Supervisor Brandon Paul Production Electrician Brian Gowen Production Electrician Liz Rose Wardrobe Supervisor
ADMINISTRATION
Behnaz Ataee Chief Financial Officer Peter Banachowski Senior Accountant & Financial Analyst Nova George Staff Accountant & Payroll Specialist Clay Dzygun Office Coordinator Marguerite Harris Receptionist
DEVELOPMENT
Regina Miller Chief Development Officer Ellen Catania Senior Vice President of Development 3 2 P L AY B I L L
Jessica Brusilow Rollins Director of Education Partnerships & Donor Relations Jamie Mikelich Director of Individual Giving Mark San Filippo Director of Donor Stewardship Christine Drew Benjamin Development Manager Ava Bogle, Sam Peurach Development Assistants Austin Merrill Development Intern
Alyssa Tyson Box Office Manager Celia Rivera Assistant Box Office Manager Clifton Adams, Kelsey Arlington, Vaneh Assadourian, Dashawn Barnes, Anthony Cloyd, Rebecca Connolly, Jamie Dawson, Alan Kistler, Lexy McAvinchey, Sam Peurach, Jonathan Ramos, Cameron Reck Box Office Staff Sue Fleishman Communications Consultant
EDUCATION
FRONT OF HOUSE
Jennifer Zakkai Director of Education & Community Engagement Joannarae Ibañez Manager of School & Community Programs Brian Allman Manager of Theater Education Celia Rivera Community Engagement Coordinator Brian Majestic Veterans Project Coordinator Jake Arky, Darien Battle, Anniwaa Buachie, Ramy El-Etreby, Lyssa Deehan, David Guerra, Robert Paterno, Carissa Pinckney, Tara Ricasa, Celia Rivera, Jessica Winward 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 Associate Director of Audience Services & Ticketing Kevin O’Brien Marketing Manager Georgia Arnold Social Media & Communications Associate Ramon Garcia Video Producer Wendell Pascual Production Artist Janice Bernal Box Office Manager
Jeni Pearsons Director of Special Events Mel Yonzon Front of House Manager Amy Farkas Lead Concierge Sigourney Chin, Anya Pryjmak, Madison Shamoun House Managers Katherine Banos, Ryan Brophy, Lucas Gust, Elza Hofeld, Lucy Houlihan, Otniel Henig, Fiona Leahy, Hunter Lowden, Olivia Lowe, Robert Mahaffie, Austin Merrill, Sidne Phillips, Brandon Root, Remy Soloman, Chuck Soo-Hoo, Charmee Taylor, Caragh Tiernan, Robin Vega, Emir Yonzon Ushers Rob Mersola Bar Manager & Mixologist Adam Carr Bar Captain Manuel Mayorga Weekend Bar Manager Skylar Adams, Brenda Davidson, Sarah Drescher, Lauren Hargrave, Nick Marini, Ryan Turner Bartenders / Event Staff
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Karim Bouzzit System Administrator
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Miguel del Castillo Facility Manager Mario Santillan-Perez Custodial Juan Carlos Umaña Cleaning Custodial Camerina Martinez Cleaning Custodial
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. Geffen Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater company, is proudly affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles.