Photo Coverage: Piven Theatre Workshop Benefit

On Saturday, November 15, 2008 the Piven Theatre Workshop hosted an exclusive party with current Speed-The-Plow star and three-time Emmy Award winner Jeremy Piven at Manhattan's trendy Level V (675 Hudson Street). 

The cast of Speed-The-Plow by David Mametincludes Emmy and Golden Globe Award winnerJeremy Piven ("Entourage", Fat Pig), three-time Tony-nominee Raúl Esparza (The Homecoming, Company) and Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men).  Neil Pepe (David Mamet's Romance, Ethan Coen's Almost an Evening) directs. The show is playing at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (located at 243 West 47th St.). Tickets are sold through Telecharge.com or 212-239-6200.

Founded 35 years ago by Jeremy Piven's parents Byrne & Joyce Piven, The Piven Theatre Workshop annually trains approximately 1,000 students, provides approximately $30,000 in need-based scholarships, and maintains an Equity subscription theatre, a Performance Lab nurturing emerging artists, and extensive residency and outreach programs throughout Chicago, serving various under-served populations. Alumni of this celebrated training program include Emmy Award winnerJeremy Piven of HBO's ENTOURAGE, John & Joan Cusack, Aidan Quinn, Kate Walsh,Harry Lennix, Jeff Garlin, Hope Davis, Lili Taylor, award-winning playwright Sarah Ruhl, and many more. Stagebill honored the Pivens with the designation "Chicago's first family of acting."  The Pivens have received numerous awards for their work in theatre and education and were named 1996 Artists of the Year by the Chicago Tribune.  In 2000, they were awarded a Joseph Jefferson Lifetime Achievement Award.  Piven Theatre Workshop, 927 Noyes Street, Evanston IL 60201, (847)866-8049. 

Photos by Peter James Zielinski

Jeremy Piven

Raul Esparza

Bethenny Frankel of The Real Housewives of New York City