Frank Mancuso News

Geffen Playhouse celebrated its 25th Anniversary and raised $1 million for the theater’s education, community engagement and artistic initiatives at its signature Backstage at the Geffen annual fundraiser held June 4, it was announced today. 

The evening of unscripted, unannounced storytellers and performers was hosted by comedian, actor, writer and producer Tone Bell and featured personal behind-the-scenes anecdotes from a lineup of surprise celebrity guests including Kenya Barris, Jon M. Chu, Sharon Lawrence and French Stewart.

Geffen Playhouse today announced the honorees for its 18th annual Backstage LIVE at the Geffen signature fundraiser.

The play adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher and Andy Garcia, produced in association with Frank Mancuso and Andy Garcia, and directed by Doug Hughes, honors the original story in which disillusioned World War II veteran Frank McCloud (Danny Pino) travels to a hotel in Key Largo to pay his respects to Nora (Rose McIver), the young widow of a fallen solider, who now runs the hotel with its owner, her blind father (Tony Plana) who claims to have a?oeseena?? and heard it all during his lifetime. What McCloud doesn't count on is being confronted by an entirely different type of battlefield with mobsters who have overtaken the hotel, led by the ruthless Johnny Rocco (Andy Garcia, who dominates the stage channeling Al Pacino in The Godfather to the hilt), who is waiting for the culmination of a drug deal. As a hurricane barrels toward the Keys, tempers flare and gunfire blares, forcing McCloud to face his demons in order to take down a monster.

Geffen Playhouse today announced eight productions that will make up its 2019/2020 season, with one additional production to be announced. This marks the second lineup curated by Artistic Director Matt Shakman and the 24th season for the Los Angeles theater. The season will launch Tuesday, August 20, 2019 and run through Sunday, July 19, 2020.

Last night's star-studded event, Backstage at the Geffen, at the Geffen Playhouse grossed more than $1 million for the theater's education, outreach and artistic initiatives. The fundraiser, which recognizes leaders in the artistic community, supports the theater's mission to produce original, quality work and raises funds for its education and community engagement programs, honored legendary stage and screen performer Dick Van Dyke and award-winning composer, lyricist and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda. Comedian Jim Carrey presented the Distinction in Theater Award to Van Dyke and EGOT award-winning actress Rita Moreno presented the Education Impact Award to Miranda.

Backstage at the Geffen, the Geffen Playhouse's annual fundraiser event, has launched its online auction featuring luxury vacations, one-of-a-kind artwork and VIP experiences. Proceeds will benefit the Geffen's mission to produce original, quality work and raises funds for its award-winning education and community engagement programs, which bring live theater to more than 15,000 disadvantaged youth, seniors and veterans annually.

Lyn and Norman Lear were awarded the Hollywood Icon Award at the Women's Guild Cedars-Sinai 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Gala at The Beverly Hilton last night. Actor and film producer Pierce Brosnan presented the award to the lifelong philanthropists and legendary television pioneer and four-time Emmy winner. The Lears join the ranks of past recipients including Billy Crystal, Wendy and Leonard Goldberg, Lauren Shuler and Richard Donner, Fay and Frank Mancuso, Judy and Bernard Briskin, Dr. Bruce Gewertz, Dr. Ed Phillips, and Vera and Paul Guerin.

The Geffen Playhouse will honor legendary stage and screen performer Dick Van Dyke and award-winning composer, lyricist and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda at its 16th annual Backstage at the Geffen fundraiser. The event recognizes the accomplishments of leaders in the artistic community, supports the theater's mission to produce original, quality work and raises funds for its award-winning education and community engagement programs, which bring live theater to more than 15,000 disadvantaged youth, seniors and veterans annually.

A new documentary on legendary jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval is currently in production. Filmmaker Francisco J. Ricardo, director of F For Franco, is directing the film, inspired by Arturo's energy and dedication to his craft.

RLJ Entertainment, (NASDAQ: RLJE), under it's Image Entertainment brand, brings you CRYSTAL LAKE MEMORIES: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF FRIDAY THE 13TH.

The Geffen Playhouse Board of Directors today announced that Vice Chair Gil Cates, Jr. will serve as the permanent Executive Director for the not-for-profit theater after leading in an interim capacity since February, 2015.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Geffen execs have halted the production after actor Steven Berkoff was let go, with no suitable replacements found before their first official bow on Feb 12. Previews were to begin next week, on Feb. 4.

Hershey Felder in Abe Lincoln's Piano will have its world premiere in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse as a limited fifteen-performance engagement starting tonight, January 3, 2014.

Stage industry veteran Andy Perez has been ap pointed press director of the Geffen Playhouse. Perez oversees publicity, social media, and external communication for one of the area's most known regional theaters. Perez was formerly was tour publicist for Cavalia, the Montreal based touring production, West Coast regional public relations manager for Feld Entertainment, Inc., and a publicist for Radio City Entertainment leading publicity campaigns for five consecutively running productions of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Branson, and Myrtle Beach.

Hershey Felder in Abe Lincoln's Piano will have its world premiere in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse as a limited fifteen-performance engagement starting January 3, 2014.

The Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa recently named accomplished gaming executive, C.J. Graham as its new General Manager. Graham has more than two decades of experience in the gaming and hospitality industry, including senior-level positions at the Palms Casino Resort, Wynn and Flamingo, in Las Vegas. His connection to Hollywood? Graham starred as the hockey-masked killer, Jason Voorhees, in the 1986 slasher film Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives. The Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa is home The Show -- one of the finest, state of the art concert venues in the Western United States. I had the opportunity to sit down with the charismatic and likeable Mr. Graham a few days ago. Here are a few excerpts from that conversation.

Tony nominee Neil LaBute's world premiere adaptation of August Strindberg's Miss Julie, starring Tony nominee Lily Rabe (American Horror Story, Merchant of Venice), Broadway actress Laura Heisler (Lucille Lortel and Drama League nominee) and Logan Marshall-Green (Julie Taymor's Across the Universe) opens in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse tonight, May 1 and runs through June 2, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Tony nominee Neil LaBute's world premiere adaptation of August Strindberg's Miss Julie, starring Tony nominee Lily Rabe (American Horror Story, Merchant of Venice), Broadway actress Laura Heisler (Lucille Lortel and Drama League nominee) and Logan Marshall-Green (Julie Taymor's Across the Universe) opens in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse on May 1 and runs through June 2, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Ron Eldard (Justified, ER), Freddy Rodriguez (Rico in Six Feet Under) and Bill Smitrovich (Drew Thatcher in Life Goes On) are set to appear in American Buffalo, a revival of David Mamet's American classic.