Paradise Blue Program

®

GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE GIL CATES THEATER

E S I D PARA UE BL

WELCOME TO

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

PHOTO BY JEFF LORCH

MATT SHAKMAN

Welcome to Paradise Blue!

After a year and a half of closed doors, it’s wonderful to have you here in the theater.

A few years ago, the Geffen had the pleasure of producing Dominique Morisseau’s Skeleton Crew—part of “The Detroit Project,” Dominique’s acclaimed trilogy chronicling three eras that would forever alter the landscape of her hometown. Now, we are proud to bring you the noir-inspired Paradise Blue, another piece of that same trilogy. This gorgeously wrought play transports us to the bustling jazz hub of Black Bottom, Detroit in 1949, just before the neighborhood was razed to make room for a freeway. With rich dialogue and fully embodied characters, Dominque paints a portrait of a community teetering on the precipice of change.

2 P L AY B I L L

We are delighted to welcome director Stori Ayers, a longtime collaborator of Dominique’s, to the Geffen for the first time. Stori and this phenomenal cast, along with the talented design team and vital behind-the-scenes crew, have brought the Paradise Club to vibrant life.

Thank you for your support of the Geffen and of live performance. You make all of this possible, and I am overjoyed to share our 25th Anniversary Season with you.

Enjoy the show!

Matt Shakman Artistic Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Adi Greenberg

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

GIL CATES, JR.

Victoria Alonso

Jerry Moss

Patricia Kiernan Applegate

Bruce M. Ramer Founding Chair

Beth Behrs

Victoria Mann Simms

Dr. Gene D. Block

Andy Spahn

Kevin Bright

Steven Spielberg

Gil Cates Jr. Executive Director

Steve Tisch

Mary Ann Cloyd Vice Chair Merle Dandridge Martha De Laurentiis

Dr. Charles E. Young Chair Emeritus

IN MEMORIAM

Dr. Brad Edgerton

Gilbert Cates Founder

Bonnie E. Eskenazi

Marcia Israel-Curley

Mark Fleischer

Audrey Skirball Kenis

Sue Nahley Fleishman

Charles Kenis

Patricia L. Glaser

Karl Malden

Martha Henderson Chair Emeritus

Ginny Mancini

Loretta Everett Kaufman Carla Malden Brian Mann

Jerry Perenchio Edie Wasserman Lew Wasserman

Tiffany Mayberry

LEGAL COUNSEL

Danny Passman

Peter Rosen

Holly Rice

Latham & Watkins LLP

Pamela Robinson Chair Emeritus Linda Bernstein Rubin Matt Shakman Artistic Director

ADVISORY BOARD Miranda Tollman Chair

Richard Sherman

Stephanie Carson

Cynthia P. Stafford

Lori Collins

Howard Tenenbaum Chair Emeritus

Ellyce R. Cooper

Marc Weinstock

Brenda Garcia

Kevyn Wynn

Ann Gianopulos

FOUNDING TRUSTEES

Priscila Giraldo

Harold A. Brown

Eric Heer

Kirsten Combs

Laura Kennedy

Robert A. Daly

Wendy Kurtzman

David Geffen

Hannah Linkenhoker

Herbert M. Gelfand Chair Emeritus

John McCrite

Quincy Jones Jeffrey Katzenberg Glorya Kaufman Frank G. Mancuso Chair Emeritus Ron Meyer

PHOTO BY JEFF LORCH

CHAIR

Debra Davis

Kirsten Hansen

Audrey Povar Eric Rollins Allen Shay

On behalf of the entire Geffen Playhouse family, I’d like to welcome you back as we celebrate the start of our 25th Anniversary Season in the Gil Cates Theater.

After an unprecedented break from in-person performances, our theater is again buzzing with the energy of artists, actors, set builders, costume designers and now—audiences! We are so excited to have you here.

I remember as if it were yesterday, seeing the West Coast premiere of Four Dogs and a Bone, the first show to open Geffen Playhouse in 1995. Fast forward to now, and we’re entering our next 25 years with the West Coast premiere of Dominique Morisseau’s powerful drama Paradise Blue, kicking off a new season in the Gil Cates Theater.

The lockdowns and theater closures brought with them a unique set of challenges we had never before experienced. With a pivot to live, virtual and interactive Geffen Stayhouse productions, we were fortunate to be able to keep the majority of our staff working, and audiences engaged, during very uncertain times. We also created a Geffen Playhouse Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee made up of Geffen artists, staff, and Board members. The Committee meets regularly and provides input and insight for all facets of the theater.

The success of these initiatives was a result not only of the innovation and dedication of our entire team, but also the support of our incredible donors, subscribers, and patrons like you.

So, welcome home! We’ve missed you.

John Sonego Cela Devine Sutton Laurie Ziegler

Gil Cates, Jr. Executive Director G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 3

THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE PRODUCTION OF

PARADISE BLUE WRITTEN BY

DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU DIRECTED BY

STORI AYERS SCENIC DESIGNER

COSTUME DESIGNER

EDWARD E. HAYNES, JR.

WENDELL C. CARMICHAEL

LIGHTING DESIGNER

SOUND DESIGNER

ALAN C. EDWARDS

JEFF GARDNER COMPOSER

DAVID “PREACH” BALFOUR FIGHT DIRECTOR

INTIMACY CHOREOGRAPHER

STEVE RANKIN PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

SHAWNA VORAGEN

NEDRA CONSTANCE GALLEGOS ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

LIV SCOTT

CASTING DIRECTOR

PHYLLIS SCHURINGA‚ CSA

OPENING NIGHT

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 Paradise Blue is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com The World Premiere of Paradise Blue was produced by the Williamstown Theatre Festival in July, 2015 Mandy Greenfield, Artistic Director; Stephen M. Kaus, Producer

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS CIRCLE MEMBERS Laurie & Bill Benenson

Jerry & Terri Kohl

Martha Henderson

Linda Bernstein Rubin & Tony Rubin

Pamela Robinson Hollander & Robert Hollander Loretta Everett Kaufman & Victor Kaufman

4 P L AY B I L L

Miranda & Brett Tollman

PARADISE BLUE CAST OF CHARACTERS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

TYLA ABERCRUMBIE BLUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WENDELL B. FRANKLIN .

P-SAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALANI ILONGWE † CORN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JOHN EARL JELKS PUMPKIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SHAYNA SMALL SILVER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

†Fight Captain

UNDERSTUDIES SILVER / PUMPKIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MILDRED MARIE LANGFORD BLUE / CORN / P-SAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HERB NEWSOME Understudies never substitute for listed players unless specified.

The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

TIME/SETTING

PLEASE NOTE

1949 Paradise Club in Detroit, Michigan

There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed in the theater.

Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones. Thank you!

RUNNING TIME

2 hours and 15 minutes Including one 15 minute intermission.

25th Anniversary Season Sponsor

Opening Night Sponsors

G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 5

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES

TYLA ABERCRUMBIE

W E N D E L L B. F R A N K L I N

A L A N I i LO N GW E

Silver

Blue

P-Sam

Tyla is excited to make her Gef-

Wendell B. Franklin is excited

Alani iLongwe is excited to be

fen Playhouse debut. Regional

to make his Geffen Playhouse

making his Geffen Playhouse

credits: Sweat (Huntington

debut. He has performed at

debut! Theater credits include

Theatre Company, Goodman

theaters across the country,

The Legend of Georgia McBride

Theatre); Pipeline (Victory

including Atlantic Theatre

(Ensemble Theatre Com-

Gardens Theater); Paradise

Company (world premiere of

pany), Two Trains Running

Blue and In Darfur (TimeLine

Dominique Morisseau’s Skele-

(Seattle Repertory Theatre/

Theatre); East Texas Hot Links

ton Crew), People’s Light and

Arena Stage), Sunset Baby

(Writers Theatre); Gem of the

Theatre Company (Fences),

(TheatreWorks), Bad Apples

Ocean, The Piano Lesson, and

The Billie Holiday Theatre

(ACT Theatre), Romeo & Juliet

Flyin’ West (Court Theatre);

(Brothers from the Bottom),

and Ain’t Supposed to Die

Detroit ‘67 (Northlight Theatre);

The Culture Project (Speak

a Natural Death (Classical

Radio Golf (Pittsburgh Public

Truth to Power), Berkeley

Theatre of Harlem). Television

Theater); Piano Lesson (Port-

Repertory Theatre, La Jolla

credits include ABC’s Castle,

land Stage Company); Jitney

Playhouse, Huntington Theatre

TNT’s Major Crimes, CBS’ Blue

(St. Louis Black Repertory

Company (co-production of

Bloods, NBC’s Law & Order,

Company). Tyla is currently in

Ruined), Cleveland Playhouse

Nickelodeon’s Cousins for Life,

the Showtime series The Chi.

(Gee’s Bend), Virginia Stage

Casagrandes, and The Loud

Additonal TV credits: Some-

Company (Raisin in the Sun),

House. He can be heard voicing

body Somewhere, Utopia, Easy,

Weston Playhouse (Raisin in

a series regular role in the up-

Chicago Med, Chicago P.D.,

the Sun and “Master Harold”…

coming Cartoon Network/ HBO

Empire, and Shrink. Tyla holds

and the Boys), Arkansas Rep.

Max series Jessica’s Little Big

a B.A. from Columbia College.

(Fences), Illinois Shakespeare

World and seen on screen in the

She is a company member with

Festival (Julius Caesar, Pericles,

Netflix feature film Arthur the

TimeLine Theatre. As a play-

and Comedy of Errors), the

King (starring Mark Wahlberg

wright, she was the recipient of

Sundance Theatre Institute

and Simu Liu). As a writer his

the TimeLine Theatre Writers

(workshops of Skeleton Crew

immersive musical At the River

Collective Fellow 2016 and The

and Between the World and

I Stand is currently in develop-

Raven Theatre Playwrights Ini-

Me). His TV credits include The

ment with Apples & Oranges

tiative Award 2020. Her most

Good Fight, Madam Secretary,

Arts. Graduate of NYU’s Tisch

recent play Relentless begins

Elementary, and Law & Order.

School for the Arts. Ron How-

production December 2021.

And a proud member of AEA.

6 P L AY B I L L

ard Fellowship recipient.

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES

J O H N E A R L J E L KS

Corn

John can be seen in this season of the HBO Max series Love Life. In theater, John starred in Head of Passes at the Mark Taper Forum, reprising the role he originated alongside Phylicia Rashad and others in the Public Theater’s production of the piece in 2016. John also appeared on Broadway in the critically acclaimed play Sweat by Lynn Nottage, which won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In 2007, John received a Tony Award nomination for “Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play” for his work in August Wilson’s Radio Golf. Additional film and television credits include Spike Lee’s Miracle at St. Anna, Night Comes On, Showtime’s On Becoming a God in Central Florida, Netflix’s The I-Land, HBO’s True Detective, Paramount+’s The Good Fight, Blue Bloods and NBC’s Law & Order: SVU.

S H AY N A S M A L L

Pumpkin

Off-Broadway: Parable of the Sower (The Public Theater); Rags Parkland Sings Songs of the Future (Ars Nova workshop).

Regional: The Glorious World of Crowns, Kinks, and Curls (Baltimore Center Stage); How to Catch Creation (Baltimore Center Stage & Philadelphia Theatre Company); Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Cincinnati Playhouse); Intimate Apparel (Bay Street Theatre); The Colored Museum (Huntington Theatre Company). The Juilliard School: The Threepenny Opera, Romeo and Juliet, Toya in Hurt Village, The House of Bernarda Alba, Henry IV (Part I), Assassins.

Education: B.A., The Juilliard School. shaynasmall.com

the documentary STEP for Fox Searchlight. Awards include: Spirit of Detroit Award, PoNY Fellowship, Sky-Cooper Prize, TEER Trailblazer Award, Steinberg Playwright Award, Audelco Awards, NBFT August Wilson Playwriting Award, Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama, OBIE Award (2), and the Ford Foundation Art of Change Fellowship, named one of Variety’s Women of Impact for 2017-18 and a recipient of the 2018 MacArthur Genius Grant.

S TO R I AY E RS

Director

D O M I N I Q U E M O R I S S E AU

Playwright

Dominique Morisseau is the author of The Detroit Project (A 3-Play Cycle): Skeleton Crew (Atlantic Theater Company), Paradise Blue (Signature Theatre), and Detroit ’67 (Public Theater, Classical Theatre of Harlem and NBT). Additional plays include: Pipeline (Lincoln Center Theatre), Sunset Baby (LAByrinth Theatre), Blood at the Root (National Black Theatre), and Follow Me To Nellie’s (Premiere Stages). She is also the Tony Award nominated book writer on the Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations (Imperial Theatre). TV/ Film projects: She most recently served as co-producer on the Showtime series Shameless.

She’s currently developing projects with Netflix, HBO, and A24, and wrote the film adaptation of

Stori Ayers is a New Yorkbased actor/director and co-founder of [RARE] Lotus Productions. Originally from Washington, D.C., she has a passion for stories that challenge social norms, create conversations in the community, and ignite within her generation a spirit of activism.

Stori is an original cast member and producer of Dominique Morisseau’s Blood at the Root, winner of the Graham F. Smith Peace Foundation Prize for its promotion of human rights.

She recently played Regina, childhood best friend of Tiffany Haddish, on the TBS hit series The Last O.G. starring Tracy Morgan. Stori has worked at Lincoln Center Theater, Signature Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, the National Black Theatre, Baltimore Centre Stage, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Syracuse Stage, G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 7

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Signature Theatre DC, Premiere Stages, Pennsylvania Center Stage and Round House Theatre, to name a few. Stori is a proud member of Actors’ Equity and SDC, holds a B.A. from Mary Baldwin University, an M.F.A. in Acting from Penn State University, and is a writing assistant to Dominique Morisseau.

E DWA R D E . H AY N E S, J R .

Scenic Designer

Ed is thrilled to be returning to the Geffen Playhouse where he last designed Emergency.

Regional credits include: Mark Taper Forum, Ebony Repertory Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Kirk Douglas Theatre, East West Players, Pasadena Playhouse, The Hollywood Bowl, Antaeus Theatre Company, Berkeley Rep, Marin Theatre Company, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, The Muny, Two River Theater, Intiman Theatre, Trinity Rep, Alley Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and many he can no longer remember. Television credits include MTVs’ Spring Break 2012 & 2011, Hip Hop Harry for Discovery Kids/TLC, and Culture Clash for Fox. Ed is the proud father of twins, Denis and Wesly, and husband to director Elizabeth Bell-Haynes. edhaynes.carbonmade.com W E N D E L L C. CA R M I C H A E L

Costume Designer

Theater credits: Yellowman; Clue; Macbeth; A Winter’s Tale; Sweeney Todd; Waiting for Godot; New Works; Salvage; Ragtime; Scraps; The Mountaintop; Our Town; The Wizard of Oz; WINK; Fool for Love; In the Heights; Happy Ending; 8 P L AY B I L L

American Saga: Gunshot Medley; Jews, Christians and Screwing Stalin, Vol. 1: A Post Racial America; Violet; Her Portmeanu; Native Son; A Walk in the Woods; Cabaret; West Side Story; Romeo and Julie; Othello; Desdemona: A Play About a Handkerchief; The Crucible; An Octoroon; Br’er Cotton; Ball Yards; Waiting for the Parade; The Good War; Greenwood 1964. 2018 Stage Raw winner – Costume Design, three-time L.A. Ovation Award nominee, 2017 Orange County’s Best Costume Designs, 2015 NAACP Theatre Award winner. Member of Local 768, the Theatrical Wardrobe Union/LA Opera.

A L A N C. E DWA R D S

Lighting Designer

Off-Broadway: Harry Clarke (Vineyard Theatre, Lucille Lortel Award); Kill Move Paradise (National Black Theatre, Drama Desk Award nomination); Fires in the Mirror, Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, The Hot Wing King (Signature Theatre). Regional: Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole (Geffen Playhouse, People’s Light); Dutchman, Antigone, Macbeth, Seize the King (Classical Theatre of Harlem); Twisted Melodies (Centerstage Baltimore); Henry IV Part 2, Fingersmith (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Stagger Lee (Dallas Theatre Center); We Are Proud To Present (Guthrie Theater); Man of La Mancha (Westport Playhouse); Sweeney Todd (Connecticut Rep). Broadway: The Testament of Mary (Assoc. to Jennifer Tipton). His work has been seen at Guthrie Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Dallas Theatre Center, Center Stage Baltimore, Asolo Rep, Yale Rep, Cleveland Play House, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Miami New Drama, Berkshire

Theatre Group, Chautauqua Theatre Company, People’s Light, Madison Opera, Mill City Opera, and the Kennedy Center.

He received his M.F.A. from the Yale School of Drama, where he is also an assistant professor. alancedwards.com JEFF GARDNER

Sound Designer

Jeff is an actor and Ovation Award-winning sound designer born and raised in Los Angeles.

Jeff has designed and performed throughout the country including the Kirk Douglas Theatre, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Pasadena Playhouse, A Noise Within, Boston Court Pasadena, Echo Theater Company, Circle X Theatre Co., Rogue Machine Theatre, IAMA Theatre Company, The Kennedy Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and is a member of Antaeus Theatre Company in Glendale. Jeff can be seen at L.A. Theatre Works, where he regularly performs live sound effects. Online: jeffthomasgardner.net DAV I D “ P R E AC H ” BA L F O U R

Composer

David “Preach” Balfour is a Memphis, Tennessee native and has been a professional musician since the age of 14, playing for a small local church during his junior high school years. David graduated Berklee College of Music in 2000 where he played for the gospel choir, sang in weekly musical performances in the school cafeteria, and was a key performer in the Annual Commencement Show in 2000. After moving to Los Angeles, David played keyboards for R&B neo-soul

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES performer Anthony Hamilton, and co-wrote several songs on Hamilton’s album “Coming from Where I’m From” including “My First Love,” which was featured in the 2004 film Fat Albert. David has co-produced, co-written, and collaborated with artists such as Beyoncé, Drake, T-Pain, Bruno Mars, Usher, DJ Quik, and more.

David has scored various works, including Dominique Morisseau’s play Paradise Blue and Doug Spearman’s romantic drama film From Zero to I Love You. In the 2021 film Tom & Jerry, David played the piano as Tom for Ray Charles’ “Don’t You Know” with vocals performed

by T-Pain.

STEVE RANKIN

Fight Director

Most recently at Geffen Playhouse: Key Largo, Witch, Big Sky. Broadway: Ain’t Too Proud, All My Sons, Carousel (Drama Desk Outstanding Fight Choreography), Summer, Memphis, Jersey Boys, Henry IV, Twelfth Night, The Who’s Tommy, Anna Christie, The Real Inspector Hound, Macbeth, The Farnsworth Invention, Guys and Dolls, Dracula, Doctor Zhivago, Bonnie and Clyde, Getting Away With Murder, Two Shakespearean Actors.

Off-Broadway: Pig Farm, The Third Story, The Night Hank Williams Died, Below the Belt.

Public Theater: CORIOLANUS. Shakespeare Los Angeles: Henry IV (with Tom Hanks).

Stratford Shakespeare Festival: Romeo and Juliet, Caesar and Cleopatra, The Who’s Tommy, Macbeth, Henry V. Metropolitan Opera: Faust, Rodelinda, Boris Godunov, Iphegenie at Tauride.

Regional: Kennedy Center, Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, The Old Globe (Asso-

ciate Artist), La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Actors Theater of Louisville, Center Stage Theater, Geva Theatre Center, Virginia Stage Company, Asolo, et al. Mr. Rankin also plays mandolin and guitar with The Susie Glaze New Folk Ensemble. Steve is a proud member of SDC. N E D R A C O N S TA N C E GALLEGOS

Intimacy Choreographer

Nedra Constance Gallegos is a movement specialist, teaching artist, actor, writer, and director.

She is a member of Actor’s Equity and SAG/AFTRA and co-founder of IC en Scene. She has experience in both theatre and film. She has served as the Intimacy Choreographer for The Standard, a theatre company that has produced original plays since 2010. She has also worked at The Foundry Theatre in Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale and with the Creative Shelter in Miami Florida. She is the On-Site Intimacy Coordinator Advisor and Instructor at New York Film Academy, Los Angeles campus, a film and acting school based in New York City with satellite campuses in Los Angeles, Miami, and across the world. Nedra has an M.F.A. in Performance from Pennsylvania State University. She is thrilled to be working as the Intimacy Choreographer at Geffen Playhouse for Paradise Blue!

S H AW N A VO R AG E N

Production Stage Manager

Shawna Voragen is thrilled to make her Geffen debut! She is a Los Angeles-based stage manager and proud member of Actors’ Equity. Select stage management credits include: Witness Uganda, A Christmas Carol, UNMASKED: A Theatrical

Celebration of Black Women’s Liberation (The Wallis); In the Red and Brown Water, The Brothers Size, The Ballad of Emmett Till [digital remount], Reborning, Citizen: An American Lyric (Fountain Theatre); Medusa: The Musical, The Window [staged reading] (Deaf West Theatre); 33 Variations, Steel Magnolias, A Body of Water (Actors Co-Op); Hocus Pocus: A Musical Cocktail Experience, A Christmas Carol Cocktail Spectacular (After Hours Theatre Company); Next to Normal (Triage Productions); and the acclaimed remount of Citizen: An American Lyric as part of Center Theatre Group’s inaugural Block Party. Love and thanks to Marianne and Katie!

L I V S C OT T

Assistant Stage Manager

Liv is thrilled to join the company of Paradise Blue, and to make her Geffen debut.

Originally from Los Angeles, she discovered her love of stage management in high school, eventually getting her master’s in Stage Management at UC Irvine. She is fueled by a drive to facilitate powerful storytelling designed to impact audiences and lift voices not often heard.

Past credits include The DiscOasis (Constellation Immersive); A Play Is a Poem (Mark Taper Forum); School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play (Kirk Douglas Theatre); the U.S. tour of Evita (Plan-B Entertainment); the 27th, 28th, and 30th Ovation Awards, the Ojai Playwrights Conference Gala; The Central Park Five (Long Beach Opera); Macbeth, Eugene Onegin (Chautauqua Opera).

She is excited to continue working in Los Angeles after The Great Pause, as well as freelancing across the country.

G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 9

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES P H Y L L I S S C H U R I N G A , C SA

Casting Director

Phyllis is an Artistic Associate and the Casting Director for Geffen Playhouse. Recent casting includes Mysterious Circumstances, Black Super Hero Magic Mama, Skeleton Crew, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Guards at the Taj and American Buffalo at the Geffen, and Put Your House in Order at La Jolla Playhouse. She has received 6 Artios nominations: Witch, Significant Other, Actually, Barbecue, Barcelona, The Country House. Before joining the Geffen, she was the Casting Director for Steppenwolf Theater Company in Chicago where her favorites include Frank Galati’s adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath (also La Jolla Playhouse, National Theatre in London and Broadway, where it received the Tony Award for Best Play), the original production of Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile (and subsequent productions including Westwood Playhouse and Briar Street Theater in Chicago), 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 Award for Best Revival) and The Song of Jacob Zulu.

She is a member of the Casting Society of America.

Circumstances for the Geffen in 2019 and prior to joining as Artistic Director in 2017, Shakman directed three acclaimed productions at the Playhouse: the West Coast premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire’s Good People (2012), the world premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher’s new adaptation of Wait Until Dark (2013), and Joshua Harmon’s Bad Jews (2015). Matt founded and was the artistic director of the Black Dahlia Theatre in Los Angeles, which was named “one of a dozen young American companies you need to know” by American Theatre magazine and “Best Small Theatre” by Los Angeles magazine. Matt is a director and producer for FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and has directed episodes of Game of Thrones (DGA nomination), Mad Men, Fargo, The Good Wife, and Succession.

He helmed the pilot episode for Hulu’s The Great (Emmy nomination) starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult and produced and directed all episodes of WandaVision (Emmy nominations for Direction and Limited Series, DGA nomination), a Marvel Studios event series for Disney+ starring Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen.

Matt is currently directing Star Trek for Bad Robot and Paramount Studios.

M AT T S H A K M A N

Artistic Director

Matt Shakman is Artistic Director of Geffen Playhouse.

Matt last helmed Mysterious 1 0 P L AY B I L L

G I L CAT E S, J R .

Executive Director

Gil Cates, Jr. is Executive Director of Geffen Playhouse.

In this role, he is responsible for managing the Geffen’s dayto-day operations; developing new, ongoing theater partnerships and leading its mission to inform, entertain and inspire diverse audiences with live theater of the highest caliber.

Prior to being named Executive Director in 2015, Cates served as Geffen Playhouse Board Vice Chairman since 2012 and served as a producer and director in theater, film and television. His theater credits include the award-winning Names (Matrix Theatre Company) and Three Sisters and David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre (both at Syracuse Stage).

Cates’ film credits include The Surface (starring Sean Astin and Geffen Playhouse alumnus Chris Mulkey), Jobs (starring Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Dermot Mulroney, as well as Geffen Playhouse alumni Matthew Modine and Ron Eldard) and the 2011 feature film Lucky (starring Colin Hanks, Ari Graynor and Ann-Margret).

In addition, Cates co-produced and co-directed the critically acclaimed Life After Tomorrow, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, which premiered on Showtime.

His other films include Deal (starring Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison and Charles Durning) and The Mesmerist (starring Jessica Capshaw and Geffen Playhouse alumnus Neil Patrick Harris). Cates’ television directorial debut was an episode of the NBC comedy Joey, starring Emmy winner Matt LeBlanc.

He studied at the National Theatre Institute in Waterford, Connecticut, and holds a B.F.A. in Drama from Syracuse University.

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES for accounting functions of

Sloten CPA, after holding the

the theater, including oper-

position of Director of Account-

ating and capital budgets. In

ing at FABS Management,

addition, she supports all IT

where she was responsible for

and HR activities. Behnaz was

overseeing the finances of more

named Chief Financial Officer

than 25 non-profit organiza-

in 2015 after serving as General

tions. As a financial professional

Manager since 2002. She first

with more than 30 years’ experi-

joined Geffen Playhouse in

ence in for-profit and non-profit

1999. Previously, Ataee worked

financial management and au-

as a senior financial analyst for

diting, Ataee began her career

Behnaz “Nazy” Ataee is Chief

Ultratech Inc., an international

in the Bay Area as a partner in a

Financial Officer of Geffen

semiconductor company based

small tech startup. She holds a

Playhouse. In this role, she

in San Jose. Prior to Ultratech,

master’s degree from Pepper-

has oversight responsibility

she was an auditor for Van

dine University.

B E H N A Z ATA E E Chief Financial Officer

THE NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Supporting artists is central to the mission of the Geffen Playhouse, and play commissions are a cornerstone of that support. To commission a playwright to write a play means making a commitment to their voice, craft and vision, with the hope of sharing the fruits of their work on our stage.

The Geffen Playhouse’s New Play Development Program is made possible, in large part, through the leadership and generosity of donations from: The Edgerton Foundation, The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Fay & Frank Mancuso, Sandra Krause & William Fitzgerald, Hilary & Jack Angelo and Mary Bianco, The MOCA Foundation.

We are proud to have the following artists under commission: RACHEL BONDS COLMAN DOMINGO MICHAEL GOLAMCO MEGHAN KENNEDY MATTHEW LOPEZ MARTYNA MAJOK

CHELSEA MARCANTEL STACY OSEI-KUFFOUR JIEHAE PARK JOHN POLLONO ZOE SARNAK ROBERT SCHENKKAN

JEN SILVERMAN DAVID WIENER LAUREN YEE ANNA ZIEGLER

For more information on this program, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/newplays.

THE WRITERS’ ROOM A group for Los Angeles-based playwrights, The Writers’ Room is a product of the Geffen’s deep commitment to supporting new plays and specifically to fostering bold, relevant work by the vibrant artistic community of this city. During this one-year residency, playwright members gather monthly at the Geffen to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and the Geffen’s artistic staff, culminating in a play reading series.

VIVIAN BARNES LISA SANAYE DRING WESTON GAYLORD

ALEXANDRA KALINOWSKI, TOVA KATZ, & KATIE LINDSAY

NICHOLAS PILAPIL MICHAEL SHAYAN

The Writers’ Room 2021/2022 is made possible through the generous support of Jerry and Terri Kohl.

For more information on this program, please visit geffenplayhouse.org/thewritersroom.

G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 1 1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PRODUCTION STAFF FOR PARADISE BLUE Assistant Director Summer Savonna Session

Wardrobe Supervisor Liz Rose

Assistant Scenic Designer Kendrick Lawson-Knight

Hair Supervisor & Costume Shop Staff Audrey Lastar

Assistant Lighting Designer Yelena Babinskaya

Lead Carpenter Philip Rossi

Assistant Sound Designers Andrea Allmond, Matt Colleran

Carpenters Austin Bosley, Oliver Brink, Christopher Cowan, Melissa Hartman, Rob Hille, James Stanley

Hair Designer Tony Walk Production Assistants Raven Chatt, Arcelia Gomez Trumpet Jordan Katz Stage Supervisor & Automation Operator Alexandre Norkus

Electricians Julie Cowger, Nelea Fong, Miri Henerson, Emma Inglehart, Nicole Jaja, Keannak Parvaz, Keanu Ross-Cabrera, Caleb Wildman

Light Board Operator Emma Inglehart

Properties Artisans Chris Baab, Elliot Mitchell, Karin Rabe Vance

Sound Board Operator Jake Delgado

Dramaturgical Research Support Rachel Wiegardt-Egel

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Scenery Provided by F&D Scene Changes Ltd.

Production Photographer Jeff Lorch

Lighting Equipment Provided By Kinetic Lighting, Inc.

Media Filming Ramon Garcia

Sound Equipment Provided By DnB Design, Jon Sound Inc.

Photography Justin Bettman

Recording Services Provided By

SPECIAL THANKS UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television Scene, Prop, Sound, and Costume Shops; London Cleaners; Alley Theatre

UCLA SCHOOL OF THEATER, FILM AND TELEVISION Geffen Playhouse is affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles, specifically the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Geffen Playhouse values its role as an important educational resource by providing students with master classes, workshops and internships. Students are also able to work and learn from distinguished visiting Geffen artists in areas of directing, playwriting, acting, design, dramaturgy, management and production. Geffen Playhouse also draws upon the distinguished experts in the university to enhance the theater’s programs and research.

RECORDING NOTICE The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author(s)’s rights and actionable under United States copyright law. For more information, please visit: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists

GEFFEN AT A GLANCE CONTACT Geffen Playhouse 10886 Le Conte Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

310.208.6500 Monday through Friday, 10:00am – 6:00pm AUDIENCE SERVICES

310.208.2028 Tuesday through Sunday, 12:00pm – 6:00pm Please visit geffenplayhouse.org for hours, parking and more information.

BOX OFFICE The box office window is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12:00pm – 6:00pm, as well as on performance days up until 15 minutes after curtain during the run of a show.

Please note: the box office window is unable to process exchanges and future sales one hour prior to curtain time on any performance day.

ACCESSIBLE ACCOMMODATION Geffen Playhouse is fully committed to providing access to patrons with mobility, visual and hearing impairments. Parking spaces directly outside the theater are zoned for drop off and pick up, as well as disabled parking spots for patrons with appropriate placards and plates. For more information about our Accessibility services and programs, visit geffenplayhouse.org/ access or call our box office.

LATE SEATING Should you arrive late to the theater or vacate your seat during the performance, please expect to be held in the lobby until an appropriate pause in the action on stage.

To minimize disturbance to other patrons, you may be seated in the first available location by the house staff even if it is different from your assigned seat. Be advised that some productions or circumstances may not allow for late or return seating.

NO PHOTOGRAPHY This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an independent national labor union.

The Director is a Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union.

The scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers in LORT theaters are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE.

1 2 P L AY B I L L

There is no photography or filming of any kind allowed in the theater. Please turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones.

NOW ON DISPLAY IN THE LOBBY

ART LIVES HERE

FEATURED WORK #1 Horror Without End! doubling ARTISTS Beck+Col ON DISPLAY Nov. 9 – Dec. 12, 2021

Horror Without End! doubling is a multimedia video installation which transports audiences to an alternate universe that is populated by monsters, spawning a counter mythology and queering of existing norms.

As part of Geffen Playhouse’s inaugural Art Lives Here project, four Los Angeles artists have been invited to create original art works to be displayed in our lobby welcoming back audiences during our 25th Anniversary Season.

We celebrate the diversity in our audiences and our productions, and it is our mission to create, foster, and nourish an environment that is open and welcoming for all. We are a home for the arts, and we believe our physical space should also reflect and be representative of our ongoing commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do and the communities we support.

Choreographed by Tetiana Sklyarova and Kayla Aguila, the dynamic movements in the performance tell a story of a doppelganger emerging to eventually take over its original.

This work considers what happens when the championing of individualism in U.S. culture runs into the reality of the powerlessness of the individual.

Doubling is a celebration of the power of community, even if that community comes in the form of your doppelganger.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS Beck+Col are a Los Angeles based artist duo who have been working exclusively in collaboration since 2014.

Beck+Col have performed at numerous venues including the Hammer Museum, REDCAT, and JOAN Los Angeles. They have had multiple solo exhibitions at Human Resources and their work has been exhibited worldwide including the Royal College of Music in Sweden, Colección AMALITA in Buenos Aires and at Biquini WAX EPS in Mexico City.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT VISIT GEFFENPLAYHOUSE.ORG/ARTLIVESHERE

BEHIND THE SCENES Q&A

BUILDING A PARADISE

Director Stori Ayers

Director Stori Ayers has been collaborating with playwright Dominique Morisseau for years, directing and performing in numerous plays of Dominique’s—including multiple plays in “The Detroit Project,” the trilogy that includes Paradise Blue. During the early days of rehearsal, Director of New Play Development Rachel Wiegardt-Egel asked Stori to share some words about what directing this play in this specific moment means to her.

R AC H E L W I E G A R DT- E G E L : What has artistic work looked like for you over the last year and a half, and what does it mean to be coming back to in-person theater with this particular play?

S TO R I AY E R S : This past year I had the opportunity to work in the American theatre on the other side of the table. Meaning I wasn’t freelancing as an actor or director because 1 4 P L AY B I L L

PHOTO BY JEFF LORCH

AN INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTOR STORI AYERS

the theatre was shut down. But rather working inside of White American Theatre in a way that I had never done before. The pandemic provided me with opportunities to serve my industry in a new and exciting way that I hadn’t really considered. I was offered and accepted two positions. I was the Artistic Directing Fellow at Cleveland Playhouse and the new Associate Artistic Director at Chautauqua Theatre Company. And I accepted these positions during a time when our world, our country, and our industry was under great distress and in need of re-imagining and re-envisioning a new culture for us all to live and work in equally and equitably.

A culture void of white supremacy. And I had answered the call.

While in these positions, that I no longer hold, there was not a day that went by where I did not suffer the extreme consequences of being the only black woman in these spaces.

Where I felt the full weight of white suprem-

BEHIND THE SCENES Q&A

acy culture. Where my understanding of just how deep the roots of racism are embedded within our culture left me heart-broken, disenchanted, and bordering on hopeless.

Not a day went by where I didn’t ask myself, “What’s the point?” and “Why am I spending so much energy fighting to be accepted fully into this space?” and I had to honestly ask myself if I believed it was even possible to truly dismantle white supremacy. I heard phrases and words like “burn it down” and “defund” and “anti-racist” and I tried to fathom and imagine what life could look like on the other side of those calls to action.

And then one day I saw on the news a story that stole my breath. While I was elbows deep in White American Theatre, I read a story about 19 black families who had purchased 97 acres of land in Georgia. They called it the Freedom Georgia Initiative. It was led by two black women—no surprise there—and they purchased this land out of an extreme sense of urgency to create a thriving safe haven for black families in the midst of racial trauma, a global pandemic, and economic instabilities across the U.S. They aim to build a new city for black families and they want to call it Freedom, GA. I have never seen a place like this in my lifetime. I couldn’t even really conceive of it. I had heard of Tulsa and read about the flooding and drowning of black towns in America over the years. But it all happened before I was born. And over the years, black folks seemed to learn that communities like this would not be allowed. So the attempt to build our own cities and safe havens ceased.

Until now.

I understood so deeply what these black families in Georgia longed for and what they wanted. I wanted it too. And I want it now.

I desire a place where I can self-actualize as an artist and human being. Where I can reach my highest potential and become the most that I can be, live out my purpose without being thwarted by systems designed to kill and destroy me and my family. I desire

a place to work that doesn’t treat me like a burden to be tolerated and tokenized. I desire a Paradise. And I don’t want to have to die to get it in heaven. I want it now.

Paradise Blue is about a place just like the one I desire. It tells the story of a black community, known for its freedom and the liberation of black people, at the cusp of being destroyed by a system of white supremacy rooted in racism. And the communities fight with the city and itself to hold onto the place they call home. As I continue to pray for those families in Georgia. Pray for their success and longevity. Pray that their efforts to build a city where the basic physiological needs (breath, food, water, shelter, clothing, sleep) of black people are provided.

And the safety and security needs (health, employment, property) are actually met. I also honor the ground that the vision of this community stands on. I honor Blackbottom and Paradise Valley in Detroit, Michigan.

Telling this story now, in the fall of 2021, after the year I just had with White American Theatre, is about shining a light on the American History that has consistently robbed black Americans of their constitutional rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Rights that they have only truly obtained in the communities that they have built for themselves. My hope is that, as black Americans witness this story, they are encouraged to continue fighting for their own spaces. Encouraged to build spaces together and resist the system that teaches us to value white spaces over our own. This story is about a black woman, much like the two who founded the Freedom Georgia Initiative, who understands the value of Paradise to the survival of the black community in Detroit. We embark on a journey with her as she finds the strength to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to save the most valuable asset for the black American: ownership.

To read more about Stori's approach to directing and longstanding collaboration with Dominique Morisseau, visit geffenplayhouse.org/blog.

G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 1 5

2 5B TE HH IANNDN IT VH EE R SS CA ER NY E SS E QA &S AO N

25 YEARS AND COUNTING Founder Gilbert Cates with Trustee Kristen Combs at the soon-to-be Geffen Playhouse (formerly Westwood Playhouse)

“ONWARD AND UPWARD WITH THE ARTS.” That was the mantra of Geffen Playhouse Founder and Producing Director Gilbert (Gil) Cates, a visionary and a showman who brought this theater to life a quarter of a century ago. And it remains our mantra today.

With the launch of our 2021/2022 season, we celebrate 25 years of storytelling, opening nights, world premieres, standing ovations, and all the artists and audiences who have passed through our doors since we first raised our curtain with Four Dogs and a Bone in 1995.

We did not just begin life as Geffen Playhouse—there’s more to our story. It was the early 1990s and, as a lover of the arts, then-Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Gil Cates had a dream and a vision. The goal was to create a new non-profit professional theater company that 1 6 P L AY B I L L

OCT 10, 1995 — John Patrick Shanley’s Four Dogs and a Bone, directed by Lawrence Kasdan, featuring Brendan Fraser, Elizabeth Perkins, Parker Posey, and Martin Short opened the Geffen Playhouse

Founder Gilbert Cates with philanthropist David Geffen and UCLA Chancellor Emeritus Charles E. Young

Geffen Playhouse is excited to celebrate 25 years by welcoming audiences back in 2021

would enrich the cultural life of Greater Los

of an endowment gift from philanthropist

Angeles and the UCLA community through

David Geffen) to begin the creation of a

plays and educational programs that in-

permanent professional non-profit theater

form, entertain and inspire.

in Westwood. The university created an

UCLA had a long history of working closely with professional theaters as an extension of its academic mission and, for many

independent board, helmed by Cates, which would assume all costs and risks of operating the theater. And the rest is history.

years, owned and operated the Doolittle

Since opening, Geffen Playhouse has

Theater in Hollywood to fulfill this mission.

staged nearly 200 productions, held more

Cates recognized the Doolittle’s geographic

than 9,000 performances, and entertained

distance from campus created a barrier to

countless audiences from around the world

any meaningful relationship with UCLA and

and every walk of life. Each year has brought

argued a better partner would be the West-

with it new stories, new artists, new laugh-

wood Playhouse, located right across from

ter, new tears and new challenges—and we

campus. Compelled by the proximity and

grow as a theater, and as a family, with every

potential of the historic theater, Chancellor

one of them.

Charles Young agreed to sell the Doolittle and pledged the proceeds of the sale to assist Cates with the purchase and refurbishment of the Westwood Playhouse.

It has been an honor to be a home for the arts in this remarkable city of Los Angeles, and we are excited for what the next 25 years will bring. We hope you will continue

UCLA leased the theater to the newly

to join us on this journey, as we go onward

named Geffen Playhouse (in recognition

and upward with the arts.

G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 1 7

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY

THEATER EDUCATION OPENS DOORS TO CREATIVE EXPLORATION Geffen Playhouse is deeply committed to creating powerful and impactful arts education and engagement experiences that amplify, inspire, and encompass our diverse Los Angeles community.

Learn more about these programs at geffenplayhouse.org/education.

L I T E R ACY P R OJ E CT

Empowers students as readers, writers, and critical thinkers while engaging in and attending a full season of plays at the Geffen. Students experience theater workshops and one-on-one coaching in essay and monologue writing.

H I G H S C H O O L PA R T N E RS H I P P R O G R A M

Blends Theater Arts learning with English Language Arts learning. Students build their creative voices and engage with teaching artists to deepen their ability to respond to the theater experience through writing, workshops, and performing monologues.

VETERANS WRITING & P E R F O R M A N C E P R OJ ECT

An eight week theater intensive in which veterans have the opportunity to build community, artistic expression, and audience education through powerful storytelling.

LIGHTS UP

Provides access to live theater and its power to educate, provoke thought, inspire change, and build community. Serves over 1,000 community members from non-profit and social service organizations across Los Angeles with limited access.

PHOTOS BY JEFF LORCH

We invite you to support the vitality of education by contributing to the continued growth and expansion of our programs.

DONATE TO SUPPORT OUR PROGRAMS GEFFENPLAYHOUSE.ORG/DONATENOW

ANNUAL DONORS Geffen Playhouse recognizes the following individuals and organizations for their generous support of our Annual Fund and Backstage at the Geffen. Donors are listed at the Associate level and higher for gifts made between September 1, 2019, and October 9, 2021.

In appreciation, donors enjoy a host of special benefits including house seats, complimentary drinks, receptions, and much more.

For more information, please call Christine Drew Benjamin at 310.208.6500 ext. 195.

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$100,000+

CHAIRMANʾS CIRCLE $50,000 – $99,999

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR

“

There is nothing more important to me than erasing the stigma around mental health. Being healthy mentally is equally as important as, if not more important than, being healthy physically. As a lifelong sufferer of anxiety, I have found my deepest healing through creativity.

We should never take for granted that the arts have the power to transform us, to expose our deepest vulnerabilities, to cultivate empathy and to bring about joy, healing, and relief from the daily stressors of the world.

”

I am so excited about this match made in heaven between UCLA Health and my second home, the Geffen Playhouse.

—BETH BEHRS

Star of 2 Broke Girls, Geffen Playhouse Board Member & UCLA Alum

ANNUAL DONORS DIRECTOR

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SPONSOR

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PARTNER

$1,500 – $2,999 Anonymous (3) Miriam Aguiar Olga S. Alderson Dr. & Mrs. Bruce Allen AnonyMoose Foundation Dr. Peter H. & Nancy V. Antoniou Claudia Apelfeld Daniel & Diana Attias Basch Family Foundation Shelley & Rick Bayer G2 Graphic Service, Inc. Patricia & Mark Benjamin Yvette Bergeron & Dean Bailey Julie A. Beuink Joe Blackstone & Jamie Mohn Mara & Jonathan Blum Nina & Hon. Anthony Borwick Dr. Wallace P. Brithinee Diana Buckhantz & the Vladimir & Araxia Buckhantz Foundation Jay Butterfield & Susan Ewert Kristen & Jake Carlson Lexy & John Carroll Candy Carstensen Steven Cerasale & Mary Katherine Cocharo Jo Champa Darcy & Dean Christal Cindy Clark Lori & Jerry Collins Stephen Philibosian Foundation Phil Davis Anne Dougherty Rich & Christina Doren Ed & Barbara Dreyfus Jane DuBovy Victoria Dummer Dr. & Mrs. William M. Duxler David Edwards Eric Eisner Trust Kristen & Emil Smith Eshaya David & Joyce Evans Barbara Fairchild Anita Dann Friedman & Harvey Friedman Charlotte Gold Linda & Louis Goldsman Kelly Gonda Barry Gribble Penny Grosz & Eugene Korney The Guerin Foundation Harris Family Foundation Lynda & Neal Hersh Jean Himmelstein Rand Hoffman & Charlotte Robinson Gail & Stanley Hollander Lynn Hunt & Margaret Jacob Linda Janger Linda & David Kagel Meg & Lawrence Kasdan Trisha Kelley Corrinne Mann Kempinsky & Louis Kempinsky Katherine Kleindienst & Marc Goldsmith Carol Leif & Jeff Parker Lydia & Chuck Levy Trini Lewis G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 2 1

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Susanna Felleman & Erik Feig Burt & Nanette Forester Judith R. Forman & Richard N. Weiner Steven Forness Jackie Fox Joan & Charles Fox Grant Friedman Susan & Ben Friedman Pat & Sandy Gage Jeanne & Arnold Geffner Diane & Bruce Gewertz Cherna & Dr. Gary Gitnick Hannah & Barrie Godwin Roz & Abner Goldstine Ellie Goodman Joseph B. Gould Foundation Jonathan Greenberg Avedis Guerboian Hans-Dieter Kopal Salli Harris Richard Hart Scott Hartle Adventist Health White Memorial Murray & Gail Heltzer Zvia Hempling Jackson Henry Richard Rasiej & Joan Herman Noreen & Doug Herzog Lysa & Grant Heslov Dr. John D. Hofbauer & Dr. Laura E. Fox Rob & Cassie Holmes Linda Burrow & John Horn Roger & Linda Howard Toni Hoyt Gary T. Izumi Victoria Jackson & Bill Guthy Lynn Hunt & Margaret Jacob Marcie & Marc J. Jacoby Linda Janger Carla Janzen Ruth Grace Jervis Carrie Johnson Jordan Strauss Photography Yvonne & Damien Jordan Russ, August & Kabat David & Martha Kadue Sally & Dr. Manny J. Karbelnig Patricia Keating King Nutronics Corporation Christopher Klapp Judy Knapp Barton H. Kogan Norman Koplof & Leslie Falick Carol Krause Lisa Kudrow Lena & Mark Labowe Sherry Lansing Foundation Sheila & Aaron Leibovic Lawrin & Linda Lewin Cathleen Fitzpatrick Linder Lionsgate Steven & Nancy Lippman Jessica Llanes Karen & Peter Locke

The Malins Family Foundation Eric G.C. Mark Laura Maslon David Israeli & Dr. Marie Mazzone Sheri & Jim McCashin The McCray Foundation Jeanne McDonald-Powers & Travis Powers Norma & Larry Meyers Hillary & Lance Milken Andrew & Laura Mintzer Sara Molina Laurie & Chuck Mondrus Thaine & Elizabeth Morris Craig Morrison In Loving Memory of Harvey S. Morse Lon Morse & Toni Hollander Morse Dr. Paula C. Moseley Carol & Jerry Muchin Ron Myrick Mieke & Spencer Neumann Albert & Barbara Nichols Michael Nicklin Tito + Craig Okay Goodnight Deborah & Stacey Olliff Ornest Family Foundation London, Alex & Marty Padilla Gia Paladino & Michael Wise Jacalyn & Paul Pepperman Christopher Petrossian Lou & Berta Pitt Carolyn A. Poer & John M. Poer Gary & Gail Rachelefsky Carl Reiner Rabbi Steven & Didi Carr Reuben Donald B. & Susan F. Rice Esther & Howard Richmond Dr. Robert Rigg Dolores Rogers Rollins family Brad & Nancy Rosenberg Allison & Bennett Rosenthal Charitable Foundation Peymaneh Rothstein & Emad Asfoury Philip & Janet Rotner David A. & Karen Richards Sachs Louella & Michael Sachs Allen Sackler Janet Salter In Memory of Maxwell Hillary Salter Clifford Sakata Mark San Filippo Gerald Sauer Ian Schapiro George & Jolene Schlatter Jane & Bill Schopf Toni & John Schulman Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Prevention John Shaw Phyllis Shephard Doris Sherman Robin & Robert L. Sills

ANNUAL DONORS Ron Silverman & Soraya Ross Randi & Rand Singer Amy Jo & Jeff Smith Ronald Smith Aaron & Ross Smith-Knight In Memory of Albert Sokol, M.D. John Sonego & Thomas Faughnan Bruce & Patti Springsteen Tom & Melanie Staggs Nicole Sullivan Melora Sundt & Rob Kadota Anna M. Swanson & Mark Eyles Theodore H. Sweetser Rose Tarlow Anne C. Taubman & David Boyle Deborah Tavlin James Taylor & Stephanie Garcia John Teeples & Nicolas Martinez, Jr. Franklin D. Tell Barbara & Larry Tenan Terranea Resort Marjorie Thomson John Turmes Leon & Stephanie Vahn Daniel & Shauna Valenzuela Marcia & Charles Wasserman Ph.D Jennifer Weiser In Honor of Sid & Sheila Weiss In Loving Memory of Gareth Wigan Mark Williams Judith & Philip Winik Jen Crittenden & Bill Wrubel Linda Yellin Lisa Yen & Tom Bajoras David Young Alissa & Jordan Zachary Shoshana & Parham Zar Bobbi & Walter Zifkin

ARTISTIC ADVOCATE $500 – $999

Anonymous (2) Loren Adams Elaine & Michael Agran Geraldine & Harold Alden Bonnie R. Arnold David & Linda Atkinson Don Bacigalupi Marsha & Philip Bartenetti Judith & Thomas Beckmen Anthony Bellasalma & Susan B. Katz Lindsey Bergman Robert Bills Michael J. Bordy The Bordy & Leibovic Families Christopher Bower Carol J. Bradshaw Sandy & Mayer Brenner Laurrie Brooke James L. Brooks

Janet & Mark Brown Katherine Brown Tom & Patricia Camp Steven & Ellie Campbell Anthony Carbone Margaret Casey Julianna & William Cellini James Clark Laurel & Aaron Clark Becky & Mike Clements Ginger Conrad Jeremy Coon Honorable Candace Cooper Bruce Cormicle In Loving Memory of Ed Cypert Clare Davis Dale Dickey Stephen Duncan Jim Esserman Terry Feuerborn Michael Warady & Anna Fiastro Brian & Krista Fleming Charles Flippen Carol & John Fox Joanne Freed Diane Futterman Lois Gallop Sharlene & Sol Galper GE Foundation The Poker People Priscila Giraldo Mia Glass Ellen & Reginald Golla Lori & Robert Goodman Roger Gordon Adrienne Grant & Paul Jennings Shelley Hill Grant Gaby & Rob Greenberg Jill Grigsby Dean Haas Drex Heikes Zvia Hempling Winifred C Hervey Lynne & Michael Heslov Paul Gordon Hoffman & Sue Caren Hoffman Kelley M. Hogan Glenn Howerton IBM Corp.

Dr. Nancy B. Irwin Brett Johnson Deborah & Ivan Kallick Lee Kaufman Phyllis H. Klein Sharon & Joel Koppelman Lisa Korbatov Millicent Sanchez Hisao Kushi Deborah Lacusta & Daniel Castellaneta Gustavo Lamanna Christo & Jeanne Lavagnino Alyce LaViolette Marla E. Levine Angela & Jonathan Light Jeffrey Lipp Fran & David Loew Robert Lohmer Renee Lonner

Tracy Cohen & William Ludel Sarah Coade Mandell & Peter Mandell Allan Marks John Massa Stephen McFeely Anne McGrail & Ann Donahue Christina Medigovich Nick & Vaughan Meyer James & Ana Miles Family Foundation Mintz Family Fund Ms. Janet Moore Charitable Trust Jill Morse John Moschitta Sharon Norris Charles Owens Sylvia & Robert Paris Carol Parry & John Fox Naidu & Jane Permaul In Honor of Frank & Betty Fouce Clark & Kathryn Porter Astrid & Howard Preston Catherine Raneri Rollin Ransom & Chris Lacroix Carol Risher Brad & Nancy Rosenberg David & Susan Rosenblum Edward Rubinstein Arlene & Peter Sacks Lorin Schiff Nancy & Steven Schneider Sonia Schneider Susan & Peter Schwab In Memory of Sylvester Scott & Barbara Hill Eric Seuthe Dr. & Mrs. P.K. Shah Peggy & Robert Shapiro Mary Sheibani In Memory of Michael Sherman Rita & Jose Sigal Manish Singh Karen & Bill Skinner Bradley Small Chris Sorgi Melvin Spears Jan Spiegel Sarah Stegemoeller Mr. & Mrs. David Tann Andrea & David Tenenbaum David Tepper Tina Tepper David & Cathy Thomas Ira & Laurie Waldman Deborah Walsh Carl Weathers Barry Weissler Blake West Leslie White & Al Limon JoBeth Williams Fred Wolf Delores Komar & Susan Wolford Jack S. Yeh Marc Zachary

ASSOCIATE $250 – $499

Anonymous (9) Terry & Richard Abrams Toshka & Norman Abrams Barbara Adams Shannon Ahl Charles & Annick Allen Debra Alpert Eden Halpert Jon Anderson Peter Anderson Robert C. Anderson Joseph D. Argilagos Judith Ashmann-Gerst & Robert Gerst Behnaz Ataee Lisa Austin Elizabeth & Marc Axelrod Mike & Kim Baginski Cecilia Ball Cindy Ballard Donald Balzano Thomas Barad John & Bree Bedford In Memory of Gregory Millar Marshall Bell Joanne & Miles Benickes Leslie Berger Karen Berko-Gibson Barbara Berkowitz Marsha C. Berkowitz Marilyn R. Blacker Deborah Blake Marjorie Blatt Ruthven & Hannah Bonaparte Jill Boyd & Jarid Sumner Doug & Arlene Braun Howard Brightman The Broderick Family Raegan Brunson Kimberly & Mark Burstein Karla Campbell Marlene & David Capell The Sean Carey Family Lorena Carlson Richard Cassese The Claman/Cates Family Valarie de la Garza & Michael Centeno Diane Chernansky The Chisolm Family Caroline Choi Lori Christopher Jessica & Frederick Lodge Steven Clayman Pam Coats Els Collins Tonia Corwin Norman & Nancy Cravens Shawn Cunningham Jeffrey & Louise Davis Bert Deixler Judith Delafield Hal & Roberta Delevie Gina DiBona Kristin Diehl Linda Dozier The Milton L. & Betty J. Dranow Family Foundation Brian Duffield Richard Eden G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 2 3

ANNUAL DONORS Ken Egel & Liz Wiegardt Lidia & Mauricio Epelbaum Stephen Falk Wilbur Faulk Francesco Federico & Lauren Wilson Diedre Feehan Lisa & William Finkelstein Billy Finnegan Ruth Fisher Geralyn Flood Christopher & Claire Forsyth Fran Fredella Amyanne Freeburg Elaine & Larry Friedman Lynn & Barry Friesen Catherine Froloff Laurelle Frome & Brady Frome Mr. Scot McIntosh & Dr. Ruchira Garg Corinne B. Garson Henry Gayden Linda & Tom Givvin Lorain Goldberg Francine Golden & Marvin Schlossman The Goldfarbs Adam Goldman Gretchen Goldsmith Helen Goss Liz Gottainer & David Sadkin Andrea Gozali Howard Gradet Madelyne & Jerry Green Jana & Randall Greer Kimberly Grieger Edwin & Cecile Gromis Eve Haberfield & David N. Johnson Ross & Lindsey Avner Louise Halevy & Kenneth Erlich Pamela Halle Jeff Haller Susan Harbert Chris Hardeman Susan & Norm Harper Barbara Harris-Holdrege Brian & Karen Hatch Erica & Madison Hatchett Diane Haun Jacqueline Heller & Gabriel Kahana Dr. Felicia D. Henderson Gary & Jane Hewer Karen Higgins Jack Hileman & Roxanne Huddleston Robin & Edgar Hirst Cina Hodges Mike & Wanda Hogan Melvin Horowitz Ada & Jim Horwich Tamara Horwich & Gerry Lipshutz Katherine Immerman Michael Infiesto Jackie & Warren Jackson In Memory of Joseph Jacobs Frederic A. & Nancy Jacobus Mr. & Mrs. Buford James Stephen & Erica Jamieson Jewish Communal Fund

24 P L AY B I L L

Sheila Johnson-Brousseau Joanne & Larry Kahn Isabel Kallman Jessica Kaltman & Robert Reznik Victoria Kapitany Mr. & Mrs. Eran & Raquel Karoly Michael Karon Joanna Kasirer Owen Kato Jim Keily Dr. Louanne Kennedy Sharon Kerson Shirlee Kessler Cynthia King Leana Kleinman & Jerald Johnson Patricia Klous Chad Kojorui Charles Kolstad The Kriloff Family Barbara Kroll & Ruth Spielman Kimberly Kruse Lynne Lainer Zachary Lainer Mona Lands Donald LaPlante Joan Larkin Mindy Lauerlevin & Ed Levin Rhonda Lawrence Miriam & Eli Lebental Doreen & Bruce Leddy Mark Leonard Johanna Leovey Jerry & Eve Lerman Learning Encounters / Valerie & Pamela Lev Rick & Vivian Levy Josh Lewensohn & Katia Benthale Leslie Lian Tom & Diane Duralde David Lieberman Hannah Linkenhoker & Carter Cohn Andria Litto The Taylor Family Foundation Bryan Lourd Mr. Eric Lund Morgan MacDouglas Paul Madwin Mactarun & Risha Malik Jain Malkin Eric & Eva Plaza Mandel Annette Marmalefsky Mr. & Mrs. Phillips H. Marshall Deborah Marsten Phyllis & Bert Massing Doug & Cindy Maxwell George Mayer John McClure Joel & Sherry McKuin Sharon McQueen Jay Melnick Anu Menon Eileen & Paul Meshekow Mary Meyer For Everett Mikelich Lee & Jeff Milman Adriana Kahane & Pino Modica

Denise V. Moore Howard J. Morris Linda Muccitelli Cynthia Murphy Anita Nagler Michael & Delight Nasatir Bonnie Nash Stephen Nathan Sherri & Arnie Nelson Tom Nevermann Andrew Newman Qui Nguyen & Abby Marcus Helen Nightengale Robert & Anita Nitta Doreen & Donald Nortman Janie & Allan Orenstein Stefan Otto Sharon Oxborough Ron Ozur & Nancy Lahana Jorge Paganin Steven Papazian Sun Parmeshwaran Kelly & Abhilash Patel Paul & Kathy Pearlson Susan Petelik Dr. David B Peterson Vanessa Pizzuto Darcy Pollack Jack & Jane Pollock Cory Popovich Heather M. Porter Sam Puathasnanon Paul Quaranto Dr. Stephen & Lani Rabin WME Ron Rafay Joann Ralphs Joan Ransohoff Mike Rausch Elyse Resch Mike Resnick Janice & Benjamin Reznik Sheena M. Ricchio Jason Ritter Ethan Roberts Lindy Robbins Jaime & Linda Rodriguez Carli Rogers Julie Rogers Robert Rosania Margaret Rosenthal Brad Ross Laurie Ross Terry Ross Lawrence Ross & Linda Nussbaum Douglas Ross Becca Rothschild Mindy Rutigliano Liz Ryan Terry Ryan Anne Sacks Nancy Sacks Noriko Salamon Susan & Wayne San Filippo Jennifer Saunders Chris T. Schmidt

Jamie Schmidt Stanley Schneider Renee Schnell Ian Schorvitz Heidi Schulman & Mickey Kantor Toni & John Schulman Marc Scott Morton & Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz Roy Shaked Lisa Shalet Eric Shalov Barbara Vickery & Martin Shapiro Robin Share Alex & Ben Dashwood George Shohet Stuart Siegel Nancy & Bruce Silverman In Honor of Daniel Robaire David B. Simons Sandra & Irwin Sitkoff Leah Sklar Marlene Sklar & Joel Moskowitz Steve Slaughter Julie Davis Diane Good & Frank Smith Alice Cortez & Richard Spitzer Jill & Scott Spiwak Donald Spradlin Elina Srulevitch-Chin Andrea & David Stanley M Leslie Stearns Frances & Sy Strasberg Mr. Kayser Sume & Dr. Renee Sabshin Robert & Kristie Svaleson Neely & Larry Swanson Susan Szambelan Katherine Szopa Joanne Takahashi Christine Tarr Tenenbaums & Schoenfelds The Thayer Family Natalie & Matthew Thompson Rebecca Thyret William Toth Joyce & Josh Trabulus Maureen Vana William Wallace Fern Wallach Jill Waterman Gerald Watkins Julie Waxman Marsha & Steven Weiss Teresa & Bill White Mike Williams Albert Wolsky Jennifer & Randy Wooster Diane Zapach David & Christine ZeBrack Laura Zucker & Allan Miller Sandy Zwirn

HAVE WE MADE AN ERROR?

To report a misspelling or omission in these listings, please contact the Development department at 310.208.6500 ext. 195

Matt Shakman

Gil Cates, Jr.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ARTISTIC

DEVELOPMENT

Sue Nahley Fleishman Communications Consultant

Daniel Ionazzi Producer

Danielle Bearden-Mead Director of Individual Giving

FRONT OF HOUSE

Ross Jackson Artistic Producer

Mark San Filippo Director of Donor Stewardship

Phyllis Schuringa Artistic Associate / Casting Director

Christine Drew Benjamin Assistant Director of Institutional Giving

Amy Levinson Associate Artistic Director

Rachel Wiegardt-Egel Director of New Play Development Abby Weston-Mark Company Manager Carly Plasha Assistant to the Artistic Director

PRODUCTION

Isaac Katzanek Production Manager Jill Barnes Production Office Manager Evan Friedman Technical Director Patty Squibb Assistant Technical Director Alexandre Norkus Gil Cates Theater Stage Supervisor Tyler Brogla Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater Stage Supervisor Rick Gilles Properties Master Liz Rose Wardrobe Supervisor Andrew Vance Lighting & Projection Supervisor James Grabowski House Sound Supervisor Jake Delgado Associate House Sound Supervisor

ADMINISTRATION Behnaz Ataee Chief Financial Officer

Berenice Campos Director of Human Resources Peter Banachowski Senior Accountant & Financial Analyst Nova George Staff Accountant & HR/Payroll Manager Clay Dzygun Office Coordinator Marguerite Harris Receptionist

Jessica Brusilow Rollins Director of Institutional Giving

Emma Rothschild Development Intern

EDUCATION

Dawn Robinson-Patrick Director of Education & Community Engagement Brian Allman Manager of Theater Education

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Patrick Brown Director of Marketing

Zenon Dmytryk Director of Communications Karen Gutierrez Director of Advertising & Audience Development Brian Dunning Director of Content & Creative Zack Hamra Associate Director of Audience Services & Ticketing Kevin O’Brien Marketing Manager Georgia Arnold Social Media & Communications Manager Janice Bernal Box Office Manager Alyssa Tyson Box Office Manager Lexy McAvinchey Assistant Box Office Manager & House Seat Manager Vaneh Assadourian, Brianna Barrett, Jonathan Chen, Jamie Dawson, Alan Kistler, Lauren Machain, Sara Turken, Yua Watanabe Box Office Staff

Jeni Pearsons Director of Operations

Mel Yonzon Front of House Manager Amy Farkas Lead Concierge Rob Mersola Event Manager Adam Carr Hospitality Captain Bella Luna, Emir Yonzon Assistant House Managers Sigourney Chin, Tony Jose Garcia, Taylor McClain, Anya Pryjmak Guest Services Hannah Battersby, Blaire Battle, Marlon Campos, Rose Cleaveland, Lauren Curet, Aja Hinds, Clayton McInerney, Austin Merrill, Khadija Roane, Areany Tolentino, Steven Vargas, Chadd Wilson, Sydney Yockey Ushers

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Jeremy Finn IT Manager

Dream Warrior Group System Administrator

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

Art Guillen Facilities Manager Martin Ayala Felipe Ayala Building Maintenance Mario Santillan-Perez Custodial Juan Carlos Umaña Camerina Martinez Cleaning Custodial

Geffen Playhouse is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

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

Geffen Playhouse, a not-for-profit theater company, is proudly affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles.

G E F F E N P L AY H O U S E 2 5