James Eckhouse News

Producers Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel and Louise Gund have announced that James Eckhouse, most recently seen in the world premiere of Jane Anderson's 'The Escort' at The Geffen Playhouse and best known for playing Jim Walsh on the original 'Beverly Hills 90210', will play the role of Robert McNamara in the Broadway bound production of ALL THE WAY by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan (The Kentucky Cycle).

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.

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 a parent's worst nightmare, a troubled American teen vanishes into the mysterious world of Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox haredi community while on a summer trip to Israel, cutting off all communication with her desperate mother and father.

In a parent's worst nightmare, a troubled American teen vanishes into the mysterious world of Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox haredi community while on a summer trip to Israel, cutting off all communication with her desperate mother and father.

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning Six Degrees of Separation, by John Guare (The House of Blue Leaves, Landscape of the Body), directed by Trip Cullman, to run in the Old Globe Theatre January 10 - February 15 (press opening: Thursday, January 15 at 8pm). Broadway veteran Karen Ziemba, who will play 'Ouisa,' won the Tony for the musical Contact and was nominated for her work in Steel Pier, Never Gonna Dance and Curtains!.

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning Six Degrees of Separation, by John Guare (The House of Blue Leaves, Landscape of the Body), directed by Trip Cullman, to run in the Old Globe Theatre January 10 - February 15 (press opening: Thursday, January 15 at 8pm). Broadway veteran Karen Ziemba, who will play 'Ouisa,' won the Tony for the musical Contact and was nominated for her work in Steel Pier, Never Gonna Dance and Curtains!.

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning Six Degrees of Separation, by John Guare (The House of Blue Leaves, Landscape of the Body), directed by Trip Cullman, to run in the Old Globe Theatre January 10 - February 15 (press opening: Thursday, January 15 at 8pm). Broadway veteran Karen Ziemba, who will play 'Ouisa,' won the Tony for the musical Contact and was nominated for her work in Steel Pier, Never Gonna Dance and Curtains!.