Polly Draper News

Capping a 20th anniversary season of milestones, the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival turns to the Elizabethan past with its rehearsal methods for The Two Noble Kinsmen.

Three things may be said quite frankly about Jane Anderson's plays. First of all, the subject matter is never boring. In fact, what you see is bound to create controversy especially amongst those possessing middle class values. Secondly, the protagonist is a mixed bag of strength and insecurity, but in his (her) different perspective or lifestyle, he (she) bravely faces the consequences. Thirdly, there is usually a double standard for those pointing that ugly finger at the protagonist. What they think may be good for them may not be necessarily right for others to follow, or vice versa. Now at the Geffen The Escort lives up to all three, with four outstanding performances and superior direction from Lisa Peterson.

In her second commission for the Geffen Playhouse, Jane Anderson combines the two oldest professions: theater and prostitution. The Escort follows the relationship between Charlotte, a high-class call girl played by Maggie Siff (Mad Men, Sons of Anarchy) and Rhona, her upper West side female gynecologist, played by Polly Draper (thirtysomething, Broadway's Closer). James Eckhouse (CTG's The Goat, Beverly Hills 90210) doubles as Rhona's self-righteous liberal ex-husband and one of Charlotte's johns, and LAtheater newcomer Gabriel Sunday (My Suicide, Taking Woodstock) doubles as Rhona's manipulative teenage son and a seductive male escort. Helmed by Lisa Peterson, The Escort opens at the Geffen Playhouse on April 6 and runs through May 8. "The last play I wrote for the Geffen was about cancer, fire, suicide and death; so I thought I'd give us all a break this time and write about sex," said playwright Jane Anderson. "Audiences shouldn't expect from me some bawdy farce filled with a lot of slamming of bedroom doors, but what I hope to do is to give them a great roller coaster ride where they swing between asking 'why not?' to saying 'enough is enough is enough.' The Escort is the Geffen Playhouse's second commission from Emmy Award winning playwright Jane Anderson. Her first, The Quality of Life, premiered in the Audrey Skirball Theater at the Geffen Playhouse in 2007 and was honored with numerous awards including both an LADCC and Ovation Award for Best New Play before moving on to subsequent productions around the country. Opening night festivities for The Escort, which are sponsored by Los Angeles magazine, will be celebrated at Napa Valley Grille with Chef Joseph Gillard's seasonal specialties, complete with wine by Malibu Family Wines and a specialty drink courtesy of Krol Vodka. Other festivities during the run of The Escort include the theater's special Signature Series options for no additional cost. Special evenings include an intellectual, thought-provoking post show Q&A at Talk Back Tuesdays; a scintillating, one-of-a kind after-party at Girls Night Out; a cultural happy hour with Lounge Fridays and complimentary wine tastings during Wine Down Sundays. For more information, please view www.geffenplayhouse.com/signatureseries.

In her second commission for the Geffen Playhouse, Jane Anderson combines the two oldest professions: theater and prostitution. The Escort follows the relationship between Charlotte, a high-class call girl played by Maggie Siff (Mad Men, Sons of Anarchy) and Rhona, her upper West side female gynecologist, played by Polly Draper (thirtysomething, Broadway's Closer). James Eckhouse (CTG's The Goat, Beverly Hills 90210) doubles as Rhona's self-righteous liberal ex-husband and one of Charlotte's johns, and LAtheater newcomer Gabriel Sunday (My Suicide, Taking Woodstock) doubles as Rhona's manipulative teenage son and a seductive male escort. Helmed by Lisa Peterson, The Escort opens at the Geffen Playhouse on April 6 and runs through May 8.

Acclaimed jazz pianist Michael Wolff continues his busy year of touring with a March 25th concert at Vitello's in Studio City, California.

Acclaimed jazz pianist Michael Wolff continues his busy year of touring with a March 25th concert at Vitello's in Studio City, California.

In her second commission for the Geffen Playhouse, Jane Anderson combines the two oldest professions: theater and prostitution. The Escort follows the relationship between Charlotte, a high-class call girl played by Maggie Siff (Mad Men, Sons of Anarchy) and Rhona, her upper West side female gynecologist, played by Polly Draper (thirtysomething, Broadway's Closer). James Eckhouse (CTG's The Goat, Beverly Hills 90210) doubles as Rhona's self-righteous liberal ex-husband and one of Charlotte's johns, and LAtheater newcomer Gabriel Sunday (My Suicide, Taking Woodstock) doubles as Rhona's manipulative teenage son and a seductive male escort. Helmed by Lisa Peterson, The Escort opens at the Geffen Playhouse on April 6 and runs through May 8. "The last play I wrote for the Geffen was about cancer, fire, suicide and death; so I thought I'd give us all a break this time and write about sex," said playwright Jane Anderson. "Audiences shouldn't expect from me some bawdy farce filled with a lot of slamming of bedroom doors, but what I hope to do is to give them a great roller coaster ride where they swing between asking 'why not?' to saying 'enough is enough is enough.' The Escort is the Geffen Playhouse's second commission from Emmy Award winning playwright Jane Anderson. Her first, The Quality of Life, premiered in the Audrey Skirball Theater at the Geffen Playhouse in 2007 and was honored with numerous awards including both an LADCC and Ovation Award for Best New Play before moving on to subsequent productions around the country. Opening night festivities for The Escort, which are sponsored by Los Angeles magazine, will be celebrated at Napa Valley Grille with Chef Joseph Gillard's seasonal specialties, complete with wine by Malibu Family Wines and a specialty drink courtesy of Krol Vodka. Other festivities during the run of The Escort include the theater's special Signature Series options for no additional cost. Special evenings include an intellectual, thought-provoking post show Q&A at Talk Back Tuesdays; a scintillating, one-of-a kind after-party at Girls Night Out; a cultural happy hour with Lounge Fridays and complimentary wine tastings during Wine Down Sundays. For more information, please view www.geffenplayhouse.com/signatureseries.

Do your kids watch Nickelodeon? Then they are no strangers to the hit series, The Naked Brothers Band and it's stars, Nat & Alex Wolff! Nat and Alex are two of televisions most recognizable teen faces.

On the heels of two sold-out concerts at Snug Harbor in New Orleans, acclaimed jazz pianist Michael Wolff is set to take New York by storm in January and February, with ten nights of shows and multiple performances featuring high profile, eclectic band line-ups.

On the heels of two sold-out concerts at Snug Harbor in New Orleans, acclaimed jazz pianist Michael Wolff is set to take New York by storm in January and February, with ten nights of shows and multiple performances featuring high profile, eclectic band line-ups.

Do your kids watch Nickelodeon? Then they are no strangers to the hit series, The Naked Brothers Band and it's stars, Nat & Alex Wolff! Nat and Alex are two of televisions most recognizable teen faces.

FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY THE MUSICAL opened at the New World Stages on October 1 in New York City. Those in attendance included Julianne Moore, Polly Draper, and Kelly Rutherford. Broadwayworld brings you coverage below.

Ken Ludwig's comedy LEND ME A TENOR began previews on Friday March 12 and opened last night on April 4. at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street).

Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway production of After Miss Julie officially opened last night, Thursday, October 22nd. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were as the stars arrived for the first night performance.

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) announced the winners of the 2009 Writers Guild Awards for outstanding achievement in writing for screen, television, radio, news, promotional, and videogame writing at simultaneous ceremonies at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles and the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City.

The Writers Guild of America, West and the Writers Guild of America, East today announced nominations for outstanding achievement in television, radio, news, promotional writing, and graphic animation during the 2008 season to be honored at the upcoming 2009 Writers Guild Awards on February 7, 2009, in Los Angeles and New York.

The Writers Guild of America, West and the Writers Guild of America, East today announced nominations for outstanding achievement in television, radio, news, promotional writing, and graphic animation during the 2008 season to be honored at the upcoming 2009 Writers Guild Awards on February 7, 2009, in Los Angeles and New York.

On October 6th, 2008 theater, television, and film celebrities Polly Draper, S. Epatha Merkerson, Talia Balsam and Cybill Shepherd attended the second annual 'Reinvention Convention', hosted by More Magazine.

MTV: Music Television taped a performance of Legally Blonde, the Broadway smash show based on MGM's ever-popular film, live at the Palace Theatre on September 18.

Olney Theatre Center Presents works by Donald Margulies and Stephen Schwartz