2015 Backstage at the Geffen Tribute Journal

BACKSTAGE AT THE GEFFEN SUNDAY MARCH 22, 2015

Photographed by Greg Gorman

HONORING

Distinction in Service Award

Distinction in Theater Award

MELLODY HOBSON & GEORGE LUCAS

SIR ELTON JOHN & DAVID FURNISH

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BACKSTAGE AT THE GEFFEN SUNDAY MARCH 22, 2015 TITLE SPONSOR

TITLE SPONSOR

PRESENTING SPONSORS

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THANK YOU TO OUR HOST COMMITTEE The Simms/Mann Family Foundation†

Katie McGrath & J.J. Abrams

City National Bank

HBO

Ginny Mancini†

The Alec Baldwin Foundation

Kathy & Mitch Clark

Martha Henderson†*

Fay & Frank Mancuso†

Karen & Vic Smith

AMC

Mary Ann Cloyd†

Pamela Robinson Hollander†* & Robert Hollander

John McCrite† & Juan Lopez

Jane Rissman & Rich Sondheimer

Anonymous

Comcast | NBC Universal

Patricia Applegate†*

Dr. David Conney

Ariel Investments

The David Geffen Foundation

Audi of America

DreamWorks Animation

AVID

Louise & Dr. Brad Edgerton†

Cindy & Alan Horn HSBC Private Bank USA Willow Bay & Robert A. Iger Vicki Iovine & David Coiro

Beth Behrs†

Patti & Dr. Paul Eisenberg

Marilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg†

Laurie & Bill Benenson

Elaine Wynn Family Foundation

Loretta Everett Kaufman†* & Victor Kaufman

Annette Bening & Warren Beatty

The Eli & Edythe Broad Foundation

Glorya Kaufman†

Carol & Chancellor Gene Block†

Jo & Larry Feldman

Ruth & Jake Bloom

Sarinda & Gian Fulgoni

Donna McKenna & Flynn Chernos

Nancy Heller & Fred Specktor†

Kelly & Ron Meyer†

Kate Capshaw & Steven Spielberg†

Wendy & Barry Meyer†

Lorraine Spurge†* & Patrick Mitchell

Judy Zaban Miller & Lester Miller

Cynthia Stafford†

Scott Minerd†

Susan & Don Starr

Marcia & Brett Molotsky

Arnold Stiefel

Ann & Jerry Moss†

Jodi & Howard Tenenbaum† Lynda Thomas & Sandy Climan

Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer & Mel Keefer

James L. Nederlander & Margo MacNabb Nederlander

Keyes Automotive Group

Liza & Conan O’Brien

Alice & Norman Tulchin

Steve Tisch†

Annette Blum†

Gagosian Gallery

Robert K. Kraft

Christine Marie Ofiesh

Twentieth Century Fox

Andy & Carlo Brandon-Gordon

David Geffen†*

Sandra Krause & Bill Fitzgerald

Mo Ostin

Deborah Benson Walsh & Michael Walsh

Heather Thomas & Skip Brittenham

Beverly & Herbert Gelfand†

Cindra & Alan Ladd, Jr.

Paradigm Talent Agency

The Walt Disney Company

Eileen & Harold Brown†

Priscila Giraldo†

Fred Latsko

Madeline & Bruce Ramer†

Warner Bros. Entertainment

Roma Downey & Mark Burnett

Patricia Glaser† & Sam Mudie

The Lauder Foundation

Dr. Judith Reichman

Westfield Group

Marcy Carsey

Karen & Russell Goldsmith

Eileen & Kase Lawal

Holly Rice†* & Vince Gilligan

Lynn & Mark Williams

Stephanie† & Jonathan Carson

Gonring, Spahn & Associates

Lyn & Norman Lear

Howard Rose

Samantha & John Williams

David, Christine & Leah Cates

Kitzia & Richard Goodman

Yvonne† & Jason Lee†

The Honorable Frances & Loren Rothschild†

Ken Willner & Jim Stine

Elena & Jonathan Cates & Family

Manuela & James Goren

Drs. Barbara & Gerald Levey†

Linda Bernstein Rubin†* & Tony Rubin

Paula Wolff, Ph.D. & Wayne W. Whalen Elaine Wynn

Elizabeth & Gil Cates, Jr.†

Sam Gores†

Hannah Linkenhoker†

Sheri Salata

Jane Cates

Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealership

Los Angeles magazine

Steve Sauer

Gail Zappa

Melissa Cates, Roger Claman & Family

The Adi†* & Jerry Greenberg Foundation

Janine & Peter Lowy

Judi & Bruce Schindler

Leslie & Robert Zemeckis

Valarie De La Garza† & Michael Centeno†

Elaine Hoffman & Arthur Greenberg†

Carla Malden†* & Norman Beil

Helen & Martin Scorsese

Laurie Ziegler†

CenterStaging

Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks

Mona Malden

Dominique Shelton

Natasha & Dirk Ziff

Amanda Brown & Justin Chang

Bucky Hazan, Teles Properties

Susan† & Peter Mallory

Barbara & Richard Sherman†

Tony Zinge†

*Special thanks to the Backstage at the Geffen Committee and Honorary Co-Chairs †Geffen Playhouse Board of Directors, Trustees and Advisory Board

MELLODY HOBSON Mellody Hobson is president of Ariel Investments. Headquartered in Chicago, the firm serves individual investors, institutions and high net worth individuals. As president, Mellody is responsible for firm-wide management and strategic planning, overseeing all operations outside of research and portfolio management. Additionally, she serves as chairman of the board of trustees for Ariel Investment Trust.

Beyond her work at Ariel, Mellody has become a nationally recognized voice on financial literacy and investor education. She is a regular contributor and analyst on finance, the markets and economic trends for CBS News.

She also contributes weekly money tips on the Tom Joyner Morning Show and pens a regular column for Black Enterprise magazine.

MELLODY HOBSON & GEORGE LUCAS DISTINCTION IN SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS

Mellody is chairman of the board for DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. as well as a director of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and Starbucks Corporation. Her community outreach includes serving as chairman of After School Matters, a non-profit that provides Chicago teens with high quality, out-of-school time programs. She is a board member of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, The Chicago Public Education Fund, and Sundance Institute, where she has been appointed emeritus trustee. She is also on the executive committee of the Investment Company Institute’s board of governors. Mellody earned her AB degree from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of International Relations and Public Policy. She also received honorary doctorate degrees in humanities from both Howard University and St. Mary’s College.

GEORGE LUCAS Filmmaker George Lucas’ devotion to timeless storytelling and cutting-edge innovation has resulted in some of the most successful and beloved films of all time, including the Star Wars Saga and the Indiana Jones franchise, while also pioneering new digital standards for sophistication in film visuals and sound and inspiring generations of young people to follow their imagination and dreams.

Lucas serves on the board of The Film Foundation, the USC School of Cinematic Arts Advisory Board and will build the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, emphasizing American illustrative, digital, cinematic and animation art as an avenue for the exploration of the great storytelling history, populist works and artistic innovation of the past 150 years.

MELLODY HOBSON & GEORGE LUCAS DISTINCTION IN SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS

George has also taken a philanthropic leadership role in applying his technical and storytelling expertise to the classroom. In 1991, he founded the George Lucas Educational Foundation (Edutopia.org) to pursue and promote best practices in education — highlighting proven strategies, tools and resources for creating lifelong learners. He continues to serve as the Foundation’s Chairman, remaining dedicated to its mission of helping students thrive in their studies in order to achieve their full potential.

Photographed by Greg Gorman

SIR ELTON JOHN

SIR ELTON JOHN & DAVID FURNISH DISTINCTION IN THEATER AWARD RECIPIENTS

The monumental career of international singer/songwriter and performer Sir Elton John is now in its fifth decade. He has released over 40 gold and platinum albums, mostly co-written with his long-term songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin. Among these, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy was the first album ever to enter the US Billboard Chart at Number One. In September 2013, Elton released his 31st studio album, The Diving Board, which debuted at Number 3 in the UK charts, and in March 2014, the 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Elton’s most popular album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, was released. Elton has sold more than 250 million records worldwide, including Candle In The Wind ’97, the biggest selling single of all time. His best-loved hit songs include Rocket Man, Your Song and Sacrifice.

Among the many awards and honours bestowed on Elton are five Grammys, a Grammy Legend award, Tony Award, Best British Male Artist Brit Award, induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, the Kennedy Center Honor, Legend of Live Award and eleven Ivor Novello Awards.

Since 1970 Elton has performed well over 3500 concerts, including an unforgettable appearance at The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in 2012. He continues to play sell-out shows worldwide, either solo or with his band, including The Million Dollar Piano in Las Vegas.

In the early 1990s he collaborated with lyricist Tim Rice, resulting in the soundtrack to the Walt Disney Pictures blockbuster The Lion King, for which he won an Academy Award. The Lion King produced two top-selling, award-winning singles: Can You Feel the Love Tonight and Circle of Life. In 1997, The Lion King debuted on Broadway, receiving six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. In March 2000, the Tony Award-winning Aida opened on Broadway and the two productions both won Grammys for Best Musical Show Album. With lyricist Lee Hall, Elton co-wrote the music for the international smash hit stage production Billy Elliot the Musical, and had a personal top-five chart hit in the UK with the song Electricity.

Along with partner David Furnish, Elton produced the Rocket Pictures animated movie Gnomeo & Juliet, which topped the worldwide box office its second week of release. A follow-up, Gnomeo & Juliet: Sherlock Gnomes, is now in development.

Established in 1992, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) has raised over $300 million to support HIV/AIDS prevention and service programmes in 55 countries around the globe. Today, EJAF is one of the world’s leading non-profit HIV/AIDS organisations.

Elton’s many British accolades include Honorary Doctorate, Royal Academy of Music, 2002 and Fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters and Composers, 2004. In 1998 he was knighted by the HM Queen Elizabeth II who honoured him with the title Sir Elton John, CBE.

DAVID FURNISH David Furnish was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. After eleven years in advertising, David became a filmmaker in 1995, directing the BAFTA nominated documentary Elton John: Tantrums & Tiaras.

Photographed by Greg Gorman

With backing from the Walt Disney Company he set up the film production company Rocket Pictures in 1996, producing the independent films Women Talking Dirty and It’s A Boy/Girl Thing. In 2011 Rocket Pictures released its first major animated feature Gnomeo & Juliet. Gnomeo had the biggest February animated film box office opening weekend in North American history and was a Number One hit in the UK.

SIR ELTON JOHN & DAVID FURNISH DISTINCTION IN THEATER AWARD RECIPIENTS

Rocket also produced the music television series Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... which has been critically acclaimed and widely distributed.

David is also extremely proud of his association with Billy Elliot the Musical, acting as a producer in productions as they have rolled out across the world. The show went on to win an astounding ten Tony Awards on Broadway.

In addition to the above projects, 2016 will see the release of Rocketman, a fantasy biopic of Elton John’s life featuring some of his most iconic songs. The next Gnomeo & Juliet adventure, Sherlock Gnomes, is also due for release in 2016.

David is also Chairman of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has now raised in excess of $300 million in the fight against HIV and AIDS. David is also a Contributing Editor for British GQ. Most recently David has become a partner in FIZZ, a new champagne lounge in Caesars Palace Hotel, Las Vegas. The lounge features photography pieces from David and Elton’s personal collection. David is very closely involved with all creative aspects of the lounge, which was inspired by his and Elton’s own personal taste for entertaining.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Martha Henderson Co-Chair

Pamela Robinson Hollander Co-Chair

Patricia Kiernan Applegate Randall Arney Beth Behrs Dr. Gene D. Block Harold A. Brown Gil Cates Jr. Vice Chairman

Michael Centeno Mary Ann Cloyd Dr. Brad Edgerton Mark Fleischer Herbert M. Gelfand Chairman Emeritus

Patricia L. Glaser Sam Gores Adi Greenberg Arthur Greenberg Joan Kaloustian Glorya Kaufman Loretta Everett Kaufman

Dr. Gerald S. Levey Carla Malden Susan Mallory Ginny Mancini Barry Meyer Scott Minerd Steven A. Olsen Holly Rice Loren Rothschild Linda Bernstein Rubin Teri Schwartz Richard Sherman Fred Specktor Lorraine Spurge Cynthia P. Stafford Howard Tenenbaum FOUNDING TRUSTEES Kirsten Combs Robert A. Daly David Geffen Quincy Jones Jeffrey Katzenberg Frank G. Mancuso Chairman Emeritus

Ron Meyer Leslie Moonves Jerry Moss Jerry Perenchio Bruce M. Ramer

ADVISORY BOARD Miranda Tollman

Advisory Board Chair

Founding Chairman

Annette Blum

Victoria Mann Simms Andy Spahn Steven Spielberg Steve Tisch Dr. Charles E. Young

Stephanie Carson

Chairman Emeritus

Lori Collins Debra Davis Valarie De La Garza Colin Egglesfield Priscila Giraldo

IN MEMORIAM Gilbert Cates

Kirsten Hansen

Marcia Israel-Curley Audrey Skirball Kenis Charles Kenis Karl Malden Edie Wasserman Lew Wasserman

Yvonne Lee

Founder

LEGAL COUNSEL Peter Rosen Latham & Watkins LLP

Eric Heer Jason Lee Hannah Linkenhoker Wendy Kurtzman John McCrite Rollin Ransom Allen Shay John Sonego Laurie Ziegler Tony Zinge

City National PROUDLY SUPPORTS THE

Geffen Playhouse for bringing inspiration, hope and healing through the arts to our communities

CNB MEMBER FDIC

cnb.com

P L AT I N U M

We’re proud to join The Geffen Playhouse in honoring our friends

Sir Elton John & David Furnish

P L AT I N U M

We’re proud to join The Geffen Playhouse in honoring our friends

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas

P L AT I N U M

I am honored to serve on the Board of the Geffen Playhouse.

We applaud everyone at the Geffen Playhouse and especially their wonderful and wide reaching Education and Outreach programs.

Heartfelt congratulations to honorees Mellody Hobson & George Lucas on receiving the Distinction in Theater Award and Sir Elton John & David Furnish on receiving the Distinction in Service Award.

Tony Rubin & Linda Bernstein Rubin P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

CONGRATULATIONS

To a championship team and dear friends

SIR ELTON JOHN & DAVID FURNISH For their distinguished mastery of the arts With love and admiration,

ROBERT K. KRAFT P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

Congratulations to the Geffen Playhouse and their commitment to new work!

Go see their latest commission SWITZERLAND by Joanna Murray-Smith, starring Laura Linney and Seth Numrich.

Louise & Brad Edgerton and the Edgerton Foundation P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

Kudos to the Geffen’s Education and Outreach program.

Keep up the good work!

Loretta & Victor Kaufman P L AT I N U M

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas Distinction in Service Award

cnb.com

CNB MEMBER FDIC

P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

THE THE HOUSE HOUSE THAT THAT

DAVID DAVID

BUILT… BUILT… P L AT I N U M

Proud to support my dear friend And producer of dreams that work

DAVID GEFFEN For opening so many doors With love and admiration,

ROBERT K. KRAFT P L AT I N U M

join in supporting and celebrating the Geffen Playhouse’s year-round Education & Community Outreach programs.

P L AT I N U M

Congratulations to tonight’s honorees:

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish The Adi & Jerry Greenberg Foundation

P L AT I N U M

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S

Sir Elton John & David Furnish Distinction in Theater Award

CNB MEMBER FDIC

cnb.com

P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

HSBC Private Bank congratulates

Sir Elton John & David Furnish for their Distinction in Theater Award

P L AT I N U M

Ariel Investments proudly supports the

Geffen Playhouse and congratulates

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas on their Distinction in Service Award

To learn about Ariel, call 800.292.7435 or visit arielinvestments.com.

P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

Congratulations and thanks to our honorees

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas DISTINCTION IN SERVICE AWARD

and

Sir Elton John & David Furnish DISTINCTION IN THEATER AWARD

Loretta & Victor Kaufman P L AT I N U M

Congratulate

Sir Elton John & David Furnish on receiving the Distinction in Theater Award

P L AT I N U M

Congratulate

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas on receiving the Distinction in Service Award

P L AT I N U M

HSBC Private Bank congratulates

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas for their Distinction in Service Award

P L AT I N U M

WE SALUTE TONIGHT’S HONOREES

MELLODY HOBSON GEORGE LUCAS

&

DISTINCTION IN SERVICE AWARD

SIR ELTON JOHN DAVID FURNISH DISTINCTION IN THEATER AWARD

P L AT I N U M

Thank you to the Geffen Playhouse for their outstanding Education Programs. The Geffen deeply cares about making a difference in the lives of the individuals they serve and we are proud to support them in that endeavor.

The Smith & Eshaya Family P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

HSBC Private Bank is proud to support the contribution of the Geffen Playhouse to the cultural life of Southern California

P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

Congratulations

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish Thank you for all the entertainment over the years and for loving the Geffen as much as we do!

The Smith & Eshaya Family P L AT I N U M

proudly supports the

Geffen Playhouse and congratulates honorees Mellody Hobson & George Lucas Distinction in Service Award Sir Elton John & David Furnish Distinction in eater Award

thewaltdisneycompany.com/citizenship

P L AT I N U M

© Disney

Congratulations Geffen Playhouse Honorees Thank you for sharing your extraordinary talents with us and the world.

P L AT I N U M

Thank you to our

Geffen Playhouse Board of Directors Your leadership, loyalty and guidance has enabled us to expand our arts and outreach programs to reach more than 15,000 community members with the gift of performing arts each year.

WE PROUDLY SUPPORT THE

GEFFEN PL AYHOUSE

P L AT I N U M

Congratulations Mellody, George, Sir Elton & David A heartfelt thank you for supporting our beloved Geffen Playhouse.

Pamela Robinson & Robert Hollander P L AT I N U M

Goldman Sachs is proud to join Geffen Playhouse in honoring the accomplishments of Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish.

Š 2015 Goldman Sachs. All rights reserved.

P L AT I N U M

We are proud to support the Geffen Playhouse and congratulate tonight’s inspiring honorees.

Katie McGrath & J.J. Abrams P L AT I N U M

For producing, directing and casting tonight’s event — A huge thank you to

Randall Arney & Gil Cates, Jr. Bravo!

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G GEFFEN EFFEN P PLAYHOUSE LAYHOUSE AND AND CONGRATULATES CONGRATULATES

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D DISTINCTION ISTINCTION

IN IN

S AWARD RECIPIENTS SERVICE ERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS AND AND

S JJOHN SIR ELTON IR E LTON OHN & & D DAVID AVID F FURNISH URNISH

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P L AT I N U M

IN IN

TTHEATER AWARD RECIPIENTS HEATER AWARD RECIPIENTS

Congratulations Mellody & George, Sir Elton & David Thank you for supporting the Geffen.

Love,

Nancy Heller & Fred Specktor

Our Profound Gratitude to UCLA & Chancellor Gene D. Block For extending its outstanding partnership with the Geffen Playhouse to include allowing us to use the Jules Stein grounds and parking lots for Backstage at the Geffen.

Thank you for all of the extra work and time involved in supporting and helping to coordinate this grand event.

Proudly Supports THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE

and congratulates SIR ELTON JOHN & DAVID FURNISH

DISTINCTION IN THEATER AWARD

and MELLODY HOBSON & GEORGE LUCAS DISTINCTION IN SERVICE AWARD

1100 GLENDON AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90024

napavalleygrille.com

Congratulations to Mellody Hobson, George Lucas Sir Elton John and David Furnish!

Jason & Yvonne Lee and the L & N Andreas Foundation P L AT I N U M

Congratulations to our dear friend

Pamela Robinson Hollander for taking it to the next level!

Love,

Laurie & Bill Benenson P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

Warner Bros. Entertainment proudly supports the

Geffen Playhouse and

2015 Backstage at the Geffen honoring

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and

Sir Elton John & David Furnish

P L AT I N U M

Cheers to those who acted out and those who provided them a stage on which to do so.

Vicki Iovine and David Coiro P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

The Geffen Playhouse Board of Directors offers our heartfelt gratitude to

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish for allowing us to honor you!

Thanks to all of you, we are proud to announce another record-breaking year of exceeding $1,500,000!

B R AV O To the Geffen Playhouse for bringing the magic and inspiration of theatre to so many.

JANINE AND PETER LOWY

P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

CONGRATULATES THE

20

TH

ANNIVERSARY

HONOREES GEFFEN

OF THE

PLAYHOUSE.

©2015 Compagnie Champenoise. Piper‑Heidsieck ‑ Ancienne Maison Heidsieck Fondée en 1785, Piper‑Heidsieck® Champagne, Imported by Rémy Cointreau USA, Inc., New York, NY. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

P L AT I N U M

P L AT I N U M

To Adi & Jerry,

With tremendous gratitude for all you have done to make tonight magical.

We are proud to support the Geffen Playhouse Education and Community Outreach Programs.

Amanda Brown & Justin Chang GOLD

We feel lucky to be able to support the wonderful programs The Geffen offers to students.

Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer & Mel Keefer

GOLD

405 LA Traffic Hour

4:05 La V Happy Hour

Proud Supporter of The Geffen Playhouse

Manuela & James Goren

would like to congratulate the Geffen Playhouse for their terrific contribution to theatre in Los Angeles and this year’s Backstage at the Geffen honorees for giving us some of the most fun moments of our lives!

GOLD

On behalf of the staff of the Geffen Playhouse, we would love to thank the

Board & Advisory Board

for being the most generous and committed Boards for which any non-profit could hope.

We appreciate your tremendous dedication and leadership.

GOLD

GOLD

George & Mellody, Sir Elton & David,

Congratulations to you all for continuing to bring joy into this world with your art. And to the Geffen Playhouse for inspiring the rest of the artist community.

Best wishes for your continued success.

Roma Downey & Mark Burnett GOLD

GOLD

Our congratulations to the honorees

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and

Sir Elton John & David Furnish For the wonderful entertainment all of you have given the world!

Beverly & Herb Gelfand GOLD

Donna McKenna & Flynn Chernos congratulate tonight’s honorees

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish GOLD

Wendy & Barry Meyer

CONGRATULATE TONIGHT’S HONOREES

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas DISTINCTION IN SERVICE AWARD

and

Sir Elton John & David Furnish DISTINCTION IN THEATER AWARD

GOLD

Avid congratulates Mellody Hobson, George Lucas, Sir Elton John and David Furnish for their outstanding achievements.

Avid Everywhere Helping you create the most listened to, most watched, and most loved media in the world.

Find out more at avid.com

GOLD

Congratulations to the Geffen Playhouse and their honorees Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish.

Thank you Pamela Robinson and Martha Henderson, your contributions have inspired and kept us entertained.

HH and Gertrude Klein Foundation Isaacs & Williams Family GOLD

Fiji Airways Proudly Supports the Geffen Playhouse

Mellody, George, Sir Elton & David, From Our Home to Yours - We congratulate you! www.fijiairways.com

We are proud to support the Geffen Playhouse in its efforts to share theater with the community.

The Simms/Mann Family Foundation GOLD

The Geffen Playhouse staff and Board humbly thank Backstage at the Geffen Committee Co-Chairs

LORETTA EVERETT KAUFMAN LINDA BERNSTEIN RUBIN and Committee members:

PATTY APPLEGATE • ADI GREENBERG MARTHA HENDERSON • CARLA MALDEN PAMELA ROBINSON HOLLANDER HOLLY RICE • LORRAINE SPURGE

We warmly congratulate tonight’s honorees and salute their important contributions to the arts.

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas Distinction in Service Award Sir Elton John & David Furnish Distinction in Theater Award

Proud supporter of Geffen Playhouse.

Congratulations to the 2015 Backstage at the Geffen Honorees.

With Support, Scott Minerd and Guggenheim Partners

Gil, Elizabeth, Gemma & Isla Cates congratulate

Mellody, George, Sir Elton & David on their honors tonight, and for their legendary work, and support of the Geffen Playhouse.

Game changers MELLODY HOBSON, GEORGE LUCAS, SIR ELTON JOHN, DAVID FURNISH On behalf of UCLA, Chancellor Gene Block and Mrs. Carol Block congratulate these remarkable masters of finance, filmmaking, music and philanthropy on their recognition at 2015 Backstage at the Geffen.

Congratulations to

Sir Elton John & David Furnish DISTINCTION IN THEATER AWARD

and

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas DISTINCTION IN SERVICE AWARD

...and to the Geffen Playhouse for its Continued Successes

Patricia Kiernan Applegate

Gil will always be backstage...

Congratulations to the staff, performers and honorees that have supported his dream of bringing live theater to all in our community.

The Reichman - Cates Family

Enriching our community deserves more than a standing ovation.

Just as we’ve proudly supported the stages of life for 125 years, we proudly support the Geffen Playhouse. Congratulations and thank you to the honorees, Mellody Hobson, George Lucas, Sir Elton John and David Furnish, for their contributions to theater.

For more information, visit northerntrust.com or contact: Susan Mallory 2049 Century Park East, Suite 3600 Los Angeles, CA 90067 310-282-3833 SHM2@ntrs.com

Investing | Banking | Trust & Estate Services | Wealth Planning | Family Office

With love to David and Elton.

Hilaria & Alec Baldwin

Congratulations to

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas

on receiving this year’s Distinction in Service Award!

Thank you for all you do to further the Arts and Education.

With love and admiration,

Fay & Frank Mancuso

Dominique Shelton, Partner and

Proudly Support

BACKSTAGE AT THE GEFFEN Congratulations to Tonight’s Honorees: Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and

Sir Elton John & David Furnish Atlanta

|

Brussels

|

Charlotte

Research Triangle

|

|

Dallas

Silicon Valley

Los Angeles

| |

|

New York

Washington, D.C.

www.alston.com

Sir Elton & David

Congratulations on your much-deserved honors and thank you for being such inspiring examples for all of us of the right kind of faith.

Love,

Jason Moore

✰ Salutes

the Geffen Playhouse’s

2015

BACKSTAGE HONOREES

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas Distinction in Service Award

&

Sir Elton John & David Furnish Distinction in Theater Award

Los Angeles magazine subscriptions (800) 876-5222 or www.LAmag.com

Congratulations to the Geffen and its staff for the wonderful work that you do throughout the years.

Sandy & Bill

Deborah & Michael Walsh proudly support

Geffen Playhouse and appreciate

SIR ELTON JOHN & DAVID FURNISH MELLODY HOBSON & GEORGE LUCAS for their many contributions to the arts.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

— Winston Churchill

George & Mellody and Sir Elton & David,

you have given so much of yourselves, each in your own way with your own talents, that the honors you are receiving tonight are the reflection of the gratitude and appreciation of a world audience.

Congratulations on these honors, so well deserved and clearly earned.

Love,

Madeline & Bruce Ramer

Congratulations to the Geffen Playhouse for another exciting year of theater and outstanding educational programs, and to Regina Miller and the entire Development staff for their tireless efforts.

I am extremely proud to support the Geffen Playhouse, and I congratulate tonight’s accomplished honorees Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish.

Christine Marie Ofiesh

Thank you to the Geffen Playhouse for the honor of being a part of the Backstage at the Geffen Gala.Â

Ronen Levy

Air Quality

Quality Air

Proud Supporter of The Geffen Playhouse

The Geffen Playhouse Board thanks

David Geffen

for serving as 2015 Backstage at the Geffen Honorary Chair.

Mellody & George, Sir Elton & David, Thank you for your leadership in changing our world for the better!

To the Geffen Playhouse for the inspiration you bring to the artistic community of Los Angeles!

In loving memory of our friend Gil Cates, Founder of the Geffen Playhouse and a unique creative voice.

With admiration,

Lynda Thomas & Sandy Climan

Congratulations and thank you to the Geffen Playhouse for the honor of being a part of Backstage at the Geffen.

Angel Town Combo

L.A.’s Premier Jazz and Groove Collective ANGELTOWNCOMBO.COM

Congratulations to Sir Elton John & David Furnish and Mellody Hobson & George Lucas Mo Ostin

Congratulations to the honorees,

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish and to the Geffen Playhouse on another amazing year of theater!

To many more years of greatness!

Laurie Ziegler

Our warmest congratulations and thanks to this year’s wonderfully talented honorees.

Annette Blum and the Blum Family Foundation

Congratulations to

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and

Sir Elton John & David Furnish

and our gratitude for your support of the Geffen Playhouse

Judi & Bruce Schindler

Congratulations to all of tonight’s honorees:

Mellody, George, Elton and David

We celebrate your passion and dedication to Education and leading us forward in the arts. You are talented, unique individuals and heroes to all the children and communities your lives and accomplishments have touched.

Patti & Dr. Paul Eisenberg

AMC joins in celebrating the Geffen Playhouse and tonight’s honorees for wonderful contributions throughout the years to the arts and education.

Congratulations to this year’s awardees,

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish On their past and future accomplishments.

May they continue Onward and Upward with the Arts.

Harold & Eileen Brown

Proud to support the Geffen Playhouse.

Flowers in Beverly Hills

Sir Elton, David, George and Mellody,

The world is a better place because of the gifts you have shared. Thank you.

Love,

Rita and Tom

Congratulations to

George & Mellody and Sir Elton & David

for your incredible contributions to the arts and your support for the Geffen Playhouse.

Martin & Helen Scorsese

The Geffen Staff and Board of Directors would love to thank 2015 Backstage at the Geffen Host

Nathan Fillion,

and all the amazing artists that grace our stage this evening.

Congratulations to Elton & David, our Atlanta neighbors!

Thanks for all you do for the arts and for mankind!

You really do make a difference!

Judy Zaban Miller & Lester Miller

Lyn & Norman Lear

join in celebrating tonight’s honorees and the Geffen Playhouse education programs, and all who move the arts forward.

Stephanie & Jonathan Carson

congratulate Mellody Hobson, George Lucas, Sir Elton John, David Furnish and the entire Geffen Playhouse team for another wonderful year of entertainment, education and community outreach.

We look forward to another great year ahead.

Special Thanks to Barbara Schroeder Thank you Barbara for your generosity and support, and for your dedication and creativity in producing this year’s Backstage film

The Board & Staff of the Geffen Playhouse

Hilton French Polynesia is Proud to Support The Geffen Playhouse

Dear Mellody & George,

We are happy to see your outstanding contribution to the Arts & Education being recognized.

Congratulations!

Love,

Skip Brittenham & Heather Thomas

Congratulations to tonight’s honorees!

Tanino Ristorante Bar

is a proud supporter of the Geffen Playhouse.

Congratulations to the Backstage 2015 honorees,

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and

Sir Elton John & David Furnish

and to the Geffen Playhouse for continuing to inspire in the Arts and Education

Alice & Norman Tulchin

Great to be backstage at the Geffen with these amazing honorees.

Ginny Mancini

Proud supporter of The Geffen Playhouse

Uniworld salutes tonight’s honorees and the Geffen Playhouse for their outstanding contributions to the world of theater.

GOOD, BETTER, BEST, GRAND grandwailea.com • 1.800.888.6100 MAUI, HAWAII

Client: Grand Wailea Creative: Good, Better, Best GRAND Pub: 2015 Backstage at the GEFFEN Size: 12.8 X 7.2 Color: FULL ROD: 3.22.2015 DUE: 3.6.15

“Our theatre must stimulate a desire for understanding, a delight in changing reality.”

— Bertolt Brecht

Congratulations to all the honorees, and thank you for your caring work which has changed and saved so very many lives.

B

Larry Feldman & Jo Kaplan

Steve Sauer & Media Four

take great pride in supporting the Geffen Playhouse and congratulate this year’s honorees,

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish for their generosity!

Kudos to the Geffen Playhouse Education and Outreach Programs and congratulations to all of tonight’s honorees, with a special nod to

Mellody Hobson,

who has been such an inspiration and strong supporter of our community efforts for so many years. v

Priscila Giraldo Matthew & Kara Kolodziejczyk

Congratulates

the Geffen Playhouse’s 2015 backstage honorees

Sir Elton John & David Furnish Distinction in Theater Award

and

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas Distinction in Service Award

CALIFORNIA

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I am proud to support the Geffen Playhouse because they support artistic initiatives as well as education and outreach programs.

It is a place I also enjoy and look forward to seeing and sharing with friends.Â

Glorya Kaufman

The Marshall Plan

is proud to have arranged the following trips for this year’s

Backstage at the Geffen Silent Auction: Triada Palm Springs, CA Richmond Nua Spa, Turkey Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, French Polynesia

Islands in the Sun/Fiji Airways Trip

Branding & Public Relations Grand Wailea Resort & Spa, Maui

La Valencia Hotel, La Jolla, CA

920 Abbot Kinney Blvd.

Venice, CA 9029

www.themarshallplan.com

La Clinique Prairie, Switzerland

For all your achievements and contributions to the arts, we would like to congratulate

Sir Elton John & David Furnish for your Distinction in Theater Award.

LA’s Premier Rehearsal and Backline Facility

Montage Beverly Hills and ...

... Montage Laguna Beach are proud to support Backstage at the Geffen.

Kitzia & Richard Goodman congratulate

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish

for their honors at tonight’s Backstage celebration.

We proudly support the Geffen Playhouse

Congratulations to this year’s honorees

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish Your support of the arts is inspiring.

Thank you for all you do.

With respect and admiration,

Leslie & Robert ZemeckisÂ

Heartfelt thanks to our Advisory Board Chair

Miranda Tollman

for your guidance and leadership.

Cheers to the honorees!

Richard & Barbara Sherman

JOHN McCRITE & THEATER DIRECT would like to thank Regina and the entire Geffen Playhouse staff for creating such a wonderful event, and for a successful campaign throughout the year, through their tireless work and dedication.

Congratulations

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish We’re thrilled and honored to be working with the Geffen Playhouse

Thank you to tonight’s honorees for all you do for the arts and for inspiring young artists everywhere to achieve their dreams.

Beth Behrs

THE FRIEDMAN GROUP is a proud supporter of the Geffen Playhouse.

THE FRIEDMAN GROUP

Connecting Brands With Hollywood www.friedmangrp.com

info@friedmangrp.com

Congratulations to the honorees of tonight’s Backstage celebration, with gratitude to all the staff at the Geffen Playhouse and with pride in Gil Jr. for carrying on the Geffen Playhouse banner!

Jon, Elena, Julia & Harrison Cates

Thank you to our partners at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and UCLA Center X – California Reading and Literature Project.

We are grateful for your support, collaboration and expertise in the arts and in education.

Seasons 52 is proud to support the Geffen Playhouse.

With our seasonally inspired ingredients, come discover what’s good now.

Sending heartfelt congratulations to tonight’s honorees

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish

and proud to support the Education and Community Outreach programs of the Geffen Playhouse.

Ken Willner & Jim Stine

In appreciation of Gil Sr. and Gil Jr. and their loving dedication to the Geffen.

Melissa Cates Claman, Roger, Evan & Jordan Claman

Congratulations to the Geffen Playhouse and tonight’s honorees, Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish

Drs. Barbara & Gerald Levey

Proud supporter of the Geffen Playhouse.

For reservations, contact your travel consultant, the Resort directly at (011) 506 2696 0098 or reservations.cos@fourseasons.com

Elton & David We Salute Your Inspiration and Continued Support Of Live Theater

The Howard Rose Agency

Congratulations to the Geffen Playhouse and tonight’s honorees

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish

Thank you for all your passion and warm kindness to health and education.

Eileen & Kase Lawal

Congratulations to all of tonight’s honorees, and in loving memory of Gil Cates.

David, Christine & Leah Cates

A huge congratulations on behalf of Hannah Linkenhoker and NMA Partners to

Mellody Hobson & George Lucas and Sir Elton John & David Furnish It’s an honor to support the work of the Geffen Playhouse.

T +41 21 989 33 11 - info@laprairie.ch - www.laprairie.ch

What could be better than being a Geffen honoree?

Congratulations! Best wishes!

Mona Malden

We are so proud to be involved with such an enriching organization as the Geffen Playhouse, and to be honoring Mellody Hobson and George Lucas this evening.

Your work with young people and the disadvantaged is inspiring. Keep up all your great work!

Lorraine Spurge & Patrick Mitchell

Susan & Jonathan Dolgen

CONGRATULATE THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE

Thank You LA’s Premier Rehearsal and Backline Facility

For generously sponsoring our production equipment tonight!

Ghurka proudly supports the Geffen Playhouse.

GHURKA.com

Mellody & George,

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition of your lifelong service to the arts.

Cindra & Alan Ladd

We are proud to support the Geffen Playhouse.

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Solage Calistoga is proud to support the Geffen Playhouse and warmly congratulates Mellody Hobson, George Lucas, Sir Elton John and David Furnish.

Thank you for your contributions to the arts. solagecalistoga.com | 755 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, California 94515 | 855 421 1235

Our most heartfelt gratitude to

ALL OF THE ARTISTS

who donated their time and talent to give us a one-of-a-kind night to entertain and thank everyone who supports the Geffen Playhouse and live theatre!

Gil Cates Founder, leader, passionate arts advocate, director, producer, friend, mentor, boss, cheerleader and so much more ...

We still think of you when we walk in the door every day.

Your memory endures and lives strong in all of us.

Love,

Your Geffen Playhouse Family