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GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE AUDREY SKIRBALL KENIS THEATER
PLAYBILL.COM
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MATT SHAKMAN
WELCOME TO THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE Photo by Jeff Lorch Photography
WELCOME TO SELL/BUY/DATE! I’VE BEEN IN AWE OF Sarah Jones since I saw her Tony-winning solo show Bridge & Tunnel on Broadway a decade ago. Her brilliant insight and elegant writing combine with a virtuosic ability to shapeshift in front of our eyes into a multitude of characters as different from each other as they are from her. Sell/Buy/Date takes place in the not-too-distant future as a professor looks back on the lives of sex workers in the early part of the 21st century. This exploration of sexual politics, including the impact of income inequality, seemed eerily relevant when the play premiered right before the 2016 presidential election. Given the urgent conversation about gender issues being had here in Los Angeles and across the country, it has taken on an even greater resonance. I firmly believe plays like this one—with dynamic, entertaining storytelling and a strong sense of immediacy—are the reason we come to the theater. A special thank you to director Carolyn Cantor and her outstanding design team for helping to bring Sarah’s captivating work to life. And thank you for making the work we do here possible. Matt Shakman Artistic Director
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“HILARIOUS AND POIGNANT... A LOVELY, BITTERSWEET COMEDY ABOUT ROMANTIC YEARNING.” — The Hollywood Reporter
“WITTY AND INSIGHTFUL... AS RICHLY FUNNY AS IT IS ULTIMATELY HEART-STIRRING.” — The New York Times
Written by JOSHUA HARMON Directed by STEPHEN BRACKETT In this smash hit comedy from Bad Jews writer Joshua Harmon, twenty-something Jordan is the life of the wedding party, until it dawns on him that he is “always a groomsman, never the groom.”
ON STAGE APRIL 3 – MAY 6 GIL CATES THEATER AT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Howard Tenenbaum CHAIR
Patricia Kiernan Applegate
Frank G. Mancuso
Beth Behrs
Ron Meyer
Dr. Gene D. Block
Leslie Moonves
Kevin Bright
Jerry Moss
Harold A. Brown
Bruce M. Ramer
Gil Cates Jr.
2017/2018 SEASON
FOUNDING CHAIRMAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Victoria Mann Simms
Michael Centeno
Andy Spahn
Mary Ann Cloyd
Steven Spielberg
Merle Dandridge
Steve Tisch
Dr. Brad Edgerton
Dr. Charles E. Young
Mark Fleischer Photo by Jeff Lorch Photography
CHAIRMAN EMERITUS
Sue Fleishman Patricia L. Glaser Sam Gores Adi Greenberg VICE CHAIR
Arthur Greenberg
CHAIRMAN EMERITUS
IN MEMORIAM Gilbert Cates FOUNDER
Marcia Israel-Curley Audrey Skirball Kenis Charles Kenis
IRONBOUND
Martha Henderson
JANUARY 30 – MARCH 4, 2018
Loretta Everett Kaufman
Jerry Perenchio
GIL CATES THEATER
Jason Delane Lee
Edie Wasserman
Dr. Gerald S. Levey
Lew Wasserman
SELL/BUY/DATE FEBRUARY 27 – APRIL 8, 2018
CHAIR EMERITUS
Carla Malden Susan Mallory
AUDREY SKIRBALL KENIS THEATER
Barry Meyer
SIGNIFICANT OTHER
Steven A. Olsen
APRIL 3 – MAY 6, 2018 GIL CATES THEATER
SKELETON CREW JUNE 5 – JULY 8, 2018
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LEGAL COUNSEL Peter Rosen
LATHAM & WATKINS LLP
B. Scott Minerd Holly Rice
ADVISORY BOARD
Pamela Robinson
Miranda Tollman
CHAIR EMERITUS
CHAIR
Linda Bernstein Rubin
Ali M. Banki
Teri Schwartz
Natasha Barritt
Matt Shakman
Annette Blum
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Stephanie Carson
Richard Sherman
Lori Collins
Fred Specktor
ABOUT GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
Ellyce R. Cooper
Lorraine Spurge
Geffen Playhouse has been a hub of the Los Angeles theater scene since opening its doors in 1995. Noted for its intimacy and celebrated for its world-renowned mix of classic and contemporary plays, provocative new works and second productions, the non-profit organization continues to present a body of work that has garnered national recognition. Named in honor of entertainment mogul and philanthropist David Geffen, who made the initial donation to the theater, the company was founded by Gilbert Cates and is currently helmed by Executive Director Gil Cates, Jr., Artistic Director Matt Shakman and Board Chair Howard Tenenbaum. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen welcomes an audience of more than 130,000 each year, and maintains an extensive education and outreach program, designed to engage young people and the community at large in the arts. www.geffenplayhouse.org
Debra Davis
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GIL CATES THEATER
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FOUNDING TRUSTEES Kirsten Combs Robert A. Daly David Geffen Herbert M. Gelfand
Eric Heer Melina Kanakaredes Wendy Kurtzman Yvonne Lee Hannah Linkenhoker John McCrite
CHAIRMAN EMERITUS
Danny Passman
Quincy Jones
Eric Rollins
Jeffrey Katzenberg
Allen Shay
Glorya Kaufman
John Sonego
Ginny Mancini
Laurie Ziegler
SARAH JONES
CAROLYN CANTOR
Photo by Ramon Garcia
BUILDING CHARACTER(S)
An interview with Sell/Buy/Date writer/performer Sarah Jones and director Carolyn Cantor LONGTIME COLLABORATORS ON SELL/BUY/DATE, writer/performer Sarah Jones and director Carolyn Cantor sat down on the first day of rehearsals for the Geffen production to discuss the origins of the play, the writing process and the nature of art in the time in which we live. Carolyn Cantor: Sarah, would you begin by saying a little bit about how you arrived at the subject matter for the show? Sarah Jones: Since I’ve spent my life in a woman’s body, I’ve noticed the really uneven and unfair conversation about women’s sexuality and women’s empowerment. Whenever I went to the theater and saw a piece about prostitution, or trafficking, or something that was really
at the nexus of women’s power and sexuality, I always felt dehumanization was the dominant experience. And I thought, “What would it look like to give audiences a humanizing experience of thinking about this so-called ‘oldest profession?’” CC: How do you decide which characters to include? How do you decide whose voice is essential? SJ: Since I’ve been in not only a woman’s body, but a person of color’s body, and am thinking about race and multiculturalism, coming from different races myself, I thought about whose voices are usually marginalized and therefore will hopefully offer an audience a new lens on these ideas. I got a lot of support for my GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE 5
research through the Novo Foundation, which does work helping to empower women and girls, and it was so helpful to go around the world and speak to lots of different women. As an artist—and I know you experience this, Carolyn—we want to explore all of the facets of a theme, but never feel like we’re agitprop. This is not a rally. There’s nothing wrong with a rally, but when people come to the theater, I want to provoke thought and laughter and I don’t want to prescribe what they should think. CC: Can you talk a little about when you started working on this piece? SJ: I’ve been doing research for this, like every woman in this room, since I was 12—as soon as you’re aware of your sexuality, and the messages of either hiding it or putting it forward or shaming it. But the earnest research began in 2011. I went with Gloria Steinem and a group of American feminists to meet with feminists in South Korea and learn about the so-called “comfort women.” These were the last living examples of women who had been conscripted into the Japanese army, as though they were artillery or objects for the soldiers to use. As you can imagine, the brutality of their stories was unspeakable. I literally got to sleep over in the house where they were living, and I thought, “I have to write this.” Their stories actually didn’t end up in the script, but they informed [my work]. CC: Where you are with the text now? So much has happened around feminism and women’s issues just in the last year and a half [since it premiered]. 6 PLAYBILL
SJ: It’s odd to remember that, a few years ago, Donald Trump was in the Sell/Buy/ Date script as someone who was a mentor to a pimp character—someone whom this pimp admired so much for how he subtly exploited women. I eventually made an editorial decision to remove the reference because I really didn’t want to dignify him with a presence in my play. I thought I could just delete him away. Little did I know. I think this is unfortunately a timeless topic—“Time’s Up” and timeless at the same time. We really want to address that, and anyone who saw it in New York and now comes to see it here in L.A. will see some subtle, but important, changes. CC: Let’s shift gears to you as a performer. What kind of physical or vocal preparations do you have to do to perform in this show? SJ: My regimen is—don’t try this at home, I’ll put it that way. I have a monastic way of living. I have to live like the show is the only important thing in my life for the time that I’m doing it. Getting through eight shows a week means I don’t talk, to the best of my ability, outside of performing if I want audiences to have the same quality of experience from the first night to the very last night. It’s a demanding show, but I’m willing to go to any lengths for it. CC: What do you find are the rewards and challenges of working with material you’ve written yourself versus working in things written by other people? SJ: There are huge rewards and challenges on both sides. There is something so
freeing about being given someone else’s words. As long as I know I’m communicating the feeling they tell me they want, my work is done. With me, it’s like there’s a committee in my head saying: “I don’t know if you delivered that line exactly right,” “Why don’t we rewrite that section?,” “Maybe it’s not landing the way we think.” Fortunately I have collaborators like you, Carolyn, who help me land in the character. CC: It’s fun working with you, too. Sometimes when I give you direction, and you’re in a character, the character responds, and I’m like, “Sarah? Sarah?”
sponsibility or need as an artist to touch on those issues.” That sounds like a really delightful and less burdensome place to live, but to not use the megaphone I have and say “Hey! Is everyone seeing what I’m seeing here?” would actually be the kind of myopia that has landed us where we are now. We can also laugh, cry it out, gather and have a debate, but let’s not pretend it isn’t here. CC: I also wanted to ask you about your relationship to the audience. Do you think about the audience and what you hope they’ll experience or take away as you’re writing?
SJ: Yeah, sometimes I’m gone and the character is like, [as the character of Lorraine, an “elderly Jewish bubbe”] “Where’s my light?”
SJ: I think the audience is reflected in my characters—I would like them to recognize people they know. I think connectivity is what the theater provides in a way that no other media CC: And I’m like, “Lorraine, we need to talk to Sarah.” can—an experience of actual human connection. I can think Sarah Jones as SJ: [As Lorraine] She’s not “LORRAINE” of nothing more important available, sweetheart. I’m than the communal space and having such a wonderful time experience that’s shared when we literally working with Carolyn. It’s been so long since New York, she’s still not used to me have to turn our phones off, be present with ourselves in a way that we never yet. I’m also not in the union—don’t tell anybody. Sarah’s in the union for the rest are anymore, and be forced to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with other people who, of us. hopefully, aren’t exactly like us. Or, at the CC: This is what I mean. Can we get Sarah very least, to have an experience of someback? What do you see as the responsithing we don’t already know everything bility of an artist in modern times? about. It is a collective adventure, and we SJ: I’ve come to see that the choice for all have to have the willingness to show work to not be political or to not make up and hang out together. a statement is, in itself, a political statement. It’s saying, “I don’t feel any urgency To read more about Sarah Jones and Sell/Buy/ about these things. I don’t feel any re- Date, please visit blog.geffenplayhouse.org. GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE 7
THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE PRODUCTION OF
WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY
Sarah Jones
SCENIC & COSTUME DESIGNER
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Dane Laffrey
Elizabeth Harper
ORIGINAL SOUND DESIGN & COMPOSER
Bray Poor
SOUND DESIGNER
Jonathan A. Burke
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
Julie Ann Renfro DIRECTED BY
Carolyn Cantor OPENING NIGHT WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018 Originally produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director, Barry Grove, Executive Producer on September 27, 2016 Sell/Buy/Date was developed, in part, at the 2015 Sundance Institute Theatre Lab at the Sundance Resort Developed in part at Vineyard Arts Project, Edgartown, MA: Ashley Melone, Founder and Artistic Director EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS CIRCLE MEMBERS
Martha Henderson • Pamela Robinson Hollander & Robert Hollander Loretta Everett Kaufman & Victor Kaufman • Jason & Yvonne Lee • B. Scott Minerd Linda Bernstein Rubin & Tony Rubin • Kimberly Steward & Josh Godfrey • Miranda & Brett Tollman 8 PLAYBILL
CAST Sarah Jones* *Indicates member of Actor’s Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
RUNNING TIME Approximately 85 minutes. There will be no intermission.
PLEASE NOTE There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed in the theater. Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones. Thank you!
CONGRATULATIONS TO SARAH JONES Recipient of the 2017 Mental Health Award for Innovation in the Arts, from the Global Mental Health Program at Columbia University.
2017/2018 SEASON SPONSOR OPENING NIGHT SPONSORS GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE 9
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES
SARAH JONES (Playwright/Performer) Called “a master of the genre” by The New York Times, Sarah Jones is a Tony Award-winning performer and writer known for her multi-character solo shows, including Broadway hit Bridge & Tunnel, which was originally produced off-Broadway by Meryl Streep. She is also a writer and producer on the Golden Globe-nominated Showtime comedy SMILF. She has given multiple main-stage TED Talks, performed at The White House for President and First Lady Obama and traveled the world as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador raising awareness of issues including empowerment of women and girls. Projects featuring her characters include the podcast Playdate with Sarah Jones and The Messenger, a short film for the CFDA directed by Fisher Stevens. Learn more about Jones’s ongoing projects at www.sarahjonesonline.com or on social media at @jonesarah on Twitter and @xosarahjones on Instagram and Facebook.
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CAROLYN CANTOR (Director) Geffen Playhouse: Rabbit Hole (Garland Award). New York: Sell/Buy/Date, Regrets and Pumpgirl (Manhattan Theatre Club); Indian Summer, Fly By Night (Drama Desk nomination), Great God Pan, After the Revolution (Callaway Award) and Essential Self Defense (Playwrights Horizons); Arlington (Vineyard Theatre); In A Dark Dark House (MCC); The Talls (Second Stage Theater); Something You Did (Primary Stages); Core Values (Ars Nova); Orange Flower Water, Now That’s What I Call a Storm, Living Room in Africa and Stone Cold Dead Serious (Edge Theater Company). Regional: The Violet Hour (The Old Globe); Diary of Anne Frank (Paper Mill Playhouse); After the Revolution, Not Waving and King Stag (Williamstown Theatre Festival); Vera Laughed and Get What You Need (New York Stage & Film); Assisted Living, After Ashley and Finer Noble Gases (O’Neil Playwrights Conference) and Nocturne (Ojai Playwrights Conference). Cantor has received the Kanin-Seldes Award from the Theater Hall of Fame, the Sagal and Foeller Fellowships from Williamstown Theatre Festival and a Drama League Directing Fellowship. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the mother of two daughters.
DANE LAFFREY (Scenic & Costume Designer) Broadway: set for the current revival of Once on This Island at Circle in the Square, set and costumes for Deaf West’s Spring Awakening, set for Fool For Love. Recent off-Broadway: set and/or costumes for Strange Interlude (Transport Group); This Flat Earth, Rancho Viejo, Indian Summer, The Christians, Iowa (Playwrights Horizons); Homos, or Everyone in America (Labyrinth Theatre Company); The Harvest, (Lincoln Center Theater); The Glory of the World (B.A.M. Harvey); Cloud 9 (Atlantic Theater Company) and other work at Manhattan Theatre Club, Roundabout Theatre Company, Second Stage Theater, Vineyard Theatre, Lincoln Center Theatre, MCC, Soho Rep, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, Transport Group and many others. Regional work at the Humana Festival, Mark Taper Forum, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Old Globe, Huntington Theatre Company, Wallis Annenberg Center, Denver Center Theatre Company, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Goodspeed, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Center Stage, Studio Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, others. International work in Tokyo, Oslo, Osaka and throughout Australia. Dane won a 2017 OBIE Award for sustained excellence in set and costume design and has been nominated for a Drama Desk Award and five American Theatre Wing Henry Hewes Awards.
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES ELIZABETH HARPER (Lighting Designer) Elizabeth Harper’s theatrical design credits and awards include Immediate Family and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, directed by Phylicia Rashad (Mark Taper Forum, Center Theatre Group); Woman Laughing Alone with Salad, Throw Me on the Burnpile and Light Me Up (Kirk Douglas Theatre, Center Theatre Group); Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Bad Jews, Wait Until Dark, Good People and Play Dead directed by Teller (Geffen Playhouse); Office Hour, Reunion, tokyo fish story, District Merchants, The Siegel and Venus in Fur (South Coast Repertory); The Invisible Hand (Kansas City Rep), King Charles III (Pasadena Playhouse); The Cake (La Jolla Playhouse). Industrial lighting projects include shows and events for Ubisoft, Microsoft, Asics, Comedy Central, AirBnB, Under Armour and Universal Studios. Fine art consultations include projects at LACMA, the Hammer Museum and Greene Naftali. Elizabeth holds an M.F.A. in Design for Stage and Film from the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. She is a guest lighting design instructor at USC. BRAY POOR (Original Sound Design & Composer) Broadway: Latin History for Morons, The Glass Menagerie, The Real Thing, the vibrator play, American Plan. Recent work includes Office Hour at the Public Theater, The Last Match at Roundabout Theatre Company and Little Bunny Foo Foo at Actors Theater of
Louisville. His sound design and music have been heard in many off-Broadway and regional theaters. Recent notable productions: Julius Caesar in Central Park (Music and Sound), Hamlet, Annie Baker’s The Antipodes. Upcoming: Jordan Harrison’s The Amateurs and Angels in America at Berkeley Rep. Obie Awards for John and Sustained Excellence in Sound Design. JONATHAN A. BURKE (Sound Designer) Off-Broadway: Lonesome Traveler, The Best is Yet to Come: The Music of Cy Coleman (59E59 Theaters). Regional: Chasing Mem’ries: A Different Kind of Musical, Outside Mullingar, Yes, Prime Minister, The Seafarer, You Can’t Take It With You, Cookin’ at the Cookery, The Weir (Geffen Playhouse); Our Town (Pasadena Playhouse); Avenue X, Beast on the Moon, If We are Women, Jack and Jill and Molly Sweeney (Pittsburgh’s City Theatre Company); My Fair Lady, Last Five Years (Ovation nomination), Daddy Long Legs (Ovation nomination), Hello! My Baby (Rubicon Theatre Company). Jonathan has been the Resident Sound Designer for Cabrillo Music Theatre (now 5 Star Theatricals) since 2003 and has worked on productions for the LA Opera, Mark Taper Forum, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Hollywood Bowl. Jonathan is the Academic Coordinator and Lecturer for UCLA’s School of Theater Film and Television and owner of JABWORKS, a theatrical sound rental, design and consulting company. jonathanburkesounddesign.com
JULIE ANN RENFRO (Production Stage Manager) Julie is from Orange County, CA, where she received her B.A. in Theatre Arts from Vanguard University. Previous Geffen credits include Letters from a Nut and The Legend of Georgia McBride. Other credits include LA Opera, South Coast Repertory, Ojai Playwrights Conference, Pasadena Playhouse, Shakespeare Orange County, Laguna Playhouse, Sydney Independent Theatre Company and Long Beach Shakespeare Company. Julie is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
MATT SHAKMAN (Artistic Director) Matt Shakman was named Artistic Director of the Geffen Playhouse in September 2017, having previously directed three highly acclaimed productions for the theater: the West Coast premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire’s Good People, the world premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher’s new adaptation of Wait Until Dark and Joshua Harmon’s Bad Jews. His theatrical work has also been seen at Primary Stages in New York and South Coast Repertory. Matt founded and was the artistic director of the Black Dahlia Theatre in Los Angeles, which was named “one of a dozen young American companies GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE 11
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES you need to know” by American Theatre magazine and “Best Small Theatre” by Los Angeles magazine. Under his leadership, the Black Dahlia garnered numerous Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and LA Stage Alliance nominations and awards. In 2011, the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle awarded him the Milton Katselas Award for Career Achievement in Direction. Matt is also well-regarded for his achievements in television and film. He is a director and producer for FX’s long-running show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and has directed episodes of Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Fargo and The Good Wife. His feature film debut, Cut Bank, starring John Malkovich, Billy Bob Thornton and Bruce Dern, premiered at the Toronto International and Los Angeles Film Festivals and
was released by A24. Shakman is a graduate of Yale University and holds a B.A. in History of Art and Theater.
GIL CATES, JR. (Executive Director) As Executive Director, Gil Cates, Jr. leads the Geffen Playhouse in its mission to inform, entertain and inspire diverse audiences with live theater of the highest caliber — both within and beyond the non-profit theater’s walls. He has proudly served on the Geffen Playhouse Board since 2012. Gil’s theater
credits include the award-winning Names (Matrix Theatre Company) starring Dixie Carter and Greg Mullavey and Three Sisters and David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre (both at Syracuse Stage). Gil’s 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, Ann-Margret and Golden Globe winner Jeffrey Tambor). In addition, Gil produced and 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),
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PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES and The Mesmerist (starring Geffen Playhouse alumnus Neil Patrick Harris). Gil’s 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.
REGINA MILLER (Chief Development Officer) Regina Miller has advised non-profit institutions, foundations and corporations
on strategy, analysis and fundraising. She has consulted for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Eastern Congo Initiative, Charlize Theron’s Africa Outreach Project and Kershaw’s Challenge, among others. Prior to the Geffen, Regina 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. Additionally, Regi-
na has a strong passion for teaching. After graduating from University of North Carolina School of the Arts, she taught in preschools and kindergartens in New York. From the age of 13, Regina worked as a professional dancer on Broadway as well as with a number of prominent modern dance ensembles. Fusing two of her interests, she created a highly successful program that incorporated dance therapy and creative movement into an early childhood curriculum as well as writing and producing a television show based on this concept. In addition to being a published author and photographer with Tallfellow Press and Prometheus Books, Regina has taught and lectured at numerous schools in New York, Los Angeles and abroad.
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 writers under commission: Rachel Bonds Colman Domingo Lindsey Ferrentino Michael Golamco Meghan Kennedy Matthew Lopez
Martyna Majok Michael Mitnick Jiehae Park José Rivera Robert Schenkkan Shaka Senghor
Erika Sheffer Nick Stafford David Wiener Lauren Yee Anna Ziegler
For more information on this program, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/newplays. GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE 13
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
GEFFEN AT A GLANCE
PRODUCTION STAFF FOR SELL/BUY/DATE Production Assistant David Robinson Hicks Light Board Operator Ed Rehr Sound Board Operator Mario Gurrola Stage Crew Brent Horst
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Set provided by Sets To Go Lighting Equipment provided by 4Wall Entertainment Lighting Sound Equipment provided by Jon Sound Inc. Production Photographer Chris Whitaker Media Filming Ramon Garcia Key Art Serino Coyne Key Art Photography Zachary Maxwell Stertz
Geffen Playhouse 10886 Le Conte Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024 Administrative Offices ................. 310.208.6500 Mon – Fri ................................. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Box Office Phone Line ................. 310.208.5454 Daily ............................................. 7:00 am –6:00 pm Audiences Services ...................... 310.208.2028 Daily .......................................... 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm Please visit geffenplayhouse.org for hours, parking and more information.
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Sarah Jones and Carolyn Cantor would like to thank: Antonia Grilikhes-Lasky, Pamela Shifman, NoVo Foundation, Sundance Theatre Lab, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, SummerStage, Hunter College, New York Live Arts, Vineyard Arts, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Gloria Steinem, Jennifer and Peter Buffett, TED, Ai-Jen Poo, Baratunde Thurston, Ally Shuster, CAA, Lisa Davis, Thomas Onorato, Sunny Pacheco, Anthony Bonsignore, Philip Himberg, Janice Paran, Altman Greenfield Selvaggi, John Buzzetti, Scott Chaloff, Paul and Helaine Cantor, Ranny Tan, Anna K. Avallone, Amy Rosenblum, Ann Noling, Stella Korins, Vivian Korins, Jill Brienza, Sally Hall, Sara Nicholson, Melissa Centeno, Ann Hirsch, Bradley Pitts, Sunny Bates, Equality Now, GEMS, Rachel Moran, Carmel McMahon, Brian Riley, Steve Terracciano, Adam Bock, Amy Levinson, Adam Turney, Nicole Cantu, The McDowell Colony, Civitella Rainieri, The Corporation of Yaddo, Hedgebrook Writers Residency.
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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.
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AT THE THEATER LATE SEATING Should you arrive late to the theater or vacate your seat during the performance, please expect to be held in the lobby until an appropriate pause in the action on stage. To minimize disturbance to other patrons, you may be 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. 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. 14 PLAYBILL
Our new weekly podcast series brings listeners off-the-cuff conversations with alumni and friends of the Geffen Playhouse. RECENT GUESTS INCLUDE:
LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA
BETH BEHRS
WAYNE BRADY
Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In the Heights) discusses relief for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and some of his recent work to raise awareness for the people of Puerto Rico, and fields questions from the audience.
Actress Beth Behrs discusses her time at UCLA and working at the Geffen Playhouse, booking 2 Broke Girls while working there and what the show experience was like, and writing her book The Total ME-Tox.
Wayne Brady discusses getting started as a performer in a theme park, the difference between celebrity and craft, how improv changed his career, auditioning for Hamilton and the importance of breaking the rules.
geffenplayhouse.org/podcast OR SUBSCRIBE ON Apple Podcasts
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“A DEEPLY MORAL AND DEEPLY AMERICAN PLAY.” — The New York Times
“MORISSEAU CREATES CHARACTERS WHO DON’T MERELY SPEAK, THEY SING WITH THE VERNACULAR OF THEIR COMMUNITY.” — TheaterMania.com
Written by DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU Directed by PATRICIA McGREGOR It’s 2008 and the employees of a Detroit auto factory are facing an uncertain future. This stirring pla, follows a family of co-workers navigating economic instability, troubling rumors and the ways in which loyalty and love shape every decision we make.
ON STAGE JUNE 5 – JULY 8 GIL CATES THEATER AT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
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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 December 1, 2016 and February 1, 2018. 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 $100,000+
Anonymous (2) Patricia Kiernan Applegate Natasha Barritt & Nick Gross Claudia & Kevin Bright City National Bank Mary Ann Cloyd David Geffen Foundation Louise & Dr. Brad Edgerton Edgerton Foundation Find Your Grind Foundation The Adi & Jerry Greenberg Foundation Martha Henderson Mellody Hobson & George Lucas K Period Media Marilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg Fund for Arts Education at the Geffen Playhouse Loretta Everett Kaufman & Victor Kaufman Keyes Automotive Group L&N Andreas Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jason & Yvonne Lee Nancy & Howard Marks Shubert Foundation Kimberly Steward & Josh Godfrey Jodi & Howard Tenenbaum UCLA
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE $50,000 - $99,999 Anonymous (2) 888 Hilgard Audi of America, Inc Ben/Joyce Eisenberg Foundation Mrs. Carol K. Block & Chancellor Gene D. Block Elizabeth & Gil Cates, Jr. Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer & Melvin Keefer
Herbert M. & Beverly J. Gelfand In Memory of Alice Ghostley & Felice Orlandi Karen & Russell Goldsmith Sam Gores, Alec Gores & Tom Gores, The Gores Family Guggenheim Partners Investment Management Holdings, LLC Carole & Bill Haber Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust Rabbi Uri D. Herscher & Dr. Myrna Herscher Cindy & Alan Horn Glorya Kaufman Kenneth T. & Eileen L. Norris Foundation Sandra Krause & William Fitzgerald Latham & Watkins LLP Susan & David Leveton Ginny Mancini Fay & Frank Mancuso John McCrite & Juan Lopez Donna McKenna & Flynn Chernos Kelly & Ron Meyer B. Scott Minerd Ann & Jerry Moss Paradigm Talent Agency Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Madeline & Bruce Ramer Pamela Robinson Hollander & Robert Hollander Linda Bernstein Rubin & Tony Rubin Richard & Barbara Sherman Edie Brickell & Paul Simon Skirball Foundation Karen & Vic Smith Cynthia P. Stafford Judith & Bruce Stern Miranda & Brett Tollman The Walt Disney Company Ken Willner & Jim Stine Elaine Wynn Judy & Chancellor Charles E. Young Dirk & Natasha Ziff GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE 17
ANNUAL DONORS
ARTISTIC CIRCLE $25,000 - $49,999 Anonymous (2) Aegon Transamerica Foundation Hilary & Jack Angelo Robert C. Baral The Rebecca Susan Buffett Foundation Valarie De La Garza & Michael Centeno City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Classic Party Rentals Dwight Stuart Youth Fund The Edward A. & Ai O. Shay Family Foundation Carol & Paul Frimmer The Rosalinde & Arthur Gilbert Foundation The Lear Family Foundation Los Angeles County Arts Commission Los Angeles magazine George Lucas Family Foundation Susan & Peter Mallory Marcia Israel Foundation, Inc. Sandra E. Milken Napa Valley Grille Popland Studios Holly Rice & Vince Gilligan Daryl & Steven Roth Samsung Electronics America STK Los Angeles Shel & Cynthia Stone
PRODUCER $10,000 - $24,999 Anonymous Ariel Investments Hank Azaria Beth Behrs & Michael Gladis The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation Charles A. Black, Jr. Board of Supervisors County of Los Angeles Eileen & Harold Brown Roma Downey & Mark Burnett California Arts Council The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation Marcy Carsey Stephanie & Jonathan Carson Janice & Billy Crystal Carole Bayer Sager & Robert A. Daly Merle Dandridge & Christopher Johnston Edward Avedis Dr. & Mrs. Paul Eisenberg Eric Flamholtz & Yvonne Randle Susan & Mark Fleischer Susan Fleishman 18 PLAYBILL
The Friedman Group Gagosian Gallery, Inc Gang, Tyre, Ramer & Brown, Inc. Ann & Jim Gianopulos Patty Glaser & Sam Mudie Goldman Sachs Andy & Carlo Brandon-Gordon Manuela & James Goren Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association Arthur Greenberg Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger, LLP C. Curtis Grisham Eva Aaronson & Bucky Hazan In Memory of Morris A. Hazan Samantha & Eric Heer Jean Himmelstein Stanley Iezman & Nancy Stark Liberty Ross & Jimmy Iovine Julie & David Kavner Kathleen Kennedy & Frank Marshall Bobby Kotick The Lowy Family Padma & Rao Makineni Carla Malden & Norman Beil Mona Malden Anne Stringfield & Steve Martin Nancy & Michael McClelland Wendy & Barry Meyer Mary Bianco & The MOCA Foundation Moss Foundation Marcia & Brett Molotsky James L. Nederlander & Margo MacNabb Nederlander Northern Trust, NA Christine Marie Ofiesh Mo Ostin Palomino Paramount Pictures Laurie MacDonald & Walter Parkes PricewaterhouseCoopers Monica & Philip Rosenthal, Rosenthal Family Foundation Richard Ruskell Pastries George Shapiro The Simms/Mann Family Foundation Nancy Heller & Fred Specktor Sugarfish Thompson Coburn LLP Steve Tisch Daniel Tongbai & Henry Clancy Twentieth Century Fox U.S. Bank Foundation Uniworld River Cruises Inc Well Done Catering Westfield Group Richard & Mae Ziman David Zuckerman & Ellie Kanner-Zuckerman
ANNUAL DONORS
DIRECTOR $5,000 - $9,999 Anonymous Katie McGrath & J.J. Abrams Page & Lou Adler Jehan F. Agrama & Dwora Fried Karla & Bill Ahmanson, Ahmanson Foundation Paul G. Allen Amgen Foundation Annapurna Pictures Cathy & Shel Bachrach Hilaria & Alec Baldwin Pamela & Dennis Beck Leslie & Roger Birnbaum Bliss Spa Annette Blum Mara & Jonathan Blum Mara W. Breech Foundation Heather Thomas & Skip Brittenham The Eli & Edythe L. Broad Foundation Brotman Foundation of California Amanda Brown & Justin Chang Glenn & Lynn Cardoso Dr. Fanya Carter, PhD Beate & Christopher Chee Comcast | NBC Universal Ellyce R. Cooper & Barry Cohen
Creative Artists Agency Debra Davis Deutsche Bank Dream Warrior Group Fielding Edlow & Larry Clarke Lawrence N. Field First Republic Bank FOURSQUARE Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea G.E. Foundation Kiki & David Gindler Priscila Giraldo Sue & Steve Glusker Gloria & Peter Gold Mary Ann & Irwin Gold Craigar Grosvenor Leo S. Guthman Fund Ellen Bronfman Hauptman & Andrew Hauptman Gail Hollander Mira & Terrence Howard Bernice Jeffrey Sir Elton John & David Furnish Marvin Jubas & Janet Wald Jubas Mannon Kaplan Sally & Dr. Manny J. Karbelnig KIND Bars Samantha Kurtzman-Counter & Alex Kurtzman Wendy Kurtzman
BE A PART OF OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATIONS THIS SEASON! To become a donor and learn more about exclusive benefits including Opening Night tickets, contact Jessica Brusilow Rollins (jessicab@geffenplayhouse.org) or visit us online at geffenplayhouse.org/donate.
Constellations cast members Ginnifer Goodwin and Allen Leech at Opening Night Photo by Jordan Strauss
ANNUAL DONORS Susan & Yair Landau Drs. Gerald & Barbara Levey Lucques Catering Sherry Martin Jill Mazursky Merle & Jerry Measer Hillary & Lance Milken Marcia & Brett Molotsky Kate Moran & Mikki Rosenberg Rio & Frank Morse Newmeyer & Dillion LLP Benedicta & Geoffry Oblath Michelle & Guy Oseary Carol & Bill Ouchi Shana & Don Passman Pottash/Ferguson Family Foundation Nina & Mitchell Quaranta Kay & Bob Rehme Judith Reichman, MD Joyce Rey The Richenthal Foundation Mayor Richard Riordan Jane Rissman & Richard Sondheimer Ronen Levy Events Nadine & Fred Rosen Rikki Rosen Thomas L. Safran Dr. Bernard & Gloria Salick Dawn & Joel Scherer Jody & Arthur Schmid The Michael Schwab Family Carol ‘Jackie’ & Charles Schwartz Steve & Paula Mae Schwartz Tina & David Segel Jane & Terry Semel Michael & Glenda Shaw Sidley Austin LLP The Simon-Strauss Foundation Singer Family Foundation Claudia Falkenburg & Andrew Solt Lorraine Spurge & Patrick Mitchell Arnold Stiefel Rose Tarlow Lauren & Benedikt Taschen Thomas Safran & Associates Karen & William Timberlake Theatre Communications Group Karen Zoller, M.D. & David Tillman, M.D. The Travel Corporation The Tuck Room & Tavern Alice & Norman Tulchin Denise & Peter Walsh Warner Bros. Entertainment Aurora & Marc Weinstock
West LA Poker Lynn & Mark Williams Samantha & John Williams Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks Karen & Rick Wolfen Jennifer Young & Katrina Nason In Loving Memory of Herman Ziegler Ruth & Stan Zicklin Ziffren Brittenham LLP Tami & Marc Zussman
SPONSOR $3,000 – $4,999 Janis Adams & John Lyons Aversa Foundation Belmond La Samanna Annette Bening & Warren Beatty Madelyn Bennett & Eric Gibson Paula & Bruce Bennett Shelly & Libby Bergen Carolyn & Marty Bloom Susan J. Booth & Christopher Wadden VJ Boyd Robert Brook & Jacqueline Kosecoff Scott, Susan & Joshua Corwin Gayle & Dan Devin Victoria Dummer Sonia & Robert Freedman and Family The Galin Family Marion Goldenfeld Madeline Gussman Stephen Sass & Steven Hochstadt Dora & Neil Kadisha Deborah & Ivan Kallick Lenny & David Kelton Thea & Neal Koss La Valencia Renee & Meyer Luskin Vicki Magasinn & Robert Somer Stewart Mayeda Sheila & Joel Mendelsohn Liza & Conan O’Brien Cheryl Petersen & Roger Lustberg Lindy Robbins Craig E. Rogers Sue Rosenwasser Lori & David Rousso Paula & Allan Rudnick Judy & Mike Sapir Leigh Silverton Allen Blue & Kira Snyder Jennifer von Schneidau
Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort The Waterman Family Foundation Joanne & Ken Weinman Leslie White & Al Limon
PARTNER $1,500 - $2,999 Anonymous (5) Pat & Sandy Adams Miriam Aguiar Olga S. Alderson Debbie Allen AMC Nancy & Peter Antoniou Bonnie & Bill Apfelbaum Bonnie R. Arnold Irene Baron Robert E. & Maria H. Barron Richard Bautzer & David McDowell Eric Baydian Patricia & Mark Benjamin Dr. Wallace P. Brithinee Cindy & Bob Broder Chancellor Albert Carnesale & Mrs. Robin Carnesale Steven Cerasale & Mary Katherine Cocharo William & Patricia Chin Darcy & Dean Christal Laurel & Aaron Clark In Recognition of Carl & Barbara Cohen Linda & John Coleman David Conney, M.D. Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Ted Cordes Janine Cristiano Pam Dawber & Mark Harmon Danny DeVito & Rhea Perlman Susan & Jonathan Dolgen Steven Doren Anne Dougherty Natalie Eshaya Carol & J.B. Esterkin Lisa Field, Field Family Foundation Burt & Nanette Forester Jackie Fox Carrie Frazier Anita Dann Friedman & Harvey Friedman G2 Graphic Service, Inc. Helen & Arthur Geoffrion Helene Gordon Jill Grey Sunny & Alvin Grossblatt Michael Grunwald The Guerin Foundation Karney Guren Family Foundation Alan & Michelle Heilpern Faith Henkin Lysa & Grant Heslov Lynne & Michael Heslov Dr. John D. Hofbauer & Dr. Laura E. Fox GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE 20
ANNUAL DONORS In Honor of Development Roger & Linda Howard Lynn Hunt & Margaret Jacob Brian Irving & Dayna Cussler Nancy & Len Jacoby Carrie Johnson Willette & Manny Klausner Kent Klavens & Judy Vourlas Katherine Kleindienst Joyce Lederer Lydia & Chuck Levy Elisabeth & Jeffrey Lipsman Lotte New York Palace Sonia Luna Eduardo Martinez Janis B. McEldowney Sue McHugh & Herb Seese Philip & Joan Miller Patrice & James Mitchell Patricia Mitchell John Murphy Austin Musick The New York Palace Suzanne & Richard Norton Deborah & Stacey Olliff Michael R. Oppenheim Carol & Alan Ostroff Soundis & Danny Passman Tara & Robert Pietri Herbert & Marilyn Piken Tom Politowski Ruth Popkin Joyce & Harvey Reichard In Memory of Frances Richman Leslie & Doug Robinson Sonny & Cynthia Rodriguez Rose Brand Nancy Stephens & Rick Rosenthal and The Rosenthal Family Foundation Wil Rosser Nancy & Ted Sanborn Hon. Nicole A. Avant & Ted Sarandos Susan Schwarz Berton Jed Seidel Sempra Engergy Foundation Peggy & Robert Shapiro Dominique Shelton Snyder Family Foundation Bruce & Patti Springsteen Susan & Donald Starr Mitch & Sherry Stein Nora Stines Aaron Stroud Tanino Ristorante Audri & Stan Tendler Paul Tetreault Sue Tsao Gelena & Seth Weissman Connie & John Weston
Alison Whalen & Steve Marenberg Cherie Wrigley Elena & Drew Zager Barbara & Stanley Zax Marcie & Howard Zelikow Leslie & Robert Zemeckis Ellen & Arnold Zetcher
EDUCATION ADVOCATE $1,000 - $1,499 Anonymous AnonyMoose Foundation Harry & Gay Abrams/Abrams Artists Agency Dr. Richard Ackerman & Miriam Shakter Laura & Harvey Alpert Charitable Foundation Patti & Harlan Amstutz Ares Management LLC Margaret Campbell Arvey AudioQuest Russ, August & Kabat Richard & Shelley Bayer Sigrid & Alan Belinkoff Karen Bell & Robb Cox The Belles Family Susan & Eric M. Bender Joanna & Miles Benickes Wendy & John Bergquist Diane & Jim Berliner Sharon & Arthur Berrick John Bjorge & Mary McKelvey Joe Blackstone & Jamie Mohn The Bordy & Leibovic Families Brenda & Alan Borstein Helen Breitwieser & James Jacks Wendy & David Brotman Linda & Jerry Bruckheimer The Busch-Schifino Family Peg Casey David, Christine & Leah Cates Jane Cates Elena & Jonathan Cates & Family Melissa Cates, Roger Claman & Family Martha Chase David Clark Sachiko T. Cochran M.D. & Joseph T. Araki In Loving Memory of Ed Cypert Ruth Daugherty Deluscious Cookies Carolyn Dirks/Brett Dougherty Jan & Thea Drayer Ed & Barbara Dreyfus Dr. & Mrs. William M Duxler In Honor of Education & Community Engagement Colleen M. Ellis Terri & David Elston Carl & Courtenay Enright
HIGH SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM Bring the transformative power of live theater to youth across Los Angeles and open their eyes to a whole new world of artistic experiences, diverse perspectives and possibilities in life beyond their own communities.
Students participate in a Talk Back with the cast of The Legend of Georgia McBride Photo by Jeff Lorch Photography
TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM, PLEASE VISIT
geffenplayhouse.org/donate
ANNUAL DONORS Lynne & Michael Feldman Susanna Felleman & Erik Feig Sydney M. Finegold, M.D. Joan & Charles Fox Sterling Franklin Ben & Susan Friedman Pat & Sandy Gage Jeanne & Arnold Geffner Judith Ashmann-Gerst & Robert Gerst Diane & Bruce Gewertz The Gibbs Family Cherna & Dr. Gary Gitnick Charlotte Gold Dr. Irene Goldenberg Louis & Linda Goldsman Roz & Abner Goldstine Ellie Goodman Adrienne Grant & Paul Jennings Jack Grossbart & Marc Schwartz Penny Grosz & Eugene Korney Deidre Hall Kay Harrington Salli Harris Michael Parks & Judith Hayward Murray & Gail Heltzer Zvia Hempling Lynda & Neal Hersh Hella Hershon Jim Hliboki & Hildi Snodgrass Rand Hoffman & Charlotte Robinson Tamara Horwich & Gerry Lipshutz Toni Hoyt Terry & Marc J. Jacoby Victoria Jackson Linda Janger Judith & Steaven Jones Joseph B. Gould Foundation Linda & David Kagel Joyce & Don Kaiserman Trudy & Albert Kallis Jo Ann & Charles Kaplan Marcy Kaplan & Eric Gold Meg & Lawrence Kasdan In Honor of Judi Kaufman Ellie Kitta & Ron Goldie Barbara & Stuart Klabin Judy Knapp Leslie & Norman Koplof Carol Krause The Kriloff Family Lena & Mark Labowe Tam & David Lachoff Deborah Lacusta & Daniel Castellaneta Helene Laub Barbara & Andrew Leigh Bethany Joy Lenz Steven & Nancy Lippman Judith Locke Karen & Peter Locke
Karen & Frederick Lorig The Jennifer and Greg Malins Foundation Eric G.C. Mark The Miles Family Barbara & Fred Miller Cookie Miller Andrew & Laura Mintzer Joanne & Joel Mogy In Loving Memory of Harvey S. Morse Lon Morse & Toni Hollander Morse Carol & Jerry Muchin Joan & Fred Nicholas Albert & Barbara Nichols Olympus Theatricals Ornest Family Foundation Gia Paladino & Michael Wise Amanda Crick & Glenn Pfeffer Alex Phillips Craig Piligian Jeanne McDonald-Powers & Travis Powers Jane Rascoff Richard Rasiej & Joan Herman Rabbi Steven & Didi Carr Reuben Sandra C Ribble Donald B. & Susan F. Rice Esther & Howard Richmond Judi & Tim Ritchie Beth Roberts & Warren Smith Dolores Rogers Brad & Nancy Rosenberg Philip & Janet Rotner David A. & Karen Richards Sachs Mark San Filippo Jay Sandrich Gerald Sauer Toni & John Schulman David Schwartz Foundation, John S. Schwartz Dan & Cynthia Schwartz John Schwartz Carole Server & Oliver Frankel John & Lori Shaw Phyllis & Martin Shephard Doris & Michael Sherman Holly & Larry Shulman Rita & Jose Sigal Robin & Robert Sills Ron Silverman & Soraya Ross Joan & Jerry Snyder Drs. Matthew & Marion Solomon The Somaini Family Jordan Strauss Photography Barbra Streisand & James Brolin David & Katherine Stritzinger Eric Strom & Eileen Goodis Sugarfina The Tatasciore Family Anne C. Taubman & David Boyle John Teeples & Nicolas Martinez, Jr.
Nancy Thomas Triada Palm Springs Dr. Gerald D. Turbow John Turmes Catherine & Leonard Unger Leon & Stephanie Vahn Daniel & Shauna Valenzuela Susan & Peter Van Haften Kathryn & Alan Van Vliet Julie & Peter Weil Marcia Williams & Gene Lucero Judith & Philip Winik Christina Wren Drs. Anna & Stephen Yallourakis Patricia Youngman Bobbi & Walter Zifkin Zoetic Travel
ARTISTIC ADVOCATE $500 - $999 Anonymous (2) Ross & Lindsey Avner Jeanne Bailey Linda Barnett Irene Baron Teddi Berger & Lionel Sanders Yvette Bergeron & Dean Bailey Nat & Robin Bernstein Diane & Richard Birnholz Black Market Gelato Larry & Julie Blivas In Honor of Phyllis Blivas Pamela & Bill Bohnert Michael J. Bordy Paula Brand Janet & Mark Brown Laura D. Campbell Andrew Carlberg Scott Carter & Bebe Johnson Lee & Shelby Chaden Cindy Clark Ginger Conrad Phil Johnston & Jill Cordes Norman & Nancy Cravens Culver Hotel Robert Daseler Marcia Diamond Daryl & Paul F. Doucette Roni & Ethan Eller David & Joyce Evans Elizabeth A. Evans Marjorie & Arthur Fine The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Fund Myrna Forest Judith R. Forman & Richard N. Weiner Gwen & Jacob Friend Lois & Jerry Gallop Sharlene & Sol Galper The Gewecke Family Benita & Bert Ginsberg Linda & Louis Goldsman
Marcy Goldstein Lori & Robert Goodman Gabi & Rob Greenberg Marcy & Edgar Gross Carolyn & Bernie Hamilton Sheila & Chester Hasday Dr. Jacqueline Heller Noreen & Doug Herzog Carol Ann & Rick Hess Dorothy Hoffman Kelley M. Hogan Jack Hileman & Roxanne Huddleston Brett Johnson Robert Jones Yvonne & Damien Jordan Avi Kamienny Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Kamine Christine Kaplan Dean Kauffman & Carlos Andres Mosquera-Tangarife Patricia Keating Beverlee Bickmore & James Kelly Dr. Ann Kirsch & Mr. Jonathan Kirsch Leana Kleinman & Jerald Johnson Marlene & Donald Kottler Joan & Christopher Larkin Cristo & Jeanne Lavagnino Marla E. Levine Betsy Levy Brenda & Warren Lincoln Joe LoTruglio Loris & Kory Lunsford Marcus Mancini George Manet Mr. & Mrs. Phillips H. Marshall David Israeli & Dr. Marie Mazzone Kathy & Jim McCaffery Patrick McDivitt Julia McIlvaine Sue & Monty Mohrman Paula Moseley, EdD Robert & Anita Nitta Shelby Notkin Justin Okin Barbara & Gary Pasquinelli Pier South Drs. Laurence & Isabell Purdy Gary & Gail Rachelefsky David Rambo & Ted Heyck Sandra Rapke Mildred Reid Carl Reiner Simon Renshaw Carrie & Ken Richman Linda & Manny Rider Eden & Steven Romick Ronda & Fred Rose Kathleen & Dale Rosenbloom Joyce & Dean Ross Blanche & Bruce Joel Rubin GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE 22
ANNUAL DONORS Anne Sacks Ajay Sahgal Tawny & Jerry Sanders Nancy & Steven Schneider Jane & Bill Schopf Susan & Peter Schwab Melinda & Yossi Sidikaro Carol & Arthur Silbergeld Manish Singh Martin & Leah Sklar Dr. Jerry & Marci Smith Trudy Sokol Arthur Stern William Stringer Mr. & Mrs. David Tann Meg Thomas Marjorie Thomson W Hotel West Beverly Hills Ira & Laurie Waldman Bill & Kate Walsh Marcia & Dr. Charles Wasserman Jay Weinstein & Lori Woldar David Weiss Pat West Paul Whitman Bruce Whizin Bruce & Marci Wiseman Wright Maritime Group Karen & Frank Wurtzel The Yarkins Kimberly & Andrew Zakanych Crystal Zehetner & Julia Ramadan Anthony P. Zinge
ASSOCIATE $250 - $499 Anonymous (15) Norman & Toshka Abrams Terry & Richard Abrams Barbara Adams Loren Adams Elaine & Michael Agran Geraldine & Harold Alden Charles & Annick Allen Sylvia Almstadt Merryl & David A. Alpert Jan & David Altemus Peter Anderson Robert C. Anderson Philip Angerhofer & Stephen A. Jones Eloise & Mark Appel Jc & Jack Appelbaum Arete Preparatory Academy Barbara & Ethan Aronoff Marc & Elizabeth Axelrod Lynne Babbitt Cecilia Ball Elizabeth & Barry Bar-El Janet & Irwin Barnet Randy Bayard Dawn & Marshall Bein Dr. Timothy Belavich & Bernie Knobbe
Patricia Belcher JoAnn Bernard Barbara Berkowitz Marsha C. Berkowitz Virginia Bohrer Toby Bornstein Nina & Hon. Anthony Borwick Carol J. Bradshaw Mona Brandler Armida Brashears Arlene Braun Leah Lynn Broidy Laurrie Brooke Lionel Brown Mitchell Brown Diana Buckhantz David & Kathy Burke Marcia Burnam Marlene & David Capell Anthony Carbone Phil Carlin Ling Chan Richard Pezner & Sandra Chan Barry Charles Diane Chernansky Becky & Mike Clements Anselm Clinard Lionel Conway Gail Cottingham Susan Georgine Craig Valerie & Donald Cravitz Heidi Crooks Shawn Cunningham Ingrid Curtiss, MD Muriel Dance & Alvin Martin Beverly D’Angelo Col. Tony, Donna & Taylor Daniell Hedva & Dr. Dudley Danoff Jeffrey S. Davidson Elizabeth De Oliveira & Moacyr Da Silva Hal & Roberta Delevie Brian Demsey Denny & Cathy Dietz Robert Ditullio Carol Jean Doehring Sandy & Gerry Dorfman Linda Dozier The Milton L. & Betty J. Dranow Family Foundation Jacki & Murray Drechsler Chris Easley Michael East & Tanisha Gonzalez Barry & Mona Shafer-Edwards Ronald Eng Lidia & Mauricio Epelbaum Jim Esserman Rena Falk The Farwell Family Lisa Feintech, M.D. Mimi Alpert Feldman Abby & Malcolm Field Donnovan Field Lisa & William Finkelstein Donna Finley
VETERANS WRITING AND PERFORMANCE PROJECT APRIL 16, 2018 Give veterans the opportunity to write and perform their own work on the Gil Cates Theater stage, creating a vibrant, one-of-a-kind performance of resilience, empowerment and live storytelling.
Veterans take a final bow after performing their original monologues Photo by Jeff Lorch Photography
TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT Jessica Brusilow Rollins at jessicab@geffenplayhouse.org
ANNUAL DONORS Keith G. Fleer William & Elisabeth Fleischman Lynne & Michael Flynn Myrna ‘Pepper’ Forest Deveen Fox Dolores Franco Fran Fredella & Scott Rubin Sandy & Donald French Elaine Friedman Kenneth J. Friedman & Marilynn J. Friedman Family Foundation Lynn & Barry Friesen Catherine Froloff Laurelle Frome & Brady Frome Gina Furth Wendy Furth Lee Gardenswartz Russell Gersten Linda & Tom Givvin Jill Glasband Dr. Diane & Michael Glazer Richard & Lori Glucksman Hannah Godwin Carol & Neil Goldberg Lorain Goldberg Mark & Molly Goldberg Francine Golden & Marvin Schlossman Dr. Peter Goldman Roger Gordon Liz Gottainer & David Sadkin Gigi & Don Grant Shelley Hill Grant Debbie & Glenn Gray Madelyne Green Gary & Jeannie Greenberg Paul & Louise Greenberg David Greenwalt Eve Haberfield & David N. Johnson Roberta L. Haft Hanif Haji Mary & Alan Halkett Jane Hall Monica & Mark Haloossim Roberta Hamilton Tess Harper Judy L. Hartley Hanna Heiting Michael & Candie Herman Hernand Family Winifred C. Hervey Penny Hildebrand Paul Gordon Hoffman & Sue Caren Hoffman Robert & Gail Israel Brenda Izzi Frederic A. & Nancy Jacobus Janice Jerde Martha Jones & Paul Zerella Robert Jones & Julie Anne Robinson Jerry Joseph Adriana Kahane
Joanne & Larry Kahn Jessica Kaltman Linda Kaplan Eran & Raquel Karoly Donald Kates Harris Katleman Family Owen Kato Dana Katz Morgan Kay Jim Keily Michael Keir William & Renee Kendall Louanne Kennedy Irwin Kishner Donna & Jeffrey Klein Dr. Phyllis Klein Laurie & Milton Klorman Delores Komar & Susan Wolford Charles Kristenson Jill & Michael Lasky Sharon & Lawrence Lavenberg Rhonda Lawrence Learning Encounters Ginger Leibovitz Ann Leland Adam Lesh Maxine & Gary Levine Anita & Burton Levinson Dr. & Mrs. Isaac Levy Rick & Vivian Levy Lawrin & Linda Lewin Angela Light Victor & Madeline Lindenheim Joanne Lindsay Bonnie Lisle Leslie & Adam Lobel Lori & Tom Low Anne L. Lynch Dr. Linda Maeder Carol & Doug Mancino Pauline Marks Annette Marmalefsky Goran Marnfeldt Gina Martino Phyllis & Bert Massing Douglas Mcavoy, Jr. Cynthia Melville Sumitra Menon R.G. Mercer Eileen & Paul Meshekow Dr. & Mrs. H. Reed Metzger Cathleen Meyers Sara Michrowski Judith & Jeff Milman Teddie J. Milner Julien Minard Peter Minarik & Sharon Vera Barrett Moore Christy & Leon Moore Marvin & Jean Moore Christopher Morden Shelagh Moriarty Howard J. Morris John Moschitta Jonathan Murray
Charlotte C. Myers Robert M. Nelson Sherri & Arnie Nelson Tom Nevermann Charna & Allen Nissenson Doreen & Donald Nortman Lawrence Ross & Linda Nussbaum Adrienne & Arthur Omansky Dr. Ronald & Iris Onkin Janie Orenstein Sylvia & Robert Paris Edward Parker Paul Pepperman Naidu & Jane Permaul Fran & Bruce Peters Berta & Lou Pitt Jack & Jane Pollock Zazi Pope Cheryl & Mel Posner Susan Poulson Lance Powell Philip Pritchett Neil & Lisa Greer Quateman Dr. Stephen & Lani Rabin Fred & Rebecca Raskin Michael & Gloria Rausch Andy Relis Marianne Reynolds Linda & Erin Rice Elaine Richards Mara Richards In Memory of Robert J. Richards William & Polly Ridgeway Alan Robinson Barbara & David Rognlien Janis & Avi Rojany Robert Rosania Barry Rosen & Neil Bokal Mary Ann Rosenfeld & Sheldon Kadish Maxine & Gene Rosenfeld Priscilla Rosenfeld Adrienne B. Rosenthal Beverly & Melvin Rosenthal Virginia Ross Michael, Michon & Jackson Roth Terry Ryan Susan & Kenneth Sarno Maxine Savitz Linda & Cliff Schaffer Chris T. Schmidt Joel & Sonia Schneider Gary & Karen Schneider Stanley Schneider Christine Schultz Janet & Michael Schwartz Lester Schwartz Brandon Scott
John H. Scott Scott Shagrin Barbara Vickery & Martin Shapiro Melanie Sharp & Kevin Miller Shelly & Greg Sherwin Lisa Siegel Seymour & Dorothy Siegel Linda & Ronald Slates Diane Good & Frank Smith Barbara & Hal Smith Marcia L. & Mark J. Smith Jean Smith-Moore Karen Smits Christine Sorgi Dr. Robert & Margo Sorrentino Stephanie Sourapas Bruce Spector Debra Spector M Leslie Stearns Christy Stevens Irina & Alex Stavchanskiy Frances & Sy Strasberg Penny Strowger Alec Sulkin Mr. Kayser Sume & Dr. Renee Sabshin Miriam & Gene Summ Ann Sunderland Lance & Maureen Tan Phyllis & Franklin Tell Cathy Thomas Cathy & Asher Thompson Judy & Art Tompkins Joyce & Josh Trabulus Miriam Trogdon Brigitta Troy Richard Turner Dr. Harold Urman Deborah Valdez Lorraine & Erich Van Lowe Anthony Vasek Carole Wagner-Vallianos & Peter Vallianos Ann W. Wang Marvin Wasserman Elisa Wayne Sherry Weinman & Michael Umansky Ben & Rose Weinstein Marsha & Steven Weiss Jacqueline Weitz Baker Wiles Rae Jeane Williams Karen & Gary Winnick Jan & Edward Woods Arnold & Tricia Zane Harriet Zaretsky Lynn & Meir Ziv Sandy Zwirn
HAVE WE MADE AN ERROR? To report a misspelling or omission in these listings, please contact the Development department at 310.208.6500 ext. 136
GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE 24
Matt Shakman
Gil Cates, Jr.
Artistic Director
Executive Director
ARTISTIC Amy Levinson Artistic Associate / Literary Director Phyllis Schuringa Artistic Associate / Casting Director Young Ji Artistic Coordinator / Company Manager Rachel Wiegardt-Egel Literary Associate Anna Fox Literary Intern
PRODUCTION Daniel Ionazzi Production Manager Jill Barnes Associate Production Manager / Company Manager Sam Craven-Griffiths Technical Director Evan Friedman Associate Technical Director Rich Gilles Properties Master James Grabowski House Sound Supervisor Darren Rezowalli Lighting & Video Supervisor Ramine Ameli Assistant Lighting Supervisor Liz Rose Wardrobe Supervisor
ADMINISTRATION Behnaz Ataee Chief Financial Officer Peter Banachowski Staff Accountant Kisha Wilson Payroll Specialist & Staff Accountant Clay Dzygun Office Coordinator Marguerite Harris Receptionist
DEVELOPMENT Regina Miller Chief Development Officer Ellen Catania Senior Vice President of Development Jessica Brusilow Rollins Director of Education Partnerships & Donor Relations Jamie Mikelich Director of Individual Giving & Spotlight Manager
Mark San Filippo Associate Director of Planned Giving & Donor Relations Scott Kriloff Development Concierge & Database Manager Taylor Cerny Development Associate Jessie Sherman Development Assistant Taylor Dearden Development Assistant Annika Patton Development Intern Henry Fleishman Development Intern
EDUCATION Jennifer Zakkai Director of Education & Community Engagement Carolyn Marie Wright Manager of Education & Community Engagement Brian Allman, Darien Battle, Ramy El-Etreby, David Guerra, McKenna Kerrigan, Robert Paterno, Carissa Pinckney, Celia Rivera Teaching Artists Brian Majestic Mission Continues Fellow
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Jessica Buzzard Director of Marketing & Communications Karen Gutierrez Director of Advertising & Audience Development Brian Dunning Director of Content & Creative Ashley Bodul Director of Public Relations Zack Hamra Associate Director of Audience Services & Ticketing Kevin O’Brien Marketing Manager Quinn Francis Outreach Coordinator Ramon Garcia Video Producer Kristina Leach Social Media Associate Janice Bernal Box Office Manager
Bryan Martin Box Office Manager Alyssa Tyson Assistant Box Office Manager Clifton Adams, Vaneh Assadourian, Britney Campbell, Lexy McAvinchey, Sam Peurach, Cameron Reck, Celia Rivera, Morgan Steele Box Office Staff Sue Fleishman Communications Consultant
FRONT OF HOUSE Jeni Pearsons Director of Special Events David Gerhardt Supervising House Manager Amy Farkas Lead Concierge Isaac Jay, Sarah Lyddan, Nathaniel Meek, James Porter, Dennis Woullard House Managers Claudia Baffo, Kailey Bray, Jensen Chambers, Evan Davis, Kelsey Gold, Danie Hakimi, Fiona Leahy, Hunter Lowden, Olivia Lowe, Austin Merrill, Aaron Newman, JoJo Nwoko, Aubrey Peeples, Alec Shamas, Madison Shamoun, Charmee Taylor, Adam Turney, Isaac Vaughn, Jenna Wilcox, Cody Williams Ushers Rob Mersola Bar Manager & Mixologist Manuel Mayorga Weekend Bar Manager Skylar Adams, Adam Carr, Brenda Davidson, Sarah Drescher, Ryan Turner Bartenders/Event Staff
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Karim Bouzzit System Administrator
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Miguel del Castillo Facility Manager Mario Santillan-Perez Custodial Juan Carlos UmaĂąa 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.
25 PLAYBILL