GIL CATES, JR.
Welcome to The Mountaintop, the final production of the 2022/2023 Season in the Gil Cates Theater. We are thrilled to have director Patricia McGregor return to our stage and also to welcome playwright Katori Hall to Geffen Playhouse for the first time.
As this season nears its close, I invite you to explore our exciting new lineup of plays for next season. The Geffen Playhouse 2023/2024 Season is filled with inspired storytelling at its best. We look forward to bringing new voices to our LA stages, artists we are sure you will love for years to come. We hope you will join us in experiencing these plays that run the gamut from comedy to tragedy and give us new takes on stories we thought we knew.
I would also like to offer a special thank you to everyone who participated in our Backstage at the Geffen event this year honoring Debbie Allen and Greg Berlanti. This annual event raises funds to support our ongoing commitment to bring the power and inspiration of the arts to youth and adults in communities throughout Los Angeles.
We are thrilled to welcome you and appreciate your ongoing support of the performing arts.
Gil Cates, Jr. Executive DirectorART LIVES HERE
Geffen Playhouse celebrates the diversity in our audiences and our productions, and it is our mission to create, foster, and nourish an environment that is open and welcoming for all. We are a home for the arts, and we believe our physical space should also reflect and be representative of our ongoing commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do and the communities we support.
Next season, we welcome Terrell Tilford (Band of Vices) as Creative Director of Art Lives Here. For more information, visit geffenplayhouse.org/artliveshere.
FEATURED WORK #8
The Storyteller
ARTIST
Zachary Bones
ON DISPLAY
June 6 – July 30, 2023
Theatre is in my blood. By the time I was 5 years old, I knew that I wanted to be a performer. I was a child of adoption and it wasn’t until
I was 17 and already well on my way to theatre school that I discovered that not only were both of my biological parents actors, but that they had actually met while performing. Thinking about my own origins often makes me think about the origins of theatre itself... not the Greeks, but the earliest theatre. The cave paintings of theatre. My painting seeks to imagine the FIRST theatre and pay tribute to these early actors. In a time when human life was little more than survival, these storytellers gave meaning to our lives, and a name for our fears. Theatre is innately and uniquely human—it is our birth right passed down from these first storytellers.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Zachary Bones is an LA based visual artist, performer, activist, and arts educator who believes that art and storytelling have the power to grow our
capacity for understanding and empathy in the world. Zach is passionate about social justice and holds the conviction that the creation of art is vital to the progress of anti-racist work, the social evolution of our country, and even the survival of our species. Zach has worked on a variety of artistic projects over the years including: working as a storyboard artist for film and television, live speed painter, and a comissioned portrait and memorial artist. Zach has worked as a muralist, designer, scenic painter, and master carpenter with: Theatre of Note, Finite Films, Illyrian Players, Escape Room LA, Encore Entertainers, and more. You can learn more and see some of Zach’s work on his website at www.zachbart.com, or follow him on Instagram
@art_on_my_sleeve.
ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AMY LEVINSON
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Adi Greenberg CHAIR
Dr. Gene D. Block
Gil Cates, Jr. Executive Director
Mary Ann Cloyd Vice Chair
Merle Dandridge
Dr. Brad Edgerton
Bonnie E. Eskenazi
Mark Fleischer
Susan Nahley Fleishman
Brenda Garcia
Patricia L. Glaser
We are thrilled to welcome Katori Hall and her evocative and haunting play The Mountaintop to the Geffen. Hall’s ability to dramatize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a larger-than-life giant of the Civil Rights Movement, with humanity and human frailty brings us to an emotional truth and reminds us that greatness and perfection are not one and the same.
It is our particular pleasure to welcome back our long-time friend and collaborator Patricia McGregor, who has, as always, assembled an electric cast and an amazing group of designers. Together they have created not only an immediately recognizable motel room, but also a magnificent envelope for the action of the play that allows the story to live simultaneously in the past, the present, and the future.
As we wind down our 2022/2023 Season, I want to take this opportunity to thank you, the patrons, for making your way back to the theater. This season, you have continually embraced ambitious and sometimes difficult subject matter, not to mention some lengthy running times. Your enthusiasm and investment in the work we are doing here buoys us more than you know, and we can’t wait to share a new season of plays with you in the 2023/2024 Season.
Until then, enjoy the show!
Amy Levinson Associate Artistic DirectorEric Heer
Carla Malden
Brian Mann
Tiffany Mayberry
Mary Osako
Danny Passman
Holly Rice
Linda Bernstein Rubin
Matt Shakman
Richard Sherman
Cynthia P. Stafford
Howard Tenenbaum Chair Emeritus
JaHan Wang
Marc Weinstock
FOUNDING
TRUSTEES
Harold A. Brown
Kirsten Combs
Robert A. Daly
David Geffen
Herbert M. Gelfand Chair Emeritus
Quincy Jones
Jeffrey Katzenberg
Glorya Kaufman
Frank G. Mancuso Chair Emeritus
Ron Meyer
Jerry Moss
Bruce M. Ramer
Founding Chair
Victoria Mann Simms
Andy Spahn
Steven Spielberg
Steve Tisch
Dr. Charles E. Young Chair Emeritus
IN MEMORIAM
Gilbert Cates Founder
Marcia Israel-Curley
Audrey Skirball Kenis
Charles Kenis
Karl Malden
Ginny Mancini
Jerry Perenchio
Edie Wasserman
Lew Wasserman
LEGAL COUNSEL
Nikki Kerman Venable LLP
ADVISORY BOARD
John Sonego Chair
Stephanie Carson
Lori Collins
Ellyce R. Cooper
Debra Davis
Giovanna Desselle
Ann Gianopulos
Priscila Giraldo
Laura Kennedy
John McCrite
Audrey Povar
Eric Rollins
Scott Sandler
Cela Devine Sutton
Uma Swami
Miranda Tollman
Rebecca Vail
Laurie Ziegler
THE MOUNTAINTOP
DESIGNER CRICKET S. MYERS
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR DENNIS WHITEHEAD DARLING
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER ALYSSA ESCALANTE
INTIMACY & FIGHT DIRECTOR SASHA NICOLLE SMITH
DRAMATURG REBECCA PHILLIPS EPSTEIN
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER AMBER R. DETTMERS
CASTING DIRECTOR PHYLLIS SCHURINGA, CSA
OPENING NIGHT
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023
OPENING NIGHT SPONSORS
THE MOUNTAINTOP
CAST OF CHARACTERS
(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Camae
UNDERSTUDIES
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Camae
JON MICHAEL HILL
AMANDA WARREN
BRIAN NELSON JR.
COURTNEY THOMAS
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
April 3, 1968. Room 306 at the Lorraine Motel.
RUNNING TIME
90 minutes
There will be no intermission.
PLEASE NOTE
There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed during the performance. Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones. Thank you!
Original Broadway production produced by Jean Doumanian, Sonia Friedman Productions, Ambassador Theatre Group, Raise the Roof 7, Ted Snowdon, Alhadeff Productions/Lauren Doll, B Square + 4 Productions/Broadway Across America, Jacki Barlia Florin/Cooper Federman, Ronnie Planalp/Moellenberg Taylor and Marla Rubin Productions/Blumenthal Performing Arts, in association with Scott Delman.
The Mountaintop was developed at the Lark Play Development Center, New York City, and was first produced by Theatre 503 in June 2009 and further produced at Trafalgar Studio One in July 2009 by Sonia Friedman Productions and Jean Doumanian, Tali Pelman for Ambassador Theatre Group, Bob Bartner, Freddy DeMann, Jerry Frankel, Ted Snowdon and Marla Rubin Productions Ltd.
The Mountaintop was developed at the 2008 Bay Area Playwrights Festival, a program of the Playwrights Foundation (Amy L. Mueller, Artistic Director).
JON MICHAEL HILL (he/him)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jon Michael Hill has been a Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble member since 2007 where he has appeared in True West (Steppenwolf, Galway International Arts Festival), The Unmentionables (Steppenwolf, Yale Repertory Theatre), Superior Donuts (Steppenwolf, Broadway, Outer Critics Circle Award, Theater World Award, Tony Award nomination), Kafka on the Shore, The Tempest, The Hot L Baltimore, Head of Passes, Constellations, Pass Over (Lincoln Center, Amazon Prime, Broadway). Regional: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park, In the Red and Brown Water at Alliance Theater (Atlanta), The Cure at Troy at Seattle Rep. Film/TV: “Detective Bell” on Elementary (CBS), Eastbound & Down (HBO), Detroit 1-8-7 (ABC), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC), Person of Interest (CBS), 61st Street (AMC), Widows (film by Steve McQueen), and A Man in Full (upcoming on Netflix).
AMANDA WARREN Camae
Amanda Warren was born and raised in New York, receiving her B.F.A. from New York University and her M.F.A. from Yale School of Drama. She began her professional career on stage in Three Sisters (The Classical Theatre of Harlem), Terrence McNally’s Golden Age (world premiere at The Kennedy Center), and When I Come to Die directed by Thomas Kail (Lincoln Center Theater).
Amanda currently leads CBS’ hit cop drama, East New York Prior, she starred in Apple TV+’s acclaimed series Dickinson, and HBO Max’s Gossip Girl. Previously, she starred in the Blumhouse anthology series, The Purge; HBO’s The Leftovers; NBC’s This Is Us; and Netflix’s Black Mirror and House of Cards. Up next, she will appear alongside Jaime Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones in the Amazon feature The Burial. Other film highlights include the award-winning Fox Searchlight film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Sony Pictures’ Roman J. Israel, Esq., Martin McDonagh’s Seven Psychopaths, and the Disney feature Safety.
KATORI HALL (she/her) Playwright
Pulitzer Prize–winning and twotime Tony Award–nominated Memphis-native Katori Hall is the book writer and co-producer of the West End and Broadway hit Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. She’s also the creator and showrunner of P-Valley, the breakout Starz drama based on her play Pussy Valley. Katori’s latest theatrical piece, The Hot Wing King, premiered in Spring 2020 at the Signature Theatre and won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Her play The Mountaintop, which vividly reimagines the final night of Martin Luther King’s life, won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2010 before opening on Broadway to critical acclaim. Katori’s other works include the award-winning Hurt Village, Hoodoo Love, Saturday Night/ Sunday Morning, Our Lady of Kibeho, Children of Killers, and The Blood Quilt. She is also the director of the award-winning short, Arkabutla. Katori is an alumna of Columbia University, ART at Harvard University, and Juilliard. She’s a graduate of the Sundance Episodic Lab’s inaugural class, the Sundance Screenwriting Lab, and Ryan Murphy’s Half Foundation Directing Program. Katori’s other
awards include a Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, two Lecomte du Nouy Prizes from Lincoln Center, National Black Theatre’s August Wilson Playwriting Award, NAACP Image Award for Best Television Drama, the Columbia University Medal of Excellence, and many more. @katorihall www.katorihall.com
Theatre Company); brownsville song (b-side for tray) (Lincoln Center Theater); Indomitable: James Brown (Apollo Theater); Holding It Down (The Metropolitan Museum of Art); Adoration of the Old Woman (INTAR Theatre); Blood Dazzler (Harlem Stage); Four Electric Ghosts (The Kitchen); and the world premiere of Hurt Village (Signature Theatre Company). Other credits include The Parchman Hour (Guthrie Theater); A Raisin in the Sun, The Winter’s Tale, and Spunk (Cal Shakes). She was a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale.
RACHEL MYERS
Born in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Patricia McGregor is the Artistic Director of New York Theatre Workshop, as well as a director and writer working across disciplines. Los Angeles credits include Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole (co-writer and director; Geffen Playhouse); Skeleton Crew (Geffen Playhouse); Good Grief (Center Theatre Group); Place (Los Angeles Philharmonic, Brooklyn Academy of Music); Sisters in Law (Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts); Shakespeare: Call and Response, Krapp’s Last Tape, What You Are, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Measure for Measure (The Old Globe). McGregor has twice been profiled by The New York Times for her direction of world premieres. New York credits include Hamlet (The Public Theater); Ugly Lies the Bone (Roundabout
Scenic Designer
Rachel is a Storyteller for Stage and Film. Geffen Playhouse: Skeleton Crew, Power of Sail (Winner of Ovation & LA Drama Critics Circle Awards). Theatre: BAM, Center Theatre Group, South Coast Repertory, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Shakespeare Theatre, Getty Villa, The Watermill Center, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Rattlestick West, Boston Court, and IAMA Theatre Company. Rachel has conceived events for Times Square and the Emmys, Golden Globes and VidCon, winning NAACP, Streamy, and Broadway World Awards. Production Design Film: Short Term 12, Kim Possible, Desperados, The Drowning. As a Director, Rachel’s films BOURN KIND, Wendy’s Shabbat, and 2 Black Boys premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, Outfest, Palm
Springs and 70 other festivals worldwide, Wendy’s Shabbat (PBS and Topic) Academy Awards qualified. Her work has exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts, Northwest Film Center, and Film Forum. Awarded Inaugural Shondaland Directing Mentorship, WarnerMedia
OneFifty Artist, Lynn Shelton Grant Nominee, Sundance Director’s Co-Lab and CDDP. In September Rachel joins NYU Tisch as Associate Profesor of Production Design. M.F.A. Yale Drama, ADG800, USA829. www.rachelmyersdesign.com
MYLETTE NORA
Costume Designer
Ovation Award and NAACP Theatre Award winner for best costumes and listed in the honors edition of The Cambridge Registry of Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women, her work worldwide consists of television, film, video, and stage. Her work was seen nightly on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, now on You Bet Your Life with Jay Leno and Kevin Eubanks, weekly on Jay Leno’s Garage, and in the film
Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story. The famed artist Synthia Saint James noted Mylette as being the inspiration for her world-renowned painting “Ensemble,” which graced the cover of the best-selling novel Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan. Mylette’s designer lines include doggie wear (www. fromtheheartdoggiewear.com), heirloom dolls (My Mind’s Eye), and now face masks by Mylette.
PATRICIA M c GREGOR (she/her) DirectorLAP CHI CHU (he/him)
Lighting Designer
Recent designs at the Geffen include Man of God and Power of Sail. He recently designed the Broadway revival of Camelot. Other New York design credits include The Public Theater, Roundabout Theatre Company, Lincoln Center Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, Signature Theatre, Second Stage Theatre, Performance Space 122, and Kitchen Theatre Company. Regional designs for Mark Taper Forum, Williamstown Theater Festival, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, American Contemporary Theater, Goodman Theatre, American Repertory Theater, Arena Stage, Dallas Theater Center, and the Alley Theater. His awards include the Obie for Sustained Excellence in Lighting Design, the Lucile Lortel Award, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Angstrom Award for Career Achievement in Lighting Design, the Ovation Award, and multiple Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards. He is a professor and the Head of Lighting Design at University of California, Los Angeles. lapchichu.com
CRICKET S. MYERS (she/her)
Sound Designer
On Broadway, Cricket earned a Tony nomination and a Drama Desk Award for her design of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. She has also designed regionally at the Geffen Playhouse (The Thanksgiving Play, Underneath the Lintel, Play Dead,
Discord, Wrecks, Some Girl(s), Emergency); Mark Taper Forum (Bent, Steward of Christendom, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo); La Jolla Playhouse (The Squirrels, Guards at the Taj, Sideways, The Nightingale), South Coast Repertory (Sweeny Todd, A Doll’s House, Part 2, The Fantasticks); Kirk Douglas Theatre (Endgame, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo); Pasadena Playhouse (Real Women Have Curves, Stoneface); The Wallis (Invincible, Sisters in Law, Blues in the Night). Cricket has earned 24 Ovation nominations, as well as winning The Ruth Morley Award from the League of Professional Theater Women, The Kinetic Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatrical Design, an LADCC, and a Garland Award in Los Angeles. www.cricketsmyers.com
YEE EUN NAM (she/her) Projection Designer
Yee Eun Nam is a visual artist and a media designer for live performances. Recent collaborations for opera/music include Detroit Opera, Opera Omaha, LA Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, The Kennedy Center, San Francisco Symphony, REDCAT, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, New World Center, and The Soraya. Theatre projects include Audible Theater, Ma-Yi Theater Company, Mark Taper Forum (Center Theatre Group), A.C.T., South Coast Reper-tory, Pasadena Playhouse, Geffen Playhouse, The Movement
Theatre Company, Kansas City Rep-ertory Theatre, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Getty Villa, Latino Theater Company, and many more. She also has designed visuals for Center Theater
Group’s gala, San Francisco Symphony’s Lunar New Year event, and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Yee Eun received two Lucille Lortel Awards nominations for her work in 2022 and 2023. Yee Eun is a winner of LADCC Theatrical Excellence for CGI/Video. She is a member of United Scenic Art-ists, Local 829. M.F.A. in Theater Design at UCLA.
www.yeeeunnam.com
DENNIS WHITEHEAD
DARLING (he/him)
Associate Director
Dennis Whitehead Darling is an opera, theatre, and film/video stage director. World premieres: Marian’s Song (Houston Grand Opera), Sanctuary Road (North Carolina Opera), Why I Live at the P.O. (UrbanArias), Buried Deep (Endstation Theatre Company), and The Secret River (Opera Orlando). Other works include The Cunning Little Vixen (Manhattan School of Music), Maria de Buenos Aires (Opera Columbus), Jelly’s Last Jam (concert performance, Long Wharf Theatre), The Falling and the Rising (Arizona Opera), Lost in the Stars (Annapolis Opera), Hansel and Gretel (film, Playground Opera), La Bohème (Opera Columbus), Giulio Cesare in Egitto (film, Carnegie Mellon University), The Gershwins’
Porgy and Bess (Red Mountain Theatre), Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (Hattiloo Theatre/ Spazio Teatro No’hma, Milan), The Parchman Hour (Hattiloo Theatre), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Spazio Teatro No’hma, Milan), Intimate Apparel (University of Memphis), Movin’ Up in the World (Opera Memphis), Sunset Baby (Hattiloo Theatre), Blue Viola (Opera Memphis), and Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet (Hattiloo Theatre). www.denniswhiteheaddarling.com.
SASHA NICOLLE SMITH (she/her)
Intimacy & Fight Director
Sasha is thrilled to be working at the Geffen again! Other theater credits include: The Lonely Few and The First Deep Breath (Geffen Playhouse), The Notebook (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Ms. Blakk
For President (Steppenwolf Theatre), Familiar (Steppenwolf Theatre), How To Catch Creation (Goodman Theatre), A Raisin in the Sun (Guthrie Theater), The Bluest Eye (Virginia Stage Company), Toni Stone (Milwaukee Rep), Trading Places (Alliance Theater), Smart People (Writers Theater). Film/Television: Tiny Beautiful Things (Hulu), Daisy Jones & The Six (Amazon), Your Place or Mine (Netflix), That ‘90s Show (Netflix), How I Met Your Father (Hulu), Random Acts of Flyness (HBO), The Rookie: Feds (ABC), The Chi (Showtime), Lizzo’s Watch Out For The Big Grrrls (Amazon), Truth Be Told (Apple TV+).
REBECCA
PHILLIPS EPSTEIN (she/her)
Dramaturg
Rebecca Phillips Epstein is a writer, translator, and dramaturg, originally from New York City. Regional and off-Broadway credits include productions at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Yale Repertory Theatre, IAMA Theatre Company, Studio 42, and The Playwrights Realm. Television credits include Emily in Paris, Roseanne, Bad Teacher, and Hot Spot (2020 SeriesFest Special Selection), and her essays have appeared in The Washington Post, Kveller, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and Human Parts by Medium. Rebecca holds a B.A. from the University of Chicago and an M.F.A. from the Yale School of Drama, and is a proud member of the Writers Guild of America, West. For more information, visit www.rebeccaphillipsepstein.com.
ALYSSA ESCALANTE (she/her)
Production Stage Manager
Alyssa is a Los Angeles-based stage manager and graduate of Occidental College. Previous Geffen credits include: The First Deep Breath, A Wicked Soul in Cherry Hill. Other credits include What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank (The Old Globe); Spamilton (Musical Theatre West); All’s Well That Ends Well (A Noise Within); Lizastrata (Troubadour Theatre Company); Hamilton (Eliza Tour at the Pantages); The Bacchae (SITI Company at Guthrie Theater); Hold These Truths(San Diego Repertory Theatre); Fireflies, M. Butterfly, Photograph 51, Culture
Clash (Still) in America (South Coast Repertory); A Streetcar
Named Desire, Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles, Happy Days (Boston Court Pasadena); Criers for Hire (East West Players). Thanks to Mom, Dad & Minerva!
AMBER R. DETTMERS (she/her)
Assistant Stage Manager
Amber R. Dettmers has been working in Southern California for the past five years. Before coming to the West Coast, she stage managed for nearly a decade in Chicago after receiving her B.A. in Theatre from Loyola University Chicago. Previous Geffen projects: The First Deep Breath (ASM) and the un’admiring (The Writers’ Room reading, SM). Selected previous credits include: Grownup (The Associates Theater Ensemble, SM); Cirque Dreams Holidaze (Cirque du Soleil/VStar Entertainment, SM); The Great Jheri Curl Debate (East West Players, SM); HI, SOLO (MOCA, SM); All’s Well That Ends Well (A Noise Within, ASM); Noel Noel (San Diego Symphony, SM); Fly (La Jolla Playhouse, SM Resident); A Number and Scenes From an Execution (Runcible Theatre Company, SM); Seminar, A Walk in the Woods, Jake’s Women, and A Bright Room Called Day (Spartan Theatre, PSM); and Ghost Gardens (Pegasus Theatre, PSM). Amber has also served as Production Manager on various shows at MOCA (LA), Runcible Theatre, and The Poor Theatre (Chicago). Amber holds an M.F.A. in Stage Management from UC San Diego.
PHYLLIS SCHURINGA, CSA (she/her)
Casting Director
Phyllis is an Artistic Associate and the Casting Director for Geffen Playhouse. Recent casting includes The Inheritance: Part 1 & Part 2 and TRAYF. She has received 8 Artios nominations: Power of Sail, Man of God, Witch, Significant Other, Actually, Barbecue, Barcelona, and The Country House. Before joining the Geffen, she was the Casting Director for Steppenwolf Theater Company in Chicago where her favorites include Frank Galati’s adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath (also La Jolla Playhouse, National Theatre in London, and Broadway, where it received the Tony Award for Best Play), the original production of Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile (and subsequent productions including Westwood Playhouse and Briar Street Theater in Chicago). Broadway transfers include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Tony Award for Best Revival), The Song of Jacob Zulu, and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. She is a member of the Casting Society of America.
GIL CATES, JR.
Executive DirectorGil Cates, Jr. is Executive Director of Geffen Playhouse. In this role, he is responsible
for managing the Geffen’s dayto-day operations; developing new, ongoing theater partnerships and leading its mission to inform, entertain and inspire diverse audiences with live theater of the highest caliber. Prior to being named Executive Director in 2015, Cates served as Geffen Playhouse Board Vice Chairman since 2012 and served as a producer and director in theater, film and television. His theater credits include the award-winning Names (Matrix Theatre Company) and Three Sisters and David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre (both at Syracuse Stage). Cates’ film credits include The Surface (starring Sean Astin and Geffen Playhouse alumnus Chris Mulkey), Jobs (starring Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Dermot Mulroney, as well as Geffen Playhouse alumni Matthew Modine and Ron Eldard) and the 2011 feature film Lucky (starring Colin Hanks, Ari Graynor and Ann-Margret). In addition, Cates co-produced and co-directed the critically acclaimed Life After Tomorrow, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, which premiered on Showtime. His other films include Deal (starring Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison and Charles Durning) and The Mesmerist (starring Jessica Capshaw and Geffen Playhouse alumnus Neil Patrick Harris). Cates’ television directorial debut was an episode of the NBC comedy Joey, starring Emmy winner Matt LeBlanc. He is currently directing a documentary short chronicling the journey of one of the first
refugee families to flee Ukraine and arrive in the U.S. after escaping the Russian invasion, set for release in 2023. He studied at the National Theatre Institute in Waterford, Connecticut, and holds a B.F.A. in Drama from Syracuse University.
During her tenure at the Geffen, Amy has spearheaded numerous programs for commissioning and developing new plays and has shepherded more than 150 plays into production. Dramaturgy credits include the commissions and world premieres of Donald Margulies’ Time Stands Still and Coney Island Christmas, Jane Anderson’s The Quality of Life and The Escort, Amanda Peet’s Our Very Own Carlin McCullough, and Michael Mitnick’s Mysterious Circumstances. Other dramaturgy credits include Actually, Invisible Tango, Extraordinary Chambers, Build, Equivocation, Joan Rivers: A Work in Progress by a Life in Progress, Guards at the Taj, and Geffen Stayhouse virtual shows including Helder Guimarães’ The Present and The Future, and David Kwong’s Inside the Box. She holds an M.F.A. in Dramaturgy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
AMY LEVINSON (she/her) Associate Artistic DirectorBEHNAZ ATAEE
Chief
Financial OfficerBehnaz “Nazy” Ataee is Chief Financial Officer of Geffen Playhouse. In this role, she has oversight responsibility
for accounting functions of the theater, including operating and capital budgets. In addition, she supports all IT and HR activities. Behnaz was named Chief Financial Officer in 2015 after serving as General Manager since 2002. She first joined Geffen Playhouse in 1999. Previously, Ataee worked as a senior financial analyst for Ultratech Inc., an international semiconductor company based in San Jose. Prior to Ultratech, she was an auditor for Van Sloten
CPA, after holding the position of Director of Accounting at FABS Management, where she was responsible for overseeing the finances of more than 25 non-profit organizations. As a financial professional with more than 30 years’ experience in for-profit and non-profit financial management and auditing, Ataee began her career in the Bay Area as a partner in a small tech startup. She holds a master’s degree from Pepperdine University.
THE NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Supporting artists is central to the mission of the Geffen Playhouse, and play commissions are a cornerstone of that support. To commission a playwright to write a play means making a commitment to their voice, craft, and vision, with the hope of sharing the fruits of their work on our stage.
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:
LUIS ALFARO
JONATHAN CAREN
COLMAN DOMINGO
MICHAEL GOLAMCO
MEGHAN KENNEDY
MATTHEW LÓPEZ
MARTYNA MAJOK
QUI NGUYEN
STACY OSEI-KUFFOUR
JIEHAE PARK
JOHN POLLONO
ROBERT SCHENKKAN
JEN SILVERMAN
DAVID WIENER
CRAIG WRIGHT
LAUREN YEE
For more information on this program, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/newplays.
THE WRITERS’ ROOM
A group for Los Angeles-based playwrights, The Writers’ Room is a product of the Geffen’s deep commitment to supporting new plays and specifically to fostering bold, relevant work by the vibrant artistic community of this city. During this one-year residency, playwright members gather monthly at the Geffen to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and the Geffen’s artistic staff, culminating in a play reading series.
For more information on the 2023/2024 cycle of The Writers’ Room, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/thewritersroom.
GEFFEN AT A GLANCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PRODUCTION STAFF FOR THE MOUNTAINTOP
Associate Scenic Designer
Anna Grigo
Assistant Costume Designer
Wendell Carmichael
Assistant Lighting Designer
Malcolm Wilson
Associate Projection Designer
Elizabeth Barrett
Wig Designer
Shelia Dorn
Dialect Coach
Judith Moreland
Production Stage Manager Sub
Kesia Ross
Production Assistant
Juliet Park
Directing Fellow
Rachel Myers
SDCF Directing Observer
Felichia Chivaughn
Deck Crew
Oliver Brink, David Foubert, Ty Pickett
Deck Crew Swing
Greg Mueller
Automation Operator
Austin Bosley
Carpenter Crew Lead
Philip Rossi
Wardrobe Supervisor
Michayla Van Treeck
Lighting Programmer
Nicole Jaja
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Scenery Built & Painted By
F&D Scene Changes
Lighting Equipment Provided By
Kinetic Lighting
Sound Equipment Provided By
Jon Sound Inc., DnB Design, Launch
Projection Equipment Provided By
4Wall Entertainment
SPECIAL THANKS
Light Board Operator
Justin Kelley-Cahill
Light Board Operator Swing
Erica Ammerman
A1
Bob Gilmartin
A2 / A1 Swing
Ilana Elroi
A2 Swing
Stephanie Yackovetsky
Projections Programmer
Erin Teachman
Properties Artisans & Carpenters
Christopher R. Baab, Sigourney Chin, Danny Dolan
Carpenters
Austin Bosley, Oliver Brink, James Chew, Chris Cowan, David Foubert, Enrique Garcia, Rob Hille, Shadow LaValley, Claudia Peterson, Lila Schmitz, Syd Shoell, James Stanley, Eiden Weissblum
Scenic Painter
Chandish Nester
Stitchers
Stephanie Castro, Sarah Lindsley
Wardrobe Swing
Stephanie Castro
Electricians
Ezra Fisher, Nicole Jaja, Justin Kelley-Cahill, Ezra Muthiah, Christiana Saldibar, Sydney Smith, James Tatsch, Ben Wendel
Production Photographer
Frank Ishman
Media Filming
Ramon Garcia
Design + Art Direction
Base Design Photography
Justin Bettman
UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television Scene, Prop, Sound, and Costume
Shops; National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel; The entire team at New York Theatre Workshop; Freedome Bradley-Ballentine; Orion & Jupiter
CONTACT
Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
310.208.6500
Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 6:00pm
AUDIENCE SERVICES
310.208.2028
Tuesday – Sunday, 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Please visit geffenplayhouse.org for hours, parking and more information.
BOX OFFICE WINDOW
Tuesday – Sunday, 12:00pm – 6:00pm, as well as on performance days up until 15 minutes after curtain.
Please note: the box office window is unable to process exchanges or future sales one hour prior to curtain time on performance days.
ACCESSIBILTY
Geffen Playhouse is fully committed to providing access to patrons with mobility, visual and hearing impairments. Parking spaces directly outside the theater are zoned for drop off and pick up, as well as disabled parking spots for patrons with appropriate placards and plates. For more information, visit geffenplayhouse.org/access or call Audience Services.
LATE SEATING
Should you arrive late to the theater or vacate your seat during the performance, please expect to be held in the lobby until an appropriate pause in the action on stage. Some productions or circumstances may not allow for late or return seating. To minimize disturbances to other patrons, you may be seated in the first available location by the house staff even if it is different from your assigned seat.
NO PHOTOGRAPHY
There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed during the performance. Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones.
UCLA SCHOOL OF THEATER, FILM AND TELEVISION
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 Director is a Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.
The scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers in LORT theaters are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE.
Geffen Playhouse is affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles, specifically the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Geffen Playhouse values its role as an important educational resource by providing students with master classes, workshops and internships. Students are also able to work and learn from distinguished visiting Geffen artists in areas of directing, playwriting, acting, design, dramaturgy, management and production.
Geffen Playhouse also draws upon the distinguished experts in the university to enhance the theater’s programs and research.
HARMONIES OF LIBERTY
1
“Some people are uncomfortable with the disruption that change causes, but the disruption is necessary if anything is going to change.”
2
“We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity.”
3
“We’re not gonna fight fire with fire, we’re gonna fight fire with water. We’re not gonna fight racism with racism, we’re gonna fight racism with solidarity.”
4
“Hope is not a lottery ticket you can sit on the sofa and clutch, feeling lucky. It is an axe you break down doors with in an emergency.”
5
“You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”
6
“One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.”
“Our number one priority as far as the country and society is concerned is racial justice, actually racial injustice that exists in our country and trying to make everything just for all people.”
“Life is a hard battle anyway. If we laugh and sing a little as we fight the good fight of freedom, it makes it all go easier. I will not allow my life's light to be determined by the darkness around me.”
Right: The Stone of Hope monument at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C.“ THE BATON PASSES ON…”
The journey to create a more just and equitable world doesn’t belong to any one person, or to any one generation alone. In The Mountaintop, Katori Hall invites us to join the relay race. Our task is to pick up the baton from the ones who came before us, carry it as far as we can, and then pass it along to those who follow after.
We’ve asked our creative team, “Who do you take the baton from, and to whom do you hope to pass it?” Here’s what a few of them had to say:
“Passed from: Oscar and Angela McGregor and so many generations working for a more just world. Passed to: My children Orion and Jupiter and all those seeing the world full of justice and joy that they deserve.” —Patricia
McGregor“My mother and father handed me the baton. They raised me to have the mindset that, no matter what some may say, I am, without question, limitless.” —Amanda Warren
“From my Grandma Annette, who was unafraid to go first so that others could follow. From Nora Ephron, Wendy Wasserstein, Dawn Powell, writers whose brutal honesty and resilient humor makes me feel better understood and less alone. And to my children Sam and Andrew, who will take it to places I can only imagine.” —Rebecca
Phillips Epstein“I took the baton held by two amazing designers, Adele Farmar and April Hunter-Smiley, who with kindness and care made sure I learned correctly. I pass the baton onto my four dependable and spicy assistants who remind me daily of why I love what I do so very much.” —Mylette
Nora“I was handed the baton to carry by my mother Advira and her mother Kiziah. I was handed the baton to carry by my creative foremothers Ntzoke Shange, Zora Neale Hurston, Audre Lorde, and Lucille Clifton. I hope to pass the baton to the next generation of black female storytellers to embrace their beauty, brilliance, and bravery. Most importantly, I pass the baton to my son Brixton in hopes that I have made his leg of the race a little easier.”
—Felichia ChivaughnWhat about YOU? What does the “baton” represent in your own life and work? Who did you take it from, and who will you hand it off to?
I’ve been working tirelessly to raise awareness about diabetes and its contributions to kidney disease, heart disease and more. It’s plagued my family for generations.
I am thrilled that UCLA Health is partnering with the Geffen because there is nothing like the arts to help address situations that need our attention, like health and wellness. The performing arts, like dance and theater, are transformative. I applaud UCLA Health and the Geffen Playhouse for coming together to help people.
—DEBBIE ALLEN actress, dancer, choreographer, director, producer, and Geffen Playhouse alumANNUAL 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 Partner’s Circle level and higher for gifts made between March 1, 2022 and May 1, 2023.
† Geffen Playhouse Board of Directors
^ Geffen Playhouse Founding Trustees
§ Geffen Playhouse Advisory Board
In appreciation, Annual Fund donors enjoy a host of special benefits including house seats, complimentary drinks, receptions, and much more.
For more information, please call Tracy Reich at 310.208.6500 ext. 113.
PREMIERE CIRCLE
$100,000+
Anonymous (2)
Jana & Trevor Bezdek
California Arts Council
City National Bank
Edgerton Foundation
The Adi† & Jerry Greenberg Foundation
William Randolph Hearst Foundation
Martha Henderson
Loretta Everett Kaufman† & Victor Kaufman
Elizabeth & David Kerman
Jerry & Terri Kohl
Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation
Linda Bernstein Rubin† & Tony Rubin
Shubert Foundation
Jodi & Howard Tenenbaum†
Miranda§ & Brett Tollman
UCLA
UCLA Health
INNOVATOR CIRCLE
$50,000 – $99,999
The Berlanti Family Foundation
Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer
Cindy & Alan Horn
John McCrite§ & Juan Lopez
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
Matt Shakman† & Maggie Malone
Holly Rice† & Vince Gilligan
Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation
ARTISTIC CIRCLE
$25,000 – $49,999
Anonymous
Marcy Carsey
City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
Merle Dandridge†
The Walt Disney Company
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
Dr. & Mrs. Paul Eisenberg
Bonnie E. Eskenazi† / Greenberg Glusker
Carol & Paul Frimmer
Susan & Mark Fleischer†
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
Patty Glaser† & Sam Mudie
Marcy Gross
Capital Group Companies
Marcia Israel-Curley Foundation
Erich and Della Koenig Foundation
Carla Malden† & Norman Beil
Paramount Pictures
Judith & Bruce Stern
PRODUCER’S CIRCLE
$10,000 – $24,999
Anonymous (2)
Eva Aaronson
In Memory of Bucky Hazan
The Katie McGrath & J.J. Abrams Family Foundation
Pat & Sandy Adams
Beth Behrs & Michael Gladis
Mrs. Carol K. Block & Chancellor Gene D. Block†
Kevin & Claudia Bright
Eileen & Harold Brown^
The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
Mary Ann Cloyd†
Comcast NBCUniversal
Ellyce R. Cooper§ & Barry Cohen / Sidley Austin LLP
Creative Forces
Anne Dougherty & David Dobrikin
Louise & Dr. Brad Edgerton†
Lisa Field, Field Family Foundation
Eric Flamholtz & Yvonne Randle
Susan Nahley Fleishman†
Larry Gagosian
Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc.
Brenda Garcia†
Sue & Steve Glusker
MaryAnn & Irwin Gold
Manuela & James Goren
Alexander & Katie & Grey Grosvenor
Noble & Jacquelynn Hansen
In Memory of Morris A. Hazan
Samantha & Eric Heer†
Mellody Hobson / Ariel Investments, LLC
Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation
Stanley Iezman & Nancy Stark
David & Martha Kadue
Julie & David Kavner
Laura Kennedy§
Willette & Manny Klausner
Marla & Daniel Klein
Lyn & Norman Lear
Fay & Frank Mancuso^
Brian† & Renee Mann
Tiffany Mayberry†
Carol & Bill Ouchi
Mary Osako†
Soundis & Danny Passman†
Shana & Don Passman
Madeline & Bruce Ramer^
Thomas L. Safran
Carol ‘Jackie’ & Charles Schwartz
Richard† & Barbara Sherman
Jane Rissman & Richard Sondheimer
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Kate Capshaw Spielberg & Steven Spielberg^
Cynthia P. Stafford†
The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust
Deborah Tavlin
Steve Tisch^
Daniel Tongbai & Henry Clancy
U.S. Bank Foundation
JaHan Wang†
Joanne & Ken Weinman
Aurora & Marc Weinstock†
Susan & Dan White
Ken Willner & Jim Stine
PLAYWRIGHT’S CIRCLE
$5,000 – $9,999
Anonymous
Aversa Foundation
David Bartman
Judith & Thomas Beckmen
Dr. Joan Denson & Dr. Victoria Berck
Mara W. Breech Foundation
Robert Brook & Jacqueline Kosecoff
Glenn & Lynn Cardoso
Dan Clivner
In Loving Memory of Ed Cypert
Mary Jo & Caleb Deschanel
Susan & Jonathan Dolgen
Robyn Field & Anthony O’Carroll
Steve Freedman & Helen Sideris
Mimi & Marvin Freedman
Sonia & Robert Freedman and Family
Bob & Diana Friedman
Herbert M.^ & Beverly J. Gelfand
Ann§ & Jim Gianopulos
David & Kiki Gindler
Waterman and Glicksteen Families
Sir Elton John & David Furnish
Mannon Kaplan
Kathleen Kennedy & Frank Marshall
Daniel & Marla Klein
Kling Family Foundation / Allen & Jessica Kling
Sandra Krause & William Fitzgerald
Wendy Kurtzman§
Sherry Lansing Foundation
Karen & Walter Loewenstern
Marcia E. Williams & Gene Lucero
Renee & Meyer Luskin
Stewart Mayeda
Cara Gardenswartz & David Melnick
Bradley & Lisa Mindlin
In Memory of Sandra Tenenbaum
Rio & Frank Morse
Tina & Jerry Moss^ / The Moss Foundation
Benedicta & Geoffry Oblath
Olympus Theatricals
Laurie MacDonald & Walter Parkes
Cheryl Petersen & Roger Lustberg
Carolyn A. Poer & John M. Poer
Judith Reichman, M.D.
The Michael Schwab Family
In Honor of Richard Sherman
From Ken & Lori Goldman
Gussie Paster Sitkin
Nancy Heller & Fred Specktor
Gil Schwartz Foundation
Heather Thomas & Skip Brittenham
Karen Zoller, M.D. & David Tillman, M.D.
William & Karen Timberlake
Kathryn & Alan Van Vliet
Marjorie Walsh
Julie & Peter Weil
Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks
Karen & Rick Wolfen
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
$3,000 – $4,999
Anonymous (2)
Cathy & Shel Bachrach
Madelyn Bennett & Eric Gibson
Shelly & Libby Bergen
Susan Bloch-Kay & Stephen Kay
Philip Blumenshine
VJ Boyd
Noora Raj Brown
Jay Butterfield & Susan Ewert
Marissa Caudill & David Merrill
Linda & John Coleman
Don Dorsey
In Honor of Virginia Field
Dennis & Jackie Fox
Karney Guren Family Foundation
Alan & Michelle Heilpern
Stephen Sass & Steven Hochstadt
Victoria Jackson & Bill Guthy
Linda & David Kagel
Jerry Katell
Jane & Rand Marlis
Robin Mitchel & Kathleen Marshall
Michael R. Oppenheim
Carol & Alan Ostroff
John Shustitzky
Mitch & Sherry Stein
Zackery Alexzander Stephens
Eric Strom & Eileen Goodis
Peter Van Haften
Gelena & Seth Weissman
Leslie White & Al Limon
In Loving Memory of Herman Ziegler
CREATOR’S CIRCLE
$1,500 – $2,999
Dr. & Mrs. Bruce Allen
Henry Alpert
Miriam Aguiar
Laura & Harvey Alpert
Jan & David Altemus
Patti Amstutz
Robert E. & Maria H. Barron
G2 Graphic Service, Inc.
Patricia & Mark Benjamin
Paula & Bruce Bennett
Yvette Bergeron & Dean Bailey
Wendy & John Bergquist
Westmount Asset Management
Larry & Julie Blivas
In Honor of Phyllis Blivas
Susan J. Booth & Christopher Wadden
Paula Brand
Dr. Wallace P. Brithinee
Diana Buckhantz and the Vladimir and Araxia Buckhantz Foundation
Mrs. Dorothy Hoffman
Lexy & John Carroll
Stephanie§ & Jonathan Carson
Sylvie & Peter Cartmell
Gil Cates, Jr.†
Steven Cerasale & Mary Katherine Cocharo
Caroline Choi
Cindy Clark
Larry Coben
Ginger Conrad
Tim Curtis & Shandon Youngclaus
J. Jason Daunter
Phil Davis
Pam Dawber & Mark Harmon
Brock Dewey
Jacki & Murray Drechsler
Colleen M. Ellis
Terri & David Elston
David & Joyce Evans
AnonyMoose Foundation
Dr. Kimberly Finney
In Honor of Frank & Betty Fouce
Joan & Charles Fox
Anita Dann Friedman & Harvey Friedman
Priscila Giraldo§
Charlotte Gold
Jill Grigsby & Rett Bull
Penny Grosz & Eugene Korney
The Guerin Foundation
Harris Family Foundation
Barbara Herman
Jean Himmelstein
Dr. John D. Hofbauer & Dr. Laura E. Fox
Rand Hoffman & Charlotte Robinson
Freya & Mark Ivener
Lynn Hunt & Margaret Jacob
Katherine Kleindienst & Marc Goldsmith
Lena & Mark Labowe
Trini Lewis
Judith Locke
Iris Tuesday Productions
Dr. Jennifer Lucero
The Malins Family Foundation
David Israeli & Dr. Marie Mazzone
Norma & Larry Meyers
Cookie Miller
Joan & Phil Miller
Andrew & Laura Mintzer
Ron Myrick
Mark & Diane Neubauer
Conan & Liza O’Brien
Michael Parks & Judith Hayward
Sallie Patrick
Phil & Agnes Peters
Ruth Popkin
Gary & Gail Rachelefsky
Joyce & Harvey Reichard
Carol Risher
Dolores Rogers
The Ross Family
Carol Krause
Jack Grossbart & Marc Schwartz
Rita & Jose Sigal
Ron Silverman & Soraya Ross
Snyder Family Foundation
Jerome & Joan Snyder
John Sonego§ & Thomas Faughnan
Cela Devine Sutton§
Catherine & Leonard Unger
Theodore H. Sweetser & Jane L. Valentine
Daniel & Shauna Valenzuela
Judith Leslie Waxman & Leo Stytle
John & Connie Weston
Alison Whalen & Steve Marenberg
Richard Yaffe
Ellen & Arnold Zetcher
Bobbi & Walter Zifkin
DESIGNER’S CIRCLE
$1,000 – $1,499
Anonymous (2)
Dr. Richard Ackerman & Miriam Shakter
Bonnie & Bill Apfelbaum
Eloise & Mark Appel
Margaret Campbell Arvey
Don Bacigalupi
Rob Bailis
Karen Bell & Robb Cox
Lydia & David Bell
Yvonne Bernard & Henry De Priest & Lookout Entertainment
Artie & Ellie Berrick
John Bjorge & Mary McKelvey
Katherine Brown & Rene Mendoza
Linda & Jerry Bruckheimer
Dr. Fanya Carter, Ph.D.
Jane Cates
Shelby & Lee Chaden
Martha J. Chase
Sachiko T. Cochran M.D. & Joseph T. Araki
Lori§ & Jerry Collins
Stephen & Erin Cook
Honorable Candace Cooper
Jen Crittenden & Bill Wrubel
Hedva & Dr. Dudley Danoff
Susan Dashe
Joanna & Jeff Davis
In Honor of Development
Lauren Shuler Donner
Ed & Barbara Dreyfus
Dr. & Mrs. William M. Duxler
Jeff Eckerle & Marilyn Osborn
Carl & Courtenay Enright
Lynne & Michael Feldman
Susanna Felleman
Kenneth J. Friedman & Marilynn J. Friedman Family Foundation
Diane Futterman
The Glass Family
Linda & Louis Goldsman
Ellie Goodman
Deidre Hall
Scott Hartle
Mary Hartley
Murray & Gail Heltzer
Jackson Henry
Michael & Candie Herman
Richard Rasiej & Joan Herman
Winifred C. Hervey
Kristin Hoover
Jack Hileman & Roxanne Huddleston
Robin & Edgar Hirst
Gary T. Izumi
Brenda Marie Izzi
Carrie Johnson
Linda Kaplan
Sally & Dr. Manny J. Karbelnig
Patricia Keating
Trisha Kelley
Beverlee Bickmore & James Kelly
Corrinne Mann Kempinsky & Louis Kempinsky
King Nutronics Corporation
Wendy Kirshner
Dr. Phyllis H. Klein
Barton H. Kogan
Norman Koplof & Leslie Falick
Charles Kristenson
Mindy Lauerlevin & Ed Levin
Rhonda K. Lawrence
Rena & Craig Leeds
Carl Levinger
Cathleen Fitzpatrick Linder
Steven Llanusa & Glenn Miya, M.D.
Tania Lotia
Eric James Lund
Eric & Eva Plaza Mandel
Michael N. Marks
Jeanne McDonald-Powers & Travis Powers
S. McQueen & D. Whalen
Ali Meghdadi
Anne & Ronald Mellor
Cynthia Melville
Hillary & Lance Milken
Mintz Family Fund
Thomas W. Mitchell
Laurie & Chuck Mondrus
Thaine & Elizabeth Morris
Lon Morse & Toni Hollander Morse
Robert Nelson & Marguerite Renner
Albert & Barbara Nichols
Michael Nicklin
Deborah & Stacey Olliff
Tal Oren & Liana Morgado-Oren
Ornest Family Foundation
Ralph Page
Jacalyn & Paul Pepperman
Clark & Kathryn Porter
Lise Ransdell & Eric Augusztiny
Allison & Bennett Rosenthal
Oren Rosenthal
William Hoover & Jon Rupp
David A. & Karen Richards Sachs
Nancy & Ted Sanborn
Joel & Sonia Schneider
Jane & Bill Schopf
Susan Schwarz & Stuart Berton
John Shaw
Karen & Bill Skinner
Ronald Smith
Lisa & Chris Stonich
Melora Sundt & Rob Kadota
Mr. & Mrs. David Tann
Rose Tarlow
The Tatasciore Family
Anne C. Taubman
John M. Teeples & Nicolas Martinez, Jr.
Franklin David Tell
Barbara & Larry Tenan
Marjorie Thomson
Leon & Stephanie Vahn
Ira & Laurie Waldman
Marcia & Charles Wasserman Ph.D
Judith & Philip Winik
Cherie Wrigley
Lisa Yen & Tom Bajoras
Elena & Drew Zager
PARTNER’S CIRCLE
$500 – $999
Anonymous (3)
Allan Africk
Robert C. Anderson
Audrey & Martin Appel
Bonnie R. Arnold
The Baek Family
In Memory of Patricia Beals
Marjorie Blatt
Pamela & Bill Bohnert
Michael & Susan Bordy
Carol J. Bradshaw
Steven Briggs
Howard Brightman
Marlene Bronson
Janet & Mark Brown
Laura D. Campbell
Anthony Carbone
Sean & Martha Carey Family
Sandra Chan & Richard Pezner
Mike Clements
Devorah Colker
Muriel Dance & Alvin Martin
Zoud Danko
Kristin Diehl
Linda Dozier
Jan & Thea Drayer
Elizabeth A. Evans
Terry Feuerborn
Carol & John Fox
Catherine Froloff
Gordon Gerson
Linda & Tom Givvin
Ellen & Reginald Golla
Howard Gradet
Vera & Paul Guerin
Roberta L. Haft
In Memory of Jane Hall
Hella Hershson
Dr. Shelley Hill
Paul Gordon Hoffman & Sue Caren Hoffman
In Loving Memory of Stan Hollander
Drs. Sharon & Lou Ignarro
Elodie Keene
William & Renee Kendall
Nancy Kenney
Sharon Kerson
Dr. & Mrs. Klausner
Dr. Leonard & Stella S. Kleinrock
Patricia Klous
Delores Komar & Susan Wolford
Sharon & Joel Koppelman
Deborah Lacusta & Daniel Castellaneta
Lynne Lainer
John & Sandra Langfitt
Christo & Jeanne Lavagnino
Tricia Lee & Joerg Huettner
Julie Leeds
Gina Maria Leonetti
Lawrin & Linda Lewin
Renee Lonner
Barbara Marshall
Deborah Marsten
Linda May
Douglas McAvoy, Jr.
Christina Medigovich
Mona D. & Steven J. Miller
Lee & Jeff Milman
John Moschitta, Jr.
Dr. Paula C. Moseley
Elizabeth Luster
Andrea & Patrick Murray
Bonnie Nash
Colleen O’Beirne Brydon
Sabine Oishi
Janie & Allan Orenstein
Carol F. Phillips
Ron Rafay
Rollin Ransom & Chris Lacroix
Jennifer Redner
Elyse Resch
Barry Rosen & Neil Bokal
Dr. Martin & Lorraine Ross
Douglas Ross
Wil Rosser
Peter & Andrea Roth
Lisa Rowley
Arlene & Peter Sacks
Scott Sandler§
Maxine Savitz
Cliff & Linda Schaffer
Mary Lou Schanche
Jo Schiff
Mr. Bernard Schiffer
Nancy & Steven Schneider
Gary & Karen Schneider
Lester Schwartz
John H. Scott
Donna Shapiro & Angel Castillo
Peggy & Robert Shapiro
In Memory of Michael Sherman
Robert M. Shore
Marlene Sklar & Joel Moskowitz
Karen Smits
Jill & Scott Spiwak
Audri & Stan Tendler
David & Cathy Thomas
Johnson Thurston
Rebecca Vail§
Elizabeth Wheat
Herbert Wolas
Arnold & Tricia Zane
IN-KIND SUPPORTERS
Kayla Allen / Pure Barre
Cyrus Batchan / Camphor
Ashton Easter / Playground LA
Fairmont Empress / Stephanie Jones
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
The Friedman Group
The Hammer Museum at UCLA
Tom Kenny
The Lodge at Torrey Pines — Evans Hotels
Gavin D. Pak / East West Players
Pasadena Playhouse
Petrossian Restaurant & Boutique
HOSPITALITY SPONSORS
Thank you to our year-round in-kind hospitality sponsors for their incredible generosity and support of the arts:
Skylight Gardens
STK | The ONE Group
W Los Angeles — West Beverly Hills
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE
As we celebrate our 25th Anniversary, the leadership wishes to acknowledge the historical contributions of these individuals to the Geffen Playhouse who have made the original vision of our founder, Gil Cates, possible:
Anonymous
Annenberg Foundation
Mrs. Carol K. Block & Chancellor Gene D. Block† City National Bank
Kirsten^ & Donald Combs
Maria Israel-Curley & Jim Curley
Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc.
The David Geffen Foundation
Herbert M.^ & Beverly J. Gelfand
Rabbi Uri D. Herscher & Dr. Myrna Herscher
Audrey & Charles Kenis
Lincy Foundation
Fay & Frank^ Mancuso
Tina & Jerry^ Moss / The Moss Foundation
Perenchio Foundation
The Shubert Foundation
The Simms/Mann Family Foundation
Skirball Foundation
University of California, Los Angeles
Wasserman Foundation
Judy & Chancellor Charles^ E. Young
Donors at the $150 level and up are recognized on our website at geffenplayhouse.org/thankyou.
If your name has been misspelled or omitted from the list in error, please contact Tracy Reich, Director of Individual Giving at 310.208.6500 ext. 113.
ARTISTIC
Amy Levinson
Associate Artistic Director
Daniel Ionazzi
Producer
Phyllis Schuringa
Artistic Associate / Casting Director
Bella Luna
Company Manager
Olivia O’Connor
Literary Manager & Dramaturg
Lexy McAvinchey
Artistic Coordinator
Colm Summers
Director in Residence
PRODUCTION
Renee Duron
Director of Production
Jill Barnes
Artistic & Production Administrator
Melissa Hartman
Interim Technical Director
Patty Squibb
Interim Technical Director
Alexandre Norkus
Automation Supervisor
Rick Gilles
Properties Master
Daniel Lynn
Associate Properties Supervisor
Audrey Lastar
Costume Supervisor
Sarah Lindsley
Costume Shop Supervisor
Spencer Doughtie
Lighting & Projection Supervisor
Jesus Cambero-Elias
Assistant Lighting Supervisor
James Grabowski
House Sound Supervisor
Bob Gilmartin
Resident A1
Chloe Shi
Production Assistant
ADMINISTRATION
Behnaz Ataee
Chief Financial Officer
Erick R. López
General Manager
Berenice Campos
Director of Human Resources
Janice Gompers
Payroll Manager & HR Admin
Youra Kim
Senior Accountant
Clay Dzygun
Office Coordinator
Marguerite Harris
Receptionist
Gil Cates, Jr. EXECUTIVE DIRECTORDEVELOPMENT
Sarah Weinberg
Director of Development
Elizabeth Kegley
Director of Institutional Giving
Tracy Reich
Director of Individual Giving
Christine Drew Benjamin
Director of Donor Engagement
Jessica Brusilow Rollins
Grant Writing Consultant
EDUCATION
Brian Allman
Director of Education & Community Engagement
Paloma Nozicka
Education Associate
Sean Michael Boozer, DeJuan Christopher Conner, Lyssa Deehan, BJ Lange, Tara Ricasa, Kenzo Rice, Maddy Wagner 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
Isaak Berliner
Social Media & Communications Manager
Janice Bernal
Box Office Manager
Alyssa Tyson
Box Office Manager
Jacob Feller
Part Time Box Office Manager
Vaneh Assadourian
House Seat Manager
Brianna Barrett, Rachel Jacoby, Sean James, Lauren Machain, Katie Sparks, Sara Turken, Anika Waco, Dennis Woullard Box Office Staff
OPERATIONS
Jeni Pearsons
Director of Operations
Mel Yonzon
Front of House Manager
Amy Farkas
Lead Concierge
Rob Mersola
Event Manager
Sarah Chute, Anya Pryjmak, Emir Yonzon
Part Time House Managers
Cristiana Barbatelli, Savanna Chute, Ki Duncan, Elizabeth Fritsch, Tony Jose Garcia, Alia Mahboob, Shannon Noel, Autumn Oyemade, Adam Simers
Guest Services
Brynn Allen, Lulu Altabbakh, Hannah Battersby, Blaire Battle, Avery Brown, Marlon Campos, Matt Clark, Sofia Constantine, Lauren Curet, Enzo De Cunto, Cecily Dowd, Camille Edwards, Blake Elder, Hector Eribez, Sydney Fleischman, Aja Hinds, Meredith McClure, Austin Merrill, Kenneth Sambula Jr., Elena Scaringe-Peene, Areany Tolentino, Lanae Wilks
Ushers
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
Karim Bouzzit
Cloud System Administrator
Dream Warrior Group System Administrator
FACILITIES
MANAGEMENT
Art Guillen
Facilities Manager
Martin Ayala, Felipe Ayala
Building Maintenance
Mario Santillan-Perez
Custodial
Juan Carlos Umaña, Camerina Martinez
Cleaning Custodial