This afternoon, Disney+ made its D23 Expo debut with its first-ever showcase presentation, announcing six new series in development and revealing key details about the highly anticipated streaming service to an enthusiastic audience at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim. The event showcased the sweeping array of talent with in-person and video appearances from the stars of Disney+'s slate of originals from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic and included sneak peeks, trailer premieres, and exclusive news about the service and its upcoming projects. Actress Yvette Nicole Brown, who stars in the Disney+ original film “Lady and the Tramp,” hosted the lively presentation, welcoming Kevin Mayer, chairman, Direct-to-Consumer & International, to the stage to kick off the show.
Geffen Playhouse today announced the full cast for its West Coast premiere of Witch, written by Jen Silverman (The Roommate, Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties) and directed by Marti Lyons (How to Defend Yourself, Boticelli in the Fire). This marks the first Geffen production to launch the 2019/2020 season, the second season programmed by Artistic Director Matt Shakman.
Mysterious Circumstancesby Michael Mitnickinspired by The New Yorker article 'Mysterious Circumstances, the Strange Death of a Sherlock Holmes Fanatic' by David Granndirected by Matt ShakmanGeffen Playhouse, Gil Cates Theaterthrough July 14
A man of many voices and talents (you may not readily recognize by voice - he has so many), Alan Tudyk will be mounting the Geffen stage, undertaking dual roles in Michael Mitnick's MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. Under the direction of Geffen Playhouse artistic director Matt Shakman, previews for MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES began June 11, with an opening night set for June 19, 2019. Alan managed to find some time to get on the phone with me after a fun day of rehearsals.
Geffen Playhouse raised more than $1.3 million for the theater's education, community engagement and artistic initiatives at its 17th annual Backstage at the Geffen fundraiser held May 19, it was announced today. Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon franchise, The Color Purple, Dreamgirls) presented the Artistic Impact Award for Harry Belafonte, which was accepted by daughter Gina Belafonte on his behalf, and Jane Fonda (Grace & Frankie, Book Club, 9 to 5) presented the Distinction in Theater Award to Lily Tomlin.
Geffen Playhouse today announced the full cast for its world premiere production Mysterious Circumstances, written by Michael Mitnick (Drama Desk Award nominee for Fly by Night, The Siegel) and directed by Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Matt Shakman.
The world premiere of world-renown magician Helder Guimarães' INVISIBLE TANGO has already begun previews at the Geffen Playhouse. A World Champion of Magic (among other titles), Helder has enlisted the directing talents of Frank Marshall and the musicality of Moby for his TANGO of storytelling and sleight-of-hand. Helder agreed to reveal some secrets of his magic success. (No, he didn't, but I was just hoping he would!)
Geffen Playhouse and Audible will co-produce Nightfall for the Los Angeles theater's 2019/2020 season, it was announced today. Written by Marisela Treviño Orta (The River Bride, Braided Sorrow, Wolf at the Door) as part of Audible's Emerging Playwrights Fund, Nightfall will make its world premiere in Geffen's Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater in February and marks the completion of the Geffen Playhouse 2019/2020 season lineup.
Geffen Playhouse is now accepting applications for the 2019/2020 cycle of The Writers' Room playwrights group, it was announced today. Now entering its second year, the next group of playwrights chosen will begin their residency in September 2019. The Writers' Room initiative was first developed and launched in 2018 under the direction of Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Matt Shakman.
Good morning, BroadwayWorld, and Happy Friday! Finish off your week right by catching up on the latest Broadway news before you kick back for the weekend!
Geffen Playhouse today announced eight productions that will make up its 2019/2020 season, with one additional production to be announced. This marks the second lineup curated by Artistic Director Matt Shakman and the 24th season for the Los Angeles theater. The season will launch Tuesday, August 20, 2019 and run through Sunday, July 19, 2020.
Tony Award-winner Jefferson Mays (and his many characters) will grace the Gil Cates Theatre stage of the Geffen Playhouse for his one-man adaptation of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL, already in previews, with opening night set for November 7, 2018. I had the chance to pick Jefferson's witty mind for some very fun answers to my semi-serious inquiries.
More than $100,000 was raised at the exclusive one-night-only reading of Terms of Endearment presented by Berlanti Productions and Jessica Queller at the Geffen Playhouse, it was announced today. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Stand Up To Cancer and Geffen Playhouse's New Play Development Program.
Geffen Playhouse today announced its selection of six local writers to participate in the launch of the inaugural cycle of The Writers' Room, a forum for engagement and collaboration between Los Angeles playwrights. The participants for 2018/2019 are Angelica Cheri, Dipika Guha, Chelsea Marcantel, Brian Otaño, Liza Powel O'Brien and Matt Schatz.
Berlanti Productions and Jessica Queller will present an exclusive one-night-only reading of Terms of Endearment at the Geffen Playhouse, it was announced today. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Stand Up To Cancer and Geffen Playhouse's New Play Development Program.
Geffen Playhouse today announced the full cast for its production of Academy Award-nominated and Obie Award-winning Jose Rivera's (Motorcycle Diaries, References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot) The Untranslatable Secrets of Nikki Corona, directed by Obie Award- and Drama Desk Award-winning Jo Bonney (By the Way, Meet Vera Stark; Cost of Living). This world premiere marks the launch of Artistic Director Matt Shakman's inaugural season for Geffen Playhouse.
The Geffen Playhouse today announced that it has added three directors to its upcoming 2018/2019 season, the first from new Artistic Director Matt Shakman. Tony Award nominee Michael Arden will direct Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted by and starring Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays; Obie Award winner Jo Bonney will direct the world premiere of Jose Rivera's The Untranslatable Secrets of Nikki Corona; and Obie Award-winner Robert O'Hara will direct the world premiere of Inda Craig-Galvan's Black Super Hero Magic Mama.
Chrissy Metz, the Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominated star of the NBC drama This Is Us, will make her stage debut in Neil LaBute's critically acclaimed play Fat Pig at the Geffen Playhouse.
