Geffen Playhouse

The Geffen Playhouse has been a hub of the Los Angeles theater scene since opening its doors in 1995. Noted for its intimacy and celebrated for its world-renowned mix of classic and contemporary plays, provocative new works and musicals, the Geffen Playhouse continues to present a body of work that has garnered national recognition. Named in honor of entertainment mogul and philanthropist David Geffen, who made the initial donation to the theater, the company is helmed by Producing Director and President of the Board Gilbert (Gil) Cates, Artistic Director Randall Arney, Managing Director Ken Novice and Chairman of the Board Frank Mancuso. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen Playhouse welcomes an audience of more than 130,000 each year, and maintains an extensive education and outreach program, designed to engage young people and the community at large in the arts.

The 2010/11 season opens with Lynn Nottage’s multi-award winning drama Ruined, continues with the crowd pleaser Hershey Felder in Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein, then kicks off the new year with the world premiere of Neil LaBute’s The Break of Noon, followed by the world premiere of Jane Anderson’s The Escort (a Geffen Playhouse commission), and concludes with the West coast premiere of Tracy Lett’s Superior Donuts. “These plays take on provocative subjects in incredibly engaging ways,” said Producing Director Gil Cates. “The potency and raw drama with which these issues are explored is a true testament to the caliber of playwrights working with us this season – many of whom we’re thrilled to welcome back to the Geffen.”