Ken Novice News

Emmy Award winning actress Jane Lynch will host this year's Backstage at the Geffen fundraiser, which recognizes leadership in the theater community while raising support for the theater's artistic and outreach initiatives, honoring Hollywood legend Carol Burnett and Chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment Jim Gianopulos. Ms. Burnett will receive the Distinction in Theater Award and Mr. Gianopulos will be presented with the Distinction in Service Award by entertainment icon and longtime colleague Warren Beatty. The star-studded event will be co-chaired by Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Robert A. Iger and his wife, journalist Willow Bay. This irreverent evening of laughter, music and stories, which is sponsored by City National Bank, will be held on Monday June 4, 2012 at the Geffen Playhouse.

Stage and screen star Peter Gallagher is sharing his life through songs and stories in a one-night-only performance at the Geffen Playhouse on Sunday, March 11, 2012. The Tony nominated Broadway vet will share a lifetime of show business experiences - from his early days starting out as a young actor in New York to working with legends like James Cagney, Peter O'Toole and Jack Lemmon. Joined by a live band, Gallagher brings his anecdotes to life with songs ranging from Broadway tunes, to music from his hit television show The OC, to classics by the likes of Van Morrison and Burt Bacharach. Peter Gallagher: Songs and Stories from an Actor's Life will benefit the Geffen Playhouse and The Actors Fund, for which Gallagher serves as the National Board of Advisors co-chair, and will be followed by a post-show reception.

Late-night comedy superstar Conan O'Brien is joining forces with the Geffen Playhouse Story Pirates for a special evening presented by JP Morgan that benefits the Geffen Playhouse Story Pirates Play/Write program. Story Pirates and Friends, a star-studded version of the Pirates' trademark show traditionally performed Saturdays in the Geffen Playhouse Kinross Annex, will feature family-friendly musical comedy sketches based on stories written by elementary school kids.

Stage and screen star Peter Gallagher is sharing his life through songs and stories in a one-night-only performance at the Geffen Playhouse on Sunday, March 11, 2012. The Tony nominated Broadway vet will share a lifetime of show business experiences - from his early days starting out as a young actor in New York to working with legends like James Cagney, Peter O'Toole and Jack Lemmon. Joined by a live band, Gallagher brings his anecdotes to life with songs ranging from Broadway tunes, to music from his hit television show The OC, to classics by the likes of Van Morrison and Burt Bacharach. Peter Gallagher: Songs and Stories from an Actor's Life will benefit the Geffen Playhouse and The Actors Fund, for which Gallagher serves as the National Board of Advisors co-chair, and will be followed by a post-show reception.

Late-night comedy superstar Conan O'Brien is joining forces with the Geffen Playhouse Story Pirates for a special evening presented by JP Morgan that benefits the Geffen Playhouse Story Pirates Play/Write program. Story Pirates and Friends, a star-studded version of the Pirates' trademark show traditionally performed Saturdays in the Geffen Playhouse Kinross Annex, will feature family-friendly musical comedy sketches based on stories written by elementary school kids.

Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins starring two-time Tony and Oscar nominee Kathleen Turner plays the Geffen Playhouse though February 19. Turner sizzles as Molly Ivins, the brassy Texan reporter whose liberal journalism skyrocketed her to the national stage. This acclaimed one-woman show captures the red-headed reporter's indomitable character by weaving personal anecdotes with her colorful take on national politics. Check out a sneak peek of the production by clicking below!

The world premiere of acclaimed actor/writer Alan Alda's Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie, a bioplay about the passions and conflicts of the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize, will extend for an extra week in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse and will run through Sunday, December 18, 2011. Original cast members, helmed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan, including Anna Gunn, most recognized by television audiences for her role on AMC's Breaking Bad, as the title character John de Lancie, best known to Star Trek fans as 'Q' and acclaimed stage actors Hugo Armstrong, Dan Donohue, Leonard Kelly-Young, Natacha Roi and Sarah Zimmerman will stay on for the extension week.

Golden Globe Award winner Peter Gallagher (The O.C., American Beauty) takes on the role of George Bailey, joining the star-studded cast of the Geffen Playhouse's special oneday-only reading of It's A Wonderful Life. The cast also features four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right, Being Julia, American Beauty), three-time Emmy Award winner Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Broadway star and favorite TV mom Shirley Jones (The Partridge Family) along with her real life husband Marty Ingels, character actor Leslie Jordan (Will and Grace, The Help), television actress Lorraine Toussaint (Friday Night Lights, Saving Grace), and acclaimed stage and screen actors Gregory Itzin (Adaptation, 24), Glenne Headly (who will be seen later this season on the Geffen stage in The Jacksonian) and Drop Dead Diva's Josh Stamberg (who was also seen alongside Annette Bening in The Female of the Species at the Geffen). Helmed by L.A. director Bart DeLorenzo, this special evening sponsored by One West Bank is a joint fundraiser for the Geffen Playhouse and The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. It's a Wonderful Life will be performed in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. This adaption of It's a Wonderful Life captures the heartwarming holiday spirit of the classic film with the nostalgia of a live radio play. Gallagher and Bening, who play George and Mary, respectively, are joined on stage by a cast of familiar characters as well as a sound effects artist who will be using a time-honored bag of tricks to create the world of the play.

Golden Globe Award winner Peter Gallagher (The O.C., American Beauty) takes on the role of George Bailey, joining the star-studded cast of the Geffen Playhouse's special oneday-only reading of It's A Wonderful Life. The cast also features four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right, Being Julia, American Beauty), three-time Emmy Award winner Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Broadway star and favorite TV mom Shirley Jones (The Partridge Family) along with her real life husband Marty Ingels, character actor Leslie Jordan (Will and Grace, The Help), television actress Lorraine Toussaint (Friday Night Lights, Saving Grace), and acclaimed stage and screen actors Gregory Itzin (Adaptation, 24), Glenne Headly (who will be seen later this season on the Geffen stage in The Jacksonian) and Drop Dead Diva's Josh Stamberg (who was also seen alongside Annette Bening in The Female of the Species at the Geffen). Helmed by L.A. director Bart DeLorenzo, this special evening sponsored by One West Bank is a joint fundraiser for the Geffen Playhouse and The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. It's a Wonderful Life will be performed in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. This adaption of It's a Wonderful Life captures the heartwarming holiday spirit of the classic film with the nostalgia of a live radio play. Gallagher and Bening, who play George and Mary, respectively, are joined on stage by a cast of familiar characters as well as a sound effects artist who will be using a time-honored bag of tricks to create the world of the play.

The world premiere of acclaimed actor/writer Alan Alda's Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie, a bioplay about the passions and conflicts of the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize, will extend for an extra week in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse and will run through Sunday, December 18, 2011. Original cast members, helmed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan, including Anna Gunn, most recognized by television audiences for her role on AMC's Breaking Bad, as the title character John de Lancie, best known to Star Trek fans as 'Q' and acclaimed stage actors Hugo Armstrong, Dan Donohue, Leonard Kelly-Young, Natacha Roi and Sarah Zimmerman will stay on for the extension week.

The 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 world-renowned mix of classic and contemporary plays, provocative new works and musicals, the Geffen Playhouse continues to present a body of work that has garnered national recognition.

The world premiere of acclaimed actor/writer Alan Alda's Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie, a bioplay about the passions and conflicts of the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize, will feature Anna Gunn as the title character.

Original cast members Usman Ally (VP), Terence Archie (Chad Deity) and Desmin Borges (Mace) get back in the ring to reprise their roles in The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at the Geffen Playhouse where they're joined by character actor Steve Valentine in the role of EKO (one more actor remains to be announced). Written by Kristoffer Diaz, this Pulitzer Prize finalist slams together thrilling spectacle, incredible characters and geopolitical allegory into an invigorating theatrical experience you can't find on pay-perview.

Original cast members Usman Ally (VP), Terence Archie (Chad Deity) and Desmin Borges (Mace) get back in the ring to reprise their roles in The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at the Geffen Playhouse where they're joined by character actor Steve Valentine in the role of EKO (one more actor remains to be announced). Written by Kristoffer Diaz, this Pulitzer Prize finalist slams together thrilling spectacle, incredible characters and geopolitical allegory into an invigorating theatrical experience you can't find on pay-perview.

Award-winning actor Martin Sheen will appear for one-night only as part of a reading of Samuel Shem & Janet Surrey's record-breaking play Bill W. and Dr. Bob. A joint fundraiser for the Geffen Playhouse and Hazelden- a non-profit leader in addiction treatment for more than 60 years - the evening will feature a reading of the play, a post-show discussion with the cast and playwrights and a dessert reception.

Award-winning actor Martin Sheen, set to star in a one-night only reading of Samuel Shem & Janet Surrey's record-breaking play Bill W. and Dr. Bob, will be sharing the stage with a diverse group of acclaimed actors: Emmy Award nominee Ed Begley Jr. (Spinal Tap, St. Elsewhere), veteran stage and screen actress JoBeth Williams (Poltergeist, Kramer vs. Kramer) and Stephanie Zimbalist (Remington Steele, The Story Lady). Two more actors are still to be announced. A joint fundraiser for the Geffen Playhouse andHazelden- a non-profit leader in addiction treatment for more than 60 years - the evening will feature a reading of the play, a post-show discussion with the cast and playwrights as well as a dessert reception. Directed by Jenny Sullivan, Bill W. and Dr. Bob recounts the story of Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, two men whose friendship ultimately led to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. Together with their wives, who went on to develop Al-Anon Family Groups, their discoveries have touched and saved countless lives since the program's inception. The reading will take place on Monday, June 27 at 8pm.

Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and Geffen Playhouse Board Member, Cynthia Stafford, will host the 1st Annual Cynthia Stafford's 'Gifted Day at the Geffen' at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15th at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood, Calif. Stafford is teaming up with Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, an initiative of the Mayor's Office, and the Geffen Playhouse to host 250 students for a day of theater education.

Award-winning actor Martin Sheen will appear for one-night only as part of a reading of Samuel Shem & Janet Surrey's record-breaking play Bill W. and Dr. Bob. A joint fundraiser for the Geffen Playhouse and Hazelden- a non-profit leader in addiction treatment for more than 60 years - the evening will feature a reading of the play, a post-show discussion with the cast and playwrights and a dessert reception.

Next season the Geffen Playhouse is introducing Angelenos to acclaimed new works - including the previously announced Red Hot Patriot: The Kick Ass Wit of Molly Ivins featuring Kathleen Turner, Pulitzer Prize nominee The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity by Kristoffer Diaz and Tony Award nominee Next Fall by Geoffrey Nauffts - as well as introducing the theater community at large to three world premieres - including a stage adaptation of The Exorcist by Edgar Award winner John Pielmeier (Agnes of God), The Jacksonian, a new work by Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley, and Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie, the playwriting debut of actor Alan Alda. In addition to the acclaimed playwrights represented this season, the Geffen Playhouse is welcoming internationally lauded directors to helm these works including Tony Award winners John Doyle and Robert Falls.

Gary Cole and Edi Gathegi lead the cast of Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts' Superior Donuts at the Geffen Playhouse. Cole and Gathegi are joined by a formidable ensemble cast who take on the eclectic personalities of the Chicago neighborhood in which the play is set. The full cast includes Mary Beth Fisher, whose stage credits include Extremities and Boy Gets Girl, Kathryn Joosten, best known for her characters on television's Desperate Housewives and The West Wing as well as Brian Abraham, Ron Bottitta, Paul Dillon, Damon Gupton and Matt McTighe. For complete cast biographies, please view the following pages.