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gil cates theater at the geffen playhouse

From the artistic Director

We Welcome you to the First play oF the 2014/2015 GeFFen playhouse season with the eagerly anticipated Choir Boy by Tarell McCraney. A play that examines what it means to be an outsider in a world of staunch tradition, Choir Boy observes the power a single voice can have in a cacophony of dissent.

We are pleased to have Tarell and director Trip Cullman who collaborated on this play previously at Manhattan Theatre Club and the Alliance Theatre. Together they bring to life a story of boys becoming men in a community that is aching to change while holding fast to educational and spiritual traditions. With an ensemble of breathtaking actors and designers, the world of Choir Boy tips between tradition that shapes us and convention that stifles us.

These ideas, dramatized so elegantly by Tarell, have inspired an overarching theme in our season — what does it mean to raise one’s voice? In each of the plays we have selected is a resonant idea of how one person has the capacity to create change, sometimes incrementally, sometimes globally.

As artists, we seek to do work that ignites conversation. If we choose wisely, the work should entertain, delight and continue to spark debate long after the curtain call. We have always encouraged an ongoing conversation and this season more than ever. Whether you prefer a post-play discussion on a Tuesday night, during the trip home, or to be heard through social media, we hope you will join us this season as we raise our voices.

Enjoy the show.

Randall Arney Artistic Director

PErFOrMANCEs MAGAZINE P1

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welcome to the geffen playhouse

letter from the co-chairs BoarD of Directors

P2 PErFOrMANCEs MAGAZINE

MARthA hendeRsonCo-CHAIRPAMelA Robinson hollAndeRCo-CHAIR

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PETEr rosEnLegAL CounseL, LAtHAm & wAtkIns LLP

martha henDerson

pamela robinson hollanDer

Welcome to our First proDuction oF the 2014/2015 season, Choir Boy, directed by the brilliant Trip Cullman. We are delighted to begin 2014/2015 in our gil Cates Theater with the West Coast premiere of this exhilarating play, written by the award-winning playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney. Thank you for joining us as we welcome these extraordinary artists to our theater.

This season, we look forward to learning more about you, our beloved patrons, loyal subscribers and extraordinary donors. how many years have you been coming to see performances at the geffen Playhouse? What inspired you to initially get involved in the theater? What aspect of our work are you most passionate about? Tell us your story by contacting our development department at 310.208.6500 or [email protected].

For those of you who are new to the geffen Playhouse this season, welcome to the family. We think you are in for a stellar season of plays, as well as special events. Additionally, our education and outreach programs are designed to use theater arts to ignite positive change in the most in-need communities and schools in Los Angeles. To learn more about these programs and our impact on the children, youth, adults, schools and communities we serve, please contact Chief development officer regina Miller at 310.208.6500 ext. 112.

Thank you for joining us for today’s performance. We are delighted to experience the 2014/2015 season with you and your family, friends and communities.

now we invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy Choir Boy.

Martha henderson Pamela Robinson hollander Co-Chair, geffen Playhouse Co-Chair, geffen Playhouse

like us on facebook follow us on twitter

geffenplayhouse.com | 310.208.5454follow us on instagram

“Funny and thought-provoking!”— Los Angeles Times

Written by scott carter Directed by matt august

Featuring Larry cedar, david meLviLLe & armin shimerman

october 7 – november 16

A Founding Father, a Victorian novelist and a Russian revolutionary walk into a … stop me if you’ve heard this one. Thomas Jefferson (yes that one), Charles Dickens (the very same) and Count Leo Tolstoy (who else?) are brought together in a blistering battle of wits for the ages. From Scott Carter (Executive Producer of Real Time with Bill Maher), this whip-smart comedy

examines what happens when great men of history are forced to repeat it.

audrey skirball kenis theater at the geffen playhouse

Five Fallacies about the macarthur “Genius Grants”

you have to Be a genius to win itThe John d. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation does not use the name “genius grant.” The news media coined that nickname with the inaugural class of Fellows in 1981 and it stuck.

the selection process is shrouDeD in secrecyInformation on the selection process can be readily located on the foundation’s website: macfound.org.

the winners are usually acaDemics anD artistsFellows come from every field of human endeavor from theoretical physics to urban farming.

creativity “just happens”one of the biggest misunderstandings is that creativity is a flash of brilliance that does not require support — that people are either creative or they are not. In fact, virtually all Fellows have invested years honing their expertise, and many have overcome obstacles to projects that have later defined new frontiers.

it’s all Downhill after winning the fellowshipThe MacArthur Foundation notes: “We do not track the hundreds of books published, patents granted and awards received by our Fellows. It is not even clear that these are the right metrics to capture the program’s success or theirs. The Fellowship is speculative, based on the potential for creativity, and creativity involves taking risks. If every Fellow hit only home runs, we would worry that they were not taking enough risks or that we’d chosen the wrong people. Also, the success of the program cannot be measured solely by individual outcomes.”


Genius in the artschoir boy marks the seconD West coast premiere oF a macarthur FelloW’s Work at the GeFFen playhouse

The following excerpts, (used with permission from the John d. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation) provide more information on the MacArthur Fellows Program, also known as the “genius grant.” 2013 recipient Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy is the second West Coast premiere of a MacArthur Fellow after the 2010 production of Lynn nottage’s Ruined.

The MacArthur Fellows Program awards unrestricted fellowships to talented individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction. There are three criteria for selection of Fellows: exceptional creativity, promise for important future advances based on a track record of significant accomplishment, and potential for the fellowship to facilitate subsequent creative work.

The MacArthur Fellows Program is intended to encourage people of outstanding talent to pursue their own creative, intellectual, and professional inclinations. In keeping with this purpose, the foundation awards fellowships directly to individuals rather than through institutions. recipients may be writers, scientists, artists, social scientists, humanists, teachers, entrepreneurs, or those in other fields, with or without institutional affiliations. They may use their fellowship to advance their expertise, engage in bold new work, or, if they wish, to change fields or alter the direction of their careers.

Although nominees are reviewed for their achievements, the fellowship is not a reward for past accomplishment, but rather an investment in a person’s originality, insight, and potential. Indeed, the purpose of the MacArthur Fellows Program is to enable recipients to exercise their own creative instincts for the benefit of human society.

The foundation does not require or expect specific products or reports from MacArthur Fellows, and does not evaluate recipients’ creativity during the term of the fellowship. The MacArthur Fellowship is a “no strings attached” cash award in support of people, not projects. visit macfound.org/fellows for

more information on the program.


tarell alvin mccraney 2013 macarthur FelloWTarell Alvin McCraney is a playwright exploring the rich diversity of the African American experience in works that imbue the lives of ordinary people with epic significance. Complementing his poetic, intimate language with a musical sensibility and rhythmic, often ritualistic movement, McCraney transforms intentionally minimalist stages into worlds marked by metaphor and imagery. his most well-known works, a triptych collectively titled the Brother/sister Plays (2009), weave West African yoruban cosmology into modern-day stories of familial self-sacrifice, unrequited love, and coming of age. The audience becomes an essential part of the story as the characters speak their stage directions and inner feelings directly to the viewers. In Head of Passes (2013) and Choir Boy (2012), McCraney draws on themes that run throughout the Book of Job and traditional spirituals, respectively, to explore the role of faith and tradition in two very different close-knit worlds. Head of Passes, set in the isolated marshlands of the Mississippi river delta, dramatizes a matriarch’s struggle to maintain her faith as her world literally falls apart around her. In Choir Boy, students at an elite boarding school remain united in their dedication to performing traditional spirituals even as they navigate the fraught nature of adolescent self-expression.

— MacArthur Foundation

lynn nottaGe 2007 macarthur FelloWLynn nottage is an original voice in American theater, a playwright whose entertaining and thought-provoking works address contemporary issues with empathy and humor. her ambitious expressive early works … reveal nottage’s rich poetic imagination as she portrays periods of American history from unexpected vantage points and crafts complex character of a kind that have garnered little notice among other writers and historians. her more recent works … are considered to be her most accomplished thus far and represent major artistic achievements.

— MacArthur FoundationPhot

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o p e n i n G n i G h t s p o n s o r s

opening night: Friday, september 26, 2014

the geffen playhouse proDuction oF

Written by tarell Alvin McCraney

directed by trip Cullman

Production stage Manager Jill Gold

Assistant stage Manager Kyra hansen

Musical director & vocal Arranger Jason Michael Webb

original Casting for MTC bynancy Piccione, CsA

& Kelly Gillespie

Casting director Phyllis schuringa, CsA

Costume designere.b. brooks

scenic designerdavid Zinn

Lighting designerPeter Kaczorowski

sound designerFitz Patton

Choir Boy received a world premiere co-production by the English stage Company and Manhattan Theatre Club

(Artistic director Lynne Meadow, Executive Producer Barry grove) at royal Court Theatre in the Jerwood Theatre upstairs on september 4, 2012.

Choir Boy was originally commissioned by Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Artistic director, Barry grove, Artistic director, daniel sullivan, Acting Artistic director,

2007/2008 season with support from Time Warner Inc.

The geffen Playhouse gratefully acknowledges the following media sponsors for their generous support of Choir Boy.


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The geffen Playhouse is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

This project was also funded in part by the department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.

The geffen Playhouse, a non-profit theater company, is proudly affiliated with the university of California at Los Angeles.

CAst oF ChARACteRs(In order of appearance)

headmaster Marrow ............................................................................................ Michael A. shepperd

Pharus Jonathan young ...................................................................................................... Jeremy Pope

Bobby Marrow ............................................................................................................... donovan Mitchell

Junior davis ...................................................................................................................... nicholas l. Ashe

Anthony Justin ‘AJ’ James .................................................................................... Grantham Coleman

david heard ...................................................................................................................... Caleb eberhardt

Mr. Pendleton ........................................................................................................ leonard Kelly-Young

undeRstudies(In alphabetical order)

headmaster Marrow .......................................................................................................... Reggie burrell

Pharus Jonathan young/Junior davis ........................................................................ Jaime Cepero

david heard/Bobby Marrow/Anthony Justin ‘AJ’ James ...................................... Austin scott

Mr. Pendleton ............................................................................................................................ david Willis

RunninG tiMe Approximately 95 minutes

there will be no intermission.

niCholAs l. Ashe(Junior davis)nicholas is honored to be reprising the role of Junior as he makes his geffen Playhouse debut. nicholas originated the role in the critically acclaimed production at the Manhattan Theatre Club and joined the cast for a production at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. his professional credits include: national Tour of the Lion king (young simba). Television: songbyrd (E! Pilot), the Divide (AMC Pilot), Are we there Yet? (TBs). he has also appeared in numerous commercials and voiceovers. nicholas would like to thank his teams at Innovative Artists and MKs&d. he sends his love to his family and friends back in new york!

GRAnthAM ColeMAn(Anthony Justin ‘AJ’ James)Theater: off-Broadway: rattlestick Playwrights Theater’s one night (dir: Clinton Turner davis); Manhattan Theatre Club’s Choir Boy (dir: Trip Cullman); soho rep Theatre’s we Are Proud to

Present... (dir: Eric Ting); new york shakespeare Festival’s As You Like It (dir: daniel sullivan). regional: Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Romeo and Juliet (dir: Tony speciale). Television: the Americans (FX). Training: Juilliard school of drama.

CAleb ebeRhARdt(david heard)This is Caleb’s geffen Playhouse debut. A proud graduate of the suny Purchase B.F.A. Acting Conservatory, Caleb was last seen onstage in the Alliance Theatre’s production of Choir Boy. he has since made his television debut on CBs’s unforgettable, and released a third album with his band Quincy vidal. he is incredibly humbled to once again be a part of this amazing production. he sends love and thanks to his mother and family (JME, Wr), his agents at Carson/Kolker org., and of course his artist family in nyC. Purchase mafia!! Love and good dreams. Previous credits: guy in Blues for an Alabama sky, Chaplain in mother Courage and Her Children (adapted by ntozake shange) (Purchase rep.); Laertes in Hamlet (Theatre of War).

leonARd KellY-YounG(Mr. Pendleton)Last geffen Playhouse appearance in Alan Alda’s Radiance. Theater: new york off-Broadway at ELT, new york Theater Co., riverwest, soho repertory, Titus in darko Tresjnak’s titus Andronicus at the old globe, The Mark Taper Forum, Laguna Playhouse, La Mirada Theater, Ensemble Theater, rubicon, Missouri repertory, goodman Theatre (Jefferson nomination), Cincinnati Playhouse, studio Arena Buffalo, geva Theatre, huntington Theater, Worcester Company and many shakespeare festivals across the country. Leonard received the santa Barbara Independent Theatre Award for Performance twice, once as dodge in Buried Child and as doc Lyman in Bus stop. In Los Angeles: Detective story (ovation nomination) at the Marilyn Monroe Theatre. Films include david Fincher’s gone girl premiering this fall, and many award winning indie film releases, including an adaptation of ray Bradbury’s kaleidoscope featured at Comic-Con Independent Film Festival in July. Television: CsI, the shield, scandal, Justified, Boston Legal, the Defenders, Carnival, House of Lies, ellen, married with Children, star trek enterprise and many others.

donovAn MitChell(Bobby Marrow)donovan is grateful to be making his geffen Playhouse debut with this production of Choir Boy. As a graduate of Carnegie Mellon school of drama, his recent theater credits include: duke of Burgundy in king Lear, Arviragus in Cymbeline (oregon shakespeare Festival) and Cobb in A soldier’s story (Ebony repertory Theatre). originally from virginia Beach, vA, he would like to thank god, his family, and friends for their patience, laughs, and loving support.

JeReMY PoPe(Pharus Jonathan young)Jeremy Pope is a 2014 drama League Award nominee for his new york debut as Pharus in Choir Boy where the new York times heralded his work as “moving and magnetic.” he is the founder of Pope Collection Photography. Proud graduate of the The American Musical and dramatic Academy. he thanks his family for all of their love and support and is grateful to be sharing this story again. www.jeremy-pope.com


proDuction Biographies


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MiChAel A. shePPeRd(headmaster Marrow)Michael A. shepperd is currently the Co-Artistic director of LA’s multiple award winning Celebration Theatre. CT producing, directing, and acting credits include the Color Purple, the women of Brewster Place, take me out, Coffee will make You Black, [title of show] and numerous others in his eight years with CT. Broadway/off-Broadway/national Tour credits include Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan (starkey), Little shop of Horrors (Audrey Two), Caroline, or Change (Bus/dryer), 5 guys named moe (Big Moe). Tv: wizards of waverly Place, Hot In Cleveland, up All night, monk, Criminal minds, Arrested Development, etc. Thank you hutch for always being there and thanks to my children Maxwell Pearl and sebastian Isaac for inspiring me daily. Proud member of Actor’s Equity and frequent drinker of vodka.

tARell Alvin McCRAneY (Playwright) Plays include: The Brother/sister Plays: the Brothers size, In the Red and Brown water and marcus; or the secret of sweet. other plays include Head of Passes, Choir Boy and wig out! Tarell Alvin McCraney is a 2013 recipient of the prestigious MacArthur “genius” grant as well as the Whiting Award, steinberg Playwright Award, London’s Evening standard Award for

Most Promising Playwright, the inaugural new York times outstanding Playwright Award, the inaugural Paula vogel Playwriting Award, the inaugural Windham Campbell Award and most recently a doris duke Artist Award 2014. he served as playwright in residence at the royal shakespeare Company and is a graduate from the new World school of the Arts high school, the Theatre school at dePaul university, and the yale school of drama. he is an ensemble member of the steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, a resident playwright at new dramatists and a member of Teo Castellanos/d-Projects in Miami.

tRiP CullMAn (director)select nyC: Jon robin Baitz’s the substance of Fire (second stage), Tarrell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy (MTC), Julia Jordan and Juliana nash’s murder Ballad (MTC and union square Theater), Paul Weitz’s Lonely, I’m not (second stage), Leslye headland’s Assistance (Playwrights horizons), Adam Bock’s A small Fire (Playwrights horizons, drama desk nomination), Adam rapp’s the Hallway trilogy: nursing (rattlestick), headland’s Bachelorette (second stage), Terrence Mcnally’s some men (second stage), Bert v. royal’s Dog sees god (Century Center), Bock’s the Drunken City (Playwrights horizons), Weitz’s Roulette (EsT), Jonathan Tolins’s the Last sunday In June (rattlestick and Century Center), Bock’s swimming in the shallows (second stage), gina gionfriddo’s us Drag (stageFArM), and several productions with The Play Company. London:

Bock’s the Colby sisters of Pittsburgh, PA (Tricycle). select regional: McCraney’s Choir Boy (Alliance), John guare’s six Degrees of separation (old globe), richard greenberg’s the Injured Party (south Coast rep), Mcnally’s unusual Acts of Devotion (La Jolla Playhouse), Christopher durang’s Betty’s summer Vacation (Bay street), Bess Wohl’s touched (Williamstown Theater Festival). upcoming: simon stephens’s Punk Rock (MCC), halley Feiffer’s I’m gonna Pray for You so Hard (Atlantic).

dAvid Zinn (scenic designer) recent Broadway: sets and costumes for the Last ship (opening october 2014); set design for Violet, the Realistic Jonses, costumes for Rocky, other Desert Cities, the other Place, Picnic, good People, Bengal tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, In the next Room (Tony & drama desk nominations), Xanadu, off-Broadway: sets and costumes for Fun Home, the Flick, Circle mirror transformation, the Big meal, Dogfight, the select (the sun Also Rises), Chair, orpheus X; scenery for the Pride, the sound and the Fury, notes from underground. Also, guthrie Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley rep, Mark Taper Forum, yale rep, McCarter Theater, santa Fe opera, Lyric opera Chicago, Los Angeles opera, Washington national opera, new york City opera.

e.b. bRooKs (Costume designer) geffen Playhouse: wait until Dark, good People, Build, and the exorcist (Associate Costume designer to scott Pask). Black dahlia Theater: Hey morgan!, Forgiveness,

Finally, secrets of the trade and the Last Days of Judas Iscariot directed by Matt shakman. Artists repertory Theater, Portland: ten Chimneys written by Jeffery hatcher, directed by damaso rodriguez. Center for new Performance/ redCat: Brewsie and willie directed by Travis Preston (2010 LA weekly Award for Best Production design), what to wear directed by richard Foreman. A noise Within: Blithe spirit (2010 Ticketholder Award Best Costume design). Los Angeles shakespeare Festival: midsummer night’s Dream. East West Players: the Language Archive directed by Jessica Kubzansky. Theater@Boston Court: Cassiopeia, Courting Vampires, 1001, and 365 Plays. her costumes have been on exhibit at the hammer Museum and Machine Project alongside the film Fly Amanita directed by david Fenster and at steve Turner Contemporary alongside the film the murder of Hi good directed by Lee Lynch. other film and video projects include: D.I.C.e. Awards 2013 official Introduction Video, three nights in the Desert, sawdust City, and Higher Power. she received her MFA from California Institute of the Arts and has taught at Willamette university, usC, uCLA, and CalTech.

PeteR KACZoRoWsKi (Lighting designer)Previously at the geffen Playhouse: the Country House, the gift, Ruined, time stands still. Broadway: more than 50 plays and musicals including the Country House, Beautiful: the Carole king musical, no man’s Land/waiting for godot in rep, Breakfast at tiffany’s, the


Assembled Parties, nice work if You Can get It, wit, the Road to mecca, Venus in Fur, Anything goes, A View from the Bridge, waiting for godot, grey gardens, Contact, the Producers, kiss me kate, steel Pier. Mr. Kaczorowski also has extensive off-Broadway and ny resident theatre credits with companies such as Lincoln Center, MTC, roundabout, ny shakespeare Festival, Playwright’s horizons, 2nd/stage, Classic stage, signature, The vineyard, and Encores as well as many credits with most leading regional theatres in the u.s. opera credits include productions at: The Met, nyCo, san Francisco, houston grand, santa Fe, st. Louis, LAMCo and seattle opera. Abroad: royal opera, scottish opera, opera/north, Maggio Florence, L’Arena di verona, La Fenice, Bonn, Lisbon. recipient of Tony, drama desk, outer Critics, dramalogue and hewes design awards.

FitZ PAtton (sound design)Fitz Patton has designed and scored more than 260 productions in 20 cities across the u.s, and was the designer for I’ll eat You Last: A Chat with sue mengers featuring Bette Midler at The Booth. In 2010 he was awarded both the Lucille Lortel and drama desk Awards for his design for when the Rain stops Falling at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E. newhouse Theater, and was nominated again in 2011 for his work on the other Place at MCC, which completed its Broadway run this winter at the Friedman. his symphony, the Holy Land, a 45-minute work for baritone, tenor, mezzo-soprano, and orchestra, was completed in January of

this year, and he is the founder of Chance magazine, a new theater design magazine that debuted in May.

JAson MiChAel Webb (Musical director/ vocal Arranger)dove Award winner, two-time stellar Award nominee; Arranger: “Battle hymn of the republic” (2013 Inauguration of President Barack obama), Violet (Broadway); Broadway (Associate Musical director): motown: the musical (cast album grammy nomination), Violet, Leap of Faith, memphis; off-Broadway (Musical director) Pasek & Paul’s Dogfight (2econd stage), Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy (MTC); Musical director: 6x grammy Award winner Brooklyn Tabernacle, Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart, Tony Award nominee Joshua henry; Pianist: Mariah Carey (oh santa!/All I want for Christmas [Island records]), Chaka Khan, Fantasia (2007 Tony Awards), Michael Bolton, Queens symphony; orchestrator: Jacksonville symphony, nashville string Machine, Carnegie hall; Composer/Lyricist: music recorded by Israel houghton, Martha Wash, Jonathan Butler, Mario Cantone, reeve Carney; Producer: Brooklyn Tabernacle (four albums), Tshidi Manye (disney’s the Lion king on Broadway); Ephesians 3:17-19; www.jasonmichaelwebb.com.

Jill Gold (Production stage Manager) Jill gold has been the stage manager for over 150 Equity productions including numerous shows for the geffen Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, reprise Theatre Company, McCoy rigby

Entertainment, LATC, and the Mark Taper Forum. Jill toured the us with Les misérables, the unsinkable molly Brown, City of Angels, wicked and not the messiah, as well as germany and Austria with sisterella. she is grateful for her own family choir of singers: Phil, hailey, Colleen and Kringle. KYRA hAnsen(Assistant stage Manager)Past geffen Playhouse credits include slowgirl, I’ll eat You Last: A Chat with sue mengers, Play Dead, good People, the Jacksonian, Radiance, extraordinary Chambers, Love, Loss, and what I wore and Coney Island Christmas. other Los Angeles credits include Love noel at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Cenerentola, Dulce Rosa and A streetcar named Desire at Los Angeles opera, tchaikovsky secondary and zappa’s 200 motels at Los Angeles Philharmonic. other credits include Beneath the Veil at Lincoln Center for Performing Arts and tosca, Arabella, Don giovanni, Don Pasquale, La grande Duchesse, La Donna del Lago, La traviata, elixir of Love, the magic Flute, oscar, Falstaff and La Boheme at The santa Fe opera. Kyra has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre design and technology from the university of south dakota.

PhYllis sChuRinGA, CsA (Casting director) Phyllis has been the Casting director at the geffen for 12 years and now is also an Artistic Associate. recent plays are Reasons to Be Pretty, the Country House, Death of the Author, wait until Dark, American Buffalo, Yes, Prime minister, the gift, Coney Island Christmas,

Build and the Los Angeles production of By the way, meet Vera stark. Before joining the team at the geffen, she was the Casting director for steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago where her favorites include Frank galati’s adaptation of the grapes of wrath (also La Jolla Playhouse, national Theatre in London, and Broadway, where it received the Tony Award for Best Play), the original production of steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile (and subsequent productions including Westwood Playhouse and Briar street Theater in Chicago), Austin Pendleton’s orson’s shadow and Charles L. Mee’s time to Burn. Broadway transfers include one Flew over the Cuckoo’s nest (Tony for Best revival) and the song of Jacob Zulu. she teaches auditioning at steppenwolf West and is a member of the Casting society of America.

RAndAll ARneY (Artistic director) randall Arney has been a theater professional for over 30 years and has served as Artistic director of the geffen Playhouse since 1999. In addition to his artistic programming and oversight at the geffen, Arney has helmed more than 10 productions for the theater, most recently Reasons to Be Pretty, slowgirl, American Buffalo, superior Donuts, the Female of the species, the seafarer, speed-the-Plow and All my sons. Arney is an ensemble



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member and former Artistic director of Chicago’s steppenwolf Theatre where his directing credits include: slowgirl, the seafarer, the Beauty Queen of Leenane, Death and the maiden, Curse of the starving Class, killers and the geography of Luck, among others. Arney also directed steppenwolf’s world premiere of steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile, as well as the subsequent national and international acclaimed productions. Mr. Arney’s acting credits with steppenwolf include Born Yesterday, ghost in the machine, the Homecoming, Frank’s wild Years, You Can’t take it with You, Fool for Love, true west, Balm in gilead and Coyote ugly. As the Artistic director for steppenwolf from 1987 to 1995, he oversaw the creation of a new state-of-the-art theater which is steppenwolf’s current home. Broadway transfers under his leadership include the Rise and Fall of Little Voice, the song of Jacob Zulu (six Tony Award nominations) and the grapes of wrath (1990 Tony Award, Best Play). Mr. Arney has an MFA degree in Acting from Illinois state university and has taught master classes and workshops at uCLA, steppenwolf, around the u.s. and in Tokyo.

Ken noviCe (Managing director)Ken novice’s career in the professional theater spans over 30 years and 300 productions. Prior to

joining geffen Playhouse, he served as Managing director and director of External Affairs at Pasadena Playhouse where his credits include the revival of Fences starring Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett and the world premieres of sister Act the musical, Ray Charles Live, stormy weather starring Lesley uggams and many others. he was director of Marketing and Public relations for san diego’s Tony Award-winning old globe Theatre where his credits include Jack o’Brien’s acclaimed revival of Damn Yankees, the Tony Award-nominated musical the Full monty, Henry IV starring John goodman and sheldon Epp’s Tony-nominated hit Play on! among many others. his credits also include marketing and public relations for the Tony Award-winning denver Center Theater Company and new york’s Circle repertory Company. As director of Programming for youthstream Media networks he developed national marketing and public relations programs for most of hollywood’s major motion picture studios. novice also served as head of the Theatre Management MFA/MBA program at California state university, Long Beach and has been a guest lecturer at san diego state university and the university of California, san diego. he holds a BA from Pennsylvania state university and an MBA from san diego state university. novice was recently named the secretary of the League of resident Theatres (LorT) after previously serving as a member of LorT’s Executive Committee.

behnAZ AtAee (general Manager)Behnaz Ataee is a financial professional with more than 27 years of experience in for-profit and nonprofit financial management and auditing. Behnaz joined the geffen Playhouse in 1999 and this marks her ninth season as the theater’s general Manager. she began her career in the Bay Area as a partner in a small family start-up before joining FBs Management where she acted as director of Accounting, overseeing the finances of more than 25 non-profit organizations. Behnaz continued her work with non-profits as an auditor for Trump and van sloten CPA and then returned to the for-profit sector at ultratech, before ultimately landing at the geffen Playhouse. Behnaz has a Master’s degree from Pepperdine university.

ReGinA MilleR (Chief development officer)regina has been a development professional for over 18 years, working with non-profit institutions, foundations and corporations on strategy,

analysis and fundraising. she has worked for simon Wiesenthal Center, William J. Jefferson Clinton Foundation, Ben Affleck’s Eastern Congo Initiative, hank Azaria’s determined to succeed, national Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Kind Campaign, Jewish Museum of Prague, among others. Prior to the geffen, regina served as the director of Partnerships for Big Brothers Big sisters of greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire where she led strategic planning and development while executing policies that advanced the organization’s visibility and growth. regina also has a strong passion for teaching. After graduating from university of north Carolina school of the Arts, she taught in preschools and kindergartens in new york. From the age of 13, regina worked as a professional dancer on Broadway as well as with a number of prominent modern dance ensembles. Fusing two of her interests, she created a highly successful program which incorporated dance therapy and creative movement into an early childhood curriculum as well as wrote and produced a television show based on this concept. In addition to being a published author and photographer with Tallfellow Press and Prometheus Books, regina has taught and lectured at numerous schools in new york, Los Angeles and abroad.


proDuction staff for ChoIr Boy

Assistant to the director Kristen osbornAssistant scenic designer John ZuikerAssistant Costume designer lynne MartensAssociate Lighting designer nick FlinnAssistant sound designer Palmer hefferanLight Board operator daniel FarrarWardrobe supervisor lauren oppeltAutomation operator Kirsten Monsonstage Crew Joel FullertonProduction Assistant Amy Ramsdell

acKnowleDgements

set provided by scenic highlightsLighting Equipment provided by entertainment lighting servicessound Equipment provided by Jon sound inc. Production Photographer Michael lamontMedia Filming Four leaf Media

special thanKs

uClA school of theater, Film and television scene, Prop, sound and Costume shops; london Cleaners; Keurig

ucla school of theater, film anD television

The geffen Playhouse is affiliated with the university of California at Los Angeles, specifically the uCLA school of Theater, Film and Television. The geffen Playhouse values its role as an important educational resource by providing students with master classes, workshops and internships. students are also able to work and learn from distinguished visiting geffen artists such as Alan Ayckbourn, Jon robin Baitz, Annette Bening, Ed harris, david Ives, neil LaBute, david Mamet, donald Margulies, Terrence Mcnally, John rando and Kathleen Turner in areas of directing, playwriting, acting, design, dramaturgy, management and production. The geffen Playhouse also draws upon the distinguished experts in the university to enhance the theater’s programs and research.

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.

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.

acKnowleDgements geffen at a glanceaDDress

geffen Playhouse10886 Le Conte Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024

administrative offices ......... 310.208.6500 Weekdays ........................ 10:00 am — 6:00 pm

box office Phone line .......... 310.208.5454 daily .....................................7:00 am — 6:00 pm

subscriber Hotline ................. 310.208.2028 Weekdays ........................ 10:00 am — 6:00 pm Weekends ....................... 12:00 pm — 6:00 pm

Please visit geffenplayhouse.com for hours, parking and more information

ticKet services

box office WindowWhen shows are not in performance, the box office window is open: Weekdays ........................ 10:00 am — 6:00 pm Weekends ....................... 12:00 pm — 6:00 pm during the run of a show, the window will be open until curtain. Please note: the box office is unable to process exchanges and future sales one hour prior to curtain time on any performance day.

access

Accessible AccommodationThe geffen Playhouse is fully committed to ensuring a satisfying theater experience for our patrons with special needs or disabilities. Please contact the box office or an usher to discuss your needs.

at the theater

late seatingshould you arrive late to the theater or vacate your seat during the performance, please expect to be held in the lobby until an appropriate pause in the action on-stage. To minimize disturbance to other patrons, you may be sat into the first available location by the house staff even if different from your assigned seat. Be advised that some productions or circumstances may not allow for late or return seating.


asl

Be a part of the scene at the geffen anD attenD our opening night celeBrationscall the Development Department at 310.208.6500 ext. 128

opening night of Reasons to Be Pretty

sponsored by Audi of America, Inc., Los Angeles magazine,

Luna, Malibu Family Wines and napa valley grille

1. The cast of Reasons to Be Pretty with Managing director Ken novice, director randall Arney and Board Co-Chair Martha henderson

2. director randall Arney with his sisters

3. director randall Arney with robin dearden and Bryan Cranston

4. donor Chancellor Albert Carnesale with Jeralyn doty and Board member dennis doty

5. donor Monty hall and Board member herb gelfand

6. Advisory Board members Jason and yvonne Lee

7. Reasons to Be Pretty cast member Alicia Witt with geffen Board member Cynthia stafford

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outreach

not your typical outreach anD eDucation

take a look beneath the surFace oF the GeFFen playhouse’s extraorDinary eDucationanD outreach proGrams


outreach

see specific examples of these efforts in the annual eDucation anD outreach report at geffenplayhouse.com/eDucation

outreach is not simple “exposure” to live theater or teachinG aDults hoW to be actors or playWriGhtsoutreach IS dedicated to the belief that people of all ages are entitled to experience the arts, engage their imaginative powers and learn through the arts. Thousands in our community are isolated from art experiences not only because they may not be able to afford them but also because they are not aware of how to access them. In some instances, many do not know arts experiences are even available.

PRiMARY AudienCes seRvedveterans, socially isolated and economically disadvantaged seniors, young adults transitioning out of foster care, adults transitioning out of homelessness and those suffering from serious health or physical impairment.

eDucation is not a one-time “FielD trip” to see a playEducation IS an immersive, interactive, life-changing, student-centered program built around a whole season of geffen Playhouse productions and artists – developed and delivered in collaboration with educators, master teaching artists and arts integration experts.

PRiMARY AudienCes seRvedhigh school youth from the most artistically underserved and under-resourced communities of Los Angeles County, youth living in foster care and some of Los Angeles County’s most economically disadvantaged young men and women.Ph

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like us on facebook follow us on twitter

geffenplayhouse.com | 310.208.5454follow us on instagram

onE-nighT-onLy BEnEFiT ConCERT monday, oct 6 | 8:00 pm

gil cates theater at the geffen playhouse

The Actors Fund and the geffen Playhouse continue their partnership with a special one-night benefit concert featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell. The evening features the Tony Award winner’s unique Broadway

baritone style, exciting new arrangements and a performance that uses movement, evocative lighting and ambient sound effects for an imaginative evening of song. Stokes will be accompanied by his remarkable

pianist of six years, Tedd Firth, offering hits from his recent and aptly titled album, “Simply Broadway.” Selections from Camelot, Porgy and Bess, Company, Sunday in the Park with george, Les Misérables and others will round-out the performance. net proceeds from this partnership will equally benefit The Actors

Fund and the geffen Playhouse’s education and outreach programs.

tickets start at $50 | sponsorships/vip packages start at $1,000

BRIanstoKesMItChell:simply broadway


share your voice

hong nguyen

#reasonstoBepretty

intense, volatile slice of real life relationships. Very engaging acting and

brilliant writing. love it! can’t wait to see alicia witt perform next weekend.

@BrecKenlaura

#reasonstoBepretty

mother/daughter date night to see the wonderful @aliciawitty in

#reasonstobePretty @geffenPlayhouse has begun! so excited!

miKe napoli

#Dixiestupperwareparty

Dixie longate is a truly gifted comedian. can’t remember the last time we

laughed so much!

@actBlacKwooD

#reasonstoBepretty

reasons to be Pretty @geffenPlayhouse last night was stupendous. my favorite

mix of moving and fascinating. great neil labute work.

gerry furth-siDes

“Dixie’s” talent filled the entire room — and i’m not talking about her bustling … and so did the love. loved every single

minute of it!

@sportingnerD

#reasonstoBepretty

wonderful night of theater @geffenplayhouse with @Drsportsnerd.

neil labute’s new play was funny and uncharacteristically sentimental!

@sheilafame

#reasonstoBepretty

@jsquat


@stacyamma

#reasonstoBepretty


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stephanie carson• geffen Playhouse subscriber and donor since 1998

• Volunteer Leader, geffen Playhouse Advisory Board for over six years

Who first introduced you to the arts?It was “ga,” my grandmother who first took me to see a play when I was seven. I grew up in Philadelphia and she would take me to see theater all the time there and in new york. I fell in love with theater from day one because of her, because she shared her passion for it with me.

I met my husband while attending the university of Michigan and his family also introduced him to the arts at a young age. his dad was a master pianist and Motown studio musician. he grew up in Chicago with his family taking him to the theater, opera and symphony. We have been together since I was 19 and we have shared a passion for the arts and particularly for theater ever since.

We moved to Los Angeles soon after college and subscribed to the geffen soon after. It remains a huge part of our lives — even as we raise three young children and introduce them to theater. I will never forget being in the geffen’s mezzanine with my ga, seeing six Dance Lessons in six weeks, because it was an extraordinary play, and because it was the last play my grandmother saw with me before she passed.

What has surprised you the most about being part of a nonprofit arts organization?The breadth, depth and impact of the education and outreach programs are extraordinary. Thanks to gil Cates’ vision and to all of the donors who support this theater, the geffen reaches out and brings in thousands of children and seniors and others from all over Los Angeles who have never before experienced theater. The enrichment and connection it brings to so many peoples’ lives — and how each one of us can help make this vision a reality — is stunning.

You’ve inspired countless people (and young people) to experience and support theater arts. Why do you think the arts are so critical to our lives?Theater entertains, it makes us think; at times it can make us uncomfortable while other times it can bring us great joy. Theater expands our world for us. It makes me sad that so many children and youth are growing up without the arts in their lives. so much has been cut from our schools. I am passionate about getting the geffen’s programming to as many children as possible who do not have the arts in their schools or do not have someone like my ga in their lives, who introduces them to theater, and changes their lives forever.

Donor spotlight


see more anD Donate at geffenplayhouse.com/Donate

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The geffen Playhouse recognizes the following individuals and organizations for their generous support of our Annual Fund and Backstage at the geffen. donors are listed at the Associate level and higher for gifts made between June 1, 2013 and August 10, 2014.

In appreciation, donors enjoy a host of special benefits including house seats, complimentary drinks, receptions and much more. For more information, please call Jamie Mikelich at 310.208.6500 ext. 128.

chairman’s circle $50,000+

AnonymousAudi of America, IncBen/Joyce Eisenberg FoundationCity national BankMary Ann Cloyddavid geffen FoundationEdgerton FoundationJoyce Eisenberg-Keefer & Melvin Keeferherbert M. & Beverly J. gelfandIn Memory of Alice ghostley & Felice orlandiThe Adi & Jerry greenberg Foundationguggenheim Partners Investment

Management holdings, LLCCarole & Bill haberharold & Mimi steinberg Charitable TrustMartha hendersonrabbi uri d. herscher & dr. Myrna herscherCindy & Alan hornMarilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg

glorya KaufmanLoretta Everett Kaufman & victor KaufmanKenneth T. & Eileen L. norris FoundationKeyes Automotive groupsandra Krause & William FitzgeraldLatham & Watkins LLPMr. and Mrs. Jason & yvonne Leeginny ManciniFay & Frank MancusoMarilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg Fund for

Arts Education at the geffen PlayhouseJohn McCrite & Juan Lopezdonna McKenna & Flynn ChernosKelly & ron Meyerscott MinerdAnn & Jerry MossMoss FoundationPricewaterhouseCoopersMadeline & Bruce ramerLinda Bernstein rubin & Tony rubinrichard & Barbara shermanshubert Foundationskirball FoundationKaren & vic smithKate Capshaw spielberg & steven spielbergdeeAnna staatsCynthia P. stafford & Lanre IdewuJudith & Bruce sternJodi & howard TenenbaumuCLAThe Walt disney CompanyJudy & Chancellor Charles E. youngdirk & natasha ziff

executive proDucer $25,000 - $49,999

AnonymousAegon Transamerica FoundationPatricia Kiernan ApplegateAria resort & sparobert C. BaralBeth Behrsstephanie & Jonathan CarsonCBs CorporationClassic Party rentalsdaedalus Foundation, Incdesigner 8 Event Furniture rentalThe douglas FoundationThe Edward A. & Ai o. shay Family Foundationgang, Tyre, ramer & Brown, Inc.greater Los Angeles new Car dealers AssociationInterActive Corp (IAC)J.P. Morgan Chase FoundationLaurents / hatcher FoundationThe Lear Family FoundationLos Angeles County Arts CommissionLos Angeles magazineLouis XIIILouis vuittonMarcia Israel Foundation, Inc.Montage hotels & residencesLeslie Moonves & Julie Chennapa valley grilleMike nichols & diane sawyerAnna K. nupsonsoCIAL by samantha sackler & Tammy ratnershel & Cynthia stoneWachtell, Lipton, rosen & Katzdeborah & Michael E. WalshWarner Bros. EntertainmentWells Fargo Foundation

proDucer $10,000 - $24,999

J.J. Abrams & Katie McgrathAriel InvestmentsCharles A. Black, Jr.heather Thomas & skip BrittenhamBrotman Foundation of CaliforniaEileen & harold BrownBrunello CucinelliBulgari Corporation of Americaroma downey & Mark BurnettThe Capella resortsThe Capital group Companies Charitable

FoundationMarcy Carsey & Leo yoshimuraElizabeth Lacey & gilbert Cates, Jr.valarie de la garza & Michael Centeno

City of Los Angeles department of Cultural AffairsCarole Bayer sager & robert A. dalydreamWorks Animationsusan & John EbeyFielding Edlow & Larry Clarkedr. & Mrs. Paul Eisenbergsusan & Mark FleischerFox Entertainment groupCarol & Paul Frimmergagosian gallery, IncJim & Ann gianopulosPatty glaser & sam MudieArthur greenbergC. Curtis grishamIn Memory of Morris A. hazanhBosamantha & Eric heerMellody hobsonvicki IovineJoseph drown FoundationJoan KaloustianJanine & Peter LowyCarla MaldenMona MaldenMalibu Family Winessusan & Peter MalloryMartin Katz, Ltdnancy & Michael McClellandWendy & Barry Meyersandra E. Milkennorthern Trust, nAoccidental Petroleum CorpParamount PicturesLaurie Macdonald & Walter ParkesPopland studiosrollin ransom & Chris LacroixJudith reichman, MdPamela robinson hollander & robert hollanderLoren rothschild & hon. Frances rothschildrichard ruskell PastriesThe simms/Mann Family Foundationsony Pictures EntertainmentFred specktor & nancy hellerst. regis Princeville resortLynda Thomassteve Tischu.s. Bankunion BankW hotel Los AngelesWestfield groupWilliam Morris Endeavor EntertainmentLynn & Mark Williamsrita Wilson & Tom hanksLinda yellinruth zieglerEllen & Ken ziffrenziffren Brittenham LLP


annual Donors

Director $5,000 - $9,999

Jehan F. Agrama & dwora FriedAmgen Foundationhilary & Jack AngeloLaurie & Bill BenensonAnnette BlumMara & Jonathan BlumLinda & Jerry Bruckheimerglenn & Lynn Cardosodr. Fanya Carter, PhdComcast | nBC universalCreative Artists Agencydirectors guild of AmericaLauren shuler donner & richard donnerMica ErtegunEric Flamholtz & yvonne randleFour seasons resort Maui at WaileaLela rochon & Antoine FuquaMichael gendler & Jessica TeichPriscila giraldogloria & Peter goldgoldman sachsAndy & Carlo Brandon-gordongrand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria resortJill greyAlan hergott & Curt shepardgail & stanley hollanderstanley Iezman & nancy starkTracey JacobsLibby & Arthur JacobsonBernice & Wendell JeffreyMarvin Jubas & Janet WaldMannon KaplanJulie & david KavnerKissick Family FoundationWendy KurtzmanLa valenciaLeo s. guthman Fundsusan & david Levetondrs. gerald & Barbara LeveyMarlene & sandy LouchheimMoCA FoundationMarcia & Brett MolotskyKate Moran & Mikki rosenbergnatural resources defense Councilneda nobari FoundationChristine Marie ofieshMo ostinCarol & Bill ouchishana & don PassmanBrenda r. PotterKay & Bob rehmeCarl reinerMichele & rob reinerThe residences at Kapalua BayJoyce reyMayor richard riordanJane rissman & richard sondheimernadine & Fredric d. rosenrikki rosenThomas L. safranhon. nicole A. Avant & Ted sarandosJody & Arthur schmidKen & Carol schultz Foundationsteve & Paula Mae schwartz

sidley Austin LLPsimon strauss FoundationMorris & Libby singer Foundationsondheimer FoundationLorraine spurge & Patrick Mitchellstart MediaArnold stiefelBen stiller & Christine TaylorTanino ristoranteBarbara & Larry TenanThomas safran & AssociatesKaren zoller, Md & david Tillman, MdKaren & William Timberlakedan TishmanMiranda & Brett TollmanThe Travel CorporationAlice & norman TulchinuBs Private Wealth Managementunited Talent AgencyKaren & rick WolfenJennifer young & Katrina nasongail zappaLeslie & robert zemeckisruth & stan zicklinIn Loving Memory of herman ziegler

sponsor$3,000 — $4,999

AnonymousJanis Adams & John LyonsConnie Kramer Alexandershelly & Libby BergenMrs. Carol K. Block

& Chancellor gene d. Blocksusan Booth & Christopher Waddenrobert Brook & Jacqueline KosecoffLisa, Michael & rachel ChalfinTerri ann Cooper Konheimscott, susan & Joshua Corwinvictoria dummerBucky hazan, Teles Propertiesdora & neil Kadishasally & dr. Manny J. KarbelnigThea & neal Kossrobin & seth KuglerPhyllis & Ken Lembergerrenee & Meyer LuskinLori & david roussoPaula & Allan rudnickAllen Blue & Kira snydervernon, Barry & dale Tyerman

In honor of ruth Tyerman Lentzuniworld river Cruises IncThe Waterman Family FoundationLeslie White & Al Limon

eDucation aDvocate $1,000 - $2,999

Anonymous (5)gerald Abramsharry & gay Abrams/

Abrams Artists Agencydr. richard Ackerman & Miriam shakterPat & sandy AdamsMiriam Aguiar

olga s. AldersonLaura & harvey Alpert

Charitable FoundationMerryl & david A. AlpertPatti & harlan AmstutzBonnie & Bill ApfelbaumMargaret & howard ArveyAudioQuestruss, August & KabatCarol Ann & d.C. BakemanAlec Baldwin FoundationIrene Baronrobert E. & Maria h. Barronrichard Bautzer & david Mcdowellrichard & shelley BayerJerry Beckmansusan & Eric M. BenderPeter & Barbara BenedekPatricia & Mark BenjaminWendy & John BergquistCathy & Bill Bindleyhelen BingJohn Bjorge & Mary McKelveyJoe Blackstone & Jamie MohnThe Bordy & Leibovic FamiliesBrenda & Alan Borsteinhelen Breitwieser & James JacksWendy & david BrotmanMarcia BurnamThe Busch-schifino FamilyTimothy J. Carlsondavid Cates & Christine vavakJane CatesJonathan & Elena CatesMelissa Cates & roger ClamanLaurel & Aaron ClarkLinda & John ColemanLou ColenTed CordesJames CostaCarolyn Crandall & harley Kornblumshelley Wike CranleyJanine CristianoIn Loving Memory of Ed Cypertruth daughertyPam dawbergavin de Beckerdeluscious CookiesBill & Kate

In honor of Blanche schimmelsusan & Jonathan dolgenCarolyn dirks/Brett doughertydennis & Jeralyn dotyJan & Thea drayergerald & sally ducotWilliam duncandr. & Mrs. William M duxlerTerri & david ElstonThe English Language CenterKevin Watts & Christine EnlowCarl & Courtenay EnrightElizabeth J. Enyart, Mark doyle

& sarah danielsCarol & J.B. EsterkinMr. & Mrs. Michael Feldmandonnovan Fieldgloria & Morton Field

Lawrence n. FieldMichael FilermanMarjorie & Arthur Finerobert & sonia FreedmanBen & susan Friedmangwen & Jacob FriendThomas Fuller & William Kellyg2 graphic service, Inc.Pat & sandy gageJeanne & Arnold geffnerMr. & Mrs. Arthur geoffriondiane & Bruce gewertzKiki & david gindlerCherna & dr. gary gitnickCharlotte gold dr. Irene goldenbergMarion goldenfeldEric goodmanhelene gordonAdrienne grant & Paul Jenningsheidi greggJack grossbart & Marc schwartzsunny & Alvin grossblattCraig grosvenordeborah & Allen grubmanThe guerin Foundationharlan d. gulkoMadeline gussmanhalbert hargrove global Advisors, LLCMonty & Marilyn hallsalli harrisAlan & Michelle heilpernMel & Faith henkinneal hersh & Lynda KleinJean himmelstein & david Colemanstephen sass & steven hochstadtdr. John d. hofbauer & dr. Laura E. FoxIn honor of developmentToni hoytLisa IngallsJason & Courtney JandaJerome & Linda JangerCarrie JohnsonLori JohnsonJoseph B. gould FoundationLinda & david KagelKarney guren Family Foundationsabrina Kay Charitable FoundationPatricia KeatingLenny & david Keltongerrold & nina KesslerLauren & richard KingBarbara & stuart KlabinKent Klavens & Judy vourlasJudy KnappLeslie & norman KoplofCarol Krausedeborah Lacusta & daniel CastellanetaLas ventanas al Paraisohelene & Arthur LaubJohn Liebessteven & nancy Lippmandorothy LipskyJeffrey & Elisabeth LipsmanJudith Locke & dennis MassieThe Jennifer & greg Malins Foundation

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annual Donors


Mr. & Mrs. Frank Mancuso Jr.Eric g.C. MarkEdina somlai & rob Markussherry MartinJeanne Mcdonald-Powers

& Travis PowersJanis B. McEldowneysue Mchugh & herb seeseThe Miles FamilyBarbara & Fred MillerAndrew & Laura MintzerJoanne & Joel MogyIn Loving Memory of harvey s. MorseLon Morse & Toni hollander Morserio & Frank MorseLawrence nelsonPatricia newcombJoan & Fred nicholasAlbert & Barbara nicholsBenedicta & geoffry oblathBobbi & rory o’donnelldeborah & stacey olliffornest Family FoundationCharles ortnerLondon, Alex & Marty Padillagia Paladino & Michael WiseMichael Parks & Judith haywardPhilip & Leslie PatonJulie PiepenkotterTara & robert PietriIn Memory of Michael Pillerruth Popkinstephen PrudhommeLee ramerrichard rasiej & Joan hermanharvey & Joyce reichardrabbi steven & didi Carr reubendonald B. & susan F. riceIn Memory of Frances richmanEsther & howard richmondChristy rittsBeth roberts & Warren smithJoseph & Cynthia rodriguezCraig E. rogersBrad & nancy rosenbergsue Weiss rosenwasserLaura & John saadedavid A. & Karen richards sachsMark san Filipponancy & Ted sanbornsarah Leonard Fine JewelersJill sattingerdawn schererToni & John schulmanJoanna & Jonathan schwartzCarole server & oliver FrankelAnnette & Leonard shapiroIn Memory of diane Barnett-shapiroJohn & Lori shawPhyllis & Martin shephardholly & Larry shulmansteven siegel & Lily Careyrita & Jose sigalron silverman & soraya rosssnyder Family FoundationJoan & Jerry snyder

sold out Crowddrs. Matthew & Marion solomonThe somaini FamilyBruce & Patti springsteenMitch & sherry steinJoannie sternJordan strauss Photographydavid & Katherine stritzingerEric strom & Eileen goodisAaron & Melissa stroudAlec sulkin & Tal rabinowitzElaine F. & radoslav L. sutnarKaty sweetThe Tatasciore FamilyAnne C. Taubman & david BoyleJohn Teeples & nicolas Martinez, Jr.Audri & stan TendlerMichael E. Tennenbaum FamilyPaul Tetreaultdaniel Tongbaidaniel & shauna valenzuelaAlan van vlietJennifer von schneidauPeter & denise Walshrhonda & Mark Wapnickdavid Weber and the Arnold

& Edna Weber FoundationJoanne & Ken Weinmanroberta Weintraubgelena & seth WeissmanAlison Whalen & steven MarenbergMarcia Williams & gene LuceroLesley & Jeffrey WolmanCherie WrigleyAnna & stephen yallourakisPatricia youngmandebra zavalaBarbara & stanley zaxMarcie & howard zelikowEllen & Arnold zetcherMrs. richard zimanAnthony P. zingedavid zuckerman

& Ellie Kanner-zuckerman

artistic aDvocate $500 - $999

Anonymous (3)dale AdrionKatherine Ambernancy AntoniouAres Management LLCJanet & Irwin BarnetJim & diane BerlinerBeverly Biererdiane & richard Birnholzruth & Jake BloomJanet & Mark BrownMarilyn & Anshel BrusilowBecky & david Brusilowdr. r.W.g. BugentalJP CherryWilliam ChinMichael CollinsPhil Johnston & Jill Cordes

donald & zoe Cosgroverobert CushnirMorgan dameronMuriel dancediana davidow

& deborah Constancedaniel dodsonThe Milton L. & Betty J. dranow

Family Foundationdavid & Joyce EvansMyrna & howard Fabricksydney M. Finegold, M.d.Myrna ForestBurt & nanette ForesterLois & gerald gallopsharlene & sol galperBenita & Bert ginsbergdonna & Lee B. gold, M.d.Carol & neil goldbergFrancine golden

& Marvin schlossmanLouis & Linda goldsmanAbner & roz goldstineLori & robert goodmanroger gordondiana & ronald granitMike & Elaine graysusan greenCarolyn & Bernie hamiltonstanley handmanronald hansenKay harringtonrichard hartsheila & Chester hasdayBarbara & Bud hellmanMr. & Mrs. William hellmanMurray & gail heltzerMrs. dorothy hoffmanrand hoffman & Charlotte robinsonKelley M. hoganJonathan howardgerald IsenbergJackie & Warren JacksonLynn hunt & Margaret Jacobnancy & Len JacobyTerry & Marc J. JacobyMary JamesJosh JonesJoyce & don KaisermanTrudy & Albert KallisAvi Kamiennydrs. Elaine & Jeff KamilMr. & Mrs. Bernard KamineMarcy Kaplan-goldAnita KarbelnigLaurence o. Karshsaul & rima KayJames Kellydr. Ann Kirsch & Mr. Jonathan KirschCharlene Kodimerron Kolardr. Marina Kovalevsky & yana KovalevskyJeffrey KramerCarol & richard KurlandTam & david LachoffJoan & Christopher Larkinsandi Lawless

Burton & Anita LevinsonMary shannon Littleneil L. & ora d. Macfarlanegeorge ManetElizabeth MarcellinoMr. & Mrs. Phillips h. Marshallgeoff & seema MillerThomas MitchellAllan M. Mohrman Jr.Bill & gail Morinosandra MossJohn & sandy MurdockMy vienna gelatoMy-Petitedavid neilansherri & Arnold nelsonAdrienne & Arthur omanskyBarbara & gary PasquinelliMr. John PerkinsJimi & Inna Petulla, Film Connectionruth PilotJon PolitoJack & Jane PollockMichael Postgary & gail racheletskyWilliam raysteve & Linda richmanLinda & Manny riderCarlene ringerdolores rogersronda & Fred roseMaxine & gene rosenfelddiane ross-glazerBarry & nancy sanderssusan & Martin schmittnancy & steven schneiderdavid & Margaret schwankeBob & susan schwartzMr. Charles schwartz

& Mrs. Carol schwartzdr. & Mrs. Jack schwartzsusan schwarzMichele & Peter serchukPeggy & robert shapiroMelinda & yossi sidikaroArthur & Carol silbergeldrobin & robert sillsMartin & Leah sklarTrudy sokolEdith L. stoell & Linda gach rayMr. & Mrs. david Tannnancy ThomasJudy & Art TompkinsCatherine ungerdeborah valdezAnthony vasekIra & Laurie WaldmanMarcia & dr. Charles WassermanJay Weinstein & Lori WoldarPat WestAnnabelle Weston & steven shulmanJohn WestonBruce Whizinrae Jeane WilliamsLauren Wing & Luke BrownKyra Woo


annual Donors

have we maDe an error?To report a misspelling or omission in these listings, please contact the development department at 310.208.6500 ext. 128

associate $250 - $499Anonymous (9)norman & Toshka AbramsTerry & richard AbramsBarbara AdamsElaine & Michael AgranJoan AkinsAKWhelen AllanCharles & Annick Allensylvia AlmstadtJan & david Altemusrobert C. AndersonPhilip Angerhofer

& stephen A. JonesAudrey & Martin AppelEloise & Mark Appelsteven d. AriasMichael & June AriffBonnie ArnoldBarbara & Ethan AronoffBert & ruth AronsCharles & Tana AxelrodMarc & Betsy AxelrodLynne & Lee BabbittBabyshakesdeborah BaineBetsy BakerEdward Barad & Carol McCullyCecile Bartmanrandall C. BassettLynne & Bernie Basseysheila spiro & dr. gregory BearmanLois & Paul Bechelydawn & Marshall BeinMarshall BellCarole A. & Charles Bennettnancy & scott BennettWayne Biswurm & Brock Bennettgeorge E. BergerEllen Bergeron & gary ottosonJoAnn BernardLaurie BernhardBrad BishopMichael & Adrienne BlackmanMrs. Marilyn BlankMarjorie BlattLarry & Julie Blivas

In Memory of Maxine handelman

ruth & donald Blumkinsusan Boiko & Martin schwartzMichael J. BordyToby BornsteinBetsy BosakBurt BoyarCarol J. BradshawPaula BrandMona BrandlerLaura BrawnerFelix Brennerdr. & Mrs. neal & ruth Brickerdr. gerald Buckbergg & Ashley Buonannodaniel & Ellen Burgessdavid & Kathy BurkeMark & Penny Burleyhoward BushinskyMichael & sandy Buttittagrace diekhaus & Pauline CannyMarlene & david CapellAnthony CarboneAndrew CarlbergCindy Carlin & Jeff roussosteven Cerasale

& Mary Katherine CocharoBarry CharlesBeverly & dennis ChesterCarole & Leslie Cohendonell Cohenginger Conradgail Cottinghamnorman & nancy Cravenssandy & Alan Croll

Judith & Mel CronerIngrid Curtiss, MdElse dahlhedva & dr. dudley danoffJaye T. darbyJeffrey s. davidsonIn Memory of Beryl davisnancy & Arthur dayhal & roberta deleviesusan & Kevin dobsonBruce & suzanne doddsCarol Jean doehringTraci donatFred & Marilyn dorersteven & Beverley dorfmandaryl & Paul F. doucettePaul dowlingsharon & ron dunasChris EasleyIn Loving Memory of howard EichenMr. & Mrs. EpelbaumLarry EreshefskyAmy & richard FassBarbara & denny FedermanMimi FeldmanAbby & Malcolm FieldPaul & Karen FinkelFran FlanaganEdward FloresMichael & Lynne FlynnLoren FordJackie Foxsandy FrancisFran Fredella & scott rubinMarilyn FreemanLora FremontKenneth J. Friedman & Marilynn J.

Friedman Family FoundationLynn & Barry FriesenMs. Laurelle FromeTatiana Froudyury & yelena Furmangina FurthLee gardenswartzLarry & Judith garshofskyLaura gianniLinda gibbsLorain goldbergMarilyn & Allen goldendenise goldfarbdr. Peter goldmanEllie & Barry goldsteinFrances goodman & William Kobindavid gorengigi & don grantglenn & debbie gray Ellen greeneMr. & Mrs. Michael gregorygary gross and Keith vanderlaanMarcy & Edgar grosssuzi & Bob guerinLawrence J. guliEve haberfield & david n. JohnsonMary & Alan halkettPeter & sarah hallTess harpernancy harrisondiane hart Judy L. hartleyhBC Protocols Inc.richard hefner & greg hoffmanAllan heinbergzvia hemplingCarla & Alan A. herdMichael & Candice hermanMatthew herrmann hella hershsonMs. Kathryn hibbsCharles harder & Kathleen hiroseshirley hoffJackie & dr. Irwin hoffmandr. sharron holmanMr. & Mrs. John hopmansLynn & david horowitzAnna horsford roger & Linda howard

Mr. & Mrs. gordon hubbardMr. & Mrs. John huberInsight Consulting PartnersLonnie Levi Israelrobert & gail IsraelCraig & Lynn JacobsonFred & nancy JacobusMartha Jones Mr. & Mrs. vernon d. JonesCarolyn & dan JordanPeter & Cynthia JoyceMartha KadueJean KaplanJo Ann Kaplandr. & Mrs. Mitchell Karlanharris KatlemanJudith P KatzMorgan Kaystuart KesslerIrwin Kishnerdr. Phyllis KleinLaurie & Milton KlormanMary KoppelMr. & Mrs. richard Korchiendolph Kornblum & Florence robinsBarbara & stan KrasnoffEugene KriegerCharles KristensonJohn & Kimberly KruseJay & Billie Kubrindoctors Mark & Lena LaboweMichelle & Bob LaemmleCarol d. LandeJill & Michael Lasky rhonda LawrenceLarry Layne & sheelagh Boyddr. & Mrs. Eric Leibovitchginger LeibovitzAnn LelandMatthew Lessalldonna LeviMarla E. LevineWayne Levinedr. & Mrs. Isaac Levyrichard & vivian LevyLawrin & Linda LewinLee & Therese Lindenvictor & Madeline LindenheimMolly & Peter Lindgren Joanne LindsayIrma & Allen LipinChaz LittlejohnLeslie & Adam LobelAnne L. LynchKenji & sara Machidaguillaume & Crystal MailletJohn & susan MamerCarol & doug MancinoJeannette & Mervyn Mandelbaumrobert B. & dona Martinsylvia Masondoug & Cindy Maxwellstewart Mayedadavid Israeli & dr. Marie MazzoneJim & Kathryn McCafferysheri & Jim McCashinCheryl McCormickKatrina McLean Lawry & Charles Meisternicolas Miccolis Teddie J. MilnerPeter Minarik & sharon vera Pamela & Mark Mischeldr. & Mrs. Leon MizrahiAndrew Molaskyshelagh MoriartyJohn MoschittaCarol & Jerry MuchinBill Mullins

Fran neimanMark & diane neubauerMark neveu robert & Anita nittashelby notkinsandy & Alan olickdr. ronald & Iris onkinAndrea ordinvictor J. owensAnton & olivia PacinoThe Palm FamilyBill PalmerEdward ParkerKathy & Jeff PerkinsMichael Perlsteinnaidu & Jane Permaulsusan PetelikBruce PetersFrank Pfizenmayer & Josh BrownJoy & gerald PicusBeverly Pine Frank Piontekdr. ronald & Alyson Podellzazi PopeMichael & rose Porterfielddiane & Michael Poryes david PosnerAstrid & howard PrestonPhilip Pritchettsusan raphaelJody rath & shannon McIntoshMr. & Mrs. Anthony rennickrobyn ridgleynatalie robertsElizabeth roeweMr. Avi & Mrs. Janis rojanyrose Brandrobert rosaniarose Brandgeorge M. rosenAdrienne rosenthalBeverly & Melvin rosenthaldr. Martin & Lorraine rossLawrence ross & Linda nussbaumgeorgina & Alan rothenberg Bert royal & Clay BlackAdrienne & stanford rubinTyler rubinTerry ryan Joyce hokin sachsMr. & Mrs. simon salloomPenny salomonJanet salter

In Memory of hon. Maxwell hillary salter

Laurie & gary samsonTawny & gerry sandersKaren sandlerdr. victor sands

& Mrs. Charlene sandsJanet sassonMaxine savitzrobert schadMr. & Mrs. Michael scheinbergLarry & Carole scherzerJoel & sonia schneider gary & Karen schneiderJane & Bill schopfBarbara schulmansusan & Peter schwabJanet schwartzJohn h. scottAlvin segelrodolfo segoviaBarbara seidman Earlene & herb seymourBob & sue shadurscott shagrinMelanie sharp and Kevin Miller

Tom & Judy sharpMuriel F. sherman shelly & greg sherwinPearl shultz sideshow rare & remarkable Books,

Art & Curiositiesrenee & Joe siegelseymour & dorothy siegelJoan silverronald & Linda slatesstephanie small, MFT

& Constance Kaplan, MFTEvelyne & Joel smasondiane good & Frank smithdiane smithJames smith & Loreen Ayer Jennie smithMarcia L. & Mark J. smithPamela smithBill smitrovichKaren smitsMichael & Millie sondermanndebra & Bruce spectorrita spiegelM Leslie stearnsdr. Jay stein & Mrs. Carol steinTom & Kerstin stempel Arthur sterngloria stroockMs. sally stevenssusan stockel stanley & dee stoneWilliam stringerBonnie sturner, Phd

In Memory of Peter siltonTeresa L. sufanaMr. Kayser sume & dr. renee sabshinKatherine sungI.h. sutnickdeepak swarupLance & Maureen TanPhyllis & Franklin TellMr. & Mrs. Asadour Terteriandonna Thompsondorothy ThornhillJay & Courtney TobinBrigitta TroyLaura & John Lincoln uelmenrobin & gary ungarLeon & stephanie vahnPia & steve vaiscott vangerpenArnold & Carol vinsteinMandana visivital research LLCLois von MorganrothCarole Wagner-vallianos

& Peter vallianosdr. & Mrs. William Walsh Bunny & Jay WassermanJulie & Peter WeilIn Memory of Eunice WeinerMarion & russell Weis Marsha & steven WeissBruce & Marci WisemanMarc Wishingraddeborah WissElaine & donald Wolfrowie & Jeffrey WolfJess WomackLynn WoodsKaren & Frank WurtzelArnold zaneharriet zaretskyCarol L. zeldenLynn & Meir zivdayle & Abram zukorsandy zwirn


enhance your eveninG at the GeFFen!Attend one of our signature series and enjoy the FrEE festivities with your ticket purchase.

Event details at geffenplayhouse.com/signatureseries

tGiF at the GeFFen

friday of preview week

talk back tuesDays

every tuesday after preview week

Girls niGht out

third thursday of every run

lounGe FriDays

fourth & fifth friday of every run

Wine DoWn sunDays

every sunday after preview week

Dates to note

oct 7 – nov 16 auDrey sKirBall Kenis theater

nov 11 – dec 21 gil cates theater

this time in geffen playhouse

history

october 2, 2014 geffen Playhouse and Manhattan

Theatre Club open their co-production of the Country House on Broadway.

September 15 , 2010 geffen Playhouse opens the

West Coast premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Ruined (penned by MacArthur Fellow Lynn nottage).

September/october, 2008 hershey Felder’s Beethoven:

As I knew Him sees its world premiere run at the geffen Playhouse.

Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin will debut this coming november in the

gil Cates Theater.

october, 2000 The Los Angeles premiere of donald

Margulies’ Pulitzer Prize-winning Dinner with Friends debuts at the

geffen Playhouse.

BRIanstoKesMItChell:simply broadway

one night only! oct 6 gil cates theater

simply broadway Concert Monday, 10/6/14

diScord First Preview 10/7/14

choir boy high school Partnerships student Matinee 10/9/14students from Mendez, Jordan, santee, roosevelt and Westchester high schools attend special matinee performance featuring a talk-back with the cast and artistic staff.

diScord opening night 10/15/14

choir boy Closing night 10/26/14

diScord talk back tuesdays 10/21/14 – 11/11/14Talk backs featuring special guests follow the performance every Tuesday evening after opening.

berlin Final dress Rehearsal 11/9/14veterans and military families attend a pre-show dinner and final dress rehearsal.

berlin First Preview 11/11/14

diScord Closing night 11/16/14

berlin opening night 11/19/14

berlin thanksgiving Week Performance Monday, 11/24/14

berlin lounge Fridays 12/5/14 & 12/12/14Complimentary sparkling wine courtesy of Barefoot Bubbly pre-show on Friday evenings at 7:00 pm.

berlin Closing night 12/21/14

Randall Arney Artistic director

Ken novice Managing director

behnaz Ataee general Manager

Regina Miller Chief development officer

artistic

Mary Garrett Artistic Manager

Amy levinson Artistic Associate / Literary director

Phyllis schuringa Artistic Associate / Casting director

shannon noel Artistic Coordinator

nick Johnson Literary Associate

Development

ellen Catania director of Major gifts & Corporate/Foundation Partnerships

Jessica brusilow Rollins director of Education Partnerships & donor relations

Jamie Mikelich Associate director of Individual giving

Kristen smith eshaya grants Manager & Major gifts Executive Assistant

scott Kriloff development Associate & donor database Administrator

Jessie sherman development Assistant

Ava bogle development Assistant

eDucation

Jennifer Zakkai director of Education & Community outreach

Connor White resident Teaching Artist & Education Associate

aDministration

Frankie ocasio Executive Assistant to the Managing director

Maryam Meehan Accounting and Payroll Manager

Francisca lopez Accounts Payable

Marguerite harris receptionist

proDuction

daniel ionazzi Production Manager

Jill barnes Associate Production Manager

Matthew Carleton Technical director

thomas Watson Assistant Technical director

Rich Gilles Properties Master

James Grabowski sound Master

darren Rezowalli Master Electrician

marKeting & sales

Joseph Yoshitomi director of Marketing & Communications

Karen Gutierrez director of Advertising & sponsorships

Mark san Filippo Ticket services director & database Administrator

stephanie strand Audience services Manager

brian dunning graphics / Production Artist

Jodi Feigenbaum Advertising & Promotions Assistant

Janice bernal Associate Box office Manager

bryan Martin Associate Box office Manager

Korie benavidez, Audrey Cain, Clay dzygun, Zack hamra, Richard Martinez, lilach Mendelovich, Alyssa tyson Box office staff

communications

tim Choy, Peter Goldman, david barber, niki blumberg davidson & Choy Publicity

front of house

Jeni Pearsons director of special Events

david Gerhardt supervising house Manager

Michelle Cantrell, Kevin Cernansky, Amy Farkas, Matt Jones, Roxana Meyers, erik odom house Managers

sevana baghdasarian, taylor Cerny, vianney Cossyleon, Josiah davis, brett donaldson, dan Foote, Kari hall, sean Jones, netta lee Joseph, brennan Kelleher, erica Keller, Caroline harrison Kohler, nathaniel Meek, Keith Mitchell, lindsay nyman, Chase o’donnell, Cassandra orrantia, luis Ruis, Jonathan schwartz, Chelsea smachetti ushers

Rob Mersola Bar Manager

Manuel Mayorga Weekend Bar Manager

Adam Carr, brenda davidson, Jared White, lyndsi laRose Bartenders

facilities management

Miguel del Castillo Facility Manager

Mario santillan-Perez Custodial

Juan Carlos umaña Cleaning Custodial


geffen playhouse staff

1410310004 choirboyprogram issuu

Documents

anticipated choir boy

geffen playhouse season

exhilarating play

tarell mccraney

world of choir boy tips

gil cates theater

postplay discussion

geffen playhouseletter