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AUDREY SKIRBALL KENIS THEATER AT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
I HAVE BEEN A FAN OF RAJIV JOSEPH’S PLAYS FOR
some time. A prolific and poetic writer, Rajiv has brought us plays that
shed light on dark subjects and make us laugh at the follies of being
human. Set in Agra, India in 1648 and employing anachronistic language,
Guards at the Taj tells a story both contemporary and timeless. Combining
the formal with the familiar and the regal with reality, the play shows us
a full, rich picture of the lives of two young men finding their way in a
complicated world of rules.
We welcome director Giovanna Sardelli who, as a long-time collaborator
of Rajiv’s, has directed this piece with the elegance and beauty the play
requires. Guards at the Taj is, among other things, a play that questions
the fragility of beauty while juxtaposing it against terrible pain and
violence. Rajiv’s assertion seems to be that in order to see what is right
in the world, we must also recognize what is terribly wrong, and that our
moral imperative is to protect beauty at any cost.
This beauty and violence at the center of Rajiv’s play had to be deftly
navigated by a team of brilliant designers who have created both the
splendor and degradation that live side by side in so many stories. With
an amazing cast of two, Guards at the Taj has proven to be a profound
journey for all who have had the pleasure of working on it.
I am thrilled to welcome you back to the Geffen and to launch our 20th
anniversary season with this exciting new play in the Audrey Skirball
Kenis Theater.
Enjoy the show!
Randall Arney ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P1
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WELCOME TO THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
LETTER FROM THE CO-CHAIRS BOARD OF DIRECTORSMARTHA HENDERSONCO-CHAIR
PAMELA ROBINSON HOLLANDERCO-CHAIR
PATRICIA KIERNAN APPLEGATERANDALL ARNEYARTISTIC DIRECTOR
BETH BEHRSDR. GENE D. BLOCKHAROLD A. BROWNGIL CATES, JR.EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MICHAEL CENTENOMARY ANN CLOYDDR. BRAD EDGERTONMARK FLEISCHERHERBERT M. GELFANDCHAIRMAN EMERITUS
PATRICIA L. GLASERSAM GORESADI GREENBERGARTHUR GREENBERGJOAN KALOUSTIANGLORYA KAUFMANLORETTA EVERETT KAUFMANDR. GERALD S. LEVEYCARLA MALDENSUSAN MALLORYGINNY MANCINIBARRY MEYERSCOTT MINERDSTEVEN A. OLSENHOLLY RICELOREN ROTHSCHILDLINDA BERNSTEIN RUBINTERI SCHWARTZRICHARD SHERMANFRED SPECKTORLORRAINE SPURGECYNTHIA P. STAFFORDHOWARD TENENBAUMVICE CHAIRMAN
FOUNDING TRUSTEESKIRSTEN COMBS ROBERT A. DALYDAVID GEFFENQUINCY JONESJEFFREY KATZENBERGFRANK G. MANCUSOCHAIRMAN EMERITUS
RON MEYERLESLIE MOONVESJERRY MOSSJERRY PERENCHIOBRUCE M. RAMERFOUNDING CHAIRMAN
VICTORIA MANN SIMMSANDY SPAHNSTEVEN SPIELBERGSTEVE TISCHDR. CHARLES E. YOUNGCHAIRMAN EMERITUS
IN MEMORIAMGILBERT CATESFOUNDER
MARCIA ISRAEL-CURLEYAUDREY SKIRBALL KENISCHARLES KENISKARL MALDEN EDIE WASSERMAN LEW WASSERMAN
PETER ROSENLEGAL COUNSEL, LATHAM & WATKINS LLP
P2 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
MARTHA HENDERSON
PAMELA ROBINSON HOLLANDER
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE FIRST AUDREY Skirball Kenis Theater show in the Geffen Playhouse’s 20th anniversary
season. We are delighted to welcome you to the West Coast premiere of
Guards at the Taj, written by the provocative Rajiv Joseph and directed
by the talented Giovanna Sardelli. We hope this philosophical new work
will inspire conversation among audience members long after the actors
take their final bows and the applause ends.
We are also proud to announce that long-time Board member Howard
Tenenbaum has been named Vice Chairman of the Board. Since joining
the Board of Directors in 2009, Howard has been a passionate supporter
and advocate of our Education and Community Engagement programs,
in addition to going above and beyond for the art on stage. Join us as
we welcome Howard into his new leadership role as Vice Chairman.
We look forward to celebrating our 20th anniversary with each and every
one of you. To kick off this celebratory year, we would love nothing more
than to hear your story of how you fell in love with our theaters and what
your dreams are for this place that has become the artistic home for so
many artists, donors, subscribers and patrons over the past 20 years.
Please send your favorite Geffen Playhouse story, photo or memory to
development@geffenplayhouse.com.
Our sincere thanks to all of you for joining us for today’s performance and
for being part of our Geffen Playhouse family. Here’s to the next 20 years!
Enjoy the show!
Martha Henderson Pamela Robinson Hollander CO-CHAIR, GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE CO-CHAIR, GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
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LIMITED ENGAGEMENT DECEMBER 30 – JANUARY 17 GIL CATES THEATER AT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
Written byVANESSA CLAIRE STEWART
TAYLOR HACKFORD & JAKE BRODER
Directed byTAYLOR HACKFORD
Features Tony Award Winner ANTHONY CRIVELLO
as Louis Prima & VANESSA CLAIRE STEWART
as Keely Smith
“A CLASSY NEW SHOW!” — Chicago Tribune
GEFFENPLAYHOUSE.COM | 310.208.5454
#LOUISANDKEELY
P4 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
DURING ONE OF DIRECTOR GIOVANNA SARDELLI’S
conversations with playwright Rajiv Joseph about
Guards at the Taj, which is set in 1600s India, he
proposed an unorthodox suggestion.
“’There’s a version of this play that can so be done
with the two characters dressed as Laurel and Hardy,’”
Sardelli remembers, laughing. “He quickly followed
that up with, ‘Not this one! But it could be done.’”
That Sardelli chuckled instead of freaking out is a
testament to the level of trust the two have established
over their frequent collaborations. She directed Joseph’s
first professional production, Huck & Holden, as well as
the world premieres of several of his other plays.
“Rajiv has one of the most fertile imaginations. He
can take you to places you just didn’t think possible,”
she says. Here, we discuss their collaborative process,
the inequality women face in theater and why Guards
at the Taj is such an important play for right now.
What drew you to this play in particular?
For the longest time, I just knew Rajiv was working
on the play and was passionate about it. I didn’t know
much about it, but his passion for this play and the
development he did with the two guys from New York,
really started intriguing me. I think the writing is so
fine — it’s a different style of writing than anything
I’ve encountered of his. What’s he’s exploring and the
possibilities of these two characters and the story
intrigue me.
What were the conversations you and Rajiv had
around the play and its direction?
[Laughs] I’m laughing because very little, in some
regard! It’s tricky — I don’t want to give away too much!
What we talked about in the direction was curiosity,
stretching the truth, what’s possible in this world. Could
it do this other thing? So really the conversation was
just questions about: “I’m curious if the play I wrote can
do ___.” I’m sorry to be so vague!
That’s true with any play with a shocking development,
or reveal — how do you talk about it without talking
about it?
Right — what if we decide the play can’t be funny and
change it two previews in? Then it’s a weird program
note.
I think that speaks to something interesting
theatergoers don’t always know — how much does
the script change throughout the rehearsal process? Ph
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“THE WORLD OF THIS PLAY KEEPS CRACKING OPEN” INSIDE THE VIOLENTLY BEAUTIFUL, VIOLENTLY FUNNY WORLD OF GUARDS AT THE TAJ
BY REBECCA HAITHCOAT
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Typically, it would change a lot. But this one is in such
good shape. He had so much development before it
went in production and it changed throughout that
rehearsal. But it’s already been published, so there have
been no changes in these rehearsals at the Geffen. And
I’ve never done a Rajiv Joseph play where that’s the
case. So this is a first!
Speaking of that, you two have worked together on
so many projects. In what ways has this collaboration
been different?
It’s a little different because he was here in the beginning
and we talked about things he wanted to explore,
questions he had — and then he left. The next time he’ll
see it is with an audience. And that comes from our
years of working together. I know his taste. He knows
that what he sees will be within his world. That’s from
years and years of my finding out what he likes and
doesn’t like and what he believes is possible in theater.
Besides the “reveal” we were just talking about, what
are some of the special challenges you’ve encountered
with this play?
The deceptive size of it. There’s a cast of two and at its
core, it’s about something “simple.” But then the world
of this play keeps cracking open and asking more and
more of every single person involved in the telling of the
story as well as the audience. This play asks everybody
to go on the journey.
How does your personal process work?
I very much sign on to the story. I feel like I have a sense
of the dynamic of the story. And then, because my
training is as an actor, I trust actors so much. I love to
watch them play. Part of the process is unleashing their
curiosity and keeping everyone in the room invested in
creating options for storytelling, for relationships. My
preference is hopefully to invite everyone to imagine
and play and keep taking the best ideas in the room,
wherever they come from.
What’s it been like in the room with Ramiz and Raffi?
I’ve never seen actors pick up signals as fast as these
two do. One says something, the other says yes and
they run with it. We’re so lucky. The actors in New York
were so great and that tradition will continue here in
L.A. — and that excites Rajiv, to know it won’t be the
same as it was in New York, but it will be just as good.
A play’s success is so contingent on who you invite
to tell the story. Casting is always so important, but
especially in a two hander — their dynamic is your
story. Ramiz is an actor Rajiv and I worked with early
in our careers, in The Leopard and the Fox, and he was
stunning. He’s a goofball, a big kid. We always marveled
how he would come to rehearsal in these big baggy
pants and then become believable as Prime Minister
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan. So when it came time
to cast this, we said, “Oh yeah, we want him.” Then
we asked him who he liked to play with. He gave us
some names, and Raffi was one of those. Raffi had to
audition by tape, and I have never cast someone solely
off tape. But you can see even from the tape that he’s
cut from the same cloth as Ramiz. Very playful, yet still
able to go where he needs to go.
There’s a huge uproar right now in L.A. about the
inequality women face in Hollywood. Do you see that
in theater?
Oh, yeah. Of course. It’s why they started The Kilroys
List for women writers, a list of female playwrights
whose work is ready to be produced. Women have to
work harder to move ahead, harder to keep their careers
moving. I think I’ve been really lucky that one of my
collaborative partners is Rajiv.
Do you think being a woman is helpful in telling this
particular play?
You know, I feel like human beings can direct stories
about human beings. I don’t think gender has anything
to do with how well you can tell a story. There are
people who would’ve said, “Oh, a man has to direct
The Hurt Locker.” This is a play where somebody could
believe a man should direct it — but nobody can ever
say that because so far, it’s been Amy [Morton, director
of the New York production] and me.
The precedent has been set! Finally, why is Guards at
the Taj an important play right now?
I think this play is so important because there are
these timeless questions of what is beauty, what do
we preserve, what do we sacrifice in the pursuit of
whatever we believe is more important? And often,
those sacrifices are human. I think this play really
explores what’s lost in the choices we can make.
INTERVIEW WITH THE DIRECTOR
FOR FEATURES, INTERVIEWS AND OTHER STORIES ON GUARDS AT THE TAJ AND THE GEFFEN’S SEASON PRODUCTIONS, PLEASE VISIT GEFFENPLAYHOUSEBLOG.COM
P6 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
OPENING N IGHT SPONSORS
Opening Night: Wednesday, October 14, 2015
THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE PRODUCTION OF
Directed by Giovanna Sardelli
Scenic Designer Tom Buderwitz
Costume Designer Denitsa Bliznakova
Sound Designer & Original Music by Vincent Olivieri
Lighting Designer Lap Chi Chu
Written by Rajiv Joseph
Dramaturg Amy Levinson
Production Stage Manager Maggie Swing
Casting Director Phyllis Schuringa, CSA
Violence Designer Ned Mochel
Developed at the Lark Play Development Center, New York City.
World premiere presented by Atlantic Theater Company, New York City, 2015.
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P7
CAST OF CHARACTERS(In alphabetical order)
Humayun ................................................................................................................................... Raffi Barsoumian
Babur .................................................................................................................................................. Ramiz Monsef
UNDERSTUDIES(In alphabetical order)
Babur .................................................................................................................................................... Danvir Singh
Humayun ............................................................................................................................................. Naren Weiss
TIME 1648
SETTING Agra, India
RUNNING TIME Approximately 90 minutes
There will be no intermission.
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PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES
RAFFI BARSOUMIAN
(Humayun)
New York: Pericles (The Public Theater); King Lear, Arok of Java (Exit, Pursued By a Bear). Regional: The Count of Monte Cristo, Antony and Cleopatra, King Lear, Cymbeline, Troilus and Cressida, Henry V (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Red Noses (The Actor’s Gang); Sedimenti (Compagnie Du Faubourg); Zoo Story, Counting the Ways (Luna Playhouse); The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice (American Shakespeare Center); As You Like It, King John (Actor’s Shakespeare Company); Restoration Comedy, Don Juan (Stanford Theater). Television: The Vampire Diaries, NCIS. Training: École Jacques Lecoq, Carnegie Mellon University.
RAMIZ MONSEF
(Babur)
Ramiz is honored to be making his Geffen Playhouse debut. New York credits include: Second Stage, New York Theatre Workshop, Culture Project and more. Regionally, Ramiz has worked with Oregon Shakespeare Festival (The Unfortunates,
Measure for Measure and many others), ACT (The Time of Your Life), Berkeley Rep (Eurydice), Actors Theatre of Louisville (Glory of the World, Chad Deity), Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Yale Repertory Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre (Mary Zimmerman’s Arabian Nights) and The Studio Theatre (Guantanamo). Ramiz has appeared on Law and Order and The Watchlist on Comedy Central as well as various College Humor videos. He is a co-creator of the hit musical The Unfortunates which will run at ACT this spring.
RAJIV JOSEPH
(Playwright) Rajiv Joseph's Broadway play Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo was a 2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist for drama, and also awarded a grant for Outstanding New American Play by the National Endowment for the Arts. Joseph's New York productions include Guards at the Taj (Atlantic Theater Company, 2015), The North Pool (Vineyard Theater, 2013), Gruesome Playground Injuries (Second Stage Theatre, 2011), Animals Out of Paper (Second Stage Theatre, 2008), The Leopard and the Fox (Alter Ego, 2007), Huck & Holden (Cherry Lane Theatre, 2006) and All This Intimacy (Second Stage Theatre, 2006). Other recent plays include Mr. Wolf (South Coast Repertory, 2015), The Lake Effect (Crossroads Theatre in New Jersey, 2013) and Monster at the Door (Alley Theatre in Houston, 2011). He received his BA in Creative Writing from Miami University and his MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He served
for three years in the Peace Corps in Senegal and now lives in Brooklyn.
GIOVANNA SARDELLI
(Director)
Giovanna Sardelli is an award-winning director who has worked on world premieres of plays by Rajiv Joseph, Matthew Lopez, Theresa Rebeck, Lynn Rosen, Joe Gilford, Jeff Augustine, Lauren Yee and Zoe Kazan among others. She has worked Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre, Second Stage, Vineyard Theatre, Playwrights Realm, The Women’s Project, Ensemble Studio Theatre and Roundabout Theatre Company. She has directed numerous productions for Dorset Theatre Festival, where she is the Resident Director, Barrington Stage Company, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, The Old Globe, Hartford Stage Company, Cleveland Play House, Cincinnati Playhouse, CTG, Hudson Stage Company, San Francisco Playhouse and TheatreWorks Silicon Valley among others. She received her MFA in acting from NYU and is also a graduate of their Director’s Lab. Though based in NYC, she is the Director of New Works for TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Upcoming: Mr. Wolf by Rajiv Joseph (Cleveland Play House) and Velocity of Autumn by Eric Coble (TheatreWorks SV).
TOM BUDERWITZ
(Scenic Designer) Tom previously designed Play Dead, Joan Rivers: A Work in Progress and Under the Blue Sky for Geffen Playhouse. Tom has designed for South Coast Repertory, Center
Theatre Group, Pasadena Playhouse, Goodman Theatre, Berkeley Repertory, The Shakespeare Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Denver Center Theatre Company, Indiana Repertory Theater, Laguna Playhouse, Chautauqua Theater Company, Arizona Theatre Company, San Diego Repertory, Artist Repertory Theatre, The Antaeus Company, Reprise Theatre Company, The Theatre @ Boston Court, P.C.P.A. Theaterfest, Riverside Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, Rubicon Theatre Company, Rogue Machine, Deaf West Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre LA and A Noise Within, among many others. Tom has been honored with four L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Awards (26 nominations) and three L.A. Drama Critics Circle Awards. For Television, Tom has designed specials and series for every major broadcast and cable network and has three Emmy Award nominations and an Art Director’s Guild Award nomination. tombuderwitz.com
DENITSA BLIZNAKOVA
(Costume Designer)
Denitsa is happy to make her debut at the Geffen Playhouse. Her work has been seen at venues such as Denver Center for the Performing Arts, San Diego Opera, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Cleveland Play House, Old Globe Theatre, A Noise Within, The Falcon Theatre, New Repertory Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival and others. Costume design and stylist credits for other media include music videos for various artists and films. Denitsa is a Professor in the School of Theatre, TV
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and Film at San Diego State University and is also the Head of the graduate Design and Technology program there. Her work may be viewed at www.Denitsa.com.
LAP CHI CHU
(Lighting Designer)
Regional designs include Mark Taper Forum, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, The Goodman Theater, The Shakespeare Theater, Arena Stage, Hartford Stage, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, and Portland Center Stage. New York design credits include The Public Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, Signature Theater, Second Stage Theatre, Performance Space 122 and Kitchen Theatre Company. He is the lighting/video designer for ChameckiLerner Dance Company (Costumes by God, Visible Content, Hidden Forms, I Mutantes Seras, Por Favor and Não Me Deixe), which has performed in the United States and Brazil. Awards have included the LA Drama Critic’s Circle Angstrom Award for Career Achievement in Lighting Design, multiple Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards, a “Drammy” for best lighting, as well as a Lucille Lortel nomination for The Good Negro at The Public Theater. Mr. Chu is on the lighting design faculty at California Institute of the Arts.
VINCENT OLIVIERI
(Sound Designer /
Original Music)
Broadway: High. Off-Broadway: The Water’s Edge, Omnium Gatherum and Fatal
Attraction: A Greek Tragedy. Geffen Playhouse: Miss Julie, Build, Extraordinary Chambers. Southern California: Five-Mile Lake, In a Garden, Emilie, Noises Off, The Heiress and A Feminine Ending at South Coast Repertory; Jitney at Pasadena Playhouse; Clownzilla: A Holiday Extravaganza at Rude Guerrilla. New York and regional: Barrington Stage Company, Center Stage (Baltimore), Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Juilliard School, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Portland Center Stage, The Public (New York), Syracuse Stage, Theatre Novi Most (Minneapolis), Woolly Mammoth, Virginia Stage Company and Yale Repertory Theatre. World premieres: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Rachel Bonds, Michael Golamco, Kirsten Greenidge, Lauren Gunderson, Howard Korder, Neil LaBute, Matthew Lombardo, Charles L. Mee, Kira Oblensky, Tira Palmquiest, Adam Rapp, Theresa Rebeck, Sarah Treem and August Wilson. For three seasons, he was the Resident Sound Designer at Actors Theatre of Louisville. International work: Romania, Italy, China, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. Mr. Olivieri is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama and serves on the faculty at University of California-Irvine.
NED MOCHEL
(Violence Designer)
At Geffen Playhouse Ned created fight/violence design for Bad Jews, The Gift, The Jacksonian (both in LA and Off-Broadway), The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Superior Donuts, Next Fall, Ruined, Fat Pig, American
Buffalo, Miss Julie, Wait Until Dark, The Country House and Reasons to Be Pretty. Additional fight choreographer credits include The Song of Jacob Zulu for Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Chicago and Broadway), and The Lyric Opera’s production of McTeague, directed by Robert Altman. Ned was stunt coordinator/fight choreographer on numerous feature films including A Marine Story from Final Battlefield productions, Jack Slash from Chicago Action Theatre and Hit Parade from Man of Action Studios. In 2009 and 2014 Ned was awarded LA Drama Theatre Critics’ awards for fight choreography for the VS. Theatre productions of On An Average Day and Cops and Friends of Cops. Ned is certified by the Society of American Fight Directors.
AMY LEVINSON
(Dramaturg)
Amy is the Artistic Associate and Literary Director at the Geffen Playhouse. Dramaturgy credits include the commissions and world premieres of Donald Margulies’ Time Stands Still and Coney Island Christmas, Jane Anderson’s The Quality of Life and The Escort and Jeffrey Hatcher’s new adaptation of Wait Until Dark. Other credits include The Weir, Extraordinary Chambers, Build, Equivocation and Joan Rivers: A Work in Progress. At the Geffen she has helped to build programs for the purpose of fostering new work including the commissioning and development of plays. Also a translator of Yiddish drama, she holds an MFA in Dramaturgy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
MAGGIE SWING
(Production Stage Manager)
Geffen Playhouse: Discord, The Country House, The Judy Show, American Buffalo. European Tour of The Apple Family Plays. Off-Broadway: Regular Singing, Sorry, Love’s Labors Lost, Sweet and Sad, Knickerbocker, Compulsion, That Hopey Changey Thing (The Public Theater), Slowgirl (Lincoln Center), Blood Knot, The Orphans’ Home Cycle (Signature Theatre Company). Regional: Bell, Book and Candle (co-production with Long Wharf), The Orphans’ Home Cycle, Dividing the Estate, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Nights Dream, The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore, The Bluest Eye, Our Town (Hartford Stage Company).
PHYLLIS SCHURINGA, CSA
(Casting) Phyllis has been the casting director at Geffen Playhouse for 12 years and now is also the Artistic Associate. Recent plays at the Geffen include Bad Jews; The Night Alive; Switzerland; The Country House; Wait Until Dark and American Buffalo. Before joining the team at the Geffen, she was the casting director for Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago where her favorites include Frank Galati’s adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath (also La Jolla Playhouse, National Theatre in London, and Broadway, where it received the Tony Award for Best Play), the original production of Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile (and subsequent productions including Westwood Playhouse and Briar Street Theater in Chicago), Austin Pendleton’s
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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 teaches auditioning at Steppenwolf West and is a member of the Casting Society of America.
RANDALL ARNEY
(Artistic Director)
Randall Arney has been a theater professional for over 30 years and has served as Artistic Director of the Geffen Playhouse since 1999. In addition to his artistic programming and oversight at the Geffen, Arney has helmed more than 10 productions for the theater, most recently The Night Alive, Reasons to Be Pretty, Slowgirl, American Buffalo, Superior Donuts, The Female of the Species, The Seafarer, Speed-the-Plow and All My Sons. Arney is an ensemble member and former Artistic Director of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre where his directing credits include: Slowgirl, The Seafarer, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Death and the Maiden, Curse of the Starving Class, Killers and The Geography of Luck, among others. Arney also directed Steppenwolf’s world premiere of Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile, as well as the subsequent national and international acclaimed productions. Mr.
Arney’s acting credits with Steppenwolf include Born Yesterday, Ghost in the Machine, The Homecoming, Frank’s Wild Years, You Can’t Take it with You, Fool for Love, True West, Balm in Gilead and Coyote Ugly. As the Artistic Director for Steppenwolf from 1987 to 1995, he oversaw the creation of a new state-of-the-art theater which is Steppenwolf’s current home. Broadway transfers under his leadership include The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, The Song of Jacob Zulu (six Tony Award nominations) and The Grapes of Wrath (1990 Tony Award, Best Play). Mr. Arney has an MFA degree in Acting from Illinois State University and has taught master classes and workshops at UCLA, Steppenwolf, around the U.S. and in Tokyo.
GIL CATES, JR.
(Executive Director)
Gil Cates, Jr. has proudly served on the Geffen Playhouse Board since 2012 and has years of producing and directing experience in theater, film, and television. Gil’s theater credits include the award winning Names (Matrix Theatre) starring Dixie Carter and Greg Mullavey, The Night I Knocked Out Joe Frazer and Lost 90 Pounds (Gardner Stage Theater), as well as Three Sisters and David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre (both at Syracuse Stage). Gil’s film credits
include The Surface (starring Sean Astin and Geffen Playhouse alumnus Chris Mulkey), Jobs (starring Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Dermot Mulroney, as well as Geffen Playhouse alumni Matthew Modine and Ron Eldard) and the 2011 feature film Lucky (starring Colin Hanks, Ari Graynor, Ann-Margret and recent Golden Globe winner Jeffrey Tambor). In addition, Gil produced and directed the critically acclaimed Life After Tomorrow, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, which won best documentary at the Phoenix Film Festival and later had its premiere Christmas Eve on Showtime. His other films include Deal (starring Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison and Charles Durning), The Mesmerist (starring Geffen Playhouse alumnus Neil Patrick Harris), and the critically acclaimed independent film Order of Chaos. Gil also made his TV directorial debut with 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 BFA in Drama from Syracuse University in 1991.
REGINA MILLER
(Chief Development Officer)
Regina has been a development professional for over 18 years, working with non-profit institutions, foundations and corporations
on strategy, analysis and fundraising. She has worked for Simon Wiesenthal Center, The Clinton Foundation, Ben Affleck’s Eastern Congo Initiative, Hank Azaria’s Determined to Succeed, Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, Water.org, Codenow.org among others. Prior to the Geffen, Regina served as the Director of Partnerships for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles and the Inland Empire where she led strategic planning and development while executing policies that advanced the organization’s visibility and growth. Regina also has a strong passion for teaching. After graduating from University of North Carolina School of the Arts, she taught in preschools and kindergartens in New York. From the age of 13, Regina worked as a professional dancer on Broadway as well as with a number of prominent modern dance ensembles. Fusing two of her interests, she created a highly successful program which incorporated dance therapy and creative movement into an early childhood curriculum as well as wrote and produced a television show based on this concept. In addition to being a published author and photographer with Tallfellow Press and Prometheus Books, Regina has taught and lectured at numerous schools in New York, Los Angeles and abroad.
PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES
PRODUCTION STAFF FOR GUARDS AT THE TAJ
Assistant Scenic Designer Dreem Qin
Assistant Costume Designer Valerie Henderson
Assistant Lighting Designer Meghan Hong
Assistant Sound Designer Ben Scheff
Illusion Creator Dominik Krzanowki
Wardrobe Supervisor Jenny Foldenauer
Light Board Operator Austin Burkett
Sound Board Operator Mitchell Hampton
Production Assistant Kristen Osborn
Automation Operator/Stage Crew Joel Fullerton
Stage Crew Bret Weinberger
Properties Artisan Cami Viand
Properties Artisan Lillian Bartenstein
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Set provided by Scenic Highlights
Lighting Equipment provided by Entertainment Lighting Services
Sound Equipment provided by Jon Sound Inc.
Production Photographer Michael Lamont
Media Filming Four Leaf Media
SPECIAL THANKS
UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Scene, Prop, Sound and Costume Shops; London Cleaners
UCLA SCHOOL OF THEATER, FILM AND TELEVISION
Geffen Playhouse is affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles,
specifically the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Geffen Playhouse
values its role as an important educational resource by providing students
with master classes, workshops and internships. Students are also able to work
and learn from distinguished visiting Geffen artists such as Alan Ayckbourn,
Jon Robin Baitz, Annette Bening, Ed Harris, David Ives, Neil LaBute, David
Mamet, Donald Margulies, Terrence McNally, John Rando and Kathleen Turner
in areas of directing, playwriting, acting, design, dramaturgy, management and
production. Geffen Playhouse also draws upon the distinguished experts in the
university to enhance the theater’s programs and research.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS GEFFEN AT A GLANCE
ADDRESS
Geffen Playhouse10886 Le Conte Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024
Administrative Offices ... 310.208.6500
Mon – Fri ................. 10:00 am — 6:00 pm
Box Office Phone Line ... 310.208.5454
Daily ........................... 7:00 am —6:00 pm
Subscriber Hotline .......... 310.208.2028
Mon – Fri ................. 10:00 am — 6:00 pm
Sat & Sun ................ 12:00 pm — 6:00 pm
Please visit geffenplayhouse.com for
hours, parking and more information
TICKET SERVICES
BOX OFFICE WINDOWWhen shows are not in performance,
the box office window is open:
Mon – Fri ................. 10:00 am — 6:00 pm
Sat & Sun ................ 12:00 pm — 6:00 pm
During the run of a show, the window
will be open until curtain. Please
note: the box office is unable to
process exchanges and future sales
one hour prior to curtain time on any
performance day.
ACCESS
ACCESSIBLEACCOMMODATIONGeffen Playhouse is fully
committed to ensuring a
satisfying theater experience
for our patrons with special
needs or disabilities. Please
contact the box office or an
usher to discuss your needs.
AT THE THEATER
LATE SEATINGShould you arrive late to the theater
or vacate your seat during the
performance, please expect to be held
in the lobby until an appropriate pause
in the action on-stage. To minimize
disturbance to other patrons, you may
be sat into the first available location
by the house staff even if different from
your assigned seat. Be advised that
some productions or circumstances may
not allow for late or return seating.
ASL
This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers
in the United States.
This theater operates under agreement between the League of Resident Theaters and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, an independent national labor union.
The scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers in LORT theaters are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829, IATSE.
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P11
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ANNUAL DONORS
Geffen Playhouse recognizes the following individuals and organizations for their generous support of our Annual Fund and
Backstage at the Geffen. Donors are listed at the Associate level and higher for gifts made between July 20, 2014 and September 20, 2015.
In appreciation, donors enjoy a host of special benefits including house seats, complimentary drinks, receptions and much more.
For more information, please call Jamie Mikelich at 310.208.6500 ext. 128.
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE$50,000+
AnonymousAudi of America, IncBen/Joyce Eisenberg FoundationMrs. Carol K. Block & Chancellor Gene D. BlockClaudia & Kevin BrightCity National BankElizabeth Lacey & Gilbert Cates, Jr.Mary Ann CloydDavid Geffen FoundationEdgerton FoundationJoyce Eisenberg-Keefer & Melvin KeeferHerbert M. & Beverly J. GelfandIn Memory of Alice Ghostley & Felice OrlandiSam GoresThe Adi & Jerry Greenberg FoundationGuggenheim Partners Investment
Management Holdings, LLCCarole & Bill HaberHarold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable TrustMartha HendersonRabbi Uri D. Herscher & Dr. Myrna HerscherCindy & Alan HornHSBC Private Bank USAMarilyn & Jeffrey KatzenbergGlorya KaufmanLoretta Everett Kaufman & Victor KaufmanKenneth T. & Eileen L. Norris FoundationKeyes Automotive GroupRobert K. KraftSandra Krause & William FitzgeraldL&N Andreas FoundationLatham & Watkins LLPThe Lauder FoundationMr. and Mrs. Jason & Yvonne LeeSusan & David LevetonGeorge Lucas Family FoundationGinny ManciniFay & Frank MancusoMarilyn & Jeffrey Katzenberg Fund for Arts
Education at the Geffen PlayhouseJohn McCrite & Juan LopezDonna McKenna & Flynn ChernosKelly & Ron MeyerScott MinerdAnn & Jerry MossMoss FoundationParadigm Talent AgencyRalph M. Parsons FoundationPricewaterhouseCoopersMadeline & Bruce Ramer
Pamela Robinson Hollander & Robert HollanderLinda Bernstein Rubin & Tony RubinRichard & Barbara ShermanShubert FoundationSkirball FoundationKaren & Vic SmithCynthia P. StaffordJodi & Howard TenenbaumUCLAThe Walt Disney CompanyKen Willner & Jim StineElaine Wynn Family FoundationJudy & Chancellor Charles E. YoungDirk & Natasha Ziff
ARTISTIC CIRCLE $25,000 - $49,999
AnonymousKatie McGrath & J.J. AbramsAegon Transamerica FoundationPatricia Kiernan ApplegateAria Resort & SpaAriel InvestmentsRobert C. BaralValarie De La Garza & Michael CentenoCenterStagingKathy & Mitch ClarkClassic Party RentalsClay Lacy AviationDreamWorks AnimationDwight Stuart Youth FundThe Edward A. & Ai O. Shay
Family FoundationFox Entertainment GroupCarol & Paul FrimmerJim & Ann GianopulosGoldman SachsAndy & Carlo Brandon-GordonGreater Los Angeles New Car
Dealers AssociationMellody HobsonThe Lear Family FoundationLos Angeles County Arts CommissionLos Angeles magazineMarcia Israel Foundation, Inc.Napa Valley GrilleJudith & Bruce SternShel & Cynthia StoneWarner Bros. EntertainmentSamantha & John WilliamsAnthony P. Zinge
PRODUCER $10,000 - $24,999
AnonymousBeth BehrsLaurie & Bill BenensonCharles A. Black, Jr.Board of Supervisors County of Los AngelesHeather Thomas & Skip BrittenhamBrotman Foundation of CaliforniaAmanda Brown & Justin ChangEileen & Harold BrownBulgari Corporation of AmericaRoma Downey & Mark BurnettThe Capital Group Companies Charitable
FoundationStephanie & Jonathan CarsonThe ChatwalCity of Los Angeles Department of
Cultural AffairsCarole Bayer Sager & Robert A. DalyEdward AvedisDr. & Mrs. Paul EisenbergSusan & Mark FleischerThe Friedman GroupSarinda & Gian FulgoniGagosian Gallery, IncGang, Tyre, Ramer & Brown, Inc.Dr. Hilary GarlandGhurkaThe Rosalinde & Arthur Gilbert FoundationPatty Glaser & Sam MudieManuela & James GorenArthur GreenbergC. Curtis GrishamIn Memory of Morris A. HazanHBOSamantha & Eric HeerHilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & SpaStanley Iezman & Nancy StarkVicki Iovine & David CoiroJoseph Drown FoundationJoan KaloustianFred LatskoJanine & Peter LowyCarla MaldenMona MaldenMalibu Family WinesSusan & Peter MalloryNancy & Michael McClellandWendy & Barry MeyerSandra E. MilkenMOCA FoundationMarcia & Brett MolotskyLeslie Moonves & Julie ChenJames L. Nederlander
& Margo MacNabb NederlanderNorthern Trust, NALaurie MacDonald & Walter ParkesPopland Studios
ANNUAL DONORS
Rollin Ransom & Chris LacroixJudith Reichman, MDHolly RiceGail & Andrew RothRichard Ruskell PastriesThe Richenthal FoundationRonen Levy EventsLoren Rothschild & Hon. Frances RothschildThe Simms/Mann Family FoundationFred Specktor & Nancy HellerSugarfishSteve TischMiranda & Brett TollmanU.S. BankUnion BankWell Done CateringWestfield GroupWilliam Morris Endeavor EntertainmentLinda YellinRuth ZieglerRichard & Mae Ziman
DIRECTOR $5,000 - $9,999
AnonymousJehan F. Agrama & Dwora FriedAMCAmgen FoundationHilary & Jack Angelo The Alec Baldwin FoundationAVIDThe Baxter International FoundationRuth & Jake BloomAnnette BlumMara & Jonathan BlumThe Eli & Edythe L. Broad FoundationGlenn & Lynn CardosoMarcy CarseyComcast | NBC UniversalDebra DavisDream Warrior GroupFielding Edlow & Larry ClarkeJo & Larry FeldmanLawrence N. FieldEric Flamholtz & Yvonne RandleFour Seasons Resort Maui at WaileaKiki & David GindlerPriscila GiraldoGloria & Peter GoldGrand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria ResortBucky Hazan, Teles PropertiesGail & Stanley HollanderBernice & Wendell JeffreyYvonne & Damien JordanMarvin Jubas & Janet WaldMannon KaplanSally & Dr. Manny J. KarbelnigJulie & David KavnerKissick Family FoundationWendy KurtzmanLa ValenciaAlan & Cindra LaddEileen & Kase LawalDrs. Gerald & Barbara LeveyPadma & Rao Makineni
Merle & Jerry MeaserJudy Zaban Miller & Lester MillerKate Moran & Mikki RosenbergLiza & Conan O’BrienChristine Marie OfieshMo OstinPure CheesecakesKay & Bob RehmeGary Reisman | LEAP Media InvestmentsJoyce ReyJane Rissman & Richard SondheimerHoward RoseRikki RosenThomas L. SafranSheri SalataHon. Nicole A. Avant & Ted SarandosJudi & Bruce SchindlerJody & Arthur SchmidKen & Carol Schultz FoundationSteve & Paula Mae SchwartzHelen & Martin ScorseseSidley Austin LLPThe Simon-Strauss FoundationSinger Family FoundationSondheimer FoundationLorraine Spurge & Patrick MitchellSusan & Don StarrArnold StiefelEric StonestreetTanino RistoranteTanzy RestaurantBarbara & Larry TenanLynda ThomasThomas Safran & AssociatesJanet & Michael SchwartzKaren Zoller, MD & David Tillman, MDThe Travel CorporationAlice & Norman TulchinJennifer von SchneidauDeborah & Michael E. WalshWest LA PokerRita Wilson & Tom HanksKaren & Rick WolfenPaula Wolff, Ph.D. & Wayne W. WhalenJennifer Young & Katrina NasonGail ZappaLeslie & Robert ZemeckisRuth & Stan ZicklinIn Loving Memory of Herman ZieglerEllen & Ken ZiffrenZiffren Brittenham LLP
SPONSOR$3,000 – $4,999
Janis Adams & John LyonsPat & Sandy AdamsShelly & Libby BergenSusan Booth & Christopher WaddenRobert Brook & Jacqueline KosecoffDr. Fanya Carter, PhDScott, Susan & Joshua CorwinMica ErtegunSusan & Eric FleishmanPerry GoldbergDora & Neil Kadisha
Barbara & Ronnie KahnThea & Neal KossRenee & Meyer LuskinSherry MartinRio & Frank MorseBenedicta & Geoffry OblathJudi & Tim RitchieSue RosenwasserLori & David RoussoJudy & Mike SapirLeigh SilvertonAllen Blue & Kira SnyderKaren & William TimberlakeVernon, Barry & Dale Tyerman
In Honor of Ruth Tyerman LentzUniworld River Cruises IncThe Waterman Family FoundationLeslie White & Al LimonLynn & Mark WilliamsPatricia Youngman
PARTNER$1,500 - $2,999
Anonymous (3)Miriam AguiarOlga S. AldersonMargaret & Howard ArveyAversano Family TrustRobert E. & Maria H. BarronRichard Bautzer & David McDowellLaurel & Aaron ClarkLinda & John ColemanDavid Conney, M.D.Shelley Wike CranleyPhil DavisSusan & Jonathan DolgenVictoria DummerKitzia & Richard GoodmanThe Guerin FoundationMichael Parks & Judith HaywardAlan & Michelle HeilpernMel & Faith HenkinRoger & Linda HowardCarrie JohnsonJanis B. McEldowneyRichard MillingLisa PierozziHerbert & Marilyn PikenJoseph & Cynthia RodriguezDominique SheltonDoris & Michael ShermanRita & Jose SigalSnyder Family FoundationBruce & Patti SpringsteenMitch & Sherry SteinPaul & Margaret SteinAudri & Stan TendlerPaul TetreaultDaniel TongbaiSusan & Peter Van HaftenRoberta WeintraubGelena & Seth WeissmanBarbara & Stanley ZaxMarcie & Howard ZelikowEllen & Arnold ZetcherDavid Zuckerman
& Ellie Kanner-Zuckerman
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P13
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ANNUAL DONORS
EDUCATION ADVOCATE $1,000 - $1,499
Anonymous (3)Harry & Gay Abrams/Abrams
Artists AgencyDr. Richard Ackerman & Miriam ShakterLaura & Harvey Alpert Charitable
FoundationMerryl & David A. AlpertBonnie & Bill ApfelbaumAudioQuestCarol Ann & D.C. BakemanRichard & Shelley BayerJerry BeckmanPeter & Barbara BenedekPatricia & Mark BenjaminPaula & Bruce BennettWendy & John BergquistJohn Bjorge & Mary McKelveyJoe Blackstone & Jamie MohnThe Bordy & Leibovic FamiliesBrenda & Alan BorsteinDr. Wallace P. BrithineeWendy & David BrotmanThe Busch-Schifino FamilyChancellor Albert Carnesale
& Mrs. Robin CarnesaleScott CarterDavid Cates & Christine VavakJane CatesJonathan & Elena CatesMelissa Cates & Roger ClamanSteven Cerasale & Mary Katherine CocharoMartha ChaseSachiko T. Cochran MD & Joseph T. ArakiJanine CristianoRuth DaughertyDeluscious CookiesCarolyn Dirks/Brett DoughertyDennis & Jeralyn DotyJan & Thea DrayerGerald & Sally DucotWilliam DuncanMarilyn P. DunnDr. & Mrs. William M DuxlerColleen M. EllisTerri & David ElstonThe English Language CenterCarl & Courtenay EnrightCarol & J.B. EsterkinMichael & Lynne FeldmanDonnovan FieldBarbara FodorJoan & Charles FoxSteve FreedmanBen & Susan FriedmanG2 Graphic Service, Inc.Pat & Sandy GageKathleen GarfieldJeanne & Arnold GeffnerMr. & Mrs. Arthur GeoffrionDiane & Bruce GewertzCharlotte GoldDr. Irene GoldenbergMarion GoldenfeldHelene GordonAdrienne Grant & Paul Jennings
Jack Grossbart & Marc SchwartzSunny & Alvin GrossblattMichael GrunwaldMonty & Marilyn HallSalli HarrisMurray & Gail HeltzerLynda Klein & Neal HershJean Himmelstein & David ColemanDr. John D. Hofbauer & Dr. Laura E. FoxIn Honor of DevelopmentTamara Horwich & Gerry LipshutzToni HoytLynn Hunt & Margaret JacobNancy & Len JacobyLinda JangerJoseph B. Gould FoundationLinda & David KagelJoyce & Don KaisermanMarcy Kaplan & Eric GoldKarney Guren Family FoundationSabrina Kay Charitable FoundationLenny & David KeltonBarbara & Stuart KlabinKent Klavens & Judy VourlasLeslie & Norman KoplofCarol KrauseDeborah Lacusta & Daniel CastellanetaBethany Joy LenzLydia & Chuck LevyJohn LiebesSteven & Nancy LippmanJudith Locke & Dennis MassieKaren & Frederick LorigThe Jennifer and Greg Malins FoundationEric G.C. MarkMarlene Matlow & FamilySue McHugh & Herb SeeseThe Miles FamilyCraig & Catherine MillerAndrew & Laura MintzerJoanne & Joel MogyLon Morse & Toni Hollander MorseAlbert & Barbara NicholsJohn NickollDeborah & Stacey OlliffMichael R. OppenheimOrnest Family FoundationAnne OsbergGia Paladino & Michael WiseCarol Parry & John FoxPhilip & Leslie PatonAmanda Crick & Glenn PfefferCraig PiligianIn Memory of Michael PillerBerta & Lou PittRuth PopkinRichard Rasiej & Joan HermanHarvey & Joyce ReichardRabbi Steven & Didi Carr ReubenDonald B. & Susan F. RiceIn Memory of Frances RichmanEsther & Howard RichmondBeth Roberts & Warren SmithRichard RobertsCraig E. RogersBrad & Nancy RosenbergDavid A. & Karen Richards SachsMark San FilippoNancy & Ted Sanborn
Savitsky Satin & BaconDawn & Joel SchererLizbeth SchiffToni & John SchulmanJoanna & Jonathan SchwartzSusan Schwarz BertonIn Memory of Diane Barnett-ShapiroJohn & Lori ShawMichael & Glenda ShawPhyllis & Martin ShephardHolly & Larry ShulmanSteven Siegel & Lily CareyRon Silverman & Soraya RossJoan & Jerry SnyderDrs. Matthew & Marion SolomonThe Somaini FamilyMarcella, Joy & Grant StanleySusan StockelJordan Strauss PhotographyDavid & Katherine StritzingerEric Strom & Eileen GoodisKaty SweetThe Tatasciore FamilyJohn Teeples & Nicolas Martinez, Jr.Joyce & Josh TrabulusCatherine UngerDaniel & Shauna ValenzuelaAlan Van VlietPeter & Denise WalshJulie & Peter WeilDoris WeinbergJoanne & Ken WeinmanAlison Whalen & Steven MarenbergMarcia Williams & Gene LuceroCherie WrigleyAnna & Stephen Yallourakis
ARTISTIC ADVOCATE $500 - $999
Anonymous (3)Laurence & Ilene AbramsonSylvia AlmstadtPatti & Harlan AmstutzAres Management LLCJanet & Irwin BarnetAlan BelinkoffJoanne & Miles BenickesJim & Diane BerlinerBlack Market GelatoJanet & Mark BrownLee & Shelby ChadenWilliam & Patricia ChinElsbeth Collins & James GreeneTed CordesDonald & Zoe CosgroveMorgan DameronGeraldine DarrowDiana Davidow & Deborah ConstanceDaniel & Gayle DevinThe Milton L. & Betty J. Dranow
Family FoundationRoni & Ethan EllerDavid & Joyce EvansMarjorie & Arthur FineSydney M. Finegold, M.D.The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable FundMichael & Lynne FlynnMyrna Forest
Burt & Nanette ForesterLois & Gerald GallopSharlene & Sol GalperRussell GerstenThe Gewecke FamilyBenita & Bert GinsbergDr. Diane & Michael GlazerAnnie & Tom GoepelLouis & Linda GoldsmanAbner & Roz GoldstineLori & Robert GoodmanRoger GordonMarcy & Edgar GrossMadeline GussmanCarolyn & Bernie HamiltonKay HarringtonRichard HartSteven HochstadtMrs. Dorothy HoffmanRand Hoffman & Charlotte RobinsonKelley M. HoganGerald IsenbergTerry & Marc J. JacobyRobert JonesDrs. Elaine & Jeff KamilMr. & Mrs. Bernard KaminePatricia KeatingDonald KottlerJeffrey KramerTam & David LachoffEleanor & Mark LainerJoan & Christopher LarkinJeanne & Christopher LavagninoSandi LawlessJoyce LedererBrenda & Warren LincolnWendy LindleyNeil L. & Ora D. MacfarlaneGeorge ManetElizabeth MarcellinoJoel MendelsohnAllan M. Mohrman Jr.Paula Moseley, EdDSandra MossErika & James MuhlfeldSherri & Arnold NelsonChris & Richard NewmanShelby NotkinDonna & Paul PekarAmy RichardsLinda & Manny RiderDolores RogersRonda & Fred RoseBlanche & Bruce Joel RubinNancy & Steven SchneiderDavid & Margaret SchwankeDr. Daniel SchwartzTraci SheltonRobin & Robert SillsMartin & Leah SklarSold Out CrowdDr. Jerry E. Spicer & W. Todd StevensAlec SulkinMr. & Mrs. David TannNancy ThomasMarcia & Dr. Charles WassermanConnie & John WestonGeoffrey & Susan WhartonPhilip & Judith WinikJay Weinstein & Lori WoldarDebra Zavala
ASSOCIATE $250 - $499
Anonymous (6)Norman & Toshka AbramsTerry & Richard AbramsAnne Adair & Steve GanzbergBarbara AdamsElaine & Michael AgranAKWCharles & Annick AllenPaul AlterRobert C. AndersonPhilip Angerhofer
& Stephen A. JonesEloise & Mark AppelMark ArcherSteven D. AriasBonnie ArnoldBarbara & Ethan AronoffBert & Ruth AronsMarc & Elizabeth AxelrodLynne & Lee BabbittDeborah BaineAimee BakhshandehpourLinda BarnettIrene BaronRandy BayardDawn & Marshall BeinMarshall BellJoel BergerYvette BergeronKaren Berko-GibsonBarbara BerkowitzMarsha C. BerkowitzEllen BienenfeldBeverly BiererWilliam Bigelow & Bridget KarlinClaudia & Ronald BitzerMarjorie BlattPamela & Bill BohnertMichael J. BordyToby BornsteinJudge & Mrs. Anthony BorwickDeanne BosnakBurt BoyarCarol J. BradshawPaula BrandJohn & Debbie BrinckoLeah Lynn BroidyMitchell BrownDavid & Kathy BurkeColin CampbellLaura D. CampbellMarlene & David CapellAndrew CarlbergPhil CarlinTia CarrereMiss Irene CastaldoBarry CharlesDiane ChernanskyNancy ClarkKen CoelhoDonell CohenGinger ConradIvan ContrerasGail CottinghamNorman & Nancy CravensValerie & Donald Cravitz
Ingrid Curtiss, MDAmes CushingIn Loving Memory of Ed CypertMuriel Dance & Alvin MartinBeverly D’AngeloCol. Tony, Donna & Taylor DaniellHedva & Dr. Dudley DanoffBonnie & Brian DavidoffJeffrey S. DavidsonRuth B. Davis & Pearl SchultzSuzanne & Bruce DoddsCarol Jean DoehringPenelope DonnellyFred & Marilyn DorerSandy DorfmanDaryl & Paul F. DoucettePaul DowlingHelina DreicerJacki & Murray DrechslerLarry & Elke EreshefskyEllen FarwellJanet FattalAleyne Larner FawcettMimi Alpert FeldmanJudy & Jerry FelsenthalAbby & Malcolm FieldDonna FinleyWilliam & Elisabeth FleischmanEdward FloresRosella ForteSandy & Mitch FrancisDolores FrancoGilbert & Marilyn FrankDonald & Sandy FrenchKenneth J. Friedma
& Marilynn J. Friedman Family Foundation
Laurelle FromeGina FurthLori GalinLee GardenswartzLarry & Judith GarshofskyLinda M GibbsAndrew Glassman
& Pilar Frausto-GlassmanRichard & Lori GlucksmanHannah GodwinMark & Molly GoldbergMarshall & Patti Goldberg
and FamilyFrancine Golden
& Marvin SchlossmanDenise GoldfarbDr. Peter GoldmanJulie Clayton GoldsmithDina GoldsteinMae GoodsonJo-Ann GordonDavid GorenLiz Gottainer & David SadkinJoan GreenRandi & Jerome GreenbergEve Haberfield
& David N. JohnsonRoberta L. HaftKambiz HakimMary & Alan HalkettJane HallSusan HallmanKatherine Hardie
Tess HarperEugene HarrisSheila & Chester HasdayDr. & Mrs. Samuel HavesonAllan HeinbergCarla & Alan A. HerdMatthew HerrmannCina HodgesMr. & Mrs. Rob HollmanDale & John HopmansLynn & David HorowitzJonathan HowardMr. & Mrs. John HuberBrian Irving & Dayna CusslerJackie & Warren JacksonFrederic A. & Nancy JacobusBarbara & Buford JamesMartha Jones & Paul ZerellaCarolyn & Dan JordanJerry JosephTrudy & Albert KallisPat & Stan KandelJean KaplanJo Ann & Charles KaplanOwen KatoBeverlee Bickmore & James KellyWilliam & Renee KendallIrwin KishnerAnnette & Charles KleemanDonna & Jeffrey KleinDr. Phyllis KleinLaurie & Milton KlormanCorie & Michael KossJohn & Kimberly KruseDoctors Mark & Lena LaboweLynne LainerCarol D. LandeElizabeth LandeJill & Michael LaskyHelene & Arthur LaubGinger LeibovitzAnn LelandCharles LetzgusSteve & Valerie LevRon & Marcia LevensonDonna LeviMarla E. LevineSuzann LevineBeth Levy & Lloyd BookmanRick & Vivian LevyLawrin & Linda LewinLee & Therese LindenVictor & Madeline LindenheimLeslie & Adam LobelMireya LundMarilyn LunebergAnne L. LynchDr. Linda MaederCarol & Doug MancinoMr. & Mrs. Phillips H. MarshallStewart MayedaTracy & Noah MazeDavid Israeli & Dr. Marie MazzoneDouglas Mcavoy, Jr.
Jim & Kathryn McCafferyCheryl McCormickPatrick W. McDivittMaria McDowellMarlene McRae & Terry WinterIn Memory of Gil CatesReed & Linda MetzgerNorma & Larry MeyersPhilip & Joan MillerTeddie J. MilnerPeter Minarik & Sharon VeraFarbod MirfakhraiMatlin & Robert MirmanCarol & Jerry MuchinBill MullinsAlex Levine & Catherine NamethMurray & Lenore NeidorfMark & Diane NeubauerTom NevermannJoan & Fred NicholasRobert & Anita NittaRoberta NovickAdrienne & Arthur OmanskyDr. Ronald & Iris OnkinMr. & Mrs. Irving OstrowCynthia & Todd PalmEdward ParkerJoanne PattenKathy & Jeff PerkinsRebecca PerlowNaidu & Jane PermaulZazi PopeMichael & Rose PorterfieldDiane & Michael PoryesSarah & Christopher PriorePhilip PritchettNeil & Lisa Greer QuatemanJoyce S. RichJames RichardsCarlene RingerLindy RobbinsCharles RobertsonMaria Rodriguez
& Victoria BullockJanis & Avi RojanyRobert RosaniaBarry Rosen & Neil BokalAdrienne RosenthalBeverly & Melvin RosenthalJoyce & Deane RossLawrence Ross
& Linda NussbaumGeorgina & Alan RothenbergBert RoyalTyler RubinPenny Grosz Salomon & Eugene
KorneyTawny & Gerry SandersSusan & Kenneth SarnoMaxine SavitzClifford SchafferLaurie SchechterJoel & Sonia SchneiderGary & Karen Schneider
Elaine Carey & Vincent J. Schodolski
Jane & Bill Schopf
Susan & Peter Schwab
John H. Scott
Michele & Peter Serchuk
Andrea Sexton
Bob & Sue Shadur
Scott Shagrin
Annette & Leonard Shapiro
Steven & Annabelle Shulman
Melinda & Yossi Sidikaro
Seymour & Dorothy Siegel
Nancy & Bruce Silverman
Adam Singer
Evelyne & Joel Smason
Diane Good & Frank Smith
Barbara Meissner & Hal Smith
James Smith & Loreen Ayer
Dr. Jerry & Marci Smith
Jimmie Smith & Tommy Garceau
Marcia L. & Mark J. Smith
Jean Smith-Moore
Karen Smits
Debra Spector
Lynette Sperber
Roger K. Stewart
William Stringer
Kathryn & Mark Sullivan
Mr. Kayser Sume & Dr. Renee Sabshin
Ann Sunderland
Keith & Judy Swayne
Lance & Maureen Tan
Phyllis & Franklin Tell
Robyn Tenenbaum
Troy Thompson
Jay & Courtney Tobin
Brigitta Troy
Beryl Turner
Leon & Stephanie Vahn
Anthony Vasek
Bobette Vikan
Arnold & Carol Vinstein
Carole Wagner-Vallianos & Peter Vallianos
Dr. & Mrs. William Walsh
Seth Freeman & Julie Waxman
Ben & Rose Weinstein
Terri Weiss
Pat West
Haskell & Rita Wexler
Rae Jeane Williams
Patrick Wilson
Bruce & Marci Wiseman
Marc Wishingrad
Jess Womack
Diana Lynn Woods
Karen & Frank Wurtzel
The Yarkins
Gerald Yoshitomi
Harriet Zaretsky
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. 128
PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE P15
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ANNUAL DONORS
Randall Arney Artistic Director
Gil Cates, Jr. Executive Director
ARTISTIC
Amy Levinson Artistic Associate / Literary Director
Phyllis Schuringa Artistic Associate / Casting Director
Young Ji Artistic Coordinator / Company Manager
Rachel Wiegardt-Egel Literary Associate
DEVELOPMENT
Regina Miller Chief Development Officer
Ellen Catania Director of Major Gifts & Corporate/Foundation Partnerships
Jessica Brusilow Rollins Director of Education Partnerships & Donor Relations
Jamie Mikelich Associate Director of Individual Giving & Spotlight Manager
Kristen Smith Eshaya Development & Education Programs Coordinator
Scott Kriloff Development Associate & Donor Database Administrator
Clay Dzygun Development Associate
Ava Bogle Development Assistant
Taylor Dearden Development Assistant
EDUCATION
Jennifer Zakkai Director of Education & Community Engagement
Carolyn Marie Wright Manager of Education & Community Engagement
ADMINISTRATION
Behnaz Ataee Chief Financial Officer
Frankie Ocasio Executive Assistant
Peter Banachowski Accounting and Payroll Manager
Diana Chang Accounts Payable
Marguerite Harris Receptionist
PRODUCTION
Daniel Ionazzi Production Manager
Jill Barnes Associate Production Manager / Company Manager
Evan Friedman Technical Director
Rich Gilles Properties Master
James Grabowski Sound Master
Darren Rezowalli Master Electrician
MARKETING & SALES
Joseph Yoshitomi Director of Marketing & Communications
Karen Gutierrez Director of Advertising & Sponsorships
Brian Dunning Graphic Design Manager
Kevin O’Brien Marketing & Graphics Coordinator
Mark San Filippo Ticket Services Director & Database Administrator
Stephanie Strand Audience Services Manager
Janice Bernal Box Office Manager
Bryan Martin Box Office Manager
Zack Hamra Box Office Assistant Manager
Korie Benavidez, Kaitlin Huwe, Richard Martinez, Cameron Reck, Celia Rivera, Christine Rivera, Celeste Russi, Alyssa Tyson Box Office Staff
COMMUNICATIONS
Katy Sweet, Pam Giangregorio, Carly Yates Katy Sweet & Associates Public Relations
Rebecca Haithcoat Communications Editor
FRONT OF HOUSE
Jeni Pearsons Director of Special Events
David Gerhardt Supervising House Manager
Jane Phillips Harper Deputy Supervising House Manager
Michelle Cantrell, Josiah Davis, Amy Farkas, Roxana Meyers House Managers
Ally Aberrotman, Rebecca Birstock, Kailey Bray, Christopher Caron, Taylor Cerny, Vianney Cossyleon, Taylor Dearden, Brett Donaldson, Megan Fitzgerald, Chelsea Fryer, Netta Lee Joseph, Erica Keller, Caroline Harrison Kohler, Nathaniel Meek, Keith Mitchell, JoJo Nwoko, Luis Ruiz, Jonathan Schwartz, Oliver Vaughn, Dennis Woullard Ushers
Rob Mersola Bar Manager
Manuel Mayorga Weekend Bar Manager
Adam Carr, Brenda Davidson, Mariel Higuera, Lyndsi LaRose, Kimberly Legg Bartenders
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Miguel del Castillo Facility Manager
Mario Santillan-Perez Custodial
Juan Carlos Umaña Cleaning Custodial
P16 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE
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 nont-for-profit theater company, is proudly affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles.
GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE STAFF