Richard Bekins News

“How to Ruin a Relationship in One Easy Step,”  is a definitive alternate title for, THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY, a smart, little 80-minute, light drama written by Samuel Balm, directed by Darko Tresnjak, currently at the Geffen Playhouse, Gil Cates Theater.

All new production photos have been released from The Engagement Party at Geffen Playhouse! Check out the photos here!

Up next at The Geffen Playhouse, Samuel Baum’s The Engagement Party West Coast premieres October 12, 2023 (with previews already in progress). Darko Tresnjak directs the cast of: Richard Bekins, Bella Heathcote, Brian Lee Huynh, Mark Jacobson, Wendie Malick, Brian Patrick Murphy, Jonah Platt and Lauren Worsham. Samuel squeezed out some time from rehearsals and previews to answer a few of my queries.

Geffen Playhouse has announced the full cast for its West Coast premiere of The Engagement Party, written by Samuel Baum and directed by Tony Award winner Darko Tresnjak.

Charles Busch and Carl Andress are currently shooting their latest film project, The Sixth Reel, in which Busch also stars. The film co-stars Julie Halston, Tim Daly, Margaret Cho, André De Shields, Patrick Page, Doug Plaut, Richard Bekins, Heather MacRae, Dee Hoty, Cady Huffman, John Ellison Conlee, T. Oliver Reid and Ashley Austin Morris.

When a couple decides to wed, it is typically a joyous occasion. It's a moment in their lives worth celebrating with friends and family. Oftentimes, soon after comes an engagement party where gifts are presented, toasts are made, and everyone present celebrates the happy couple. At least that is what is supposed to happen. In Hartford Stage's presentation of the world premiere of Samuel Baum's play THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY, things begin in this typical fashion, but with one unexpected event, quickly devolve into a dramatic, captivating, and revealing evening that will change the lives of those present forever.

Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts will present Samuel Baum's The Engagement Party, directed by Tresnjak. Zach Appelman, Richard Bekins, Mia Dillon and Beth Riesgraf lead the cast. The world premiere play will perform Thursday, January 10, through Sunday, February 3, 2019.

Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts will present Samuel Baum's The Engagement Party, directed by Tresnjak. Zach Appelman, Richard Bekins, Mia Dillon and Beth Riesgraf lead the cast. The world premiere play will perform Thursday, January 10, through Sunday, February 3, 2019.

Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts will present Samuel Baum's The Engagement Party, directed by Tresnjak. Zach Appelman, Richard Bekins, Mia Dillon and Beth Riesgraf lead the cast. The world premiere play will perform Thursday, January 10, through Sunday, February 3, 2019.

Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts will present Samuel Baum's The Engagement Party, directed by Tresnjak. Zach Appelman, Richard Bekins, Mia Dillon and Beth Riesgraf lead the cast. The world premiere play will perform Thursday, January 10, through Sunday, February 3, 2019.

Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts announced today the cast and creative team for Samuel Baum's The Engagement Party, directed by Tresnjak. Zach Appelman, Richard Bekins, Mia Dillon and Beth Riesgraf lead the cast. The world premiere play will perform Thursday, January 10, through Sunday, February 3, 2019.

Town Stages and Yael Silver present Home Enough To Me: The Songs of Rachel Dean and David Brush, a benefit for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, on Monday, March 26, 2018 at 7pm at Town Stages, 221 West Broadway, NYC, featuring: Tony award-winning Cady Huffman (The Producers),Jessica Vosk (Wicked), Max Crumm (Grease), Jamison Scott(Memphis), Nick Adams (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, A Chorus Line), Lauren Elder (Sideshow),George Psomas (Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific), Law Terrell Dunford (Waitress), Tally Sessions (War Paint, Falsettos), Kristin Stokes (The Lightning Thief) Rebecca Spigelman, Noah Hinsdale (Fun Home). Tickets are $65 ($100 for VIP admission) and are available at https://homeenoughtome.splashthat.com/.

PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST - an evening with the Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin and her husband Steve Bakunas, a painter, actor and jazz drummer - was just presented by the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.) last night, June 16 at 7 pm to benefit the company's productions, artistic development initiatives and arts education programs, it has been announced by Douglas Aibel, The Vineyard's artistic director, and Sarah Stern, co-artistic director. PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST featured Ms. Lavin and Mr. Bakunas in a 90-minute intimate evening during which Ms. Lavin answers questions about her life and career, posed by her husband while he paints her portrait on stage. An evening of warmth, romance, humor and nostalgia, the couple has previously performed the program at venues around the country.

TOO MUCH SUN - the newest play by Nicky Silver - plays through June 22 at the Vineyard Theatre(108 E. 15 St.). Mark Brokaw directs the cast starring the Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin(BROADWAY BOUND, 'Alice'), joined by Ken Barnett (WONDERFUL TOWN, AND BABY MAKES SEVEN), Richard Bekins (TARTUFFE, LOVE! VALOR! COMPASSION!), Matt Dellapina (OUTSIDE PEOPLE, DREAM OF THE BURNING BOY), Matt Dickson (WAR HORSE, COAST OF UTOPIA) andJennifer Westfeldt (THE LIBRARY, Kissing Jessica Stein). BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

TOO MUCH SUN - the newest play by Nicky Silver - plays through June 22 at the Vineyard Theatre(108 E. 15 St.). Mark Brokaw directs the cast starring the Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin(BROADWAY BOUND, 'Alice'), joined by Ken Barnett (WONDERFUL TOWN, AND BABY MAKES SEVEN), Richard Bekins (TARTUFFE, LOVE! VALOR! COMPASSION!), Matt Dellapina (OUTSIDE PEOPLE, DREAM OF THE BURNING BOY), Matt Dickson (WAR HORSE, COAST OF UTOPIA) and Jennifer Westfeldt (THE LIBRARY, Kissing Jessica Stein). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night after party below!

TOO MUCH SUN - the newest play by Nicky Silver - plays through June 22 at the Vineyard Theatre(108 E. 15 St.). Mark Brokaw directs the cast starring the Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin(BROADWAY BOUND, 'Alice'), joined by Ken Barnett (WONDERFUL TOWN, AND BABY MAKES SEVEN), Richard Bekins (TARTUFFE, LOVE! VALOR! COMPASSION!), Matt Dellapina (OUTSIDE PEOPLE, DREAM OF THE BURNING BOY), Matt Dickson (WAR HORSE, COAST OF UTOPIA) andJennifer Westfeldt (THE LIBRARY, Kissing Jessica Stein). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night theatre arrivals below!

TOO MUCH SUN - the newest play by Nicky Silver - plays through June 22 at the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.). Mark Brokaw directs the cast starring the Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin (BROADWAY BOUND, 'Alice'), joined by Ken Barnett (WONDERFUL TOWN, AND BABY MAKES SEVEN), Richard Bekins (TARTUFFE, LOVE! VALOR! COMPASSION!), Matt Dellapina (OUTSIDE PEOPLE, DREAM OF THE BURNING BOY), Matt Dickson (WAR HORSE, COAST OF UTOPIA) and Jennifer Westfeldt (THE LIBRARY, Kissing Jessica Stein). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening night curtain call below!

Let's see what the critics had to say...