Purpose
Purpose, directed by Phylicia Rashad, will make its Los Angeles premiere at the Geffen Playhouse from November 11 to December 13, 2026. This Pulitzer Prize-winning...
About the Theatre
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 renowned mix of classic and contemporary plays as well as provocative world premiere productions, the not-for-profit organization continues to present a body of work that garners national recognition. Named in honor of entertainment mogul and philanthropist David Geffen, who made the initial donation to the theater, the company was founded by Gilbert Cates and is currently helmed by Executive Director Gil Cates, Jr., Artistic Director Matt Shakman and Board Chair Adi Greenberg. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen welcomes an audience of more than 130,000 each year, and maintains extensive education and community engagement programs, designed to involve underserved young people and the community at large in the arts.Upcoming Shows
Liberation
Liberation makes its West Coast premiere at Geffen Playhouse, following a successful run on Broadway. Written by Bess Wohl and directed by Whitney White, the...
The Monsters
The Monsters, written by Ngozi Anyanwu and directed by Awoye Timpo, makes its Los Angeles premiere at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater. The story revolves...
Closing Costs
Closing Costs is a world premiere comedy written by Grace McLeod, set to run at the Geffen Playhouse from March 31 to May 2, 2027....
Wine in the Wilderness
Wine in the Wilderness, written by Alice Childress and directed by LaChanze, takes place during the 1964 Harlem riot in the apartment of painter Bill...
Auditions
- Geffen Playhouse 2026-27 Season
- 2026-27 Season (Multiple Productions)
- 2026-27 Season (Multiple Productions)
Review: MUSE/IQUE DEFIANTLY JONI: A SINGER/SONGWRITER BARES HER SOUL at Mark Taper Forum
The concert offered an intimate tribute to Joni Mitchell's unique genius, offering a revelatory look at the cultural milieu and musical streams that fed into her art, and then poured out of her Laurel Canyon home and into her unique ways of mixing other genres and artists into her music – or inspi…
Review: ANATOMY OF A BACK by Kick Boom Theater at Electric Lodge
John Wuchte and his Kick Boom Theater ensemble of five actors and two onstage musicians (Wuchte on percussion and Sarah Green on guitar) continue their exploration of live percussion scoring the actors’ movement, gestures and stylized dialogue during Anatomy of a Back at the Electric Lodge in Veni…
Review: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at Musical Theatre West
Musical Theatre West's brand new presentation of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT marks the fifth time the 74-season-old institution is revisiting this ubiquitous musical, this time starring hunky Broadway alum and America's Got Talent standout Brian Justin Crum. For all intents and purp…
Review: MEAN GIRLS at Wisteria Theater
Even in Los Angeles, in the midst of a spectacular live theater renaissance, there are few theaters in town doing musicals with as much deep excellence and sheer joy as Wisteria Theater.…
Review: MEXODUS at Pasadena Playhouse
When we hum along, dance, applaud or whatever (folks in the up close Get Down section probably have more opportunity to, you know, get down), the connection to the story and to its themes feels that much more immediate.…
Review: PAINTED PONIES Starring Rachel Sorsa at Ruskin Group Theatre
Sorsa’s extraordinary talent in enveloping Pam as if she was inside her soul, along with Elina de Santos minimally invasive direction by keeping Sorsa seated on the couch center stage to tell her story into her cell phone, will keep your sharp focus on Ian McRae’s monologue honoring human resili…
Review: IF/THEN at the Zephyr Theatre
What did our critic think of IF/THEN at Zephyr Theatre?…
Review: World Premiere E=MC² EINSTEIN THE MUSICAL Often Trades Depth for Silly Songs
I want to praise the quality of the large cast for their dedication to bringing so many authentic characters to life onstage while changing costumes, accents and physicality often in the blink of an eye. But with so much interesting history to be explored about a man who was often quoted, and misquo…
Review: THE GREAT CLOWN BANK SHOW at Open Fist Theatre Company
What did our critic think of THE GREAT CLOWN BANK SHOW at Open Fist Theatre Company?The lunacy is unbridled, but with all the insanity, you’re too often left wondering: “What is going ON??” And moreover: “Why??”…
Review: THE DIARY OF AN OREGON TRAIL SPINSTER at Atwater Village Theatre
Writer, producer, and actor Dwyer illuminates the interior life of a woman whose existence echoes much of what is happening today, misogyny, betrayal, insecurity, ageism — making this a timeless, sometimes terrifying tale.…
Past Shows
Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous
Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous features Anna Campbell, a celebrated actress looking to reclaim her status while navigating the complexities of her past and the...
Master Harold… and the Boys
The production of Athol Fugard’s Master Harold… and the Boys takes place in a 1950s South African tea shop, where the dynamics between a white...
Dragon Mama
Dragon Mama is the Los Angeles premiere written and performed by Sara Porkalob, marking the second part of The Dragon Cycle. The story follows Maria...
SYLVIA SYLVIA SYLVIA
SYLVIA SYLVIA SYLVIA is a world premiere from playwright Beth Hyland, set to run at the Geffen Playhouse. The story follows Sally, a former acclaimed...
Table 17
In the West Coast premiere of Table 17, Jada and Dallas, former fiancés, reunite for dinner to confront their shared past. As they navigate the...
littleboy/littleman
Littleboy/littleman is a world premiere play that explores the complex relationship between Nicaraguan brothers Fíto and Bastian as they navigate their differing visions of the...
Am I Roxie?
Am I Roxie? is a world premiere showcasing the talents of Roxana Ortega, who both writes and performs this one-woman show. Through humor and resilience,...
The Inheritance
In contemporary Manhattan, Eric and Toby are 30-somethings who seem to be very much in love and thriving. But on the cusp of their engagement,...
Man Of God
David Henry Hwang Theater:Anna Moench; dir: Jesca Prudencio....
Trayf
Lindsay Joelle; dir: Benjamin Kamine.American Premiere...
Power Of Sail
Distinguished Harvard professor Charles Nichols (Emmy & Tony Award winner Bryan Cranston) finds himself in hot water after inviting an incendiary white nationalist to speak...
The Enigmatist
Can you solve the enigma? From the creator and performer of the hit virtual production Inside the Box comes an immersive experience of puzzles and...
Someone Else's House
Obie Award-winning multimedia artist Jared Mezzocchi has a harrowing story to tell: his family's frightening, true-life haunting inside a 200-year-old New England house. Flip the...
The Door You Never Saw Before
Part musical, part adventure, this inventive new play is designed to take frustrated kids in quarantine on an outrageously fun journey. After entering a door...
Skintight
Hanging on by a thread after her ex-husband gets engaged to a much younger woman, Jodi (Tony Award winner Idina Menzel, Rent, Wicked) retreats to...
Witch
Mischief is afoot in the sleepy village of Edmonton and the fate of the world is at stake in this smart modern fable. When the...
Yes, Prime Minister
Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey Appleby are back - and on stage - in the biggest West End comedy hit of the year. Now it's...
The Judy Show - My Life As A Sitcom
Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater: - Judy Gold, Kate Moira Ryan; dir: Amanda Charlton....
American Buffalo
Gil Cates Theater: - David Mamet; dir: Randall Arney....
Miss Julie
Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater: - adapt: Neil LaBute from August Strindberg; dir: Neil LaBute....
The Gift
Gil Cates Theater: - Joanna Murray-Smith; dir: Maria Aitken....
The Exorcist
The most chilling test of faith come to life on stage. This world premiere adaptation of the famous 1971 novel documenting the terror and redemption...
Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie
California Institute of Technology - CALTECH PLAYREADERS...
Superior Donuts
Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Tracy Letts weaves a heart-warming and humorous tale of unlikely friendships in one of Chicago’s most diverse neighborhoods....
The Break of Noon
Playwright and provocateur Neil LaBute’s newest play takes off from George Bernard Shaw’s quote: “All truths begin as blasphemies.” And then we meet John Smith....
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Next to Normal Phantasma Arts (7/17-7/25) |
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After the Blast The Broadwater Second Stage (8/05-8/13) |
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Catch Me If You Can The Colony Theatre (9/17-10/18) |
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E=MC² Einstein The Musical Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center (7/03-7/26) |
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Fool for Love Santa Monica Playhouse (7/23-7/26) |
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Gershwin and the Golden Age Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) (10/11-10/11) |
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Matt & Ben Sherry Theatre (7/31-9/05) |
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Water for Elephants Hollywood Pantages Theatre (9/08-9/27) |
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Jane Monheit - Monheit Sings Porter James Armstrong Theatre (5/21-5/21) |
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Ni Mi Madre Diversionary Theatre (8/13-9/06) |